Rear ABS "Worthless"?
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Outside Providence, RI
Rear ABS "Worthless"?
I had read on another forum an opinion by a poster who offered that one of the best brake upgrades would simply be to disable the rear-only ABS entirely. He felt that the vehicle overall braked less well than when it was enabled. I didn't have a very high opinion of the system on my 1990 Ford Aerostar AWD, but I guess the theory is that it helps you avoid going into a skid from locking brakes on the lighter back end. It's long been known that an alert and skilled driver can stop a vehicle more quickly under certain conditions (wet leaves) without ABS, but I'm interested in the topic because the ABS system in my truck isn't working now, and I don't know if I should fix it or not.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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The biggest drawback with the Kelsey hayes RABS is that it only works if both rear wheels have locked up. Also certain failures in the system can cause rear brakes to drag or give a sinking brake pedal. So a lot of people just use a short length of brake pipe to bypass the RABS control module.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Outside Providence, RI
So on my 1994 F150 4x2, I could lock one rear wheel and the ABS would not release it alone? Not too swift!
What problems could I be in for if I fixed it? Could I fix one trouble code only to discover that I had multiple other sensors / stuff to fix?
What problems could I be in for if I fixed it? Could I fix one trouble code only to discover that I had multiple other sensors / stuff to fix?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
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Well no sitting on the fence from Andym. However the sensors are really not a problem, there are really only four. The speed sensor that senses when both rears lock, the brake light switch (has to be working anyway), the fluid level sensor (good idea to have it working) and if 4x4, the shift selector sensor (switches RABS off when four wheel drive is selected).
The main problem, I would say, is with the RABS control module. Brake fluid is rarely changed and so gunge and water gather in it and the solenoid valves fail. This can result in rear brakes failing to release and/or a sinking brake pedal depending on how it fails. And a RABS module is around $200 to replace.
The main problem, I would say, is with the RABS control module. Brake fluid is rarely changed and so gunge and water gather in it and the solenoid valves fail. This can result in rear brakes failing to release and/or a sinking brake pedal depending on how it fails. And a RABS module is around $200 to replace.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,982
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From: Somewhere Saskatchewan
You could lose your entire savings and properties.
If you happen to get into an accident, your fault or not, and your vehicle is found to have had a safety feature disarmed you could be sued.
Don't mess with safety features.
Don't mess with safety features.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Bonita Springs FL
Do you know of a case where this happened?
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Texas
when RABS was used ABS wasn't a federal requirement. So if you removed it it wouldn't matter legally because it wasn't required to have in the first place. But that might not stop them from trying to sue you.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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my wife passed mass safety inspection with abs light on in her buick.. it is legal you are right. abs actually increases your stopping distance in MANY instances from my experience. it's people that freeze that create the need for it. they can keep on the brake but still maintain steering.. it would be a battle to keep an eye on in court imo.
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