ABS issues
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Junior User
Joined: May 2009
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ABS issues
My ABS light has been on for a couple of weeks and I've been putting off figuring it out for a while. Well, yesterday I was pulling my trailer, coming to a stop, and my brakes went away, pedal almost to the floor, truck pulling hard to the left, and I had the pulsing in the pedal like the ABS was actuating.
I have read that some of these symptoms can be caused by wheel bearings going out. Is this my problem? Where is the best place to get them for the best price? I've done the ball joints and seals so I know I can do it, I just don't want to if I don't need to.
As always, thanks for the help.
Jason
I have read that some of these symptoms can be caused by wheel bearings going out. Is this my problem? Where is the best place to get them for the best price? I've done the ball joints and seals so I know I can do it, I just don't want to if I don't need to.
As always, thanks for the help.
Jason
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 434
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From: San Antonio, Tx.
Bump to the top,
I dont know where to help, havent heard of the brakes going out completely.
I will assume you checked the master cylinder and had fluid in it. Outside of a loss of fluid or overheating, I cant imagine what would cause this.
I dont know where to help, havent heard of the brakes going out completely.
I will assume you checked the master cylinder and had fluid in it. Outside of a loss of fluid or overheating, I cant imagine what would cause this.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 395
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From: Texas
If you have a 2wd it May be your ABS sensor on the differential. Pull it ,clean it and put it back on or replace it. They're cheap about $20 IIRC. They are magnetic and sometimes get a lot of metal particles on it and dont function properly. Thats the way mine was acting, replaced it and everything okay.
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Junior User
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It is 4x4. Brakes didn't go completely out. Just enough to hit my panic button, pumping brakes, and correcting steering. Felt like the abs was engaging and keeping the brakes from working properly.
Jason
Jason
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
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From: Texas
You might try getting the codes read for free at the local parts store. They can't read any of our engine codes, but you might get lucky and see if they can pick up an ABS code.
Otherwise, I'd remove, clean, and inspect the ABS sensors. Do you have 2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS? When was the last time you flushed your brake fluid or the ATF in your power steering reservior?
Otherwise, I'd remove, clean, and inspect the ABS sensors. Do you have 2 wheel or 4 wheel ABS? When was the last time you flushed your brake fluid or the ATF in your power steering reservior?
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Junior User
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I'm assuming it is 4 wheel ABS since it feels like the front wheels are causing the problems. Brake fluid about a year ago. Steering about 2 months ago. I'll try to get it to Advance to read the codes.
Jason
Jason
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,330
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From: Eaton, CO
If it's the '99 under your user name.... Did the '99 have 4 wheel ABS? My '00 XLT only has rear wheel ABS.
My ABS light came on once, but I didn't have any braking issues, though I took care of it ASAP. I replaced the VSS on the top of the rear differential and life was good.
I had a pedal go near the floor once on an ABS vehicle while in traffic and it was the soft front brake hose on the passenger side.
My ABS light came on once, but I didn't have any braking issues, though I took care of it ASAP. I replaced the VSS on the top of the rear differential and life was good.
I had a pedal go near the floor once on an ABS vehicle while in traffic and it was the soft front brake hose on the passenger side.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26,966
Likes: 50
From: Texas
If it's the '99 under your user name.... Did the '99 have 4 wheel ABS? My '00 XLT only has rear wheel ABS.
My ABS light came on once, but I didn't have any braking issues, though I took care of it ASAP. I replaced the VSS on the top of the rear differential and life was good.
I had a pedal go near the floor once on an ABS vehicle while in traffic and it was the soft front brake hose on the passenger side.
My ABS light came on once, but I didn't have any braking issues, though I took care of it ASAP. I replaced the VSS on the top of the rear differential and life was good.
I had a pedal go near the floor once on an ABS vehicle while in traffic and it was the soft front brake hose on the passenger side.
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: North Idaho
I have 4 wheel ABS on my 99 and experienced similar problems. When my ABS light first came on, I changed the sensor on the rear end, and the light went off for awhile. Then I started having some braking problems and excessive tire wear on the left front. When I jacked it up to check the brakes, I grabbed the top of the tire and it had about a half inch of play. I then checked the wheel bearing, and it was completely shot.
The scary thing was there was no noise or wandering problem with the bearing hub being as loose as it was. The only real symptom was the intermittent ABS light and occasional pull when braking. Once I changed the wheel bearing the ABS light has never come back on.
The scary thing was there was no noise or wandering problem with the bearing hub being as loose as it was. The only real symptom was the intermittent ABS light and occasional pull when braking. Once I changed the wheel bearing the ABS light has never come back on.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 628
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From: Parker, Colorado
I dont know of any local parts store reading ABS lights. I worked for Advance for 5 years, never had the ability to check them. O'Reilly's will not check engine code for anyone. Just a FYI....See if someone in your area has AE... I think that may do ABS lights not a 100% though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Eaton, CO
I have 4 wheel ABS on my 99 and experienced similar problems. When my ABS light first came on, I changed the sensor on the rear end, and the light went off for awhile. Then I started having some braking problems and excessive tire wear on the left front. When I jacked it up to check the brakes, I grabbed the top of the tire and it had about a half inch of play. I then checked the wheel bearing, and it was completely shot.
The scary thing was there was no noise or wandering problem with the bearing hub being as loose as it was. The only real symptom was the intermittent ABS light and occasional pull when braking. Once I changed the wheel bearing the ABS light has never come back on.
The scary thing was there was no noise or wandering problem with the bearing hub being as loose as it was. The only real symptom was the intermittent ABS light and occasional pull when braking. Once I changed the wheel bearing the ABS light has never come back on.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 796
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From: North Idaho
Yes, the non serviceable bearings. The hardest part of the deal with mine was the price. There are 3 different part numbers depending on the build date. Mine being built in 2/99 took the $599 part, 
and if it had been built after 3/17/99, it is only $429. Before 12/98 is a different part number, but I don't know the price, but it is probably high too.
and if it had been built after 3/17/99, it is only $429. Before 12/98 is a different part number, but I don't know the price, but it is probably high too.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 796
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From: North Idaho
Being as yours is a 2000 model, the build date won't matter. I ended up paying more than if I had shopped around, but I found the bad hub late in the afternoon and had to have it for work the next morning. I took what Napa had so I wouldn't have any down time.
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