Thread: Puma ABS scared the ........ outof me!

Thought I'd share an experience which has happened twice now, and I need to do something about it!

I have a 2013 110 Defender. Twice now I have been climbing very steep inclines (as I live in steep country), and when in diff lock and low range, the TC system starts to kick in. The system seems to become more responsive with some extra RPM, so I often rev when the TC system engages which helps.

This all works fine until I'm in a position where the Defer won't move forward. Because of the steepness, on both occasions I have disengaged the clutch at the same time applying the brake. This is now when I have got myself into serious trouble. The first time this happened, the ABS starts to work (because of the higher wheel rpm when spinning I assume) but it does not turn off!!!!!!! I start to accelerate backwards down with my foot hard on the brake, but the ABS is working with my foot pedel pulsing as I go back down the slope which fortunately was clear. I had to steer it straight with the ABS system doing almost nothing to arrest my speed. This was quite frightening!


Imagine climbing up a slope until you loose traction altogether, you continue to rev to try and inprove the ability of the TC, but when you depress the clutch, and apply the brake, instead of the wheels locking, the ABS unit jumps in and starts the anti locking process. The only problem is, that you are now heading backwards trying to stop, but because of the ABS acting while travelling backwards, the truck wont stop!!!!!!!!!!

Because of the clear pathway, I decided to control it backwards and not apply the handbrake and stress the system, as the speed backwards became quickly high.

The second time, the pathway was not clear, as I was in dense timber, but the saving grace was that I had dough four deep holes in which I rolled back into which slowed the truck enough to turn off the ABS activity!

This feature can be avoided(I think) when you are still in gear and no longer going forward, but allow the wheel RPM reduce before applying the brake!!!!

I have grown up in the bush, and in relatively steep country, so I'm not unfamiliar with the techniques or risks involved in safely crossing steep terrain!

Have others had this problem? I would like the ABS to be disabled as soon as you put the TX case into low range!!! Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by cjc_td5

I feel your anguish. I have had the same thing happen a few times with my D2a, both backwards and fowards. It is an unsettling feeling to be edging down a steep grassed slope and have the vehicle take off down the hill with no amount of brake pressure having any affect. Problem is that a small amount of wheel lockup would allow the tyres to break through to the firm ground underneath and I would have stopped.

On a D2 isnt it just as easy, if the hill decent is that steep, to use Hill Decent? I know its a pain with the squawking and dinging but I do find it oki and it disables the ABS side . Or is there something Im missing?
Cheers Scott