Thread: ABS Brakes from hell

Is it possible to remove the ABS pump and just run standard twin circuit brakes?

I have hydraulic cars here, rapidly cycling pumps, generally means your accumulator is dead. What sort of accumulator does it run? Is it a "sphere" type accumulator like a Citroens and hydraulic cars run ?

if its dead flat, replacement is the only option. I can regass spheres/accumulators that are just down on charge though.

seeya,
Shane L.

Do you have a Nanocom?

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

Is it possible to remove the ABS pump and just run standard twin circuit brakes?

It's a big tedious job but is what I did when I got my SE a few years ago (Not that it will help with this problem sorry). It had been sitting in a barn for some years and the pump constantly cycled, sounded horrible and the brakes didn't work. Faced with the massive cost of a new pump and who knows whatever else, and knowing nothing about the ABS system, I installed the entire hydraulic system from a donor parts vehicle from the booster up to the calipers. The lines are all different so was the only way I could make it work without making new stuff. Now all works well and a lot simpler for me to maintain.

Originally Posted by Spel1

It's a big tedious job but is what I did when I got my SE a few years ago (Not that it will help with this problem sorry). It had been sitting in a barn for some years and the pump constantly cycled, sounded horrible and the brakes didn't work. Faced with the massive cost of a new pump and who knows whatever else, and knowing nothing about the ABS system, I installed the entire hydraulic system from a donor parts vehicle from the booster up to the calipers. The lines are all different so was the only way I could make it work without making new stuff. Now all works well and a lot simpler for me to maintain.

Yeah this seems like my last resort option. But good to know its possible and people on here have done it. I'm really hoping I can just get it to work as is.

Cheers!

On a technical note.
Is it legal to remove something like ABS or airbags?
In Victoria it's a roadworthy fail if they don't work.

Tony

It depends entirely on the ADR's on the compliance plate.
If the vehicle came standard with those specific safety features and the placard states it, then yes.
Otherwise, if there are parallel models with different options - i.e. one has abs and the other no, then it is possible to swap between, so long as the vehicle's ADR compliance does not change.

There is an argument for replacement or removal of early airbags if they are beyond their 10 year lifespan (certain manufacturers have different timeframes for scheduled replacements) but if the vehicle is not mandated to require an airbag or ABS in order to comply with the relevant ADR's on the compliance plate, then it is not a legal issue

What IS a legal issue is having a faulty safety system - i.e. brakes that do not work. That's a roadworthiness failure anyway, so if you are concerned about safety, make sure your vehicle is up to scratch.

I'd be more worried about structural rust in an old RRC to be honest.

Brakes are an easy thing to fix and properly maintain for RWC. Hidden rust is just that - not visible and so vehicles pass inspections and maybe some time later they fall to pieces due to rust issues.

and I'm not talking about hanging panels, I'm talking about Sills, pillars, structural body panels and the chassis. i.e. the things that help you survive a serious accident - be it on road or off.

The ABS system is not really that complicated, but parts are not cheap - and it matters not which manufacturer you choose.
It IS a safety system.
If it is mandated on your ADR compliance plate, you require it's fitment and operation to exist on the vehicle in order for it to be roadworthy.

But the truth is even more simple.
if it fails a brake test, it's not roadworthy.
if it passes the brake test, then they are not going to look any further for a RWC inspection.

Originally Posted by Mercguy

It depends entirely on the ADR's on the compliance plate.
<snip>

Not RRC but my 2013 Iveco Daily, had brakes from hell.

ive upgraded the entire brake system and electrically disabled the ABS but the hydraulics still run through it. , I've been meaning to remove the Bosch 5.3 ABS Module but kept incase of compliance issues, your post just spurred me to look up the Compliance number on RVCS and I see ABS was optional. Woo hoo, off it comes.

[QUOTE=goingbush;3233472]Not RRC but my 2013 Iveco Daily, had brakes from hell.

ive upgraded the entire brake system and electrically disabled the ABS but the hydraulics still run through it. , I've been meaning to remove the Bosch 5.3 ABS Module but kept incase of compliance issues, your post just spurred me to look up the Compliance number on RVCS and I see ABS was optional. Woo hoo, off it comes.[/QUOTE

Years (decades) ago, LRover International or LR Monthly (can't remember which) had a short report from a reader. The owner in Britain had gone for an MOT inspection worried that the faulty ABS system might get the vehicle failed. The inspector said something to the effect that there were models of the same year and make with no ABS - the ABS in this case was an option and not essential for proper brake performance - that the ABS could be disconnected via the fuse - all valves would open, and vehicle breaking would remain otherwise unaffected. I was researching this because the ABS in my Discovery 1 was denying me power assisted braking when the vehicle was first turned on. Only after there was a bit of a 'bang & clunk' under the bonnet did assisted breaking return. I read one account of a person sailing through a red light because the ABS decided to make power assisted breaking unavailable. ABS is basically a 4 brake fiddle stick and and unless I'm wrong does not add any additional assisted braking pressure beyond what is already supplied by the vacuum unit.

A driving expert said if people are properly trained in the use of conventional assisted brakes then they are more effective that ABS enhanced systems ie shorter braking distances,