Thread: Brakes, almost crashed....

For safety's sake, if you know nothing of brake mechanics, take it to an expert, your life may depend on it being repaired properly, Regards Frank.

Tis the plan Tank, definitely dont want to mess around with the anchors.
Have the basic understanding of how to do a bleed etc, but have never tinkered with an ABS equipped car.

Seriously considering taking it to a brake mob, getting extended braided lines and removing the ABS.

In the meantime, will removing the under bonnet ABS fuse ensure this doesnt happen again? Or have the symptoms described elude to something else being the issue.

ABS sucks on the D1 in my experience.
Does your ABS warning light work, and if so, does it ever show a fault?
I used to occasionally get similar issues on my D1, but I also got the occasional ABS fault which was wheel sensor related.
Sometimes giving the wheel sensors a good push back into their carriers would sort it out for me.

Steve

Hi Steve,
I believe that the ABS light works on ignition start up (will have to double check). But havent noticed it when it has been displaying these symptoms.

Yeah, after todays experience (if it is ABS related) makes me want to simply bypass they system as the fault is more dangerous than not having ABS.

Where are the sensors located mate?
Do you have to rip the wheel off to get to them??


Thanks for your help mate!

boy that is scary! hope you get to the bottom if it. ive had similar in my D2, its like it breaks traction (chunks missing in my tyres) then abs goes on, it throws my foot off the pedal and does this weird thing and doesnt stop as fast as it other wise would.

So went for a quick drive around the local industrial area and tried to lock up the wheels, and engage abs to see if I could get a similar feel on the pedal.

Got ABS to engage a little (only just, slight pedal vibration) but it was not making the same rapid mechanical clunking noise and maintained braking capabilities

Went to TRS, the bloke was under the pump, so only got a half interested answer. He said may be the brake proportion valve, said about $100 for them to inspect and see what was going on... But I think hes off the mark there, as the rapid mechanical clunking noise sounds to be coming from the footwell/front area.


Its not doing it consistently, which is making it hard to diagnose....

Originally Posted by beagleONE

Hi Steve,
I believe that the ABS light works on ignition start up (will have to double check). But havent noticed it when it has been displaying these symptoms.

Yeah, after todays experience (if it is ABS related) makes me want to simply bypass they system as the fault is more dangerous than not having ABS.

Where are the sensors located mate?
Do you have to rip the wheel off to get to them??


Thanks for your help mate!

Front sensors are in the top of the swivels, and rear ones go in horizontally. They are on the end of the only thick electrical wire that runs to to each wheel.
Its definitely different to normal ABS operation, and I've even had it in car park at about 10kmh so its not related to severe braking.
Went to pull up behind a queue of stationary traffic and

Steve

Originally Posted by steveG

Its definitely different to normal ABS operation, and I've even had it in car park at about 10kmh so its not related to severe braking.
Went to pull up behind a queue of stationary traffic and

Steve

Spot on mate, so far that is when Ive had it happen to me. Low speed, randomly, generally turning left....
Ive had no issues at high speed, yet

And just testing it out under serious pressure (80km/h+) it brakes fine.



I checked out the under bonnet fuses.
Its an average picture, but visually the fuse seems in tact.
But I did notice some 'burning' near one of the legs




To help determine if it is ABS related, or the prop valve like the bloke at TRS suggested. Is there any danger if I were to remove the two abs fuses from in the engine bay and see if it happens again (ie, and danger of driving for a prolonged time with out these fuses in place???).


I dont really want to spend money getting the wrong thing diagnosed.

EDIT - Have also checked on dash brake light. Highlights 'brake' when pump fuse is removed. So works. No ABS specific lights though?...
Have had a look at the thick electrical wires. Someone has definitely tinkered with them in the past. Different colored cable ties holding them in place...