Abs

[flyingbrick]

I tried the search and did not find a suitable answer so what is the ''best'' way to permanently remove ABS from a 2003, i am asking because i have have owned 4 different vehicles all with out and i am still alive but the day i got my truck i was almost killed bringing it home (just about slid thought a busy intersection with a 18 wheeler coming through it). And again today was on my way home rolling to a stop in my neighborhood damn near slid through so i want it OUT!!.

Oh and i would like to as for no speeches about abs saving lives and what-not like i said i leaned how to drive with out it and it has almost killed me, and pulling the fuse is not good enough.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Why isn't pulling the ABS relay a good enough fix? It will revert to plain old power brakes without having to tear out the ABS module, pump, wiring and sensors and having to re run brake hard lines.....seems like the easiest fix one could do.

 

[wvcat]

I'm not sure of the answer but I hate the 4wabs also... I am old school like you and my truck is absolutely uncontrollable in the snow.
John

 

[flyingbrick]

Why isn't pulling the ABS relay a good enough fix? It will revert to plain old power brakes without having to tear out the ABS module, pump, wiring and sensors and having to re run brake hard lines.....seems like the easiest fix one could do.

That might work but will i have a bunch of lights on in the dash, i do a lot of night time driving so having my dash looking like an Xmass tree does not work for me.

 

[Harris]

As far as I can tell from this Haynes manual, those lights only work in relation to the RABS. You can pull the relay then pull the bulbs from the dash; you won't need them anymore.

When I rebuilt my rear brakes last month I discovered that my RABS valve was stuck closed. I took the valve apart and removed the guts to make a straight shot through the valve, effectively making old-fashioned brakes for a temporary 'fix'. Of course the BRAKE and ABS lights came on so I tried jumping some of the points on the connector, but I could not find a pattern that worked. Anyway, I put my new valve on yesterday so it's good to go. Not much snow or ice down here in Georgia.

In my opinion, pulling the relay and pulling the obnoxious bulbs would be best since they could be easily reinstalled if you ever decided to.

 

[pickup]

Thanks to 86Ford, I no longer have ABS on my '04. He said to pull the plugs at each wheel, which worked great. Now I dont know what the difference is, but, I tried it that way-great!, plugged them back in, and pulled the relay-different feel to the pedal (not bad, just different). I preferred the way it felt with the plugs pulled, so after a harsh winter with the plugs pulled, its been perfect!
Either way, getting rid of ABS is the best thing that can be done.
Removing everything is alright, although a lot of unnecessary work for nothing. Pulling a light in the dash is no big deal. At least it can be easily enabled if an inspection is required.

 

[flyingbrick]

I'll look in to both tomorrow morning, but i was thinking of just by passing the ABS pump altogether.

 

[thegoat4]

Umm, if you slid right through an intersection, you have one of two problems: 1) brake system broken, or 2) driving too damned fast. Neither problem will be addressed by removing the ABS.

Most of the time a "weak braking" compaint is due to the same mechanical failures with or without ABS. And ABS systems are generally very good about self-diagnostics and any problem with the pump, sensors, computer, or wiring will cause the system to disable itself immediately. The mechanical side is easy and cheap to troubleshoot and fix.

It's your truck, do waht you want. But make sure you fix the right problem before throwing away a bunch of money and time completely cutting out the ABS.

 

[Jspafford]

Also make sure to hook it back up before you sell it, or at least tell the new owner who assumes he/she has abs.

Could get you in very hot water if you don't disclose this small detail.

 

[flyingbrick]

Umm, if you slid right through an intersection, you have one of two problems: 1) brake system broken, or 2) driving too damned fast. Neither problem will be addressed by removing the ABS.

Most of the time a "weak braking" compaint is due to the same mechanical failures with or without ABS. And ABS systems are generally very good about self-diagnostics and any problem with the pump, sensors, computer, or wiring will cause the system to disable itself immediately. The mechanical side is easy and cheap to troubleshoot and fix.

It's your truck, do waht you want. But make sure you fix the right problem before throwing away a bunch of money and time completely cutting out the ABS.

OK I'll admit the first time it happened i was going a little fast for conditions, BUT when i got on the brakes everything felt fine till ABS kicked in and i did not know what to do i have never had abs, the second time i was doing only 15KMH so you can not tell me ABS works, there was no reason for me to have slid into an intersection at 15KMH.

 

[thegoat4]

OK I'll admit the first time it happened i was going a little fast for conditions, BUT when i got on the brakes everything felt fine till ABS kicked in and i did not know what to do i have never had abs, the second time i was doing only 15KMH so you can not tell me ABS works, there was no reason for me to have slid into an intersection at 15KMH.

Then you have a problem with the mechanical part of your brake system. Check all the routine stuff. Fluid, drum adjustment, pads, wheel bearings, bla bla bla. There are mechanical probelms that the ABS system will amplify without throwing a code. Although taking out ABS will make it seem OK, the basic problem remains and will eventually grow on its own.

If the ABS kicks on when you're not panic braking and not on a slick surface, you have a brake locking up somewhere. Pull the fuse and do a few panic stops. Get out and look at which wheel started to skid first.

When I get drivers who complain about the ABS making the truck take forever to stop (these are bigger trucks, like in the F650 neighborhood, but they're similar enough) these are the usual sources of the problem:
-glazed brakes
-misadjusted (99% of the time loose) drums
-low fluid
-contaminated fluid
-overloaded truck

If a brake is sticking and kicking on the ABS too easily, these are the usual culprits:
-stuck piston
-stuck slider pin
-one pad down to metal (usually noisy, but not always)
-loose bolts holding the brake assembly on
-suspension problems leaving wheels unevenly loaded
-tire pressue

When that's the case, the ABS usually keeps the vehicle from spinning or pulling when braking.

 

[flyingbrick]

Well my passenger side front disk is slightly warped, and i don't have the cash to get it turned down yet, the drums are fine i checked and adjusted them come summer I'll change the fluid to insure that's fine.