ABS

[rfuree11]

My ABS is horrible in the snow (wayyyyyy too sensitive). I know i have gobs of grip, but it still kicks in- happened a few times this winter, almost plowed into the back of a few cars because of it, and i know i woulda stopped fine if it wasnt there, my tires are crazy. If i just take the ABS relays out of the power distro box, will it cause any long-term damage, or will they just function as normal brakes?

 

[Alec]

The best thing to do is unplug one of the front ABS sensors. Follow the wire loom from the back of one of the front rotors to it's first connector and undo it (will be about 3 feet). Your light will be on, but your brakes will function like normal brakes without ABS.

 

[rfuree11]

ok, so thats a better way than taking out the relay?

 

[Alec]

That's what I did and it worked well. That way you don't have to worry about losing any parts and the harness can be replugged in a few seconds.

 

[Garth]

I dont think the abs comes just because you have abs, it does not have a sensor that tells it that its raining, snowing or other.
It comes on when its needed, as in when the wheels start to lock up.
It then aids you by preventing a skid and therefore shortening the stopping distance.
I have been told that if you have a vehicle that employs an abs system then the best method to obtaining a shorter stopping distant is to step on the brake as hard as you can.
Never disabling the system.

 

[TonyC.]

I agree with Garth,
The ABS system should help you stop better and not worse in the snow. SNOW !! it's 28 C where I'm at !

Merry Xmas to All
From Down Under

 

[Alec]

I agree that for the most part ABS is a great help to drivers in adverse conditions. It helped me when my X was still stock.

However, once I started upgrading the suspension and tires it was way too sensitive. It would activate many times when it didn't need to, actually increasing stopping distance and getting in the way.

I do not recommend disabling ABS for most people. However, if you feel it is a hinderance to safe driving and know how to handle non ABS brakes...

When I disabled my ABS I tested the truck under various conditions on pavement and gravel and made sure I could handle the brakes. With my 33s the brakes never locked up even in water and oil or on gravel, so I decided to keep the ABS off.

 

[rfuree11]

i just drove in the snow, and its much better

 

[Doug Gage]

Maybe you can stop a bit quicker in the snow without ABS but if your wheels lock up then you loose all steering. Thats the beauty of ABS it allows you to steer out of those situations when your front wheels skid.

 

[rfuree11]

not from my experience- abs helps no more than pumping, if there is a low coefficient of friction between the tires, the cars sill conna go straight, abs or not, the laws of physics still apply. plus, id rather have to slow down more around a turn (which you should do anyway)than plow into the back of a car due to the fact that my ABS has activated

thanks for the help alec