Brake & ABS experts PLEASE!!!

[Rustang©]

Hey Y'all

I've got my explorer, and I've got a problem! Within the past week my brakes have been acting very oddly. Every time i go to stop(applying normal pressure), I feel the pedal vibrate and pulsate as if the ABS was engaging. The pedal will also get stiff then soft as if I'm losing pressure.

Up until this past week I never had an warping or any vibrations from the brakes. I also always locked-up the tires when I slammed on the brakes. Now when i slam on the brakes I get the vibrations and do not hear any skidding.

To me it seems that my ABS is just starting to function, as it never has before.

Just some information on my vehicle;
No CEL
No "Rear ABS" Light
Lifted 3"
31 inch tires + Stock rims

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Brake dust could sometimes fool the front ABS sensors into thinking that they have to activate the ABS. Just to make sure that it's not a warped rotor problem, disconnect the ABS fuse, and drive it around in the usually manner which causes this problem to occur. If it feels OK, then clean the front sensors with brake cleaner spray, and reconnect the ABS fuse.

 

[bikeboarder]

if he has a 91 then there is no front ABS. Try to pull off the drum and look to see if any fluid leaked in to the drum from the wheel cylender. Check the front for leaks. rear for leaks. Bleed the system. get the roters and drums turned. get new pads. It also sounds like your master cylender could be bad if your brakes fade but dont leak. good luck. think of the simple stuff first.

 

[Lt.Jim]

My brakes acted strange for a while as well. My abs would only activate when the outside air temp was really hot. Even then it was only intermittant. I cleaned/replaced sensors to no avail. My problem turned out to be a $10 relay on the abs system. Over time they wear out.

Just a thought.

 

[apentico]

Ok so I had the same problem...I found a leak at the Hydraulic abs unit on the frame under the driver side fire wall.. It seams to be leaking from a bleeder valve. What now? Can I bypass this and get the light to shut off so I could pass Safety? (I don’t care for ABS anyway) Can I fix the one I have? To by a new unit will cost me $150.00. any suggestions

 

[FIND]

apentico, I can't recall any bleeder valve on the ABS unit..... I am cutting apart a 91 right now, so I have a spare unit if you want one, the ABS was working on the truck, but I can't for the life of me remember exactly what the brake modulator looks like or if there are any types of bleeder valves on it, I have it sitting on a shelf right next to the truck though, and I do know what it looks like when I look at it of course.... just saying, I can't think of what they look like off the top of my head. I'll look at it tomorrow maybe sometime, it is in a garage not at my house unfortunately and I have a busy day tomorrow.

 

[apentico]

It may not be a bleeder valve it is located to the aft of the unit. The fluid is coming from the hole in the center of the small fitting that is in the big bolt/plug looking thing. What are you thinking($) for the part you have.

 

[little x]

Ok so I had the same problem...I found a leak at the Hydraulic abs unit on the frame under the driver side fire wall.. It seams to be leaking from a bleeder valve. What now? Can I bypass this and get the light to shut off so I could pass Safety? (I don’t care for ABS anyway) Can I fix the one I have? To by a new unit will cost me $150.00. any suggestions

If all your trying to do is pass inspection then remove the radio bezel, pull out the instrument cluster, and remove the light bulb.

 

[FIND]

It may not be a bleeder valve it is located to the aft of the unit. The fluid is coming from the hole in the center of the small fitting that is in the big bolt/plug looking thing. What are you thinking($) for the part you have.

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