Rear Brakes Ineffective on Ice

[Galaxiedude]

My '92 has over 200,000 miles (100,000 by me) now and I've had a nagging problem that mechanics have been unable to pinpoint since the beginning. The brakes seem to function fairly well on dry surfaces, but on ice there appears to be no rear braking.

After brake jobs performed by professional mechanics over the years, I never noticed an improvement in braking. They were told of the symptoms each time. Rear shoes showed signs of normal wear before brake jobs, so they must function part of the time at least. The ABS light works, and doesn't come on during driving.

I know how rear ABS functions and have driven many vehicles on icy roads over the years , but have stopped driving the explorer during the winter because of the braking problem. I'm confident enough to say it's the brakes and not my imagination. It's like the difference between day and night getting into another vehicle and stopping on ice - with or without ABS.

Any ideas out there?

 

[IZwack]

 

[steventadams]

How much tread is left on your tires? If your trying to stop with bald tires it's gonna take a while to stop...

 

[TeckNine4]

Cut the ABS line so that they will just lock up, because the rear is the only ABS controlled unit on 1st generations,,,

But dont take my word for it

Somebody else should prob. know on here

 

[Galaxiedude]

Izwack, I like the tread on those tires, but I suspect the treadwear rating might be just a tad low on the freeway!

Steve, the latest tires are a fairly aggressive tread mud/snow.

Tecknine4, your idea sounds interesting. Should I be feeling/hearing any ABS vibration with the present set up ? I don't feel vibration while braking hard.

 

[Willard]

I don't think you feel or hear much when it is just rear ABS. Although that does seem like what is happening. Just pull the ABS fuse, and see what happens. And just for reference the '94 and I think '93 first gens had four wheel ABS, not just rear wheel.

 

[TeckNine4]

I don't think you feel or hear much when it is just rear ABS. Although that does seem like what is happening. Just pull the ABS fuse, and see what happens. And just for reference the '94 and I think '93 first gens had four wheel ABS, not just rear wheel.

There you go^^^

 

[IZwack]

I'm not sure pulling the ABS is going to help much because a locked wheel is just going to be just as ineffective.

Izwack, I like the tread on those tires, but I suspect the treadwear rating might be just a tad low on the freeway!

Sorry - what I meant was chains. With chains (or similar devices), you'll get the traction you need on ice.

In addition, try loading up the rear tires with more weight -- like sand bags.

 

[SeekerLazarus]

Try studs if you can use them also there are these green diamond tires with manufactured gemstones in the tire tread.

 

[Galaxiedude]

Just got back from a road trip using technine4's suggestion of pulling the ABS fuse. Lots of snow and ice here today an hour north of Toronto. The plows aren't running today either, so we have ideal test conditions + 4x4 fun!

That's more like it! Fronts lock up just before the rears and the brakes generally seem to be working better now.

Could the rear ABS system fail somehow, get too "excited" and be backing off more than needed?

 

[Willard]

That's what I was thinking, sometimes ABS is more of a hindrance than a help in icy situations. There are a lot of people that turn there's off for snow and ice use.

 

[CDW6212R]

If something is sticking with the brakes, that will trigger the ABS too early. Often people see this with the front tires on dry roads or leaves, at low speeds. Often those are issues with basic ABS connections, sensors, or sticking brakes.

With your 92 truck, check the backing plates for wearing of them by the pads rubbing against them. I had that problem with my 93 long ago, I noticed general locking of the rear brakes early in wet conditions. The brake cylinders can also be sticking if moisture has damaged them, behind the boots. I'd suggest replacing the brake cylinders and all hardware, the adjustment wheel as well. Good luck,

 

[TeckNine4]

Yea,,, I think mech. drums were made to lock up anywayz. Get "Raybestos" new rear brakes if u git em.

 

[fordnut71]

u could also tighten the back brake adjuster so it closer to the drum but thats for more experenced driver tho to tight an u could lock the back before the front that will cause a backward ride

 

[YourNameHere]

My ex sucks on the ice too.
It just keeps sliding. It really is quite dangerous. But I need to drive it through the winter. My summer car sure as hell isn't coming out to drive through this shlt!

So what IS the problem?


Consequently, the ABS light just came on this afternoon for the first time. I just washed the truck 5 minutes before the light came on. Maybe something is covering one of the sensors.