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I don't think the ABS system is working


Healey3000

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Brake lines.  They close up over time and create uneven braking.  And we have 2 lines on each side up front plus 1 each in the back.  In over years, they should have been replaced at least twice by now.  And piston calipers do get stuck too.  And we have 4 of those on each side up front.

Doing brakes is a loose term meaning the pads were replaced.  Maybe the rotors too.  Fluid flush?  Perhaps.  Calipers?  Bake lines?

Rear brake adjustment is also very important for overall balance.One way to tell is how far you have to pull your emergency brake lever.  Or if one side grabs before the other.  Lift the rear end, pull the emergency brake on click at a time and check the rear wheel starts to grab.

I'm with Marshall on using brakes to slow down.  It makes no sense to downshift when you know you are coming to a full stop.  You only accelearate drive train wear.  Wear your brakes instead.  If, as you slow down, you need to go again, then downshift to the appropriate gear and go again.

On the track, on a spirited drive, well that's another story.

Pierre

O==00==O

69 2002 (M20), 74 tii, 76 533i, 79 323i, 80 732i, 84 323i (S50) 91 318is, 96 318ti (S52), 97 Z3, 02 330i, 03 525iT, 02 R1150 RTP.
Auxiliary Lamp Brackets  Kamei Reproduction Front Air Dam

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Just a bit more about the flexible brake lines.  When they get old, they sometimes swell shut on the inside, even when they look okay on the outside.  

 

I bled the brakes on my dump-running suburban and took a test drive.  When I tapped the brakes doing about thirty, I left a thirty foot skid mark with the rear tires.  That truck only has one rear brake hose, which I promptly replaced.  Problem solved.

 

It may be that your hoses are closed up and you have been stopping without your rear brakes, until the time you pushed hard enough to force fluid past the hoses.  Then it holds presure and you wind up with locked up wheels.  

 

Peterschop recently made a post with some good tips on swapping brake hoses.  You might dig those up, if you find yourself going down this path.  You can test to see if the flex hoses are plugged by pressing hard on the brake pedal while on a slight incline.  If the car does not start to roll right away when you let off the pedal, it may very well be those hoses.

     DISCLAIMER -- I now disagree with much of the timing advice I have given in the past.  I misinterpreted the distributor curves in the Blue Book as timing maps for our engines.  I've also switched from using ported-vacuum to manifold, with better results.  I apologize for spreading misinformation. 

(3-28-2024)  

 

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brakes are for stopping. the engine is for going. clutches and gearboxes are a lot more expensive to replace than brake pads. engines are expensive

 

Marshal is in good company...I know I remember reading that advice from Smokey Yunick way back in the day.

 

Ed Z

'69 Granada... long, long ago  

'71 Manila..such a great car

'67 Granada 2000CS...way cool

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ABS has only been available for about 30 years. My '86 e28 had them but they were problematic and I gave up on keeping them working after about eight years. The first time I used ABS it was kind of scary. Instead of ABS, you need to use brake modulation controlled by feel and the pressure of your foot on the pedal. Best way to practice is on snow covered streets or even slick wet pavement. You never want the wheels to lock because when they do, you loose it's control. Hit the pedal and as soon as the wheel starts to slide, ease up to let it release, then apply more pressure. You want to keep it right on the edge of locking. Kind of the same thing as what ABS is doing. Of course, your brake system has to be in good condition as has been mentioned. No bad hoses or sticking calipers and properly adjusted rear brakes.

Edited by peterschop
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May be you should learn how to drive a 40+ old vehicle, with no abs air bags all disc brakes etc especially if you are coming from new car club i.e., e36 e46 etc. learn how to communicate with the car understand her needs and moods like treating a beautiful mature lady who will make love to you like you never had If you treat her right. They are great cars in the hand of a competent driver.

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May be you should learn how to drive a 40+ old vehicle, with no abs air bags all disc brakes etc especially if you are coming from new car club i.e., e36 e46 etc. learn how to communicate with the car understand her needs and moods like treating a beautiful mature lady who will make love to you like you never had If you treat her right. They are great cars in the hand of a competent driver.

Sheesh, the ABS thing was a joke.

 

I know how to drive cars without ABS and I also know when the brakes don't feel up to snuff.  Better to ask questions about improving brakes than finding out that the airbags don't work either.

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Many years ago when ABS was fairly new, I had some time to spare from work and stopped by a Buick dealer.  I asked to test drive a Regal and told the sales guy I wanted to see how the ABS performed.  I told him exactly what I was going to do and he said no problem.  Well, needless to say, when I slammed the pedal down at about 40mph the whole car stuttered and shook but stayed in a straight line unitl I let off the brakes.   He was scared ****less and didn't think my test was a good idea.  And no, I didn't buy the car. 

71 2002

06 330i

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I will check tomorrow! I am just giving you hard time, hope not taken wrongly. When you need new seat belts PM me I will set you up nice. 

No worries.  Hazing of the newbie; I get it.

 

Wait till I manage to squeeze an ABS system, power steering, airbags and DTC into the thing.  Wait, I have one of those already, an E90...

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brakes are for stopping. the engine is for going. clutches and gearboxes are a lot more expensive to replace than brake pads. engines are expensive also when that downshift into too low a gear to slow down ends up overreving the engine.

Engine braking also shifts the balance to the rear in an unpredictable way.

do not use the engine to slow down......

 

I get what you are saying but in 40 years of driving I've yet to over rev an engine slowing down through the gears it's how I was taught in England.I don't slam her into 3rd at 60 mph , it's a gentle slowing  & down shifting, using what little common sense I have :) Emergency stop is something else no clutch used then .:)

1970 4 speed 2002 (Daily driver/track car ) 
1974  Hybrid powered twin cam engine, Pig Cheeks , ( now a round tail.) Getting ready to Sell 
 

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it is just a bad habit that has worse consequences on track.  i have had to deal with many students who engine brake on the street...when they get to the track and still do it, the result is some very unsettled turn in's...or worse a snap spin when they drop the clutch.  the whole point of heel/toe is to rev match to eliminate any engine braking and to prep the drive train to get on the power going to the apex.  you want the braking to be predictable using just the brakes.  the down shifts are solely to get ready to go in the right gear.

 

just a thought.

Edited by mlytle

2xM3

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