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Re: No ABS?
Al, I don't think it is my foot on the brake pedal causing a back tire
to occassionally lock up. If the front tires are at there thresh hold
and a back tire locks I would have to blame it on balance of the car.
With the stock suspension the brake dive is horrendous, and I have to
believe that the unloding of the rear end is greater than if the car sat
flatter. I also have to say that an abrupt application of the brakes
causes the rear end to lock more easily than if the brakes are applied
smoothly and not causing such a violent weight transfer.
Brendan Rudack
88' 90Q
Boulder Colorado
On Sun, 7 Apr 1996, Al Powell wrote:
> Brendan Rudack <rudack@ucsub.Colorado.EDU> wrote:
> >
> > Is it possible to disconnect the front ABS sensors so they are
> > non-functional leaving the car with ABS for the rear tires only? I do
> > not like the ABS in my car and I haven't driven with it for a long time.
> > However I have noticed that occasionally a back tire will lock and I
> > would prefer to not flat spot my tires.
>
> Hi, Brendan. This question is interesting. Would you mind
> explaining why you don't like the ABS? I'm sure you are aware that
> although it is not intended to stop you shorter than standard brakes
> (as many people seem to think) but it does provide increased ease of
> control - and often does stop shorter because of that control.
>
> Its primary advantages (in my understanding) are:
>
> 1) To prevent the front wheels from locking up under heavy braking;
> one "Big-T Truch" is: when the front tires lock up, you CAN NOT steer.
> Therefore, ABS offers you as a drive the chance to dynamite the
> brakes for maximum stopping ability while retaining full steering
> control. This is truly a valuable circumstance!
>
> I have been thru the (2-day, lightweight, OK?) Bondurant school and
> spent a week at the Washington State Patrol Driving Instructor's
> school, and I still can't trust my foot not to lock the brakes for a
> moment (maybe a long moment....) under high stress. Therefore, I
> really like the ABS in my Audi! I wish my 280ZXT had it.
>
> 2) ABS helps to compensate for situations in which some tires are on
> a different traction surface than others; example would be a side-of-
> the-road stop in which you get our outside tires onto gravel, or
> hard braking during which you hit a patch of pavement with sand,
> gravel, or ice. ABS will help keep you from getting seriously
> sideways or losing control in such situations.
>
> Whether you use ABS or not is certainly your call. However, I'm
> interested in your reasons. Why don't we on the list chat about it?
>
> As for your question, IMO, it would be taking a big chance to
> attempt to defeat *part* of a system like ABS. I doubt it could be
> done safely and would suggest it most practical to simply turn it
> off. NOTE: **If** you can't avoid occasionally locking up your rear
> tires, then I submit that you would benefit more from using ABS than
> leaving it off, as this indicates your braking reflexes are not
> superior to ABS. I suppose there are unusual circumstances in which
> ABS may be turned off to the driver's advantage...but none come to
> mind at the moment.
>
> > Also, I would like to upgrade to the dual piston calipers on the
> > TQ. Does anyone know if the 4-bolt 10.9 inch rotors found on the coupe
> > and 90Q20v have the same offset as my 4-bolt 10.1 inchers? Also, are the
> > calipers on the coupe the same as those found on the 5000TQ? One last
> > thing, should there be any clearance problems with my stock 14inch wheels
> > with the larger brakes?
>
> Can't help you on this question. I suspect that if you can change
> the calipers, larger diameter wheels will be required. BUT - a
> question: what's your goal for this conversion? Other list-members
> might be able to suggest options is they know what your *purpose* is.
> If your goal is to reduce brake fade, different pads and drilled
> rotors might be indicated...and much simpler to do.
> Al Powell Voice: 409/845-2807
> Ag Communications Fax: 409/862-1202
> 107 Reed McDonald Bldg. Email: a-powell1@tamu.edu
> College Station, TX 77843-2112
> W3 page - http://agcomwww.tamu.edu/agcom/satellit/rpe/alpage.htm
>
- References:
- No ABS?
- From: "Al Powell" <APOWELL@agcom.tamu.edu>