Re: Warning Lights

["Fred Munro" <munrof@isys.ca>]

Hi Christopher;

    I can bet that your ABS did not engage, because without a bomb full of
pressurized fluid, there is nothing to power the ABS system! From what I
understand, when the ABS activated, it uses up a lot of pressure in a hurry,
and without a charged bomb the pump can't keep up to the demand.

    As you learned first hand, our cars drive around quite nicely with a bad
bomb until you really need the brakes. Take note of Christopher's BTDT,
folks. If your bomb is over 7 years old, it is probably bad. Check it and
replace it!

Fred Munro
'91 200q  281k km

----- Original Message -----
From: Christopher Ritchie <cjr1@gte.net>
To: quattro list <quattro@audifans.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 1999 7:43 PM
Subject: Re: Warning Lights


> Fred Munro wrote:
>
> >Driving the car with a bad bomb or with low hydraulic pressure is
> >dangerous. You will rapidly run out of brake assist in a panic stop,
> >significantly increasing your braking distance (and resistance!). Unless
> you
> >have the legs of a power lifter, it is a very good idea to keep the brake
> >assist system in good working order.
>
>
> I wholeheartedly agree.  I drove around for awhile with a bad bomb.  The
> brakes worked fine in normal braking and I reasoned that I could
compensate
> for a hard stop.  _WRONG_  Almost soiled myself when someone pulled out in
> front of me too close.  When you step on the brake pedal hard and
suddenly,
> it will not result in the instant braking action you expect.  It will take
a
> few milliseconds for you to realize what is going on.  Then you will
> compensate by standing on the pedal.  But those few milliseconds will seem
a
> lot longer when danger is imminent.  That, plus the braking distance will
be
> longer.  I don't remember if the ABS engaged.
>
> I replaced my bomb at the next available opportunity.
>
>