ABS Question

[ibruceuk]

Hi there,

Just a quick question about the way the ABS works on a 300tdi.

To me it seems as though if a wheel is losing traction then the ABS decides that all the wheels will be losing the same amount of traction and applies the max braking force that that one wheel can cope with to the rest of the wheels.  Is that right?

The reason I ask is that where I park at work the front left wheel often hits some leaves but the other three wheels are on solid ground.  If the wheel starst to slip the ABS comes in and I struggle to stop the truck despite having three wheels with excellent traction.  It seems a bit silly to me....

Cheers.

[Range Rover Blues]

It shouldn't be, no.  The ABS used on RRC (similar to Disco) was quite advanced, being one fo the first systems to be 4 channel rather than 3.  Whilst we hear manufacturers claiming their cars have electronic brake force distribution, in truth that's what a good ABS system does.

That said, with only 3 brakes on it will take some stopping.

[stageonesimmo]

The main reason you're feeling it is beacause its a front wheel - if it were a back one the effect would be less promounced as there's far less braking effort produced at the rear.  If you think of it this way - say 60% of the braking effort is the front wheels, if ABS cuts in on one you loose a whopping (up to, depending on the ABS cycle), 30% of your braking effort - you're gonna notice that amount.............