Fitting ABS?

tonyyeb · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:18

Hi all

I was wondering if it is possible to fit ABS on a car that wasn't originally spec'd with it? I have a 2002 Focus Zetec which could have had ABS as an option but mine wasn't (whoever bought it originally didn't spec it).

Cheers

timbob · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:25

Yes, but with great difficulty.

You need all the bits off an original car that had ABS. The driveshafts have a toothed wheel on with a sensor to measure... Some cars have different shaped ends to the driveshaft for the ABS model, which might mean new hubs too.

You'll also need the electrics - wires tacked onto the loom if they're not already there, possibly an ECU from an ABS car...

So essentially, it'll cost a huge amount in parts, let alone labour if you can't do it yourself.

[edit] and it won't add any value to the car come resale time, so it's dead money.

Saytan · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:29

sell it, buy the same car with ABS

Lashout_UK · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:30

And you need the ABS pump, distribution block and all associated pipework and wiring. Quite an involved job

tonyyeb · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:33

To be honest i knew it would be costly if at all possible - just wondered. Cheers guys.

Chronos-X · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:37

Not sure I'd be 100% confident with modding anything related to brakes tbh :eek:

ci_newman · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:47

Chronos-X said:
Not sure I'd be 100% confident with modding anything related to brakes tbh

Certainly something which is designed to stop them from working (if only to prevent skidding!) :eek:

task · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:48

ABS is over rated.

Lashout_UK · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:54

No it's not, ABS is a fantastic bit of kit and about the only thing I miss off mine.

PiKe · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:56

If you need to use ABS maybe you need to slow down a bit.

Mine almost never cuts in.

task · 21 Feb 2007 at 13:58

ABS on gravel is a PITA, I find it far easier to use the brakes correctly rather than allow a system to brake for me in those situations.

Lashout_UK · 21 Feb 2007 at 14:10

OK I guess on low grip surfaces it can be an interference - as on snow........but the amount of times I drive with any speed on a gravel or snow surface is well.......pretty low

task · 21 Feb 2007 at 14:14

Lots of country roads and gravel roads round where I live at the moment, my current motor has ABS and there are times I wish I had removed it when I did the rebuild.

My true beef is with people who seem to think that ABS is some magic solution that decreases braking distances, thus they believe they can drive faster. (I'm not saying anyone on here has said that before somone takes offence)

Burnsy2023 · 21 Feb 2007 at 14:37

Lashout_UK said:
but the amount of times I drive with any speed on a gravel or snow surface is well.......pretty low

Dispite your sig

taske said:
My true beef is with people who seem to think that ABS is some magic solution that decreases braking distances, thus they believe they can drive faster. (I'm not saying anyone on here has said that before somone takes offence)

I get annoyed too, ABS will most definelty increase breaking distance. The whole point of it is not to reduce breaking distance, but prevent loss of control of the vehicle.

Burnsy

Bobbler · 21 Feb 2007 at 15:09

burnsy2023 said:
I get annoyed too, ABS will most definelty increase breaking distance. The whole point of it is not to reduce breaking distance, but prevent loss of control of the vehicle.

Burnsy

Doesn't ABS reduce the chance of locking your wheels up and actually shorten the braking distance in comparison to locking up? Or does locking up actually stop you quicker then?
I know about cadence braking, but how many can actually do that when it counts? When you are fighting your natural instinct to just press harder on the pedal before you hit the wall ahead of you...

In the vast majority of emergency stopping situations surely ABS is ultimately better for most people and preferential to locking the wheels and putting your car into a ditch ?

PiKe · 21 Feb 2007 at 15:12

Bobbler said:
I know about cadence braking, but how many can actually do that when it counts? When you are fighting your natural instinct to just press harder on the pedal before you hit the wall ahead of you...

I know in snow I cadance brake if ABS is making a hash of it, you are however, going fairly slow anyway.

Bobbler · 21 Feb 2007 at 15:14

PiKe said:
I know in snow I cadance brake if ABS is making a hash of it, you are however, going fairly slow anyway.

It would be nice if it actually knew that there was mud/ice/snow/gravel on the road and adapted itself accordingly rather than just giving you a nice foot massage without actually stopping you at all LOL.

Burnsy2023 · 21 Feb 2007 at 15:19

Bobbler said:
Or does locking up actually stop you quicker then?

Yes, it's more effective but you can't steer very easily when your brakes are locked.

Burnsy

tonyyeb · 21 Feb 2007 at 15:43

burnsy2023 said:
Yes, it's more effective but you can't steer very easily when your brakes are locked.

Burnsy

Not entirely true:

http://www.abs-education.org/faqs/faqindex.htm said:
Do cars with ABS stop more quickly than cars without it? Not always. Although the stopping distance with ABS is shorter under most road conditions, drivers should always keep a safe distance behind the vehicle in front of them and maintain a speed consistent with the road conditions. While a vehicle with ABS maintains its steering capability in a sudden stop, it may not turn as quickly on a slippery road as it would on dry pavement.

Chronos-X · 21 Feb 2007 at 16:09

I've sucessfully cadence braked in skids and its left me with mere millimetres to spare before the wall/car in front.. scary :eek: