Do Anti-Lock Brakes Suck?

[Unit 5302]

Originally posted by Vector
I don't understand the point of rear wheel anti-lock brakes. My truck uses rwabs and the lousy front wheels always lock up in a hard stop. If ABS is supposed to help you steer, why are they on the rear tires???

Another thing is in the ice or snow, normal brakes will just lock up and you will slide foooooooooooreeeeeeeeever and probably crash anyway. I know my truck does NOT stop in the ice or snow, and I can't steer worth a damn because the fronts always lock up. I was driving in the wet pretty fast and had to slow down for a turn, thought I gave myself lots of room, well even with a bit of brake pressure the fronts locked up and I went /straight/ into the median, bounced off, thank god I regained control and avoided the ditch and the other lane.

I guess ABS slides fooooooooooreeeeeever + 60% then, because in numerous tests ABS took 60% longer to stop than full lockup on snow and ice.

Here's what I've found from experience with Fed Ex rental vehicles with Rear ABS. Fronts lock, can't steer. Rears do nothing, vehicle doesn't stop in reasonable amount of time, let alone quickly. Fed Ex trucks may see the weight differential of 1000lbs from time to time too

If you're not activating the ABS system, you're not using the ABS system, and you cannot possibly know how good it works.

[1965GTO]

I don't like ABS,ESC,Traction control, cruise control, power steering, etc. It is all made for people who are marginal drivers and don't understand how things work.

[bmxmon]

Originally Posted by 1965GTO

I don't like ABS,ESC,Traction control, cruise control, power steering, etc. It is all made for people who are marginal drivers and don't understand how things work.

Its pretty hard to think as fast as a computer, though I can see your angle. Cruise control though? Haha, seems pretty funny to say people who use the cruise are marginal drivers.

[1965GTO]

Ok, I admit to having used cruise control when I was in a vehicle that had it. However I don't think vehicles should have it. It comes in handy when driving in a slow speed zone, you can set it and not accidentally end up with a speeding ticket, but if you are paying attention to your driving you don't need it. That is the problem with cruise control, too many people set it and then are too lazy to drive the car or truck. Lazy people don't want to kick off the cruise or adjust the cruise and instead run up right on someones rear bumper before hitting their brakes. It is the reason so many big trucks are tailgating and speeding also.

[Rhauf]

ABS sucks. the ONLY time abs is nice is when it's rear ABS on a truck used for towing

I had 4 wheel ABS in an offroad vehicle (96 ranger) and in a sandy river bed, doing about 45mph, i stomped them to avoid running into a fallen tree. in a non abs vehicle I'd have locked up the tires and dug them into the sand and stopped easily, however with the ABS i went sailing through the tree, clearing off limbs, as if i hadn't even touched the brakes. that was its second offence, first time was on a hill climb where i didn't make it quite all the way up.. pressed the brakes and they did nothing but vibrate the pedal, so i went coasting down the hill backwards gaining speed like crazy... until i popped the clutch.

i disabled them when i got home. abs is worthless. and a PITA when it comes to bleeding brakes etc.