does ABS lessen braking on all wheels??

[Cummins Cowboy]

I have noticed since we have got some ice and snow that when the ABS system goes active on my truck Its like the brakes totally stop working, today I pulled into a restaurant parking lot and about hit the curb my foot was hard on the pedal but I finally slide to a stop, I got out and noticed that only my left side tires had any ice under them and the right side had no ice, If I had the brakes working right on the right side it would have been easy to stop the truck, so what gives, is there a way to get rid of the ABS I am talented enough at driving to know how to use the brakes. I also about crashed the other day while pulling onto a turnoff that had just a little bit of pee gravel on it, If I had total control of the brakes in both cases the truck would have stopped with no fanfare. but its like one wheel looses traction so the rest of the braking system is lessened to equal what the slick wheel can bear, if this is the case I think its more dangerous than good

 

[betterthanstock]

If you had one side on ice, without ABS, and applying the brakes real hard, you would have spun (turned left real hard).



You can still pump the brakes with ABS, just do it before it has a chance to beat you to the pumping.



To answer you question, the 2 rear wheels act together, so yes it lessens it a bit.

 

[jelag]

YES... ABS only functions as good as the worst brake... . it can and will decrease all skidding brakes to control the vehicle... and this means that in some cases it might reduce the pressure to a wheel that is breaking... .

 

[Cattletrkr]

Dad pulled the ABS fuse in his '95 Chevy. It was way too sensative and stopping on ice/snow was deadly until he "fixed" it.

Don't know what you'd have to do on one of these trucks.

 

[CDonaldson]

Cummins Cowboy.



I noticed that you have a 2006 truck. Did you take it into the dealership for the ABS recall? Or, are you sure it has had the recall done? I would check to be sure. The things you are describing IS why the recall took place.



When I bought my truck it was in February. About a week later we got a good-sized snowfall, I was taken back by the ABS and it's poor performance, but being new to my truck, I at first thought it was maybe about me getting used to a new vehicle. Then I got the recall notice, got the ABS unit replaced, it was like having all new braking, etc in the snow and ice.



CD

 

[Cummins Cowboy]

I bought my truck in late may '06 so it was kinda a later truck, I don't know if it needs the recall, I didn't get a notice and can't find anything on the internet about an ABS recall for it,

if it truely does cut all the braking down to the lowest traction wheel, imo that is dangerous and something I don't want working on my truck, another thing I don't like is if you release the brake pedal when its vibrating like that its seems to have a delayed release and as so prevents you from getting back on the brakes, last year I did some tests and found if I put the brakes on slowly without the ABS going active I was able to stop the truck way faster on ice than with the system active, the truck would start stopping ok then I would press the pedal more and it was like the brakes just stopped working all together. IMO the system is for unexperienced drivers, many people don't have the warewithall to let off the pedal at that split second you need it most, regroup and put it back down again, I feel alot better doing this than having my braking reduced to the wheel that slips the most

 

[MickeyMiller]

On my list of pending projects, I think it's item 39 or 40, is an ABS cut off switch. In the mean time, when I go off road (ESPECILLY in the mountains), I remove the ABS fuse... down hill on loose shale becomes an "E" ticket with ABS active[for those of us old enough to remember what an "E" ticket was... ].

 

[mymtnhauler]

I have noticed since we have got some ice and snow that when the ABS system goes active on my truck Its like the brakes totally stop working, today I pulled into a restaurant parking lot and about hit the curb my foot was hard on the pedal but I finally slide to a stop, I got out and noticed that only my left side tires had any ice under them and the right side had no ice, If I had the brakes working right on the right side it would have been easy to stop the truck, so what gives, is there a way to get rid of the ABS I am talented enough at driving to know how to use the brakes. I also about crashed the other day while pulling onto a turnoff that had just a little bit of pee gravel on it, If I had total control of the brakes in both cases the truck would have stopped with no fanfare. but its like one wheel looses traction so the rest of the braking system is lessened to equal what the slick wheel can bear, if this is the case I think its more dangerous than good

Your post said you have the auto transmission. At lower speeds your rear wheels will continue push the truck forward, even if the fronts are locked.

To try too explain, I experienced this with three different cars. The first a 93 Caprice. The second a 98 mustang 5. 0. The third a 96 Camaro, all autos, all with A. B. S. and all rear wheel drive. Now heres the kicker. Another car ( my mothers 02 mustang ) with a manuel and a v6, never had this problem. What I am trying to say is that with the manuel, you push the clutch and take the power from the rear wheels then all four brakes work fully, but with the auto the engine keeps driving forward.

Just form own experience!

 

[KParsons]

abs

my abs has been off for a few months. i hit the senser by accident [hammer]. but i like the way it works now better. i had a few big scary moments, truck not stoping. so i might live with it. kp