Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Is it just my imagination?

[John - K5AWO]

I have been noticing lately that when I have to apply the brakes fairly hard to avoid an idiot lane changer, that the ABS kicks in BEFORE it might ought to??



This became a real issue a couple days ago when nameless idiot swerved in front of me, didn't notice the traffic was shutting down in my lane and he had to lock up his brakes.



Well, he took up my braking distance I had saved and I was forced to really get on the whoa pedal. Then the ABS kicked in releasing the brakes and I almost kissed his bumper! I was not happy.



Any way to change the set point for the ABS??

 

[KevinLewis]

Anybody? This happens to me all the time. I would like to know as well.

 

[BKenny]

Me to if you get on the brakes hard it some times feels like its stoping then it feels like it releases? I have been thinking of going to rear discs.

 

[jkeyes]

had the same problem on my old truck. I did a brake change and completely drained and then refiled the brake fluid. Problem solved. My theory is that my old brake fluid had absorbed some moisture and that it was affecting my abs system. Just my $. 02 worth



Jason

 

[John - K5AWO]

had the same problem on my old truck. I did a brake change and completely drained and then refiled the brake fluid. Problem solved. My theory is that my old brake fluid had absorbed some moisture and that it was affecting my abs system. Just my $. 02 worth



Jason

Well, I have been wondering about the brake fluid. I bought my truck used and have no idea if it was changed before or not.



Since I made the original post in this thread, I got the double whammy. Traffic started piling up in front of me. I wanted to change lanes and get completely off the freeway. Took a short glance over my right shoulder to clear traffic and snapped back to the front to STOPPED cars. I still had at least 3 truck lengths and speed was about 20 mph. No more than that.



I slammed down hard on the brakes knowing the ABS should keep the wheels from slidding. Well, the rear brakes locked up and I kissed the rear end of a Pontiac Trans-Am. My truck is okay, but my insurance will probably go up because that Trans-Am sustained $4,000 worth of repairs.



Since then, I have been driving way behind and stopping well short of the tail end charlies...

 

[PRyker]

... Since then, I have been driving way behind and stopping well short of the tail end charlies...

John,



No offense meant by this but shouldn't you have been doing this all along? You have a heavy truck and driving slower and giving yourself enough distance is important. I am of the mindset that all accidents can be avoided if you drive properly.



how long have you owned the truck? It is important to learn it's behavior before getting in heavy traffic with a load. With all of that said I have a 02 with 4 wheel disks and have not experienced this problem you are describing. Maybe has something to do with read drums?



Just a thought.



Phil

 

[KYLE4]

My 01 has the rear disks and I have noticed the same problem you get hard on the brake and truck slows and then you feel the brakes release a little as you feel abs pulsating. I will try changing brake fluid though I hope that does help worth a shot anyway had a couple of nerve racking incidents myself

 

[Eric Lee]

The only times my ABS has ever activated was on snow or gravel. I stop for yellow lights if the timing allows for a reasonable stop, probably one of a hundred left in Michigan that do - the other day I was alone approaching a yellow with less than a reasonable stop distance left and decided to stop anyway, I was impressed with the clamp down my brakes performed. ABS did not activate and the tires did come to a slight skid stop. The road was pretty much dry -



ABS is a rather complicated system and will react differently - truck to truck. I personally don't care for it. I know what a skid feels like and when it doesn't because of ABS.



I also concider it my responsibility to keep this powerful heavy beast from killing someone. (for me - I can't think of a better place to die) I'm pretty familiar with her abilities as I tow HEAVY often, and I understand the problem of leaving just enough lead as to not have my stopping distance continuously taken. I concider it a test of control not to 'over drive' her.



I suggest that everybody with these trucks to do some stopping tests under variable conditions, Dodge recommends an 'emergency' type stop to set the factory new pads.



- Eric

 

[John - K5AWO]

John,



No offense meant by this but shouldn't you have been doing this all along?

Phil

Phil,



No offense taken. I have always tried to use the 2-3 second rule in following distance rather than the old adage of 1 car length per 10 mph.



As for driving heavy trucks, have owned 1 ton duallies for 15 years so that is not a new situation, and have been driving company trucks since 1968 so that isn't new either.



My big problem is having to drive now, in the go to work/home crowd in metro Phoenix / Mesa. Usually I drive in at 0500 so it is not a problem. On this particular occassion however, I overslept a couple hours and that put me in the MAD rush.



Add to that, a slip of not changing my route when heavy traffic is on the freeways. When going in after 0600, I try to always take the regular side roads that have traffic signals every mile. I find that regulates the traffic to a more sane 45 mph and there is almost none of that herky-jerky 70 mph Earnhardt take-offs and sudden 0 mph lockups.



I would have been okay if I just hadn't turned my head for that 1/2 second of looking backwards and just been content to stay put.



It's that "one second" of un-attention that traps us every time.



And yet, I still see women trying to put on their makeup and guys trying to shave while negotiating the most dangerous point in their lives each morning.



I won't mention the cellphone idiots as I can't restrain myself there. But then, I already did, didn't I? I drive a city owned vehicle through that mess all day in Phoenix and I always (almost) leave an out so big a semi-truck can wiggle in.



Well, at least me nor my truck got hurt nor anyone else.



John

 

[GIT-R-DONE]

Is there some way to disconnect the ABS on these trucks?

 

[KevinLewis]

I too would like to disable it. There is a long post about abs being dangerous going on right now that asks that same question but it has become a question of legality over there. I was told to pull the relay or unplug the abs box under the hood. I will have to try that.