I wish i had disabled abs before today

[jasonochs25]

^^This^^

I'm not sure if this will apply as I haven't heard of this issue on any other vehicles except for GM full size SUVs from the last decade (e.g. Tahoe, Suburban, Yukon, etc. and probably their full size trucks as well), but those vehicles have an issue with rust on the mounting surface for the ABS sensor. The rust will slowly expand, flexing and pushing the ABS sensor further and further away from the ABS tone ring on the front axles. This causes the ABS system to display erratic behavior as it will temporarily lose the "signal" from the tone ring. If the ABS control module does not detect a signal change from a wheel sensor, it believes the wheel is locked up and it will kick in the ABS accordingly. I drove a Tahoe on a short diagnostic test drive that had this issue on both front wheels, and the brakes were nearly non-existent below 5 MPH. Needless to say, stopping distances were very significantly increased. I pulled the ABS fuse, and the truck stopped just fine. If I remember right, that truck didn't have an ABS light on either.

The solution to that problem was to pull out the wheel sensors and use a right angle die grinder with a Scotch-Brite Roloc surface prep disc to clean the rust off of the mounting surface. I also used a round wire brush to clean out the hole the sensor goes in. I used one of those stiff round wire brushes that are made for preparing copper plumbing pipe fittings for soldering. Then just put the wheel sensors back in and take it for a spin. Not sure if this would apply to our 4Runners or not, but it's a quick fix and might be worth the time to give it a shot. Like I said, I've only seen or heard about it happening on GM full size SUVs.

Be forewarned though, sometimes ABS sensors don't like to come out of the hole they're in and will break in two when you try to force it out.

Sorry to bring back an old post, but I am having the same issues...5mph or less, almost stopped and "grrrrrrrrrrr" ABS. I will try to clean the surfaces, but it was fine until this past weekend. I removed the sensors from the spindle/knuckle/ hub to do some repairs and its been growling at me ever since.

I wiped off the sensors before reinstalling...Anything else I need to look for?

 

[AgeOfOctane]

The ABS system isn't active below 10mph. Something else was going on with your brakes.

I happened to see the ABS section of the manual after reading this thread. It says ABS turns on after speeds reach 10kph (6mph) and the ABS system turns off after speeds reach or drop below 3mph (can't remember which). So essentially, it will come on at speeds as low as 3 or 4 mph, and doesn't turn off until you reach 2mph.

 

[indawire]

Nobody's as fast as ABS

I would not own a car without ABS. You only need it once but you better have it.

 

[fblainen11]

Id like to argue that point. On both my 3rd gens 96, 00;
going down my gravel driveway i slide some times and ABS kicks in, (below 10mph) as a result it makes me roll right into the street. an extra 5 feet mind you.

But i have found that if you mash the break peddle that it helps to stop you better. so next time you find the abs kicking in throw your foot down HARD and it will give you better stopping power.

I've had problems with mine as well at speeds below 10. Like barely moving speeds. Had professionals look at it and they shrugged and said it's a common Toyota problem. Couldn't really fix it .

 

[jasonochs25]

any advice to my problem? It stays engaged till I come to a complete stop and comes on just before completely stopped. Dry pavement. It was fine before I removed sensors....

 

[alumarine]

You could disable it and that should solve the current problem.
Don't know how to fix your specific problem.

Post 29 is what I did. There's other ways to do it.
Not sure if it applies to you, don't know what you're driving.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/77665-abs-disable-older-3rd-gens-2.html

 

[jasonochs25]

You could disable it and that should solve the current problem.
Don't know how to fix your specific problem.

Post 29 is what I did. There's other ways to do it.
Not sure if it applies to you, don't know what you're driving.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/77665-abs-disable-older-3rd-gens-2.html

Thx for the reply. Im driving a 97 sr54x4 3.4L 229K. I really would rather not disconnect it all together, but may do so until I can figure out what is wrong. I KNOW it has to do with all the parts I put on it this past weekend...Or at least has to do with me having to remove the sensors to weld on the spindle gussets

 

[WallyWest]

Have you tried to get ABS to engage at higher speeds, like on a dirt road or something? Just wondering if it's misbehaving in that situation too.

Has to be something related to the position of the sensor(s) you removed. Maybe take it back apart and make absolutely sure the sensors are properly installed?

I would not own a car without ABS. You only need it once but you better have it.

The newest ABS systems out there are fairly good. People still misunderstand what it's purpose is, it does NOT reduce stopping distance. But the system on our 4Runners is junk. There's been several threads here and at Yotatech about people who wrecked their 3rd gen thanks to ABS. It's WAYYYYY too aggressive, basically disables your brakes when it cuts in hard.

Last winter after a good snow (close to a foot on the road) I slid right through a stop sign thanks to ABS. Only reason I stopped at all was the deep snow.

 

[jasonochs25]

Thank you all that responded. I appreciate it. I think I found my problem. I went to take them out yesterday the clean the mating surface of the hub and the passenger side bolt was loose. My error the whole time. I test drove it and so far, so good!!! I'll update if the problem persists, but as of now, I'll say case closed.