ABS - have we drop a clanger!

[exonev]

Just hit a major snag and scratching head moment and I'm wondering if we've dropped a clanger with regard the ABS system , our donor came with ABS so we decided to keep it and have suddenly had the realisation tonight that this may not have been such a hot plan because it would seem where the rear fender/arch supporting arms/stays are supposed to fix is where the ABS sensor sits!!.

Simple question - how do we fit the stays if we retain the ABS , or can't we??

[John B]

You could always weld the stay on. My MX5 had ABS but I decided to junk it as I'm not convinced it will offer any benefits considering the weight of the car.

[exonev]

Morning all,
Any more thoughts on this one , any suggestions welcomed! , welding may be an option we have to consider or alternatively junking the ABS !, don't really want to this if at all possible as its already taken additional work to retain it in the first place.

If we do end up ditching it can anyone advise how to ?, can we simply disable it by not fitting the sensors or is there more to it than it?? , I suspect the latter!!!!.

Thanks.

[shardy]

We are looking at putting a bracket on the harness mount bolt that is on the top of the hub assembly... However we're using a mk2.5 donor so not sure if you've got the same setup. I think an 80mm length of 50x20 ymm angle should be about right.

If anyone has a better idea I'm welcome to suggestions though!

[stubbers]

I decided on keeping the ABS as well, haven't got round to fitting the wing stays yet just wondering if you can machine/Grind the thinkness of the plate off the lug and fit them both?

Out of interest any problems in fitting the fronts and keeping the ABS?

Rich

[John B]

If you decide to keep the ABS you will have to find alternative bolts to attach the front wing stays as the original ones will foul the ABS ring.

[shardy]

Hi, just finished fitting front and rear stays with abs and thought I'd add what I ended up with. On front had to drill a 22mm hole in the plate for sensor to pass through, and used longer bolts due to thickness of mounting plate. Used star head bolts to clear abs ring.

On the rear things were a bit more difficult. Ended up making a 40mm long bracket from 6mm 20mmx50mm unequal angle which mounted on the top of the hub assembly through the hole which holds the abs cable carrier. This then pivoted even when grip washers used so had to mount two blocks on the underside of the bracket to stop it pivoting on the bolt.

Now all assembled and seems to be solid, just the rest to put together now!

[lukiez]

Can I just ask if you maintained the gap between the sensor and the abs ring? The spacing is critical to get the correct signal otherwise it may not work - likely the light will come on as you drive as well.

[shardy]

Hi,

The gap between sensor and ring hasn't changed, the only thing that has is the proximity of the wing stay bracket to the sensor compared to the brake duct. Hopefully it won't interfere with the magnet.... We'll see i suppose!

Is there anything else that might cause a problem?

[lukiez]

Looks like you covered all the bases! the speed sensors are the most common components that cause abs faults, either the sensor itself or the pickup ring is damaged

[gwnwar]

Shardy.. please post some pics of the finshed units F/R.. Thanks

[shardy]

I've now hidden the fronts behind the brake disc, abs ring and hub and no way am I taking the hub nuts off again! I basically just used the brake duct as a template to mark where the 22mm hole needed to be.

Here are some images of the left rear when it's on... hopefully you get the gist.



and from another angle:


The only thing you can't see on them are the two blocks of 6mm plate that is bolted to the bottom of the angle which stops them rotating. The blocks are spaced at 18mm internal to fit down each side of the shoulder of the hub.

Oh and please excuse the brake shields... they need chopping off methinks!