How to check if I have ABS?

[n0c7]

I don't believe I have ABS - no fuse or fuse holder in the fuse box for ABS, no ABS light has ever come on nor do I see one, and I don't hear any scrooging noises when I slam on the brakes. How can I be 100% sure that I don't have ABS, and I need new CV axles and I'm having a lot of trouble finding non-ABS ones. Can I use the CV axles that are meant for ABS?

 

[BLockDsm]

Well if you can find a safe place with some grass you can get going about 10-15 and just slam on the brakes and if they just lock up you dont have abs...but if you feal a fast pumping action you have Abs

 

[Defiant]

Or you can look behind the left headlight for the octopus. Block of steel, 273 brake lines going in and out of it, and wires.

 

[Crawl]

! that made me laught out loud in the office, "octopus" very nice. But hes right, that about gives it away.

 

[n0c7]

I've never seen it when I had the front bumper and headlights removed. I guess my major concern here is, since autopart stores here have a listing for CV axles for both abs and non-abs, can I use axles from the abs listing for my non-abs vehicle? CAPS only shows one part number for the entire assembly and does not mention anything about abs I would just go with the non-abs listed ones to make things easiest but none of the 5 stores in the city can find the axles anywhere in Canada except for one side which doesnt help...

 

[napkinthief]

i have a question about this

ABS light does go on
i can feel the ABS working (pedal feels like its pumping) when slowing down, but if I push the brake more than like 60% down, the brakes lock up


ABS or no?


also, my brake fluid screw on lid seems to come loose every 500 miles or so, not to the point where it falls off, but to the point where i can turn it at least a full turn to tighten it. im thinking maybe theres air in my brake system, wasn;t bled properly at last brake change?

 

[n0c7]

i have a question about this

ABS light does go on
i can feel the ABS working (pedal feels like its pumping) when slowing down, but if I push the brake more than like 60% down, the brakes lock up


ABS or no?


also, my brake fluid screw on lid seems to come loose every 500 miles or so, not to the point where it falls off, but to the point where i can turn it at least a full turn to tighten it. im thinking maybe theres air in my brake system, wasn;t bled properly at last brake change?

Well as mentioned you can check for the octopus which would be the best indication. Check your fuse box, if you have a fuse and a fuse holder for ABS in there then there is a good possibility that you have ABS especially since the ABS light comes on as well. I don't know how well ABS works in DSM's but I know when I had a Ford Explorer and would hit the brakes on ice it would feel like they were locking up.

As for your brake cap, mine does not screw tight either. I check it every once and awhile and just tighten it up. If you are concerned about air in your system just bleed your brakes and be done w/ it.

 

[Spookcorleone]

Upgrading wheels/tires and not keeping the stock diam. on a ABS car I hear and throw its working ability off - I know first hand that (... yes I used to be into low-riders) and buddy of mine threw a smaller set of rims, with low-profile tires on his ABS GMC Serria (I think thats how its spelled?) that his ABS also did no long work and locked up because I think they come set with a stock rotating diam., and if its changed it doesn't adjust for it...

Thats just me trying to think again...

GF has ABS in her auto 96 AWD talon, they don't lock up on water / ice / or regular road (just judder abit)

 

[DSM BEEYACH]

Can I use the CV axles that are meant for ABS?[/QUOTE]


Yes you can use ABS or NON ABS axles. The only difference is that the ABS axles have teeth on them for the ABS censor on the hubs.

 

[n0c7]

Yes you can use ABS or NON ABS axles. The only difference is that the ABS axles have teeth on them for the ABS censor on the hubs.

Good to hear. Can anyone else confirm this as well?

 

[n0c7]

Marty from raxles.com verified that the ABS axles will work on a non-ABS 2g. Two yes's, zero no's.

 

[giester2]

Good to hear. Can anyone else confirm this as well?

the only difference is the abs ring, all other dimensions are the same, according to the "Rockford Constant Velocity Technical Manual"

 

[WoodyAnderson]

i have a question about this

i can feel the ABS working (pedal feels like its pumping) when slowing down, but if I push the brake more than like 60% down, the brakes lock up

You won't feel anything ABS from slowing down; that's likely rotor warp! If you panic stop and attempt to lock-up the brakes, trust me, you'll know if you have working ABS. You'll think your foot has hit an open 120 V AC line the first time it happens.