What is ABS and how does it affect my car brake system

Good tyre treads and correct inflation play, a role in facilitating the reduction of braking distance.

What you need to know:

Hello Paul, I drive a Toyota Noah 2000 model 4WD. Its rear brake pads were worn out and replaced. The mechanic told me that the ABS system was removed by the previous owner so the brakes are directly connected without the ABS.

What is ABS and how does it help the car to brake? Can I find a good ABS system and what is the cost of replacing the original one? My car also takes a little bit longer to brake, especially when driving at speeds beyond 50km/hr. It also drags you to the left when you apply the brake pedal hard, especially at relatively high speeds. There is also some noise it makes when suddenly braking with the rear left tyre.... Is it due to the missing ABS? Bob

Hello Paul, I drive a Toyota Noah 2000 model 4WD. Its rear brake pads were worn out and replaced. The mechanic told me that the ABS system was removed by the previous owner so the brakes are directly connected without the ABS.

What is ABS and how does it help the car to brake? Can I find a good ABS system and what is the cost of replacing the original one? My car also takes a little bit longer to brake, especially when driving at speeds beyond 50km/hr. It also drags you to the left when you apply the brake pedal hard, especially at relatively high speeds. There is also some noise it makes when suddenly braking with the rear left tyre.... Is it due to the missing ABS? Bob

Hello Bob, whilst the removal of your ABS may be partially responsible for the car skidding or veering to the left when you brake hard, there are other components of your car braking system which may contribute to skidding and the longer braking distance you are experiencing when you apply brakes.

ABS is an Anti-Lock Brake System in many post 1990s vehicles. This feature helps motorists to avoid skidding and losing control of a vehicle when they brake hard and a set of wheels lock.
Wheel lock is when braking efficiency exceeds the friction between the tyres and road surface. This results in skidding and loss of steering control. So ABS enhances safety when you brake hard. The cost to reverse the conversion or re-install the missing ABS can be determined after establishing what is missing.

You can find replacement components locally. There are other important aspects of the brake system that work with the ABS and help to safely and promptly stop a car when you apply the brakes. The mechanical components such as brake pads, calipers, and discs will reduce braking efficiency when they wear out. In your case, you mentioned that your car front set of brake pads and discs are new, the rear brakes (especially rear left) may be worn out.

When you brake hard that rear left wheel keeps moving and this could explain why the car veers or swerves to the left. Hydraulic components must be examined for age, damage or wear such as the brake fluid, brake master cylinder as well as the hydraulic lines (pipes) that deliver the brake fluid to the slave cylinders at each wheel.

These must be free of corrosion and leaks. Aged brake fluid loses its hydraulic efficiency (reduces brake efficiency) and ceases to serve its purpose of preventing damage of vital hydraulic brake components due to corrosion, friction and heat.
The above make up the conventional brake system and may work with or without ABS, which explains why your car still brakes even after the conversion to remove ABS.

Good tyres are an important part of the car braking process. Tyres are your only contact with the road surface. Good tyre treads and correct inflation play, a role in facilitating the reduction of braking distance.