Replacing Standard Breaks with ABS Brakes?

crazyitalian1988 · #1 01-10-2005, 04:02 PM

I am a first time car user as I have just recieved my license. I was given a Hyudai Sonata in which the original owner opted not to have ABS brakes. Being that I am used to ABS brakes, I was wondering if it is possible to change the break system of a car. The car obviously has the ability to have ABS breakes, but is their a company that can change them. Thank you for all your time.
-Anthony

RandomTask · #2 01-10-2005, 04:41 PM

To be able to find the ABS system would be a challenge in its own. There are several things that you would have to do that pretty much make it un-logical to do... Starting from under the hood you need several things... most expensively a pressure regulator. This distributes the fluid between each of the 4 wheels. You're also going to need the control unit for the system (provided its not integrated into the cars ECU). On the wheel side, you're going to need the sensors and and the trigger wheels. These are usually built into the rotor themselves, so you'll probably have to buy new rotors. Theres other things, but these are the main that I can think of. Its a pretty big endeavor that I wouldn't personally tackle. Learn to pump the brakes and drive without putting yourself into emergency braking situations...

buymeabmwm3 · #3 01-10-2005, 04:58 PM

probably be cheaper to get a new sonata with ABS. or learn to shake your brake foot real fast.

crazyitalian1988 · #4 01-10-2005, 05:21 PM

So what you are telling me is that it can be done but would be a big project. I am in no way a car buff or do I know much about a car at all. My question to you is, Is there somewhere I can get this procedure done for a price. Im not going to be able to take it to the local jiffy lube. :-). If you know of a place this kind of work can be done that is a chain (im not really willing to leave state) then I would be glad to know. Thanks a lot.

danny350 · #5 01-10-2005, 05:36 PM

It's not worth it. Even with used parts, they alone would cost thousands of dollars. Learn to brake properly, you'll be ahead in the long run.

buymeabmwm3 · #6 01-11-2005, 11:06 AM

http://www.miata.net/garage/abs/abs.htm

Conclusion, buy a car with abs. Cheaper and easier. Also, personally, I would never trust my life to my own handywork, much less some garage technician.

fopu · #7 01-11-2005, 11:37 AM

I personally don't like ABS brakes. As RandomTask said, don't put yourself into emergency braking situations and you'll be fine. Always drive at a reasonable speed according to the road conditions and maintain a safe distance. Don't lock the brakes when it's not necessary but rather pump them.

buymeabmwm3 · #8 01-11-2005, 01:25 PM

umm... you need abs. Its like seat belts, it can, and mostly likely, will save your car if not your life.

danny350 · #9 01-11-2005, 05:40 PM

You need abs... shut up girly man.

Any decent driver can stop faster without it.

ales · #10 01-11-2005, 06:34 PM

danny350,

Watch it. You're not in a position to tell anyone to shut up, and especially since you're wrong.

As to the original question, I'm with most here that it will take too much money and effort to retrofit an ABS system. Driving with no ABS is not the end of the world, and you do need to learn to be able to do without it. The other option would be to get the car with ABS already installed from the factory.

crazyitalian1988 · #11 01-11-2005, 07:28 PM

I realize that a good option is to buy a new car with abs, but since I am a new driver and a teenager, I only have a couple thousand dollars, I am not at liberty to buy a new car. My grandfather has offered to give me his car (for a dollar) in which he opted to have non-ABS brakes (He is used to pumping brakes from previous cars).

That being said, It is a 2001 Hyundai Sonata with only about 10,000 miles and it is in perfect condition. For 1 dollar, I would be willing to drive a car without ABS brakes, but I was just wondering if it was possible. Being that I am not an automotive mechanic or enthusiast, I was wondering if I could have a company do the job for me. I highly doubt Hyundai maintenece would offer a service such as this because i would be willing to spend up to $1000.

If this is not a practicle job or it can not be done by a certified machanic in a well known company, then I will live with the car as it is untill i can afford a newer car in the future. Thanks for all the help.

ales · #12 01-12-2005, 07:14 AM

As was mentioned earlier, the parts alone would cost you thousands. You could sell this car, add your $1000 and buy an identical one with ABS.

buymeabmwm3 · #13 01-12-2005, 10:53 AM

The noob called me a girly man. Well sir, you're gonna be a dead man when you slide out of control without abs. And tonight I'm going to the gym, so tomorrow when I wake up, I'll be a manly man... but you'll still be dead.

buymeabmwm3 · #14 01-12-2005, 10:58 AM

oh yeah, i agree with ales. Your car blue books at around $5k. You can get plenty of sweet cars for $5k to $6k. Miata, civic, e30, mustang, camry, the list goes on. Check out (for cars in that range) http://www.edmunds.com/apps/usedmatr...onubmit=Search

danny350 · #15 01-12-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ales

danny350,

Watch it. You're not in a position to tell anyone to shut up, and especially since you're wrong. .

Would you mind telling me how i'm wrong? Do you have conclusive proof that he is in fact, not girly.

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