ABS Malfunction?

[michaelknight]

For a few weeks my brake pedal will flutter when just a few feet from coming to a complete stop, feels like the ABS is activating. This happens during about 20% of my stops, particularly when making a slow stop and occurs on dry ground. It is a 2002 Explorer Sport. Any ideas?

I also experienced this rubbing sound near the wheel when making sharp slow turns as mentioned in a recent post. This went away about the same time this problem began, likely coincidence(?).

[shaft2099]

The problem is the ABS are going bad or are rusted. I am having the same issue with my 95 sport. If the sensors are rusted they can be cleaned (sanded) or worst case replace them.

[way2old]

Have someone with an ABS capable scanner hook it up and see which sensor is not reading properly. You have one sensor that is telling the computer that at least one wheel is not going at the same speed as the others. This makes the ABS computer think a wheel is locking up and tries to engage the ABS

[michaelknight]

Thanks. I ended up having a ford shop look at it. They said to fix the sensor it would require replacing the hub. Can the sensor not be replaced without replacing the hub? Plus they weren't certain which sensor (&hub) would require replacement. The front brake pads/rotors need replacement as well, any chance things will improve with this?

[gtmud]

It is likely that Yes the ABS is part of the hub assembly. To save yourself some time, get a Haynes, or better a Chilton on your model Explorer to see if there is a way to test the individual assemblies with an ohm meter. With standard tools and an impact gun, you can change teh hub yourself. Save a little$$$. If I remember right, the hud at Advance was about $120.

[t_man_boom]

Originally Posted by way2old

Have someone with an ABS capable scanner hook it up and see which sensor is not reading properly. You have one sensor that is telling the computer that at least one wheel is not going at the same speed as the others. This makes the ABS computer think a wheel is locking up and tries to engage the ABS

I was experiencing the same problem on my 1999 sport ever since I had my front whell bearings replaced. But in my case it wasn't the abs sensor, my right front wheel was loose than my left. (just a little) I adjusted the hub wheel nut and wala the problem went away.

[michaelknight]

The truck is also drifting to the right lately and I think the mechanic implied this meant the right hub needed replacement. Does this relate to the ABS as well? I wasn't quite clear on whether these were separate problems.

[michaelknight]

I had a front hub replaced and it fixed the problem. It has returned now, only now my car pulls in the opposite direction when the ABS activates. Is it safe to assume that the other front hub(& sensor) need replacement or are there also speed sensors in the back wheels (2002 sport/4x4)? If it's only the front wheels then I can consider taking it to a local shop that may not have the same computer diagnostics as the dealer. The dealer charged alot for the first one.