Brakes!!

[gtmud]

I have an 89 Xj with the ABS braking system. I however have a problem, no one can seem to order me the master cylinder I need. So my question is can I retro fit in an NON -ABS M/C. Just redo the lines going to the porportioning valve( front and back.)
I know how good ABS can be, but the cost of the M/C is almost 2 bills!! So if there is a way around it, I'll take it.
Thanks in advance.

[AlohaBra]

Hey GT..if you search thiis forum...other peeps have converted to the standard non-abs. Or you can rebuild the M/C.

search "brakes abs"...
aloha..

[gtmud]

Aloha,

I went to the search and found a listing about the change over. Am I correct in thinking that as long as I find the front 2 lines and the one to the rear, have them correctly hooked into the porportioning valve, that all should be good? Do you know if the booster will have to be changed, or if I can stay with the same one and just change the M/C and P-valve.
Oh, the compressor for the ABS seems to work, could this also be used as a secondary source of air pressure?

[AlohaBra]

I will have to defer to others on this one. The 89-90 used a different system than the Teves I am familiar with, the Bendix i believe. I have read other posts about people doing this from parts from another Jeep. On the compressor conversion, I think it might be a little small unless you have a tank attached. (Even then it might take awhile.)

However,,,I found that there is supposed to be a lifetime warranty on the Bendix abs, except the accumulator.

I have sent you a PM.

[gtmud]

Rhanks for the sights Aloha. I have started driving the Jeep more and I think that my issue may lie in the 2 front brakes hoses, they are VERY old and look like they could be "Ballooning" when I apply the brakes, so I will replace them and see what happens. Also my initial problem was that I had almost no brakes ( pedal to the floor), not loosing any fluid. INspected the brakes all looked good, minus the brake lines and age on the calipers( not froze) but as I drive it the brakes seem to be getting better. I'll get back to you once I get the lines replaced and let you know how it all turned out.

[citizen@large]

Hey mud, I hope you don't mind me 'piggy-backing' your post...

I don't know if I have ABS or not, (don't think so), but when I press the brake pedal, I can hear what seems to be an air or vacuum hose/line hissing from under the dash. It will continue to hiss until I let go of the brakes and will get louder (more air passing) when I press the pedal harder- to a point.

It's done this since I got her about three months ago and there has been no change in her stopping ability or in the pedal's travel so I have done no work on these systems. I just figured maybe it was normal- now, maybe not?

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by citizen@large

Hey mud, I hope you don't mind me 'piggy-backing' your post...

I don't know if I have ABS or not, (don't think so), but when I press the brake pedal, I can hear what seems to be an air or vacuum hose/line hissing from under the dash. It will continue to hiss until I let go of the brakes and will get louder (more air passing) when I press the pedal harder- to a point.

It's done this since I got her about three months ago and there has been no change in her stopping ability or in the pedal's travel so I have done no work on these systems. I just figured maybe it was normal- now, maybe not?

You'd probably get a better response with a new thread; however it does sound like a vacuum leak is growing, best to replace the offending part.

[AlohaBra]

Originally Posted by gtmud

Rhanks for the sights Aloha. I have started driving the Jeep more and I think that my issue may lie in the 2 front brakes hoses, they are VERY old and look like they could be "Ballooning" when I apply the brakes, so I will replace them and see what happens. Also my initial problem was that I had almost no brakes ( pedal to the floor), not loosing any fluid. INspected the brakes all looked good, minus the brake lines and age on the calipers( not froze) but as I drive it the brakes seem to be getting better. I'll get back to you once I get the lines replaced and let you know how it all turned out.

Oh yeah, I had a brake line bad one time and almost slammed into a guard rail during a panic stop. On a VW bus none the less.

You might want to put the XJ up in the air on the lift and run it in 4X4 and see how the brakes perform. I had a previous post on this forum where I discussed the fact that I didn't know the rear brakes didn't work until it went onto the smog inspection dyno and the brakes would not stop the dyno rollers.

[AlohaBra]

Originally Posted by citizen@large

Hey mud, I hope you don't mind me 'piggy-backing' your post...

I don't know if I have ABS or not, (don't think so), but when I press the brake pedal, I can hear what seems to be an air or vacuum hose/line hissing from under the dash. It will continue to hiss until I let go of the brakes and will get louder (more air passing) when I press the pedal harder- to a point.

It's done this since I got her about three months ago and there has been no change in her stopping ability or in the pedal's travel so I have done no work on these systems. I just figured maybe it was normal- now, maybe not?

Like Fred said, your problem is a little different. You have a vaccum booster (check valve) problem. You will know if there is ABS if you have an ABS light on the dash (instrument pack).