I want to remove my ABS can i do it?

[Azz]

The ABS system on my car is scary at best, and as I have felt the effects of its decision making after hitting a pothole and refusing to brake until it decided what it was doing, I have decided to remove it BUT I need to know where I stand legally, as there are cars that do not have ABS I am sure if I got my ABS removed I should be ok as it brakes a lot better without the ABS and I am more in control of the car and above all it feels safer, so will my car pass a MOT if I get he ABS removed and my brakes work fine on the test,? as it is not a compulsory thing to have

Thanks

[JohnnyC]

Simplest thing to do would be to pull the ABS fuse (think it's in the fusebox under the front bonnet) - then you can simply put it back in for the MOT.

Personally though I be happier with ABS.

[Azz]

Problem, I cut the ABS sensor cables by mistake as I thought they were something else, and they want £173 for the 2 sensors + the cables, and I cant pull the fuse or bulb as the MOT place will know, so I wanted to know would it be legal if I just removed the whole system or disconnected it as that is cheaper than replacing the parts I need!

[Kelvin]

This is the info from the testers manual;

This ABS inspection applies to all systems fitted as 'standard', and to 'optional' systems fitted.
When testing vehicles that have ABS fitted the road wheels should not be allowed to rotate clear of the standing surface with the ignition on as this can cause the ABS system to indicate a fault which may require specialist equipment to rectify

Missing components

Where a vehicle is presented for test with an ABS component obviously missing but, follows the correct sequence of operation, the defect must be brought to the attention of the presenter.

So it doesn't actually state if removing the whole system is a fail (not sure if they check on their database for vehicles that had it as standard). best bet is to phone an MOT station and ask. Only costs a phone call.

Then again, I'd fix it. Safer option.

Kelvin

[acf8181]

you'd have to declare it to your insurance as a modification....as you would with removing an airbag...and they're likely to bump up the premium as technically (in their eyes anyway) you're making the car more dangerous.

[sadako]

Could the ABS be made switchable? Some countries such as Australia often have switchable ABS as standard as you need to turn it off to brake in sand or loose snow

[Kipps]

Just another thought for you as well - If you simply pull the fuse or the mutiplug connector on the abs pump you actually are left with less brake pressure than before ( As the fluid has to be pumped round the abs system without the aid of the abs pump )
Best way to remove it is to rip the whole unit out and re do the brake lines yourself

[Alex_Dunn]

can u add abs to a car which didnt have it before?

[steve b]

the car i got my conversion from had ABS mine doesn't thankfully, the rear hubs have the sensors obviuosly in but the cables snipped and going nowhere. It's only had 1 MOT and it sailed through.

[John Rees]

I have unplugged my abs sensors at the hubs, this was the abs pump is still working but the sensors don't send any info, seems to work ok.

I'd not recommend it to all but I like it turned off but thats just me

John

[Azz]

I have just cut the cables to the sensors, but the ABS light comes on and stays on, the car feels a lot safer as I am braking and not the 15 year old ABS system, but the garage told me that if I pull the bulb they MOT station will know its got ABS and if the light does not come on when the ignition is turned on they will l know the bulb has been pulled and it will fail on the spot!

[Azz]

Ok lets say I connect the sensors back up and they don't work, I am going to get the cables taped up to look like they are together and pull the bulb, does anyone know how to do this as I have no clue?