ABS Delete ?'s on a W126 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TheRealYoungStone · #1 07-01-2015, 02:59 PM

I know everyone has their opinion on ABS but i'm looking for information about completely removing the ABS from my 87 300 SDL. I know you can pull the relay to disable it as its been pulled for years. However the time has come i would like to remove it and its components completely.
Does any one know of another discussion or place on the web that goes into detail about doing so.
Some of my concerns being how much can i remove what do i need to remove and will removing send any other systems into panic. As well as where can i get non ABS break lines to install after the removal.
Thank you in advance for help and direction on this topic.
-TheRealYoungStone

t walgamuth · #2 07-01-2015, 03:07 PM

I did it on mine. The brake lines are no different from any other standard brake line....at least on the 85 SD.

It was a little more complicated than I imagined but I did it in a morning, I believe. I have never been able to get the pedal feel I think I should have on that car since though.

TheRealYoungStone · #3 07-01-2015, 04:21 PM

Did you have to leave any thing behind like wires or Electrical component boxes. Did you have to cap anything off or cut any wires?

The Break lines, I know the lines them selves are not different but i meant finding lines from a non ABS car, that way i don't have to block the ABS lines together or make my own from scratch. That way i could run the lines straight from the master cylinder down to the wheels. So same lines but a different Routing.

Also in response to the feel of the pedal. I had braided stainless steel soft lines installed on my SDL and it was a world of difference.

Thank You
-TheRealYoungStone

P.S.
Did you have the ABS disabled before the removal or did you go straight from full ABS to no ABS when you noticed a difference in the pedal?

LandYaghtLover · #4 07-01-2015, 05:09 PM

Side note: If its a daily driver, you may want to check with your insurance. It may void your contract/coverage. The odds of them finding out are slim if you never get in an accident. Just something to think about. Personally I prefer to have ABS and can not think of a reason I would not want it.

TheRealYoungStone · #5 07-01-2015, 05:30 PM

No, but its insured as a Non ABS car anyway so not a problem.

ABS is not all its cracked up to be, there are very few instances were ABS would actually help. My driving style allows me to drive with out it. They were not Mercedes and the accidents were not my fault but i totaled two previous vehicles due to ABS. The one i would have avoided if it wasn't for ABS. The other would not have been avoided altogether but i believe without ABS i could have reduced the damage and that vehicle may have not been totaled. I need full control of the vehicle and ABS takes it away from you. I also tow with this car and need full breaking power at certain times, would not always be the case but it could arise where you need more breaking power when towing and the ABS could potentially hinder that depending on weight and road conditions. Although this could all also be chalked up to my opinion.

Thank You
-TheRealYoungStone

tjts1 · #6 07-01-2015, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LandYaghtLover

Side note: If its a daily driver, you may want to check with your insurance. It may void your contract/coverage. The odds of them finding out are slim if you never get in an accident. Just something to think about. Personally I prefer to have ABS and can not think of a reason I would not want it.

Not only that, you may open yourself up to additional liabilities not covered by insurance should you have an accident with tampered ABS. Certainly not the type of thing I would want to leave a record of in an online forum.

tjts1 · #7 07-01-2015, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRealYoungStone

No, but its insured as a Non ABS car anyway so not a problem.

ABS is not all its cracked up to be, there are very few instances were ABS would actually help. My driving style allows me to drive with out it. They were not Mercedes and the accidents were not my fault but i totaled two previous vehicles due to ABS. The one i would have avoided if it wasn't for ABS. The other would not have been avoided altogether but i believe without ABS i could have reduced the damage and that vehicle may have not been totaled. I need full control of the vehicle and ABS takes it away from you. I also tow with this car and need full breaking power at certain times, would not always be the case but it could arise where you need more breaking power when towing and the ABS could potentially hinder that depending on weight and road conditions. Although this could all also be chalked up to my opinion.

Thank You
-TheRealYoungStone

ABS does not reduce braking power.

TheRealYoungStone · #8 07-01-2015, 06:27 PM

Again everyone has there opinions but I'm really looking for some input or help in removing the ABS. Not interested in a debate about pros and cons of having or not having at least not in this Thread. If someone wants to open up a Thread about pros and cons of ABS I would be glad to chime in.

If anyone has any technical advice or a link to information or another Thread about removing the ABS or instructions of any kind as to the actual removal of the ABS system from the car I would be very appreciative of this information.

Thank You
-TheRealYoungStone

97 SL320 · #9 07-01-2015, 06:50 PM

Removal would generally consist of:

Removing the ABS unit.

Inserting a T between both front brakes then run to the master cyl.

Inserting a T between both rear brakes the run to the master cyl , a balance valve plumbed into the rear would be helpful.

The real issue with removing ABS is if one has to ask how it is done , they don't understand how a braking system works with ABS or not. ( And no, I'm not a big fan of ABS , is just lets inattentive / poor drivers get so deep into trouble nothing will save them. ABS does help if one does not use up the safety margin for general driving it provides.)

tjts1 · #10 07-01-2015, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 97 SL320

The real issue with removing ABS is if one has to ask how it is done , they don't understand how a braking system works with ABS or not.

BINGO

Claiming that ABS somehow reduces your braking power is was an immediate red flag. Don't mess with something you don't understand.

dude99 · #11 07-01-2015, 07:51 PM

Quote:

BINGO

Claiming that ABS somehow reduces your braking power is was an immediate red flag. Don't mess with something you don't understand.

X2, a functioning ABS system should only be kicking it at the point of wheel lock up, which is the point that breaking effect actually lessons as your brake pads are more effective and converting friction into heat energy than your wheels are. As such there is really no way it can reduce your braking effect unless the system isn't working as designed. The ABS system and the non ABS system will function exactly the same up until the point of diminishing returns.

There should be no difference between braking a trailer with an ABS vehicle vs a non ABS one. I think you should do some more reading about how ABS systems reduce braking distances....

Are you pumping the brakes on your ABS vehicles? This is a common mistake that can lead to longer braking distances. People feel the vibration\hear the ABS pump kick in and let off the pedal, which is the worst thing you can do at that instance. I could see this being misconstrued as ABS causing poorer braking performance.

TheRealYoungStone · #12 07-01-2015, 08:27 PM

So ABS is not a electronically controlled hydraulic Unit that controls the flow of break fluid to the brake caliper by using sensors at the wheel?

JB3 · #13 07-01-2015, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheRealYoungStone

No, but its insured as a Non ABS car anyway so not a problem.

ABS is not all its cracked up to be, there are very few instances were ABS would actually help. My driving style allows me to drive with out it. They were not Mercedes and the accidents were not my fault but i totaled two previous vehicles due to ABS. The one i would have avoided if it wasn't for ABS. The other would not have been avoided altogether but i believe without ABS i could have reduced the damage and that vehicle may have not been totaled. I need full control of the vehicle and ABS takes it away from you. I also tow with this car and need full breaking power at certain times, would not always be the case but it could arise where you need more breaking power when towing and the ABS could potentially hinder that depending on weight and road conditions. Although this could all also be chalked up to my opinion.

Thank You
-TheRealYoungStone

If the two accidents were not your fault, how could they be the fault of ABS in your vehicle?
Sounds like you've picked a scapegoat and his name is ABS.

Describe for us your driving style that makes ABS irrelevant?

pawoSD · #14 07-01-2015, 11:25 PM

The key is to have an overall well-functioning brake system, my 420SEL had iffy brakes for a while until I replaced ALL calipers, pads, rotors, and hoses. If I jam on the brakes now it rips my face off and chirps (abs) to a stop in an astonishingly short distance. ABS offers way better control in a panic stop or on slippery surfaces.

TheRealYoungStone · #15 07-01-2015, 11:32 PM

No, i have already been drawn into exactly what i figured this post would turn out to be a jar full of every ones 2 cents and their finger pointing and name calling opinions.

Bottom line is the ABS in my 300SDL has been disabled for at least 4 years maybe longer. I want to completely remove the ABS System and all of its components to make for less what i consider junk. It's my car and its not being used and i want it gone.

I was hoping i could get some in site to completing this task. Maybe even some tips and tricks to make the job easier.

Instead the Thread turned into what all the other Threads on this topic are, a argument about why it shouldn't be done.

Either way with or without actual help from the forum i will figure it out and eventually get it done.