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Things to do with a spare ABS valve block & pump


FridgeFreezer

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I'd never, ever trust a GPS to give reliable information, especially if it would be used to brake a wheel.

An accelerometer would be more trustworthy. And a wheel speed sensor can't be too hard to make, even without drilling into the axle casing. If you have a vented disc brake you could probably count the internal ribs passing by the caliper with a VR sensor.

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How about a form of poor man's diff lock - if the vehicle started to spin a wheel you could modulate that brake to get the traction back onto the grounded wheel - perfect for a cross axle in a Freelander? Or have I missed the point entirely, it's always possible.

Not missed the point, but hit precisely on the head what the unit does when it's brains are intact. That's why Freebies and the rest of the modern LR fleet are surprisingly capable. Happily I have real lockers on the 109 so not a major issue. Selective braking via 2nd callipers seems like a favourite, with an unlocked LT230 you could do fiddles and front/rear digs, assuming the centre diff would put up with it.

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Much more prosaic, I know, but how about just an open source ABS system for older vehicles?

with a tap for rear air brakes for a trailer?

Just shooting the breeze.

I know there are huge product liability issues, but...............

G

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There's (very expensive) aftermarket traction control for racers, but that acts on the engine power/revs I believe.

TBH a lot of early ABS systems were standalone add-ons to the existing vehicle, so barring a bit of wiring they should be transferable to other vehicles. Of course there will be detail differences and I would guess the FL one will want to send a few messages to & fro on the CANBUS for full functionality, but none of that is insurmountable. CANBUS enabled micros are peanuts these days. Megasquirt can talk CANBUS.

Wonder how a bolt-on ABS/ETC kit would stack up against the time & effort & effect of buying & fitting lockers?

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Wonder how a bolt-on ABS/ETC kit would stack up against the time & effort & effect of buying & fitting lockers?

I think it would quite well, so long as there is a good solution to the wheel sensors. Probably better to at least have the option to use off the shelf TTL inductive pickups like RS sell as they seem to be more bomb-proof than Freelander sensors at least.

The plumbing is pretty easy and so long as the electrickery was made simple - I think people would go for it. Particularly if it could give the equivalent of difflocks for steering (non straight paths) i.e. an advantage over what a difflock gives you.

Combine it with button operated front & rear fiddle brakes and you're on to a winner!

I guess you could pitch it as intelligent fiddle brakes - ones which genuinely do act as a traction as well as steering aid! If it operated with separate calipers to the service brakes, it further avoids most liability issues.

Si

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Liability should be simple, just note "not for road use" and "the use of this system is fully at your own risk" in the EULA.

As for the speed sensor, what I said earlier (reading the disk brake) would probably work, but probably not in deep muck (although the MS VR sensor seems to work just fine in those conditions). An added problem is drum brakes though, you'd have to find a way to mount it internally probably. Oh, and solid disks aren't an option either :lol:

In the words of my super-awesome Paint skills:

post-18506-0-35065900-1294846205_thumb.png

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The standard Wabco ABS module that was fitted on at least earlier defenders is pretty much stand alone. It needs some power up it, and obviously the wheel speed sensor inputs, but as far as I can remember needs nothing else from the vehicle (on CAN bus or otherwise). Lastly it has a few warning lights that could be fitted in anywhere.

The systems can be a bit sensitive to EMC and cable specs (capacitance etc), so it would be best to use the sensors available from the OEM manufacturer, but these are not difficult to source

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If I were adding it, I would make a sleeve which goes on to a half shaft with a splined profile, held in place with a grub-screw. Then drill a hole in the axle casing for the sensor.

Then it would be transferable between shafts and have sufficient resolution in the splines for reliable operation - and be a saleable after-market part.

Si

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If I were adding it, I would make a sleeve which goes on to a half shaft with a splined profile, held in place with a grub-screw. Then drill a hole in the axle casing for the sensor.

Then it would be transferable between shafts and have sufficient resolution in the splines for reliable operation - and be a saleable after-market part.

Si

Myes, but having to drill and tap a hole in the axle casing isn't exactly a bolt-on mod I'd say.

Axle breather hole?

Or is it too far in for the shaft sheath to reach?

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That's only on one side though.

Good point. D'oh!

Could a magnet provide a pickup pulse/signal through the axle casing?

Whatever the sensor technology, robustness MUST be a driving design criterion. It must be mud, salt, sand, rock and shale proof.

Of all the great ideas I like the retrofit ABS/TC/HDC idea best. If it could be made to work on drum brakes I'd be liking it a lot. I don't see why it HAS to be disk based - though it's too early in the morning for my brain to be working properly so I could be talking rubbish.

The trailer ABS is a bit more specialist.

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OK, have a ring attached to the shaft and a top-hat which sits in the end of the axle with the brim sandwiched between the stub axle and axle. Wires pass through gaps in the brim and the sensor is built in to the 'hat'.

Or supply a compression fitting which will allow wires to pass through an un-tapped hole. Honestly though, someone fitting TC or ABS could reasonably be expected to be able to drill a hole - no?

Si

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Honestly though, someone fitting TC or ABS could reasonably be expected to be able to drill a hole - no?

Yup, I mean people have to drill and tap cast to fit an ARB, at least an axle tube is pretty thin wall. God help DIY fitters of KAM lockers! :lol:

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