Big-Dan

iTrader: (2)

My brake calipers are away at Bigg Red being rebuilt because they were piss poor at my cars most recent MOT, I told my mechanic this and he said that the main reason why my brakes are shit is because the calipers are off a Saff (4 pot) and not standard ERST ones, he reckons the ABS pump isn't strong enough to operate the Saff calipers correctly. Is what he's saying right, should I be looking to upgrade my ABS pump to a Saff pump?

Also, I've heard alot of people say it's best to disable the ABS system on ERST's..

What are the Pro's and Con's of having the system fitted?

I (will) use it on road daily, never on track..

Big-Dan.

djmillsy

the escort A.B.S is shite remove it its pish and as for the saff thing ive never heard of that the abs is belt driven anyway ive got saff disks all round on mine and have no probs

stephenbatey

iTrader: (1)

Pro's = none
Con's = it's shit and heavy as fuck

Ditch it!

Big-Dan

iTrader: (2)

Okay thanks.

Will I notice an increase in stopping power once it's been taken off?

Big-Dan.

xr4x4rs

iTrader: (5)

the abs is mechanical on erst and only does the front brakes, there are beelts off the drivehsafts that control it and operate it and they usually snap or stretch

remove the shit and the master cylinder is fine for the cossie brakes, you wont fit a sierra one

rstdave

iTrader: (3)

As above mate, not much cop on rst's so i'd rip it out completely if i were you

vaughant

iTrader: (1)

Sierra and escort abs are totally different,electronic on saff,mechanical on erst your mates talking bollox.it's pips to take off an erst and makes a box/clutch change easier too.If your pedals shite on the Cossie 4 pots I'd suggest maybe their not bled right.

andy130

iTrader: (2)

there crap same as frst, i ditch mine, my brakes were far better

EIL132

It is utter shite, but how is it heavy as fuck? It's a belt driven by the drive shaft and modulator which most people leave on and just cut the belt? Mine lost more weight through rust

stephenbatey

iTrader: (1)

Take a modulator off and feel the weight of it

Oranoco

The modulators are heavy as fuck and I doubt anybody is actually that retarded to just cut the belts and think that's correct. The system is utter crap, simply doesn't work very well and gives a vague pedal feel.

You're mechanic is trying to sound clever but is talkin utter crap.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

go and find an escort rst master cylinder and servo, replace the fiesta one with this

the escort one is used to push bigger calipers than the fiesta one so will have a larger bore to push more fluid around the system

the cossie 4 pots need more fluid in them to work the same otherwise youhave a longer pedal

just make sure you uprate the rears at the same time as you will notice the difference if your car starts to swap ends every time otyu press the pedal

Shings

First things first.

Get a new mechanic - he knows fuck all.

Are your calipers 2 or 4wd calipers - if 2wd that will expalain the vague pedal feel and travel due to the fact they're rigid calipers and not floating like 4wd. This is because they dont need to be floating on a 2wd.

You can remove the ABS very simply if you have the correct brake line making tool and pipe - you dont even need to remove the ABS mechanism - but you will need to short the circuit or the light will come on and fail your MOT.

But back to the original question.

The ABS on your RST is unlikely to work anyway and to getting it to work is unlikely - look in a haynes manual to understand why.

So bin it.

The cons are that if you're a shit young driver you'll go straight up someones arse at the first sign of trouble - but then it prob didn't work in the first place anyways.


J

Chris69

just bin it, the whole lot is a waste of space and quite easy to remove- the brakes become more responsive and stronger- you will notice it.

Big-Dan

iTrader: (2)

Cheers for the info lads, looks like I need to get it whipped off then, majority decision

Big-Dan.