ABS and Pedal "Feel"

dbaldock9 · 09-30-2008, 06:45 AM

My previous Subaru was a '98 Impreza Wagon 5MT, without ABS. I normally down-shifted and used the transmission to slow down, and only used the brakes for the final stop.

During the years that I had that car, I occasionally drove my parent's Honda Accord(s), with automatic transmission and ABS. The pedal feel in their Accords was that they have a sort-of modulated pushing back. They took more effort to stop than my Impreza. (Yes, I do realize they're heavier cars)

The '07 Forester 2.5X 4EAT that I bought in July has ABS. The pedal feel is like my Impreza. (Yeah, the Forester is built on a Impreza chassis

) I haven't felt any of the modulated pushing back in this car, that I thought was from the ABS.

So, is the modulated feel of the Accords just the way Honda designed it, rather than a result of ABS? Do your Foresters pushing back when you're doing normal braking from 30-40 MPH?

Take Care,
David Baldock

funkymonkey1002 · 09-30-2008, 07:34 AM

The abs shouldn't be doing -anything- under normal braking. They should pulse if a wheel locks up or loses grip however (if you're stopping on a gravel or sandy surface you would definitely feel it) sounds like something was wrong with the accord.

dwmoss · 09-30-2008, 09:16 AM

my 02 wrx when the abs kicks in does feel almost like a clicking at the pedal. (this is before and after the tsb for the abs system)

as far as our 07 fxt, i don't recall any abs situations to relate...

but of course i don't get enough fxt seat time =(

El Sid · 09-30-2008, 12:32 PM

I don't notice the anti-lock pulsing as 'kickback' through the pedal - I do feel the tire locking and unlocking, but it is feedback from the chassis dynamics, steering wheel, and sound as well as through the pedal. When the lockup happens, there is also the sickening feel of the ABS which takes the pedal feel away and turns it numb - it feels like the shock bottoming out and maybe the positive caster turning negative. While I hate the feeling, I can tell it is cycling just the affected wheel and it is much faster than I can lock and unlock. It's only happened at fairly low speeds and I've fought the instinct to lift and had to reapply pressure.

But no pedal 'kickback'.

El Sid

09-30-2008, 06:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
dbaldock9 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 252 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 0 / 0%	ABS and Pedal "Feel" My previous Subaru was a '98 Impreza Wagon 5MT, without ABS. I normally down-shifted and used the transmission to slow down, and only used the brakes for the final stop. During the years that I had that car, I occasionally drove my parent's Honda Accord(s), with automatic transmission and ABS. The pedal feel in their Accords was that they have a sort-of modulated pushing back. They took more effort to stop than my Impreza. (Yes, I do realize they're heavier cars) The '07 Forester 2.5X 4EAT that I bought in July has ABS. The pedal feel is like my Impreza. (Yeah, the Forester is built on a Impreza chassis ) I haven't felt any of the modulated pushing back in this car, that I thought was from the ABS. So, is the modulated feel of the Accords just the way Honda designed it, rather than a result of ABS? Do your Foresters pushing back when you're doing normal braking from 30-40 MPH? Take Care, David Baldock __________________ 2007 Crystal Gray Forester 2.5X 4EAT

09-30-2008, 07:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
funkymonkey1002 Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 3,444 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 3 / 100%	The abs shouldn't be doing -anything- under normal braking. They should pulse if a wheel locks up or loses grip however (if you're stopping on a gravel or sandy surface you would definitely feel it) sounds like something was wrong with the accord. __________________ 04FXT/4EAT Snorkus Free, WRX suspension, rota/falken/racingbrake/hawk

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09-30-2008, 09:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
dwmoss Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pocono's Posts: 621 Gallery: 0 iTrader: 2 / 100%	my 02 wrx when the abs kicks in does feel almost like a clicking at the pedal. (this is before and after the tsb for the abs system) as far as our 07 fxt, i don't recall any abs situations to relate... but of course i don't get enough fxt seat time =(

09-30-2008, 12:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
El Sid Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: West Palm Beach, Florida Posts: 483 Gallery: 1 iTrader: 0 / 0%	I don't notice the anti-lock pulsing as 'kickback' through the pedal - I do feel the tire locking and unlocking, but it is feedback from the chassis dynamics, steering wheel, and sound as well as through the pedal. When the lockup happens, there is also the sickening feel of the ABS which takes the pedal feel away and turns it numb - it feels like the shock bottoming out and maybe the positive caster turning negative. While I hate the feeling, I can tell it is cycling just the affected wheel and it is much faster than I can lock and unlock. It's only happened at fairly low speeds and I've fought the instinct to lift and had to reapply pressure. But no pedal 'kickback'. El Sid