Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry

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Wed 16 May 2012 22:38
Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry - kfb524

Please could you advise about a problem I'm having on my 1999 Toyota Corolla.
It started during gentle slow braking with steering on RH lock even in dry weather.
The abs seems to activate as there is the familiar grinding noise and it is felt through the brake pedal. The problem has now worsened; it now appears on LH lock and straight ahead but still only at slow speed and gentle braking.
The braking effect still seems to be effective and not diminished
Many thanks

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Thu 17 May 2012 08:52
Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry - elekie&a/c doctor

Slow speed abs activation is often caused when the wheel speed sensors do not get a "clean" signal.This could be a problem with the reluctor/pick up rings on the driveshafts or rear hubs.Look for corrosion or fracture .hth

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Thu 17 May 2012 12:18
Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry - madf

IIRC the front ABS sensors are attached to the front hubs by one screw so removal and checking for dirt/rust is easy. Chances are they will be responsible and it is likely the nearside front (passenger side) is obscured with dirt from the road..

Easy to check.

You can also check the rings: you will see the sensor rings through the hole after removing the sensor - if the car is jacked up (securley with axle stands) you can then rotate the front wheels and observe the rings for cracks/dirt.

Edited by madf on 17/05/2012 at 12:18

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Thu 17 May 2012 21:40
Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry - Collos25

When abs activates it does not grind ,

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Thu 17 May 2012 23:47
Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry - bathtub tom

When my ABS operates it feels and sounds exactly like something grinding.

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Fri 18 May 2012 12:25
Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry - madf

ABS is silent except for teh (possible) sound of the pump pulsing on and off. The grinding will be brake pads on disc. Of course, if the pads are worn badly, the grinding sound will be the pad warning indicator (a band of very rough pad material) which makes a grinding noise as a warning.).

To ethe OP. Have you checked visually the pad depth on the front disks?

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Fri 18 May 2012 12:34
Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry - Collos25

Sounds to me as though the pads are worn out.

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Sun 20 May 2012 10:25
Toyota Corolla - abs always activates at slow speed even in the dry - V4 Heaven

It's worth getting things professionally looked at. You can't mess about with brakes. As mentioned, Idon't think it's your ABS - I think your pads have worn out and the backing plate is grinding on to your discs. The reason it only appears at slow speed is becuase you can't hear it at high speed due to road noise etc. Minimise driving of your car and have it booked into a reliable independent garage asap.

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