how to tell if my E-350 has Front or Rear or both ends ABS

[tcnofh1]

Hi,
Time to do the first brake job at 80,000 miles. I started to collect
the parts, but all the parts places ask me if it has front OR rear or
both ends ABS.
How can I tell what type of ABS is on this 2000 E-350 XLT
Super-Duty?
Also, the ABS and Brake warning indicator lights just came on solid today.
I have searched these forums and found some clues to check this problem, but I already know it needs new pads & rotors turned or replaced, so I'm planning to do the brake job first, and while I have it all apart look for the ABS problem - does this sound like a reasonable plan???
Thanks,
Frank

[DieselDeaf]

On the fronts you should see an additional line going down to the each spindle area, 2 lines, a brake hose and the ABS sensor cable. I get an occasinal ABS lamp as well, replaced the rear speed sensor but no fix, guess I need to dig around here a bit and find something else to change? Or, I could take it to the stealer' dealer and probably end up buying a $500 ABS computer. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

[yaric008]

To get technical your ABS light should come on when your brakes need to be changed. When you change your brakes you fill up the brake fluid resevior and that's it. As your brakes wear down the fluid level drops and there is a little sensor in there and when the fluid gets to a certain lowness the ABS light comes on. But if you look at your fluid resevior and it's full then that wouldn't be what's causing your light here. I think also if the vacuum line gets pulled off the vacuum sensor the ABS light will come on also.

I don't know it right off hand but there is a really good article on brakes around here somewheres. It tells you specifically how to break in brakes which is what you should do when you change out your brakes soon. You're supposed to turn the rotors and drums as well, if you have drums. Do a search for it... i'll look around, if i find it i'll post it.

[PJC99]

I was told by my salesman when I bought my van that all 350's from 1999 up would be four wheel ABS.

[yaric008]

[ QUOTE ]
I was told by my salesman when I bought my van that all 350's from 1999 up would be four wheel ABS.

[/ QUOTE ]

That sounds about right, before that it was just rear ABS i guess.

[Larry M]

Frank,

I wasn't sure what I had on my Van either and had the following exchange with the brake expert here (FMTRVT) sometime ago ...

QUESTION:
"I'm not sure, but it doesn't look like I have anything going to the rear disks except the brake line and it looks like I have the T/proportional fitting that feeds each rear brake mechanism on the drivers's side of the rear axle. It does look like I have some kind of sensor (i.e. wire) on each of my front disks. Also it looks like my master cylinder feeds some kind of manifold that has 8 fittings on it one at each end and three on each side of which only the end fittings and three on one side are used. There are three that are capped off. I don't remember asking for anything special in this area so I am guessing all I have is ABS on the front. Is this correct or how do I tell? "

ANSWER:
"You have the 4 wheel ABS (acutually 3 circuit, the two rears work in unison and skid is based off the differential sensor. This is the best unit to have and is an active, rather then passive unit. "

..... Thus I assume the key is that the master cylinder feeds this manifold and it's output then feeds the brakes ... I will try and get Jack (FMTRVT) to look at this thread and give us the definitive answer since he is "Mr Brake" [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[carringb]

All of the Wagons had 4-wheel ABS starting '95. My '94 has 4 wheel as well. I think in '96 all vans had 4-wheel ABS.

-Bryan

1994 E350 Club Wagon ext. 5.8L

[tcnofh1]

Thanks for the replys!
I have finished rebuilding the rear - new rotors & pads went on
smoothly. One pad had just barely worn through to the backing plate!
Then I went to take the front pad carriers off, but unlike the rear 13mm hex bolts the fronts are held in with BIG TORX bolts. I have to go buy a driver tommorow, but have no idea what size it is - do any of you know? It is larger than a 50 - I know that much.
Thanks again,
Frank

[yaric008]

Not sure... you could go buy a bunch that look close to it and then return all the wrong ones or something...

I noticed your in winter garden, how far away are you from altamonte springs? that's about where i live.

[FMTRVT]

Boy, not much for me to add here. As mentioned, if you have 1 brake hose and one wire going to the front brake caliper area, you have 4 wheel ABS. Both lights on usually indicates low brake fluid.

The ABS light can come on due to a dirty sensor as well. Many times the rear diff oil has a lot of metal debris that contaminates the sensor, giving a bad reading. A change of oil and cleaning of the sensor many time fixes that, but sometimes needs a new sensor. The front sensors occasionally can have some of the same issue as far as metal debris around them.

[tcnofh1]

Jack,
FIXED IT! The rear speed sensor for the ABS appears to be magnetic,
and a bunch of metal filings coated it. Cleaned them off, drove about 10 ft. code re-set, dash board "brake" and "ABS" lights went off.
Thanks,
Frank

[Rolly]

In the future phone your Ford dealer near you and give them your last 8 digit vin# of your truck and they can tell you what parts and size and which option where put in your truck without guessing