Active Brake Limited-Slip, ABLS, aint so nifty...

pluckyew · 03-08-2004, 11:32 AM

Active Brake Limited-Slip, ABLS, aint so nifty...
The computer brake control of the ABLS seems to work sometimes, but on two occasions I've wished for real mechanical traction aids, like a limited slip differential (LSD) or a selectable e-locking differential (e-lockers) on the rear axle.
most recent case thsi past weekend I was making a three point turn on a small and narrow hill top trail. while on 2wd mode one of my rear wheels spun out so fast that smoke and burt rubber smell filled the air. i engaed 4wd-hi and promptly got on the way again.

but this situation highlights the limited real-world use of a computer contolled brake acuated Active Brake Limited-Slip (with VDC). there's no replacement for a mechnical solution like a LSD or a selectable e-locker or an automatic Detroit Lockers on the rear axle (or better yet, on both axles).

now if i can just find a local 4wd shop than can install (and shop warrenty) e-lockers on my Titan's axles...!

Doghouse · 03-08-2004, 11:50 AM

that is the good thing about them being dana 44 axels.

A dana 44 is a dana 44, or so I am told.

When calling around, I would first ask for a dana 44 locker then mention the titan.

Sabre66 · 03-08-2004, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doghouse

that is the good thing about them being dana 44 axels.

A dana 44 is a dana 44, or so I am told.

When calling around, I would first ask for a dana 44 locker then mention the titan.

I don't think our axles are Dana 44 per se, their design is based on the Dana 44. I think i read that in the brochure and on Nissan website somewhere.

wny-titan · 03-12-2004, 02:01 PM

Have similar/worse incident...
Imagine driving up a moderate grade.. in two wheel drive.... pulling a trailer..
You approach the top of the damp & slightly snow covered hill..
The rear-slips.. the abls kicks in.. reducing your forward momentum by braking.. It then slides sideways... just a bit... the VDC kicks in... and now you have lost any forward push. the truck stops in the freshly melted snow.. in the few seconds it takes to engage the 4x4 it freezes.. now the truck can't get enough traction to complete the hill... now you have to back down the already slippery hill with a trailer attached.... yupper it's ugly.. yes, i now will make sure to engage 4x4 any time I might possibly slip..

Not that I was particularly fond of my 2000 f250sd 4x4 CC.. but the true limited slip sure was nice... actually i liked the truck... just the typical american dealer/service mentality that wrecked it for me...

ATitan4Me · 03-12-2004, 02:40 PM

Is there any way to dis-able the ABLS on our trucks because I think that it SUCKS. Try taking your truck in the mud when the wheels wont spin. What fun is that.

bighawaii · 03-12-2004, 05:14 PM

them are both scary sights, glad theres no snow/ice here. ive had all 4 wheels spinning a bit before, just have to disable your vdc and gun it quickly. if you dont your vdc will cut your trottle automatically thus slowing momentum

i always disable it off-roading, especially in slippery conditions. my abls works ok and got me out a few times, it works best if you gun the trottle really quick but takes a sec to come on. i got a laugh out if it when it acutally worked the first time. it certainly isnt a replacement for a e-locker, ive gotten stuck more then a few times where it didnt do squat and had to use 4wd. a e-locker is a gaurentee of power distribution while the abls works after you start slipping so in some conditions you may get 1 wheel even more stuck before the abls comes on. i sure hope nissan releases e-lockers for the front and rear, when engaged it should turn off the abls automatically.

pluckyew · 03-12-2004, 06:37 PM

bighawaii is right: "e-locker is a gaurentee of power distribution" even better to have in both axle differentials!

JS02 · 03-13-2004, 05:42 AM

I agree with all of you. When you are pulling a trailer or even working in poor conditions not having a locker in at least the rear is a disadvantage. Nissan says their e-locker can only be used in 4Low. I think this is bad too. This may be fine for serious off-roading. But, it is a pain for normal use like your 3 point turn. It would be nice to know what a regular mechanical locker would work like with ABLS.

I was pulling a heavy trailer through a mudhole the other day and I don't think I could have gotten through even in 4WD if I hadn't turned off the VDC. It just shuts down the engine power too much. There are some conditions where that is a big advantage. This was not one of them. If there is a problem with a mechanical locker I don't see why they can't use even an automatic e-locker like GM now uses on their pickups.

bighawaii · 03-13-2004, 04:08 PM

the vdc was doing its job when noticed your wheels slipping, its used where wheel slippage is not desirable. disabling it is a must when you need to use the engines full potential, i always disable it when going off-roading in soft soil conditions. we should all email nissan or get a petition (not that they will care but if enough people show interist they may concider it) to offer a switch that disables the abls. i suspect that the abls and vdc are automatically disabled when nissans e-locker is engaged in 4low. if we had a switch to disable the abls then we could use any e-locker in 2wd, 4hi. and 4low.

cnatra · 03-13-2004, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doghouse

that is the good thing about them being dana 44 axels.

A dana 44 is a dana 44, or so I am told.

When calling around, I would first ask for a dana 44 locker then mention the titan.

Does ARB mak an air locker for the Dana 44 ??

I agree, there should be a switch to defeat the ABLS & the VDC .

Anyone looked for a fuse to pull & effectively defeat it ????

JS02 · 03-14-2004, 11:29 AM

Jeep Rubicon's use air lockers and have Dana 44 axles.

JS02 · 03-14-2004, 11:35 AM

Does anyone know why a locker won't work with ABLS? It would look like the only problem you would have is if both rear wheel are spinning and it would try to apply the brake on both sides of the axle. Then would turning of the VDC allow the truck to go ahead and spin the wheels and power itself through?

TYTAIN · 01-11-2005, 11:50 AM

I known the is an old post but it's just the info I needed. Yesterday while offroad I encountered a situation will the ABLS diff. In two wheel drive going through some wash outs the r/rear tire having no weight on it spun the dirt out from underneath it losing total traction, I let the thing spin to see if it could engage the other wheel, needless to say it tried but could not overcome the force of the wheel being basically off the ground. If I had a limited slip it would have engage and i could have continued on, but I had to put in 4WD to get on up the hill. If e-lock would work I could have just hit the button, but if Nissan would have just install an LSD they could have save a lot of money, and would have a much better system for offroaders, it did appear to work ok on slick red clay.

D_C · 01-11-2005, 12:09 PM

same issues with it here...trying to back my truck into the drive when there is just the slightest bit of snow is pretty much impossible unless i have momentum...its just to light in the rear to keep those tires gripping to haul its fat *** up thru the snow lol
ALBS doesnt seem to do much of anything so far...im kinda glad about that, i know when im gonna be slipping...if im slipping in forward...im prolly trying too!! (ie; drifting, and or doughnuts)

Vegas04 · 01-11-2005, 12:24 PM

the computer that controls ABLS senses when the tires of each side of the same axle are spinning at different speeds and applies braking force to the one spinning faster to build torque that is matched by the opposite wheel.
also, GM does not use "automatic electronic locking differentials." they use an automatic mechanically locking differential made by Eaton. I had the newest version (8.625") in my 2003 Silverado 2wd and it got stuck EVERYWHERE!.

I would like to see someone look on the schematic and/or manual and see if they can find a fuse to disable ABLS. That would be nice to know for those times when you want to get your truck really dirty to impress your wife. LOL