Rebuildable ABS unit possible
 

I searched around and found out that alot of people just replace thier leaking ABS unit instead of repairing? I was wondering if anyone repaired thiers or just bought a new used one.


btw: who might have one laying around that they are willing to part with. Also who has an under tray in good condition for sale?

thanks

My ABS unit started leaking so I bought another used one with the intent of rebuilding it. The unit itself is not that complex and can be safely disassembled if you are careful. First I completely tore down one unit so I could measure all the different o-ring sizes inside of it and try to locate replacements (Mazda only sells entire pumps).

Unfortunately the o-ring sizes inside the unit which most likely need replacing are not common as they don't have round cross sections. As of yet I have not been able to find new seals I can properly rebuild the unit with.

Since the used ABS pump I bought appeared to have been sitting for a while I did not wish to risk the solenoids inside of it being contaminated or stuck. Therefore I took the seals out of the used unit and installed them into mine. I don't like the idea of using used seals as I believe it only a matter of time before they leak too, but so far everything is perfect.

I'm still hunting for properly sized new seals and if I can locate them I plan to post a how to on this site.

The manual says the the unit itself is not repairable! Then it needs to be programmed correctly - I think I would just bite the $$ bullet and take it in.

Mazda claims the unit is not repairable because they do not sell a seal kit to rebuild it. The ABS pump is nothing more than an electric pump motor and three solenoids through which pressurized brake fluid is routed. Rebuilding it is no different than rebuilding a master cylinder or a brake caliper.

There is absolutely no programming involved with the pump. Any software is contained in the ABS computer which resides in the right rear corner of the trunk.

Damon, you can buy "o" ring material in bulk spools. You lay out the ring you want to make, cut it carefully with a razor blade or exacto knife, and use "crazy glue" to glue the ends together. We do this all the time for large hard to get case sealing rings. You can get away with round cross section ring material in replacing square or rectangular material. I've found it usually works better than the rectangular stuff.

David- I thinik DamonB was saying that the cross section is not round so you cant really do what you stated. Anyways thanks for the replies guys.

Thanks for the tip David, but I don't feel it will work. You'd probably agree if you actually saw the seals: they are very rectangular in section; they look more like faucet washers. The way the pump bolts together with the solenoids clamped between the top and bottom halves the correct thickness and width of o-ring is very important. You have to see it apart to fully understand.

Is super glue resistant to solvents and able to withstand high heat and pressure in such an environment? I always wondered how people made o-rings from "string". I always assumed it was heat sealed or something.

Of course plain silicone o-rings are most common but they cannot be used in brake fluid; has to be nitrile, butyl or teflon (the stock ones feel like butyl). I have no trouble finding round or square section o-rings, but thus far no luck in finding the proper ones.

I have one in my garage just sitting around you can have -shipping. Its harness is melted due to an exhaust leak... but besides that it never leaked fluid. I'm pretty sure you can swap the harness part out though.
Let me know,
Ryker

Wonder1and--- hey thanks alot.. if you have pay pal Ill send the $$$. I live at 99206 zip.
email me at jme5001@yahoo.com and we can work out the details.

Mine is leaking too! You might be able to form the O ring from a high grade silicon or gasket making material?