Stabilitrac issue after new rear brake lines were installed, theory correct?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

jimweis

Full Access Member
Joined
May 26, 2009
Posts
140
Reaction score
41
Location
Lancaster, PA
Lines were installed by a shop summer of 2017. I found last winter the thing was near helpless in the snow, the stabilitrac would kick in making noise when just on light throttle. Previously it would kick in and go. I'm suspecting the brake lines were switched when replaced, right on left, left on right, the system is actually putting the brakes on the wheel with traction thinking it's the one spinning defeating the purpose.
I have been unable to follow the lines from the pump since they all but disappear over the frame and to the rear. I pushed it bit hard one time up a slight incline when it was slippery and it wanted to throw the rear to one side and off the road, surly not stabilitrac!

Is my theory correct?

Been dealing with the shop for 30+ years I want to offer to pay to make it right I just hate to point the finger. Lord knows what could happen if I need to panic stop on a wet road, fortunately that hasn't happened.
 

Scottydoggs

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2017
Posts
2,500
Reaction score
3,619
Location
NJ
id get it scanned with a abs scanner. other wise your guessing.

the line swap deal, dont think so.
 
OP
OP
jimweis

jimweis

Full Access Member
Joined
May 26, 2009
Posts
140
Reaction score
41
Location
Lancaster, PA
id get it scanned with a abs scanner. other wise your guessing.

the line swap deal, dont think so.

My code reader shows no codes for ABS, the light has never come on while driving. If all sensors are good and the lines are switched how would it set a code, under power one of the rear wheels continues to slip on ice without the braking it would normally have to gain traction.
 
OP
OP
jimweis

jimweis

Full Access Member
Joined
May 26, 2009
Posts
140
Reaction score
41
Location
Lancaster, PA
Lines were installed by a shop summer of 2017. I found last winter the thing was near helpless in the snow, the stabilitrac would kick in making noise when just on light throttle. Previously it would kick in and go. I'm suspecting the brake lines were switched when replaced, right on left, left on right, the system is actually putting the brakes on the wheel with traction thinking it's the one spinning defeating the purpose.
I have been unable to follow the lines from the pump since they all but disappear over the frame and to the rear. I pushed it bit hard one time up a slight incline when it was slippery and it wanted to throw the rear to one side and off the road, surly not stabilitrac!

Is my theory correct?

Been dealing with the shop for 30+ years I want to offer to pay to make it right I just hate to point the finger. Lord knows what could happen if I need to panic stop on a wet road, fortunately that hasn't happened.
I really expected some help here:( I finally decided on a snowy weekend to switch the rear lines and see what happens. All works as it should now. I couldn't find any shops with a tech 2 other than a steelership, so I took a stab at switching without confirming first.
 

afpj

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2009
Posts
779
Reaction score
308
Where did you do the switch, I assume at the abs module?
 
Last edited:

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
23,399
Reaction score
34,021
Location
Stockton, Ca.
ya without a tech tool to activate the system and visually see what is happening then I don't think anyone could have provided anymore information on here for you and if that corrected the problem then clearly the shop screwed it up.
 

adriver

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2018
Posts
775
Reaction score
457
Glad you got it fixed. Are you able to post a picture of it, and we might be able to confirm or deny?
 
OP
OP
jimweis

jimweis

Full Access Member
Joined
May 26, 2009
Posts
140
Reaction score
41
Location
Lancaster, PA
Where did you do the switch, I assume at the abs module?
I switched the lines at the cross member where the hoses connect then go down to the diff. I'm sure that's where they got things switched up.
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
jimweis

jimweis

Full Access Member
Joined
May 26, 2009
Posts
140
Reaction score
41
Location
Lancaster, PA
ya without a tech tool to activate the system and visually see what is happening then I don't think anyone could have provided anymore information on here for you and if that corrected the problem then clearly the shop screwed it up.
I expected someone would agree with my theory, the second post answer wasn't helping me,
"id get it scanned with a abs scanner. other wise your guessing.
the line swap deal, dont think so."
The line swap deal was so...
 
Last edited:

afpj

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 16, 2009
Posts
779
Reaction score
308
Jim,

I’ve been lurking on this forum nearly as long as you have, and I’ve never seen this scenario described before. Nice to be able to prove that your theory’s correct no matter how unique. I don’t have stabilitrack on the 02 so I think my rear brake lines are different. I thought when I changed to braided stainless a couple years ago that I had one line going to the back then it splits above the spare to the 2 corners. Can’t really swap that accidentally

Glad you figured it out
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,781
Posts
1,805,310
Members
91,760
Latest member
MyCleftNut

Latest posts

Top