If your customer “sees the (ABS) light’ after a hub replacement, it will mean a comeback for you, and an unhappy customer.  Plus, a poorly functioning ABS system can compromise their safety.

An ABS brake function problem is one of the highest warranty items for hubs.  There are several reasons why lower grade hubs don’t make the grade when it comes to ABS functionality.

The ABS sensor in the hub sends a constant signal to the ABS control system, telling it how fast each wheel is turning. In an emergency situation, the ABS control system will determine if anti-lock braking is required.  Low cost hubs generally use cheap, poorly designed sensors.  An OE grade sensor wire will be 1.76 mm in diameter compared to 1.36 for cheaper products.  In addition, the protective sleeve in a quality hub is polymer as opposed to inferior fabric on low cost hubs.  This exposes the sensor to damage from heat and water.

If the ABS sensor doesn’t work properly or fails, the ABS system fails, so the quality of this sensor (how it is made and protected from damage) is critical to braking safety.

Poor design and materials in other parts of the hub can affect ABS function as well.  The overmold design and materials are important as is a precise tolerance stack between the sensor and the encoder ring.

Taking chances with cheap alternatives is just too expensive.  For the health of your business and the safety of your customers, always spec premium hubs.