Audi 80 Cabriolet - braking problems

[themax]

Hi Folks, we've been running an L reg cabriolet for about 13 years, not many miles per year (still under 100k) and not much regular maintenance apart from annual oil change. It has become lethal to drive and is now off the road. I took it for a spin and it seemed that the brakes were only working on one wheel (OSF) and this caused the ABS to activate. Taking it to the local garage they diagnosed a faulty ABS - I am not convinced (but that's because they quoted £1500 for the unit. The local non franchise Audi garage provided me with a kit list amounting to about £2k at which point we took it off the road. I think that this will be a good project for when I retire and need to get some idea of what the problem is and where I can find a manual that is going to be some help in sorting the thing out. (It's a 2.0E). I intend to source any replacement parts from scrap cars unless someone advises that this is a bad option.
Having read through the posts in the A80/90 forum I'm going to have a look at the sensors for the ABS. There isn't an ABS on/off switch that some of you refer to, so this easy test isn't available.
Any information about where to find guidance about the car will be appreciated and anything about the brake problem specifically will be handy.
Cheers Mike

[zollaf]

very unlikely to be a fault with the abs. what did they do to diagnose the fault? given the low mileage i would start by inspecting the calipers and sliders on each corner. remove each caliper one at a time and ensure the slide pins are free. then push on the pedal and make sure the piston moves out. undo the bleed nipple and push it back in. you will find a rewind tool useful for the rears. if new calipers are required, pop down to your local factors or gsf/ uero car parts and buy new ones.

[Alan02]

Hi themax,i would agree with zollaf to check all your brakes,as with the age of the car and the few miles you seem to do per year,you may have Pads siezed in the Calipers,or as mentioned,seized sliders/pistons etc.Eliminate these first.If some of the other calipers arent functioning fully,the brake thats locking up(causing ABS to activate) is doing all the braking effort.Good luck!