Brake malfunction, not gripping tires

caliper malfunction brake fluid leak onto the pads causing it to slip and smoking from the brake fluid burning

You could be having one of several problems. Let's start with the brakes. If you hear grinding, you are probably metal to metal on the Rotors. The wheels that have brakepad left will grip better than the wheels that do not have brakepad material. You feel this more when you use less pressure at lower speeds because it takes a bit for the pressure to equalize on all 4 wheels.

If you imagine it this way, you have 4 plungers of uneven length, the good ones have pad material and will make contact first. The bad plungers will need to extend farther to make contact and those plungers will not grip as hard. Given that the brake fluid will equalize the pressure at each plunger eventually because that is the way hydraulics work. But the surface of several of the plungers is different. Some are worn out and missing. The bad plungers will not grip like the good ones do. So you will have some wheels which skid and others which roll at the same time.

As I indicated earlier, you may have additional problems. You may also have a bearing in the wheel hub or a CV joint(if front wheel drive) that is also worn out. You can believe the mechanic if he finds this problem. Once the front brake parts are removed, the mechanic will have better access to those bearings and joints.

I hope my solution explains your problem. You need a Brake mechanic.

Problem 1/ The handle extension lever is held in by the pin it pivots on, cut the tip of a smaller size nail and use it to tap out the pin. There should be a rubber block and a matching steel shim under the lever. The lever pushes on the shim and the shim on to the rubber block jamming it against the handle. The steel shim is the usual problem. it slips out. Open the other side and use that shim to get a copy cut. A piece cut out of a tin can could work.
Problem 2/ This may sound strange but the best thing to do with the Bugaboo brake system is to lubricate it with silicon spray. Both the lever and the cable. The bugaboo does not use friction to brake with but the engagement of teeth. Ratchet teeth in the lever and brake shoe teeth into the wheel hub teeth at the wheels. Lubrication won't effect braking but wear on those teeth will!

The ABS warning light means there is a malfunction in the anti lock system on the brakes. This will not affect the conventional braking system on the car which will continue to operate normally.

The car is safe to drive as long as you recognize that it will now be possible to lock up your wheels under hard braking or when braking in slippery conditions where the tires have poor grip.

The problem with the ABS malfunction is that you no longer have an anti -lock assistance on the brake system so in certain conditions, such as on a wet road, you will be able to lock up the wheels on the car when you brake hard. The anti-lock system identifies and retards lock up (by releasing brake pressure on a wheel or wheels) and allows the wheels to keep turning slowly even when you have full pressure being applied on the brake pedal.

The ABS system relies on sensors and if one or more fails you will get an ABS warning. It could be a faulty or dead sensor but it is impossible to say without testing and inspecting the vehicle.

The ABS has it's own fuse so you can check the fuse box in the car to ensure the fuse has not blown. The fuse location is shown in the car's owner's manual. A blown fuse would trigger a warning.

You should take the car to a competent brake specialist to have it checked and the problem rectified.

It's much safer to have the ABS in operation.

Sounds like the brake is the problem. First unclip and remove the rear wheels. If you don't have the user manual you can get a copy at www.bugaboo.com but it's just a spring clip holding the wheel in. Holding the stub axel spin each wheel with your hand to check they spin freely. If not wash in warm water then spray with silicon spray. Now check the movement of the brake system. Spray the lever cable and brake shoes with the silicon spray. Lubricant does not effect the brakes as it works using teeth not friction. But wear will damage your brake by rounding off the teeth. Fit wheels back on and adjust the brake cable with the small screw at the bottom of the cable so shoes clear the wheel teeth in the brake off position.

I agree bugaboo after-sales service is crazy. Try a plastic welder. I've seen amazing repairs done on plastic components I thought where unsalvageable.

the cable is stuck in the sleeve, lots of penetrating oil and grip the wire cable with vice grips and tap it back with a hammer, good idea to get it replaced

the red brake light tells you you are low on fluid or that your parking brake is engaged....the abs light tells you your anti lock braking system is malfunctioning. get the car up to 40mph and SLAM on the brake pedal. the pedal should pulsate and the wheels should as well. if the wheels lock up and you slide to a stop, your antilockbrake system is malfunctioning and you should have a certified mechanic check it out......tires plus and midas both do free brake inspections.......

Wheel bearing or brake is malfunctioning. Take off the wheel and inspect brake assembly for proper movement to rule it out.

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