Broken ABS Sensor (1 Viewer)

[green73]

Something happened during my driver side front axle seal replacement. The last part I reinstalled before mounting the wheel was the ABS sensor. Went for a very short drive after everything was buttoned up, and no issues. The next day, I got an ABS light as soon as I fired the engine up. Drove maybe 6 miles. Got home and took the tire off to get a good look at the connection thinking it may be loose. Nope. Pulled the sensor out and.....wait what...where the hell did the sensor go? It appears it is floating around in the knuckle somewhere. So now I have to at bare minimum replace the sensor. The question is, do I "need" to take the knuckle back apart? I know I should, but what are the consequences of just leaving it alone? I am pretty sure (99%) that I'll have it all back apart. I am betting If I leave it, with putting a replacement sensor on the debris could screw up the new sensor, or work it's way into the new axle seal and put me back to the reason I took it all apart in the 1st place. Anyway I am rambling and like said 99% sure be tearing it 100% apart again.

 

[OGBeno]

Take it apart and do it right.

Don't cut corners with stuff like this.

 

[rgsiii]

If the sensor is damaged, you may want to start looking now for the replacemnt or consider your options. IIRC the sensors are sold as a complete unit for both sides and cost about $350.

 

[green73]

Take it apart and do it right.

Don't cut corners with stuff like this.

I know this is right and will be my end result. I am just in a bit of denial of the fact I have to take it all back apart again. I have a set of the Longfield UHMWW wipers on the way too so....

 

[1996LandCruiser]

Broke sensor

I broke the driver's side abs sensor during my birf job. It was hard to pull out and I imipatiently yanked on it too hard. The sensor came out in 3 pieces. 1. black cover with signal pickup magnets on the bottom. 2. copper wire spool with the white plastic shaft in the middle. 3. top base piece that connects to the ecu cable.

I looked all over the place for a replacement but couldn't find one. Finally called CDAN who explained that you have to buy 2 sensors and the control unit. A single sensor is not available. 'Course this package deal was expensive. Since I just dropped close to a grand on the axle job and brakes this was not what I wanted to do.

I decided to attempt fixing the broken sensor. I used epoxy to reattach piece 2&3 and was able to solder the 2 very fine copper copper wires off the spool to the 2 prongs. You will see this when you talk it apart. The wire spool had some clear tape around it so I just took some Scotch tape and redid it. Lastly, I again used epoxy to glue the black cover, piece 1 to the base piece 3.
Everything was ok when I started the lc. No ABS light and the brakes appear to be working normally. The fix was actually pretty easy.

Cheers, jt

 

[1996LandCruiser]

One more thing

How many miles since you did the birfs? I knew the wheels bearings had to be retightened after a while but put it off. One day I decided to do it. Lifted the front up and pulled on the wheels to check. Totally friggin loose; couldn't believe it. The passenger side locknut was finger tight. Good thing I check it when I did.
As far as taking it apart again it wasn't so bad the second time around.

jt

 

[green73]

I have maybe 6 miles on the birf/axle seal job. I already have taken the top part of the ABS sensor off. All that is there is the two posts that the internals get soldered to. I have a few feelers out to some of the guys parting similar year 80s out. I think '95-'97 should be the same. Hopefully I can snag at least one up fairly cheap. As mentioned in my initial post this was the last part reinstalled before the wheel and tire went on, so i am not sure exactly what went wrong. I have done birfs on 40's, 55's and mini trucks, the ABS sensor is really the only major difference and has became my nemesis now. I was trying to be extremely careful with this part too. Thinking back to parts clean up before putting it all back together I bet something dropped into the plastic/rubber boot. When I put the sensor back in this left no space for the sensor, pushing the boot into the gear/ring on the birf. It snagged, and pulled the sensor off with it. That is what I am thinking happened anyway. No matter what happened I'll be tearing it apart again. Not Fun.

 

[flem0061]

I found a one used for a reasonable price after breaking it during the axle job - cruiserparts.net may be your friend for this. Fixed the dash light and the ABS works well (MN winters have proven it).

 

[snowrider73]

Cruiserparts.net, $125 used. If they don't work, they have excellent customer service. No questions return policy