ABS sensor removal

[audinut]

any one got any tips ?

I have the hubs off mine and need to remove the sensors for blasting but I've soaked them in penetrating spray and given them a little warmth but no joy

any one got a secret technique?

I wouldnt mind but replacements are £90 odd plus the vodka!

[spink]

I find these either come out with just a bit of manipulation with your fingers or not at all,you end up ruining them if using pliers etc(I have at least),the inner sensor piece usually rips out from the outer piece that is seized into the hub

[irishs2]

Yep, all 4 of mine are siezed in after 3 weeks of soaking in all different types of penetrating fluid, brake fluid etc they remain stuck. I am going to try electrolysis at the weekend see if that will free them.

[Tony Stark]

One of mine came out fairly easy i was surprised. But even so some wd or similar always helps. On the other side i had to use a pair of old and fairly blunt moleys lightly clamped on to turn it and break the corrosion seal.

Maybe try tapping around the area with a hammer to shock it a bit. Soak it in vinegar? I though electrolysis worked by line of sight only?

[irishs2]

yea I am only hoping the gap around the sensor grows as rust falls away. I am not hopeful though.

[Acidburn]

Good luck with this.

I normally use a 17mm spanner I think it is to just check how tight they are.

Is it fronts/rears your stuck with, I presume rears? If its fronts I have some kicking around

[K Simmonds]

I find these either come out with just a bit of manipulation with your fingers or not at all,you end up ruining them if using pliers etc(I have at least),the inner sensor piece usually rips out from the outer piece that is seized into the hub

Yep, agree. I've removed dozens of these over the years, they either come out easily or in bits. Tried heat, tapping the surrounding area with a hammer, soaking in all manner of fluids as well as combinations of all methods to no avail.

[stanirish]

worked for me !!

I had all mine out, only difficulty with one, and used an old method that my Dad told me - soaked it with 3 in 1 release oil, (wd40 not as good), and then weeped engine oil down over it, the capilary action of the WD40, pulled in the engine oil, next morning, the sensor pulled out no problem ?? - might not work for you, but did for me !! It ended up being a corruded connection, not the sensor that was at fault in the end though !!

[Error404]

Yep, agree. I've removed dozens of these over the years, they either come out easily or in bits. Tried heat, tapping the surrounding area with a hammer, soaking in all manner of fluids as well as combinations of all methods to no avail.

out by hand or not at all! Usually dependent on whether they have been installed with the correct copper sleeve and anti-seize paste.

Worth noting that you can splice the ABS sensor cables if required - the rear coupe quattro cables are rare to find in good order so if necessary you can lop the sensor head of a set of fronts and splice them together.

[audinut]

out by hand or not at all! Usually dependent on whether they have been installed with the correct copper sleeve and anti-seize paste.

Worth noting that you can splice the ABS sensor cables if required - the rear coupe quattro cables are rare to find in good order so if necessary you can lop the sensor head of a set of fronts and splice them together.

thankyou for this info

[TimE-J]

I did what error suggested when I rebuilt mine. Both the rears were seized and I ended up destroying them getting them out. Bought 2 cheap front sensors then just soldered the cables on to them.

[audinut]

i presume the wires are obvious I.e 1 red wire 1 black wire , or does it not matter?

[re2500]

Error was kind enough to splice mine together for me. just the job! if you use as much length of the front sensor as possible and use the rear sensor grommits etc. then all the splicing ends up in the chassis leg and all ends up nice and tidy!

[TimE-J]

If I remember the wires are obvious like one has a black sheath and the other is brown I think.

[5cylinderman]

For what it's worth, don't bother using WD40, especially as these sensors are expensive to replace. It's crap as a penetrating oil because it's NOT penetrating oil.
The best penetrant I have seen so far is stuff called Plus Gas, and the next best stuff to use is good old diesel. Yes I know I'll get slagged for mentioning it but trust me it works. Tie a small piece of cloth around the offending sensor and soak it with good old derv. Keep topping it up daily for a while and away you go.
Between working on agricultural machinery in the old days and removing the most stubborn of glow plugs on more modern oil burners I have used many means to bust rusty, stubborn fastners. Plus Gas works very well, just pleeeeease dont use WD!