How do you get the ABS sensor off?

[beingnotdoing]

Don't give up hope!

It took me about twenty minutes to get the electrical connector disconnected and the wiring plugs removed. It took me an additional half hour between fighting with the right rear ABS sensor and searching solutions on the Internet for how to get the damn thing out.

My sensor was throwing occasional codes, probably due to some work the previous owner did to splice the wires back together rather than buy a new sensor. The right rear sensor runs from the axle and over to the upper mount for the right rear shock. There is a connector up there that cannot be seen where it connects to the next bit of wiring.

Some tips from my experience:

1. Removing the plugs that hold the ABS sensor wiring in place will allow enough slack for you to see what you are doing around that shock mount when trying to disconnect the harness from the rest of the vehicle.
2. Use a screwdriver or a punch to push the connector release in ALL THE WAY, then pull it apart. Pushing it in with my finger got it most of the way in and a lot of futility.
3. Be patient when removing the ABS sensor itself. I started with a pair of vice grips and some He-Man style pulling. When that didn't do it, I noticed a little spot designed for a screwdriver to wedge itself between the sensor and the axle. I used a mallet to tap it in and wiggle it around. That gave me my first glimpse of success, but wound up cracking the flange that holds the 10mm bolt away from the housing, so I went back to the vice grips and pulling as hard as I could.
4. I'd say rotating the sensor to make sure it is totally broken free then pulling as hard as you can while wiggling it back and forth is the best technique.
5. I didn't use any PB Blaster, but in hindsight, it probably would have helped lube up the cylinder the sensor sits in.
6. If you are not replacing the sensor, then have a drink and reconsider whether it is worth trying to remove it. If the answer is still yes and you don't want to destroy it, you can probably get away with using a pair of pliers. My vice grips definitely gouged and deformed the sensor, and it was effectively destroyed in the process of removal.

Best of luck!

 

[repo]

Had pretty much the exact experience as this. Decided not to touch the fronts any further than my first attempt a while back (after a drink mostly likely). But I had to remove them finally a short while ago and mangled them but didn't break anything that matters. I cobbled them back on with some FIPG underneath. Could not find new o-rings that would fit (USA spec o-rings have thicker cross section) and broke off the o-ring seat on ine of them anyway.

I also didn't realise how expensive those bastards are until after getting them out. I would have taken more time and care if I knew. The were fused in pretty decent, lots of twisting back and careful prying was the ticket. Felt like it was the o-rings that was the main sticking point, I could not pull them straight out.

I cleaned any debris out of the ABS ring with q-tips and cleaned the area up a bit with 320 grit sand paper (without letting dust go in to the ABS ring).

Don't give up hope!

It took me about twenty minutes to get the electrical connector disconnected and the wiring plugs removed. It took me an additional half hour between fighting with the right rear ABS sensor and searching solutions on the Internet for how to get the damn thing out.

My sensor was throwing occasional codes, probably due to some work the previous owner did to splice the wires back together rather than buy a new sensor. The right rear sensor runs from the axle and over to the upper mount for the right rear shock. There is a connector up there that cannot be seen where it connects to the next bit of wiring.

Some tips from my experience:

1. Removing the plugs that hold the ABS sensor wiring in place will allow enough slack for you to see what you are doing around that shock mount when trying to disconnect the harness from the rest of the vehicle.
2. Use a screwdriver or a punch to push the connector release in ALL THE WAY, then pull it apart. Pushing it in with my finger got it most of the way in and a lot of futility.
3. Be patient when removing the ABS sensor itself. I started with a pair of vice grips and some He-Man style pulling. When that didn't do it, I noticed a little spot designed for a screwdriver to wedge itself between the sensor and the axle. I used a mallet to tap it in and wiggle it around. That gave me my first glimpse of success, but wound up cracking the flange that holds the 10mm bolt away from the housing, so I went back to the vice grips and pulling as hard as I could.
4. I'd say rotating the sensor to make sure it is totally broken free then pulling as hard as you can while wiggling it back and forth is the best technique.
5. I didn't use any PB Blaster, but in hindsight, it probably would have helped lube up the cylinder the sensor sits in.
6. If you are not replacing the sensor, then have a drink and reconsider whether it is worth trying to remove it. If the answer is still yes and you don't want to destroy it, you can probably get away with using a pair of pliers. My vice grips definitely gouged and deformed the sensor, and it was effectively destroyed in the process of removal.

Best of luck!