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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
From my recent questions, you can surmise that I am going to have to get into the front axle to replace what appears to be a leaking seal at the end of the axle. I'm hoping to remove the hub, swivel ball and half axle as a unit without having to disassemble the wheel bearings. They are still absolutely tight without the first wiggle.
In looking at the various connections on the swivel ball, it looks like the ABS electrical cable is a simple plug in being held in place with a 4-5 mm inhex (Allen) head screw. I remember folks talking about the ABS being a potential for problems when disassembling the front axle.
Can someone confirm or not that removal of the ABS connector is a simple matter of removing that Allen head screw and pulling it up and out? Any cautions or caveats on this thing? Cleaning all the crap around it before removal is also probably a good plan.
TIA!
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AlanMcR
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, CA, Los Altos
Vehicle(s): G300DT E300DT 230SL
Posts: 3500
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Yup, it pulls straight out and can be twisted to help. The problem is that the sensor is sealed into the hole with an o-ring partway down the shaft. Outside of that o-ring rust will develop. That rust can make removal impossible w/o drilling and threading a puller into the sensor. Sorry to be a downer. When you put it back in, thoroughly slather it with Hylomar.
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
AlanMcR - 2/7/2012 9:00 PM
Yup, it pulls straight out and can be twisted to help. The problem is that the sensor is sealed into the hole with an o-ring partway down the shaft. Outside of that o-ring rust will develop. That rust can make removal impossible w/o drilling and threading a puller into the sensor. Sorry to be a downer. When you put it back in, thoroughly slather it with Hylomar.
Would a liberal dosing with PB Blaster help the removal? We're talking a 12 yr old truck that has not had this sensor removed. . . . ever.
PS - It sure is an expensive little bugger. MSRP US$220.00. Ouch! |
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hipine
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
DUTCH - 2/7/2012 7:04 PM
Would a liberal dosing with PB Blaster help the removal? We're talking a 12 yr old truck that has not had this sensor removed. . . . ever.
PS - It sure is an expensive little bugger. MSRP US$220.00. Ouch!
I doubt it. It's not a case of a metal to metal stuck, but rather that the rust has roughend and shrunk the hole such that the o-ring can't compress itself small enough to get by, at least not with the force you can put on it with hand pressure.
If you do need a replacement, maybe Mark will sell you one of the one's he's replaced on his truck trying unsuccessfully to outen the ABS light. Not sure if that's an option, but worth onsidering if it is and he's so inclined.
Good luck man.
-Dave G. |
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ewalberg
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Past: San Francisco. Present: Germany
Vehicle(s): 2000 g500
Posts: 1887
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Yes, you can pull the whole assembly without undoing the bearings. I've done it. Agreed on that the rust issue will restrict the space likely resulting in breaking the sensor just below the surface of the hub, but it wont hurt to try letting it soak. What ever you can do to pull it straight out is ideal... twising/rotating it wont hurt, but the problem i had was that you ultimately end up cranking on the top of it like a nail with a hammer which breaks the top off it.
Further more going after the rust in the hole to clean up the hole properly before re-seating/replacing the sensor is necessary/worth the effort, and lubing the heck out of it (so that grease is squishing out from under it) when tightening it back down does help for future access... had to go back in a while later and it came right out.
I used a 5-10 gallon bucket set upside down in the wheel well to support the removed brake caliper. If it doesn't require re-moving (which i think it does), getting it out of the way helps a lot regardless, and having a place to set it so that it's not stressing the heck out of the wimpy steel brake lines is also pretty much mandatory.
Be DAMNED careful to keep track of the shims top and bottom under the king pin plates, and when you put it back together, go for a quick test drive for a couple minutes, if you can get it up to 30-50 mph, and then put your hand on the axle tube right where it necks down before the swivel ball... if you it's warm you goofed the shims (and the axle is rubbing on that bushing that's next to the seal) so they need adjusting. |
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oskar
Elite Veteran
Date registered: Sep 2006
Location: Lyons, CO
Vehicle(s): 1981 280GE, 2002 G500, 280SE 4.5, Audi A4 1.8T
Posts: 708
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Agreed on that the rust issue will restrict the space likely resulting in breaking the sensor just below the surface of the hub, but it wont hurt to try letting it soak. What ever you can do to pull it straight out is ideal... twising/rotating it wont hurt, but the problem i had was that you ultimately end up cranking on the top of it like a nail with a hammer which breaks the top off it.
What about leaving the sensor where it is (rusted in) and disconnect the wire? The connector is AFAIK on the inside of the fender.
X62/26 respective X62/27
Edited by oskar 2/7/2012 11:25 PM
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darcyocker
Veteran
Date registered: Mar 2008
Location: Cape Town South Africa
Vehicle(s): 1994 W463 G300 Diesel; 1981 W123 300D
Posts: 138
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Mine pulled with a bit of difficulty. Mine is a '94. Just undid the hex bolt and wiggled side to side and used a thin flat screwdriver to lever out. The LHS sensor came out easy but was a bit bowed? |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
oskar - 2/7/2012 11:21 PM
What about leaving the sensor where it is (rusted in) and disconnect the wire? The connector is AFAIK on the inside of the fender.
X62/26 respective X62/27
Good point. That sure beats ruining a $220 part. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Thanks for all the good tips!  |
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diehardg
Veteran
Date registered: May 2006
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Vehicle(s): 2000G500L, 2015 G350BT, 2016G63(now), 1968 S404
Posts: 220
| Re: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
ABS sensor is very tough to pull. You'll need a lot of effort. First, remove the clip that holds brake line. Then, unscrew the bolt. Then lastly, turn the sensor right and left couple of times, and pull it using some kind of tools.
You'll feel that you've achieved something after you successfully taken it out. Good luck
Yasu |
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hipine
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
oskar - 2/7/2012 9:21 PM
What about leaving the sensor where it is (rusted in) and disconnect the wire? ...
I like that thinking! No disturbing of the sensor/ring relatinship at all that way either.
-Dave G. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
hipine - 2/8/2012 4:18 PM
oskar - 2/7/2012 9:21 PM
What about leaving the sensor where it is (rusted in) and disconnect the wire? ...
I like that thinking! No disturbing of the sensor/ring relatinship at all that way either.
-Dave G.
Yup! Will require removing the fender liner to access the connector, but that is probably a whole lot easier/cheaper than trying to get that sensor out of the hub. The only caution will be, if I do have to pull the whole thing apart, to be sure that the gear teeth don't damage the sensor in place. |
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hipine
Date registered: Jul 2006
Location: US, CO, Bailey
Vehicle(s): 460 1980 280GE w. 617A
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
DUTCH - 2/8/2012 2:56 PM
... The only caution will be, if I do have to pull the whole thing apart, to be sure that the gear teeth don't damage the sensor in place.
Hmmm. It seems to me if you don't loosen the wheel bearings that the CV outer (where the teeth are, I think) is fixed in place with regard to the swivel housing, and thus with regard to the sensor. Seems to be no worries of the two parts making contact to me. But I'm only speaking from imagination and your good pictures. Careful is always best!
Good luck!
-Dave G. |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| RE: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
hipine - 2/8/2012 6:02 PM
DUTCH - 2/8/2012 2:56 PM
... The only caution will be, if I do have to pull the whole thing apart, to be sure that the gear teeth don't damage the sensor in place.
Hmmm. It seems to me if you don't loosen the wheel bearings that the CV outer (where the teeth are, I think ) is fixed in place with regard to the swivel housing, and thus with regard to the sensor. Seems to be no worries of the two parts making contact to me. But I'm only speaking from imagination and your good pictures. Careful is always best!
Good luck!
-Dave G.
I'm also considering the possibility that I may have to remove the CV joint due to a torn boot or whatever. |
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| Re: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Dutch
Last year, I replaced my axle seal on the passenger side. I pulled the entire assemble with the shaft out (after removing of course the brake, and all the bolts on the swipe side first). The ABS sensor remained in place and never appeared to be in jeopardy.
A few months ago while hunting down a non related ABS issue I ended up replacing all 4 ABS sensors. They all came out easily with light rocking and prying as stated above.
I know the G500 has different sensors on the rear than mine but on the front they appear to be the same and I did not need to remove the fender liner just the wheel. Perhaps you have less room under the hood to be able to reach the connectors.
Mark
Edited by Inkblotz 2/8/2012 9:55 PM
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Inkblotz - 2/8/2012 9:55 PM
Dutch
Last year, I replaced my axle seal on the passenger side. I pulled the entire assemble with the shaft out (after removing of course the brake, and all the bolts on the swipe side first). The ABS sensor remained in place and never appeared to be in jeopardy.
A few months ago while hunting down a non related ABS issue I ended up replacing all 4 ABS sensors. They all came out easily with light rocking and prying as stated above.
I know the G500 has different sensors on the rear than mine but on the front they appear to be the same and I did not need to remove the fender liner just the wheel. Perhaps you have less room under the hood to be able to reach the connectors.
Mark
Thanks Mark! Any tricks to disconnecting the connector? Some have little trick safety catches that can break, if not done properly. I guess I will find out. |
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| Re: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Mine were 2 prong plugs male on the sender side and female receiver on the other. They came apart with some effort. This coupling snaps into a body mounted metal pronged receiver. There are additional plastic mounting clips that attach the sensor wire to the adjoining brake pad sensor wire and brake line.
Additionally there are the 2 round rubber spacers that the sensor wire must be fed into. These spacers contain the brake line, the brake pad sensor wire and the ABS sensor wire. The sensor wire has painted red arrows on the wire itself to show you where the rubber spacers should be aligned. It is a pain removing the old and and feeding in the new wires. A tip to simplify: wrap the connector end with black electrical tape to form a point. Then lube the hole in the rubber spacers making the feed through easier.
M |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Inkblotz - 2/9/2012 7:13 AM
Mine were 2 prong plugs male on the sender side and female receiver on the other. They came apart with some effort. This coupling snaps into a body mounted metal pronged receiver. There are additional plastic mounting clips that attach the sensor wire to the adjoining brake pad sensor wire and brake line.
M
Found them. On my G500, they're on the engine side of the fenderwall, but located at a place that it almost impossible to access. Argh!
I'm also wondering if I do have to disassemble and remove the bearings and CV joint, would it be safe to leave the sensor in place? Or would it be exposed to too much potential damage? |
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Inkblotz
Expert
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: Georgia
Vehicle(s): 90 300GD "Thundering Turtle II", w/ 603A turbo
Posts: 3186
| Re: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
If you are concerned that it may get damaged simply pull it out of the hub and tie it out of the way. You don't need to remove it from the vehicle |
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DUTCH
Administrator Doppelgänger
Date registered: Apr 2006
Location: US, GA, Atlanta
Vehicle(s): 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 TDI,2018 Sprinter
Posts: 9963
| Re: How to Remove the ABS Connector on the Front Hub?
Inkblotz - 2/11/2012 9:36 AM
If you are concerned that it may get damaged simply pull it out of the hub and tie it out of the way. You don't need to remove it from the vehicle
Thanks. That assumes, of course, that it can be pulled out without damage.  |
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