Removing & Replacing ABS Sensors 2002 Allroad 2.5 Auto AKE

[ceilidhalfie]

I need to remove all 4 ABS sensors to clean and re-install. Maint manual makes it look easy but any tips/guidance would be appreciated. Are they likely to be seized? I intend to just pull them out, clean and re-install without renewing the sleeves.
Thanks in advance.

[ceilidhalfie]

Can't believe no one out there has removed the ABS sensors. A reply to the effect it is straightforward if indeed it is would be appreciated!
Thanks in anticipation.

[skyegtb]

Can't believe no one out there has removed the ABS sensors. A reply to the effect it is straightforward if indeed it is would be appreciated!
Thanks in anticipation.

Hello, I have removed and replaced numerous ABS sensors on various cars including my 2001 allroad and my 2003 RS6. I have had problems 2 times, firstly the bolt (normally allen head) that secures the sensor to the hub can be corroded away which can be difficult to deal with. I always replace this bolt with a stainless steel bolt and use copaslip on it. The second (and much worse) problem I had was the sensor itself seized in to the hub. The sensors are fairly robust, but not tough enough to take the force of stilsons or pliers to remove without damaging them. In my case the sensor was completely seized (this was on a 20 year old Saab 900 by the way) and I had to cut the wire to the sensor, then drill a hole in it to pry it out with a screwdriver. I obviuosly had to buy and replace the sensor! NOTE: I also always put copaslip on the sensor when I put them back which makes future removal simple. Hope this helps!

[ceilidhalfie]

Thanks for that skyegtb. I guess I will soak overnight with some WD40 (as I do with the brake bleed nipples before changing the brake fluid) and try the next day. On replacing I will coat with the anti-corrosion grease I use on my Mercury outboard. VCDS is showing a temporary ABS fault code which, from another forum, looks, like dirty sensors. Your info was what I needed. Many thanks.

[NickPicks]

Can't believe no one out there has removed the ABS sensors. A reply to the effect it is straightforward if indeed it is would be appreciated!
Thanks in anticipation.

Give us a chance! it's only been 3 days! (and some of us missed your first post)

I've removed the front ones. No WD40 or anything, they just pulled straight out with a bit of levering (I used a thin spanner to lever on both sides). There was no bolt holding them in, just friction on the sleeve (a sort of sprung bit of metal). I just wiped off the dirt, put them back in with the original sleeves.

The only thing I couldn't find any reference to was whether the gap between the sensor and the abs ring needed setting, so I just tapped them in until they stopped when the touched the ring. I figured that the ring would knock them back out a bit or wear them off to fit. They've done 20,000 miles since then with no problems.

[ceilidhalfie]

Give us a chance! it's only been 3 days! (and some of us missed your first post)

I've removed the front ones. No WD40 or anything, they just pulled straight out with a bit of levering (I used a thin spanner to lever on both sides). There was no bolt holding them in, just friction on the sleeve (a sort of sprung bit of metal). I just wiped off the dirt, put them back in with the original sleeves.

The only thing I couldn't find any reference to was whether the gap between the sensor and the abs ring needed setting, so I just tapped them in until they stopped when the touched the ring. I figured that the ring would knock them back out a bit or wear them off to fit. They've done 20,000 miles since then with no problems.

Many thanks Nick for your input. The manual states the clamping sleeve pushes all the way in the abs hole until it stops, then simpy insert the sensor with sealing collar as far as it will go. As it seems to work, like you I will not renew the clamping sleeves (as the manual recommends).
Thanks again - did not mean to be pushy for a reply. I guessed my posted must have slipped past everyone.

[NickPicks]

You found more in the manual than I did then. I don't know how much the sleeves cost, but they can't be very much - I just needed the car to be working that day.

[Golf tdi Hal]

Just hijacking this thread, where are the connectors down to the ABS sensors? they must be deep in the engine bay or under the plastic inner wheel arch. It's raining so I don't want to grovel round under the car...
cheers