ABS sensors.
ABS sensors.
I am trying to remove the front ABS sensors on my 1999 Z3 E36. When the bolt is removed they are really rock solid, but should the sensor turn in the hole or is there a locating groove in the hole so the sensor can't turn so that you can only lever them out. Hope that makes sense.
Re: ABS sensors.
I did my rears recently and they put up a good fight meaning I couldn't get them out in one piece . There is no locating groove, they just seize solid due to where they are and exposure to the elements.
Re: ABS sensors.
Does it help if you put the new ones in with a bit of copperslip? Just curious anyone?
1999 facelit Z3 Roadster 2.8 Auto in Cosmos Black aka 'Gloria'
Re: ABS sensors.
You could try copperslip or similar but the sensors are quite a tight fit.
Gazza
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"
Z3 S54 M roadster , BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
-
- Joined: Tue 25 Jun, 2013 21:47
- Posts: 263
Re: ABS sensors.
No there is no locating groove and when freshly installed they can be wriggled side to side slightly.
However it is a common problem for them to seize in the hole.
A technique I have used with 50/50 success is to lift the car high enough to get a bar of aluminium (soft but stiff and non-magnetic) of slightly smaller diameter than the sensor and tap it out from underneath with a club hammer. One came out and was reuseable the other was so tight it was destroyed.
When you come to fit new ones do not just put them straight back into the holes otherwise you will have the same trouble all over again fairly quickly. Make sure you clean all traces of rust and brake dust from around the area. I used a bit of emery cloth followed by some fine wet and dry paper and a final buff up with a small circular wire brush that went down the bore fitted in a Dremel minidrill.
Once you are happy that everything is clean you can lubricate the sensor and hole and you should then be able to push it in and out with finger pressure.
For lubrication I prefer silicon grease like plumbers use for the plastic parts as it does not affect the plastic unlike some petroleum based greases but I put a liberal coat of Copperslip on the thread of the securing bolt.
Having been through this it is best to treat this procedure like a service item so each oil change pop out the sensors, clean and relubricate and they shall not trouble you again.
However it is a common problem for them to seize in the hole.
A technique I have used with 50/50 success is to lift the car high enough to get a bar of aluminium (soft but stiff and non-magnetic) of slightly smaller diameter than the sensor and tap it out from underneath with a club hammer. One came out and was reuseable the other was so tight it was destroyed.
When you come to fit new ones do not just put them straight back into the holes otherwise you will have the same trouble all over again fairly quickly. Make sure you clean all traces of rust and brake dust from around the area. I used a bit of emery cloth followed by some fine wet and dry paper and a final buff up with a small circular wire brush that went down the bore fitted in a Dremel minidrill.
Once you are happy that everything is clean you can lubricate the sensor and hole and you should then be able to push it in and out with finger pressure.
For lubrication I prefer silicon grease like plumbers use for the plastic parts as it does not affect the plastic unlike some petroleum based greases but I put a liberal coat of Copperslip on the thread of the securing bolt.
Having been through this it is best to treat this procedure like a service item so each oil change pop out the sensors, clean and relubricate and they shall not trouble you again.
Re: ABS sensors.
Thanks for the replies. I assume therealdb1 you are talking about the rear sensors and not the front ones, is that correct.
-
- Joined: Tue 25 Jun, 2013 21:47
- Posts: 263
Re: ABS sensors.
Actually I've confused myself!
The last ones I did were on my Volvo which drop in from the top on the front wheels.
However the technique I describe still holds but you shall have to remove the brake disc and possibly the hub too.
It depends how much you want to save the sensor. Why are you trying to remove it? Is it faulty anyway?
The quickest way to get a siezed sensor out is to drill it out from the back but obviously you are committed to a new sensor at that point.
The last ones I did were on my Volvo which drop in from the top on the front wheels.
However the technique I describe still holds but you shall have to remove the brake disc and possibly the hub too.
It depends how much you want to save the sensor. Why are you trying to remove it? Is it faulty anyway?
The quickest way to get a siezed sensor out is to drill it out from the back but obviously you are committed to a new sensor at that point.
Re: ABS sensors.
I certainly was. I did copperslip them after cleaning the holes with a dremmel just in case they were faulty. If they stay in there for some time I can't see the copperslip help getting them back out as it is a very tight fit.HPFirenza wrote:Thanks for the replies. I assume therealdb1 you are talking about the rear sensors and not the front ones, is that correct.
Re: ABS sensors.
Anyone used aftermarket sensors and would you recommend them, as they are a lot cheaper than BMW original parts. Also if I have to drill out the sensor I assume the front disc has to come off but do you need to take the hub/wheel bearing off, from photo's i've seen it's hard to tell.
Re: ABS sensors.
I put aftermarket ones in my rear and the same (German) company sell the front ones for £20 a pair link below. I've never looked at my front ones but having a look at the RealOEM diagram they just seem to 'pull' out from the inside of the hub carrierHPFirenza wrote:Anyone used aftermarket sensors and would you recommend them, as they are a lot cheaper than BMW original parts. Also if I have to drill out the sensor I assume the front disc has to come off but do you need to take the hub/wheel bearing off, from photo's i've seen it's hard to tell.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-ABS-WHEEL- ... Sw1S9Wc8~X
-
- Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
- Posts: 1733
- Location: Manchester
Re: ABS sensors.
Hi Wookee - do you have the link to the rear ones you fitted?Wookee wrote:I put aftermarket ones in my rear and the same (German) company sell the front ones for £20 a pair link below. I've never looked at my front ones but having a look at the RealOEM diagram they just seem to 'pull' out from the inside of the hub carrierHPFirenza wrote:Anyone used aftermarket sensors and would you recommend them, as they are a lot cheaper than BMW original parts. Also if I have to drill out the sensor I assume the front disc has to come off but do you need to take the hub/wheel bearing off, from photo's i've seen it's hard to tell.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2x-ABS-WHEEL- ... Sw1S9Wc8~X
Re: ABS sensors.
bertiejaffa wrote: Hi Wookee - do you have the link to the rear ones you fitted?
Her you go
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/371505800139? ... EBIDX%3AIT
-
- Joined: Fri 26 Jul, 2013 09:28
- Posts: 1733
- Location: Manchester