How To Get Wheel Off/ABS Sensor

How To Get Wheel Off/ABS Sensor

How To Get Wheel Off/ABS Sensor

Louh
09 August 2009
01:45 AM
Any suggestions on how to get my wheels off? for cheap that is.  I am needing to replace an ABS wheel sensor on the rear of my truck.  I'm guessing I need to pull the wheel for this?

Will one of the those cheap Central Pneumatic 1" impact wrenches from Harbor Freight do the job?  I don't want to spend a bunch of money on an impact if I don't have to.

Also, is there a common size lug nut that is used for the all trucks?

Louh
09 August 2009
11:09 PM
Never mind.  Found out it's 33mm and that one of the cheap Harbor Freight 1" impacts does take off the lugs with no problem.  That's even with a small 3/8" air line going to it.

I'll figure out the ABS sensor when I get the wheel off I guess.  How hard could it be? famous last words....?

trucksaledave
10 August 2009
07:38 PM
Lots of times you can just pull the ABS fuse out and it will re-set the ABS light.  OR I have been told to back up for about a 100 feet and that will sometimes re-set it.  ABS sensors do go bad, but spinning the wheels will set them off most.
trucksaledave
Louh
10 August 2009
09:45 PM
I reset the system a bunch of times but it keeps turning on.

There is a box on the frame rail next to the transmission that has a bunch of self diagnostic lights on it.  It will tell you what is wrong and if it's a sensor, it will tell you which one.

To clear the codes, you hold a magnet next to the box right where it says, "reset".  It will blink all it's lights and reset itself.

Just an FYI for anyone needing to reset in the future.  It's a Bendix system by the way.

Scrap
10 August 2009
11:08 PM
I hated to buy it, but the old Harbor Freight is what I got too.  Dumb thing slowly turns on its own while plugged in and tightens more than it can remove .  It only failed me on a couple of nuts where the two halves wouldn't spin independent of each other though.  I've used it a lot more than I ever thought I would so I'll buck up on a better one when it dies.

I pull the wheels and drum for the sensor.  Getting up close and personal will give a better inspection and set a perfect gap.  A couple of times now the ABS & slack adjuster caught a loose hub before I did.  Can't say I've ever tried it with wheels on but I imagine you can't get your hand around the brake spider to reach the sensor.

Louh
12 August 2009
09:35 AM
I got the "twin hammer" one for an extra 20 bucks.  It's not that bad for the price, considering you can easily pay over $1000. for a good one.  It took off all the lugs no problem.  Much better than trying to use a breaker bar. haha.  Who knows who long it will last but it's a good tool to carry around in the truck in case of emergency.

After looking at, there is no way to easily change that sensor without pulling the wheel.  You were correct Scrapmaker.  There is too much stuff in the way.  Thanks for the advise.