How to remove 1993 Corolla ABS wheel speed sensor (right front)?

[fordperf]

Hey everyone. So my 93 corolla LE is throwing ABS error codes 31 and 36:

31 — Problem in right front wheel speed sensor circuit.
36 — Open in right front or left rear WSS circuit.

So I figure I would replace the wheel speed sensor myself. Checked online, average is about $150 for the sensor itself. Though my initial thought is to remove the sensor, clean it with brake cleaner (ans well as shoot some brake cleaner into the reluctor ring if I can), clear the code, and see if the problem goes away or if it immediately throws the error codes again.

Except I tried to get the sensor off the hub assembly, and I have no idea how to get it off. I thought maybe it pulls out, but I wound up tearing the rubber boot on the sensor something fierce. My guess is I exposed the leads and if they get wet it'll throw an error again anyway.

But I need to know how to remove the whole sensor to replace it anyway, so I am asking, is there some secret trick to getting the sensor off the wheel? Does it pry out/pop out/unscrew?

Thanks in advance!

[Bitter]

it's probably rusted into the hole, you'll need to carefully try to wiggle it back and forth after soaking it in penetrating oil. It's probably going to break off in the hole though, I had to punch mine out with the axle removed with a punch the diameter of the hole and then use a die grinder with a carbide bit to carefully clean the rust out. It was not fun.

[fordperf]

Originally Posted by Bitter

it's probably rusted into the hole, you'll need to carefully try to wiggle it back and forth after soaking it in penetrating oil. It's probably going to break off in the hole though, I had to punch mine out with the axle removed with a punch the diameter of the hole and then use a die grinder with a carbide bit to carefully clean the rust out. It was not fun.

Hey Bitter, thanks for the reply. What exactly holds the sensor in the wheel knuckle?? I found some online service manual for what looks like the european version which says "Slacken and remove the retaining bolt
and withdraw the sensor from the hub carrier, caliper bracket or stub axle assembly, as appropriate (see illustration)." and it's accompanied by a photo that looks like a sonogram of my unborn nephew Totally unreadable.

I saw no such bolt; is there one? All I can see is the sensor wire going into the back of the sensor, covered by the boot (which I destroyed). There must be something holding it in...

[Bitter]

are we talking front? in the front there is a 10mm head bolt which holds the sensor into the steering knuckle.



There isn't a 'boot' on the sensor at all from memory.

Post a photo so we're sure we're talking about the same parts...

[speedy25]

Checking the little bit of info in my book, it appears the holding bolt is on the bottom.

Beofre you go through all the work of removal or destruction, check the sensor with an ohm meter. If its 0 or infinte, its bad. The actual reading is probably about 10 ohms. You can connect an analog meter, spin the wheel and see the pulses.

Sometimes the sensor is open. Sometimes the sensor is fooled by rust debris sticking to it. Sometimes its a broken wire from careless routing.

Bitters experience with removal is typical for anyone but the salt free south.

-SP

[fordperf]

Originally Posted by Bitter

are we talking front? in the front there is a 10mm head bolt which holds the sensor into the steering knuckle.



There isn't a 'boot' on the sensor at all from memory.

Post a photo so we're sure we're talking about the same parts...

That's it I assume, I cant get the thing out to look at it. But if you look at that pic the other side of the part is where the lead wire attaches to the sensor, and it's hidden inside a flexible rubber boot.

Also, if that hole at the bottom is where a 10mm bolt is supposed to go, then my car is missing that too

[Bitter]

ah, ok. look carefully for whats left of the bolt, its possible someone snapped it off into the knuckle. Your best bet is to just remove the axle, grind the head off the sensor and use a socket of nearly the same size to hammer it on through. A little torch heat on the sensor itself to melt it won't hurt either.

[fordperf]

The lower LEFT image is the back of the sensor, you can see the ziptied sensor sire, and a rubber boot like covering. Also a side view of it in the upper right image.

I already ordered the replacement sensor; the fact that I've been yanking at it and destroying it with pliers to get it out, combined with it already being 18 years old and throwing errors, I found the sensor for $118 on Amazon with free 2 day shipping. That beats the $160 I was seeing on every other website, and more than likely beats any price the dealer could get me.

But I still have to get the damn thing out . Can't believe it's giving me trouble like this