ABS wheel speed sensor (searched the forum)

[gt1209]

Hi, I have a 95 Avalon with 21x,xxx miles on it. The ABS light came on a while ago and the dealer told me that I had to replace the ABS wheel speed sensor on the front passenger side.

I took out the old sensor, but the new sensor was a little bit bigger than the opening that it's supposed to fit into. I've tried an OEM one as well as an aftermarket part from rockauto but both sensors were giving me the same problem - magnetic section a little too big for the hole. I've sanded the opening and put grease on it - still no dice.

I'm just wondering if anyone had the same problem before?

Thanks.

[BMR]

I replaced one on my Camry a while back and initially found the same thing; the sensor seemed too big for the hole. There was simply a LOT of corrosion and crud in there. After I scraped it out vigorously with a screwdriver or chisel (I don't remember which), it went in OK.

[BMR]

I was thinking about it more and remembered, I got out my dremel tool with a burr on it and gave that rust the "bidness"! It was surprisingly nasty. The old sensor didn't come out easily either; it came out in pieces, and left the plastic sleeve stuck in the hole!

[gt1209]

Thanks BMR. My old sensor came out in pieces too; it was nasty.

I used file + wd40 + drill this afternoon, and I finally got the sensor to fit after 30 minutes of work. It was well worth it. $70 DIY + learning beats having someone else to do the job.