Wheel Bearing Sensor Fault - Repair/Replace Sensor without hub?

[rockits]

It seems my MSP/ABS lights are always on and been diagnosed as needing a wheel bearing/hub. This includes the sensor which I am guessing is the fault rather than the hub. Has anyone repaired/replaced the sensors themselves without going to the additional expense of labour/parts for the whole hub unit? I really don't see the point of replacing the whole unit for the sake of a sensor.

Anyone done this before? Tried or failed?

Part with Eurospares is £326.44 and 4 hours labour so £300 with McGrath.

Could be a dodgy cable, short or sensor fault. I shall get it up on a ramp and have a look myself I think. I need to secure the front anti hi-jack sensors as they are showing a fault and McGrath have already said these are dangling and not fixed. This is likely just an error due to them not being fixed I suspect. It gives an alarm set error due to this. Thinks the car is being hijacked/lifted effectively!

Beau if your reading....this is why the alarm was chirping on setting

 

[Gp79]

Unfortunately the abs sensors are part of the hub/bearing so you have to change the whole assembly.

It is a DIY as changed a front one myself easily.

You can check each abs sensor with a multimeter to rule out connection issues and it might be worth considering second hand hub if you just want to shift the car and keep costs down.

Good luck!

 

[rockits]

Unfortunately the abs sensors are part of the hub/bearing so you have to change the whole assembly.

It is a DIY as changed a front one myself easily.

You can check each abs sensor with a multimeter to rule out connection issues and it might be worth considering second hand hub if you just want to shift the car and keep costs down.

Good luck!

Thanks. Will have a check to see what I find. I am guessing it is only a cable from the hub to a sensor in the middle thena bit of wire with connector to connect into some chassis connector so not reason the sensor couldn't be cut out and a new one soldered/crimped in place. Would negate the need to rip the hub off and replace.

I had a good chat with Greg Smith and he has a second hand one that works fine off a car with half my mileage as a Plan B that is more cost effective than new. Might be dodgy connector or wire so will check with multimeter when I have it up on a lift.

 

[philw696]

Greg at Performance Car Parts will have a good used one I'm sure.
Just be careful with the sneaky little torx screw retaining the cable.

 

[rockits]

How long did it take you to change? About 4 hours? I get the impression the rear might be a bit harder than a front?

 

[rockits]

Greg at Performance Car Parts will have a good used one I'm sure.
Just be careful with the sneaky little torx screw retaining the cable.

Thanks Spoke to Greg and he has one amongst a few other bits for the old hybrid!

 

[Gp79]

Yes about 4 hours but easier on the front as you said. That is working steady with plenty tea breaks!

 

[Zep]

If the fault is on a rear wheel bearing it might well be a failing bearing preventing correct readings, this was the case on mine. The replacement is a doddle on the front, the rear requires a little more effort, the handbrake assembly has to be dismantled and a puller to push the driveshaft out of the hub. The four allen bolts that hold the hub to the upright can round out if the are seized so have a hacksaw ready.

I have my old bearing which I have been trying on and off to disassemble to see if it can be repaired. It has resisted some pretty hefty tools so far so I'd rule that out if I was you

 

[midlifecrisis]

I've got a grumbly front bearing, and have been doing a bit of research this morning and I can see that SKF manufacture the part on behalf of Maserati.

There's two SKF suppliers near me and they also recondition and relubricate bearings in general. They might have the necessary presses, know how and replacement bearing for them. I'll see what they say, those in Modena might get a bit upset but £400 is a bit much for a £20 bearing failure...

 

[rockits]

I got mine from Greg @ PCP. All his cars have less than 50k miles on them so the bearing I got was twice as good as the others I have on the car. Was less than £200 from memory. It fixed the ABS and MSP fault I had on mine so all done and good now.

 

[Zep]

Sadly I have been trying to dismantle my old hub assembly for 6 months (on and off!). The hub seems to be formed on the inside of the bearing, making pressing it out impossible. Maxed out at 12 tonnes so far, have a 15 tonne hydraulic puller to have a crack at it next!

 

[davy83]

if its the rear one there is a ring on the drive shaft and a small sensor that provide information to the ABS and this can be repaired without replacing the hub, its not easy! also note that often its corrosion and/or **** stuck in the teeth of the wheel thats the root of the problem and just stripping it and cleaning it up can help. might not go away for ever? not sure about front sounds like a tough job to replace just the bearing, but again the ABS sensor wheel might just need cleaned.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Have you got any photos Zep?

 

[Zep]

Have you got any photos Zep?

Of the replacement process or the hub assembly itself?

 

[Zep]

if its the rear one there is a ring on the drive shaft and a small sensor that provide information to the ABS and this can be repaired without replacing the hub, its not easy! also note that often its corrosion and/or **** stuck in the teeth of the wheel thats the root of the problem and just stripping it and cleaning it up can help. might not go away for ever? not sure about front sounds like a tough job to replace just the bearing, but again the ABS sensor wheel might just need cleaned.

Sadly on the 4200 it is a magnetic sensor which is fitted using a crimped joint onto the hub assembly itself. No sensor rings here, which is a pity!

 

[midlifecrisis]

Of the replacement process or the hub assembly itself?

Just the hub assembly. I might strip mine down later this week... And I'll take photos, there's a good YouTube video of a hub and knuckle replacement. All in Japanese sadly...I'll see if I can find it.

 

[midlifecrisis]

Found it! They make it look so easy, maybe the funky music prevents seized bolts, blooded knuckles and swearing...
https://youtu.be/WuJ8pN8Nrmc

 

[Zep]

It's a bit like that, but not exactly by any means. You don't need to remove the hub from the wishbones at all. The process is:

Calliper off and suspended from chassis

Brake disc Allen screw out and remove disk.

Disconnect ABS sensor wire

Locate and undo four cap head retaining screws.

Swear a lot because one (or more) of the screws have rounded out

Working from the outside cut the corner off of the mounting lug using a hacksaw or dremmel.

Remove hub

Replace hub using thread lock on screws (replacing damaged ones or all depending on your wishes)

Re-assemble

 

[Zep]

 

[Zep]

You have inspired my to have another go. Maxed out my 15 tonne two leg hydraulic puller so I thought I'd remove the ABS ring and see what's what.

Turns out the bearing is pressed into the housing and probably secured with a circlip. The hub is then formed over the inner race. There are two seals before you can reveal the inner race. In short, without major re-engineering there is no way of removing the hub in usable condition and then getting the bearing out.

Shame really