Hey everyone!

A few days before my MOT and the ABS comes on and stays on permanently. Looked using VAG-COM and it identifies that the rear right sensor is to blame and when I clear the codes this one doesn't clear (or it clears and comes back again by the time the codes re-load!).

So took the wheel off, found the sensor, but couldn't get it out. Pulled and prised and pulled some more until eventually, the top half of it snapped off and left the rest inside the brake!! Doh.

So I've taken the cover off the drum to see if I can push it through from this end, but can't get to it without taking out the hub nut and gubbins behind it. Before I go ahead and take off the hub nut and 'gubbins', will this get me to a point where I can either pull or push the remaining part of the sensor out or will there be more in the way? If it will work, is it just a case of undo the nut, take the gubbins out, sort sensor, then put gubbins back with a new nut and carry on? Or is there more to it than that?

Or am I going about this all wrong, and there's a better way to resolve my half stuck ABS sensor?

If need be I can go out and take photos, let me know what you want to see..

Thanks all!

Andy

I think you'll have to bite the bullet and remove the stub axle then punch the remains of the sensor out :(

I think you'll have to bite the bullet and remove the stub axle then punch the remains of the sensor out :(

Thought that might be the case, I take it the 'stub axle' is the posh term for 'gubbins'

Is removing and replacing the stub axle quite straightforward, is there anything I need to know (apart from to use a new bolt)?

Edited 30 June, 201511 yr by goldielocks

It's too late now, but if you ever have this sort of problem in the future:

(1) Remove and check the connection plug/socket for corrosion - It just might be a poor connection rather than a faulty sensor.

(2) If you do have to change the sensor, give it a good soaking in penetrating fluid (Plus-Gas rather than the likes of WD-40)

Regards

It's too late now, but if you ever have this sort of problem in the future:

(1) Remove and check the connection plug/socket for corrosion - It just might be a poor connection rather than a faulty sensor.

(2) If you do have to change the sensor, give it a good soaking in penetrating fluid (Plus-Gas rather than the likes of WD-40)

Regards

Thanks, I'll bear that in mine in the future!

Although the plug looked fine as it's inside the car underneath the rear passenger seat, and I was a bit scared of using WD-40/GT-85/etc. near the brakes, would Plus-Gas be okay or is it very unlikely that it would work it's way inside the brake unit and mess with the braking?

Your right to be worried about using the excellent product 'PlusGas' near your brakes.

Plus Gas and other dismantling fluids are (intentionally) very corrosive and must not be sprayed onto non-metal parts that are not going to be replaced.

It will destroy seals, bushes, cable sleeves if left in contact.

Well worth it though for freeing up things like your sensor providing you can ensure it doesn't come into contact with anything else.

Okay, so I've taken the stub axle off and attempted to hammer through the sensor, but it won't budge!

I've used various implements up against it (piece of wood, big screwdriver) and tried driving it out with a hammer, but it isn't budging... all I've been able to do is chew up the inside of the sensor...

I've given it a massive spray with GT-85 (couldn't find anything else in the shed) and left it for a bit (I'll pick up some brake cleaner and wash out all I can once this is finished), if this doesn't work, does anyone have any tips? Getting pretty stuck now!

I have an AUD too.

Rear LEFT sensor went and again the sensor was stuck. Needed to be totally destroyed to remove from the car. A large 'persuader' and screwdriver were instrumental in success.

Fingers crossed.

PoloD.

I have an AUD too.

Rear LEFT sensor went and again the sensor was stuck. Needed to be totally destroyed to remove from the car. A large 'persuader' and screwdriver were instrumental in success.

Fingers crossed.

PoloD.

Yup, this is exactly what I ended up doing. Hammering away with a massive screwdriver from the inside and had to properly butcher it to get it out - had clumps of the gold wire inside the sensor coming out at me.

It was that stuck in place that some of the innards of it eventually hammered through to the outside from the inside and left the shell of the sensor in place!

Whoever keeps super-gluing these things in place needs to stop