Replace ABS tone sensor ring

[todda7]

The ABS on my car kicks in at low speeds, and I was pondering whether or not it was the ABS sensor, the sensor ring or a bad solder job I did on the ABS wiring some years ago. I took a look at the CV joint and low and behold, the sensor tone ring was cracked so I assume this is the cause for the ABS kicking in.

Has anyone tried replacing the ABS/Wheel speed tone ring? It looks like this:

I don't know if it can be done without replacing the hole CV joint, but I would rather not replace the whole joint.

[MetalMan]

It can be replaced without replacing the entire outer joint or axle. I've done it... had a donor axle for the tone ring, popped it off that joint, and pushed it on to my axle. Of course that same axle bit the dust maybe 6 months later anyways but the ABS worked fine during that time!

[Rodgman15]

I've also got an axle sitting around missing a tone ring. Was looking into replacing just the outer CV joint, but if you come across a replacement tone ring i'd be interested to see how it works out for you!

[todda7]

Nice. Do you remember how to get it off? Just pry it off with a knife?

By the way, the CV joints front and back should be identical on a Quattro? At least they look similar.

@Rodgman15 I found tone rings for sale in a Norwegian web shop, but none on ebay. I don't think Audi has a part # for it.

[Rodgman15]

http://www.dormanproducts.com/p-5258...origin=keyword

Looks like "we make absolutely everything you could think of" Dorman makes a replacement part.

At second glance, appears it's only for the V6 A4. Wonder if there's a difference?

[MetalMan]

I probably used some sort of chisel and hammer combination, but it has been about 4 years since I did that. The car was FWD so I don't know how the front compares to rear on a Quattro car.

[todda7]

@Rodgman
It has the same number of teeth and dimensions as the one I found from Metzger so I guess it's the same.

I'll try to replace mine and see how it goes. Hopefully I won't have to take the axle off to get enough room to pry off the tone ring.

Is it possible to read the ABS sensor for each wheel with VCDS? What reading corresponds to what wheel? Although the tone ring is broken and needs to be replaced, it would be nice to know that I am indeed fixing the correct wheel.

By the way I found a part #: Metzger 0900332

[MetalMan]

Is it possible to read the ABS sensor for each wheel with VCDS? What reading corresponds to what wheel? Although the tone ring is broken and needs to be replaced, it would be nice to know that I am indeed fixing the correct wheel.

Yes, you can. If you enter the ABS module, go to Advanced Measuring Values (this will be abbreviated), and click on all 4 wheels, you can graphically display each wheel's reported speed. That way you can compare each one.

[todda7]

I was wrong about the tone ring. It's different on the rear than from the front. On the rear it looks like this:

It came off easy, since it was alreay cracked, without pulling the axle out or taking the brake disc and calipers off. I've ordered a new one (Meyle MEY1006140002). Hopefully it will be easy to install, though I read somewhere that you gotta heat the ring up a lot before trying to put it on.