abs sensor

[Brian Smith]

I installed my 96 brakes today along with moog cargo coils and monroe sensatracs up front. Everything went well, the whole process was smooth and without interruption, except when I tried to remove the abs sensors from the old knuckles. I destroyed both in the process. Can any gen 1 abs sensors be used to replace these? What is the correct gap between the teeth on the abs gear and the sensor tip? Does this gap matter? Anyone have some abs sensors they dont need anymore?
On another note, when I finished the job my drivers side alignment was really, really messed up. The top of the wheel was probably an inch farther left than the bottom, i guess this condition would be called toe in? It has me worried that conventional methods for alignment may not be possible up front. Otherwise the car rides much more smoothly now, though I have not put the new brakes through their paces as I plan to have them power bled first. Another new fan of the moog CC and sensatrac combo!

 

[SHOZ123]

The ABS senor is just an inductive proximity sensor so any year should work as long as the wiring is the same on the sensor. Gap it as close as you can. If you look at the rear you can get a gap measurement there.

 

[rangerj]

Clean out the hole in the steering knuckle that the ABS sensor fits into. I use a 1/2 inch wire brush made for cleaning 1/2 plumbing copper pipe. I cut off the end of the handle so it can be inserted into a drill. Then you can ream the rust out of the hole. When you install the sensor coat the part that goes into the hole with anti-sieze compound. Put some anti-sieze on the bolt threads that hold the sensor also.

As SHOZ123 has said the gap is not critical, but the sensor ring should ride approximately through the center of the sensor. Check the sensor ring for any cracks and/or chipped or broken teeth. Sensor ring chips or nicks on the teeth are a telltale sign of a bad wheel bearing (from wobble). rangerj

 

[Brian Smith]

Thanks for the information! Now to find a sensor at the J yard which will come out easier than mine did...