Guys, I am in the process of removing old coilovers and fitting up a sexy new set, but try as I might, I cannot get that rotten front abs sensor outta there. Tried spraying a couple of different penetrants at it, over a period of a few days and still won't budge. Tried to gently prize it with a thin screwdriver with no success. Loathe to whack with a bfh, but that is what I feel like doing. Now, if I can't get it off, the problem is, whern I drop the cradle/ upper suspension to pull the old coilover out, I am worried I will stretch the abs cable.
Has anyone just left it in there? Does it flex enough?
rather annoying!

 

You shouldn't need to remove it. If you don't have enough slack, just unplug the sensor plug in the engine bay (It's near the brake master cylinder) and pop the grommet out in the arch to give you the slack you need.

 

Yeah, had a look at that. Elaborate looking grommet had me a bit intrigued, but should just pop out?

 

I"ve never had to unplug the ABS sensors doing front suspension on an FD. You will need to unbolt the upper A-arm from the chassis so you can move it around to get clearance, but you will have enough slack on the sensor wire to remove and reinstall the coil over.

Dale

 

Thanks Dale. I was curious about that as i didnt want to get stuck in a situation.
cheers peter

 

Hey,

So I did this job last winter - removing the sensors from the steering knuckles was a major PITA. However, unless you are doing a full tear down, you should be able to install coilovers without removing them.

When I pulled mine I soaked them for over a week and tried to be gentle with no luck. I wanted to paint and was prepared to buy new ones, so I ended up clamping on a pair of vice grips and very slowly applying twisting/wiggling pressure and they broke free. The vice grips left teeth marks in the sensors but they both functioned fine last summer so no replacements were needed!

As for the grommet in the wheel well - the rubber is likely stiff due to age. I think I pried the edge up with a screwdriver then pulled with some pliers. They should just pull out - nothing special in there.

Have fun!

 

Stuck ABS sensors are somewhat common. They are best left as-is as the process of trying to remove them can easily break them and they aren't cheap used. And they can be hard to find as well.

New they are stupid expensive.

Dale

 

Thanks guy. I left them in there and took struts out. I put a jack under hub another removed strut, lowering jack slowly and just enough to pull strut out, just to be safe..
now i just need courier to delivery to right place. Been three weeks now. Dopey buggers Sent from queensland to perth instead of nsw. Only a 4000 kilometre epic fail.