Hi there just snapped another ABS sensor trying to remove it to change bearing. Is there a trick to removing them or are they generally rusted in. I bought a new one as its happened twice before but thought I'd ask for future reference. 

Alasdair

Looks at volkswizard channel on YouTube Andrew swapped one on his old TT. Might help. 

17 minutes ago, gav_is_con said:

Looks at volkswizard channel on YouTube Andrew swapped one on his old TT. Might help. 

Thanks for reply. Mine was so rusted in it just wouldn't come out without snapping. Soaked in wd40 for a few days but no joy. I had bought a new one in case which was only £7-00. Just wondering if there was a way to remove them next time if I am stuck for a replacement. Judging by the bearing and sensor I reckon they could be original so been on for 120k and 10years. I could tap the old bit out as I was changing the bearing anyway. Problem would be if the sensor failed and I snapped it and had to remove bearing to get broken bit out.

Alasdair

There are much better release fluids available - Plus Gas is one of them.

WD40 is primarily a lubricant.

19 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

There are much better release fluids available - Plus Gas is one of them.

WD40 is primarily a lubricant.

I use toolstation AC90 (wd40) but found RP90 (rapid penetrating oil is very good if you leave it to soak) and a little bit of heat. Shame the abs sensor is plastic.

As said mine was not coming out in one piece

Alasdair

Yep, since it's plastic/soft, the rust grows into it.

Can't see any penetrating fluid making much difference really.

 

Time travel backwards is probably the best strategy. 

I have a cut off air chisel bit which I use to shock all around the area in conjunction with a diesel acetone mix, it has worked most times so far, if you can get a tiny bit of movement without the plastic shearing which is very hard to feel, then with a lot of patience and back and forth they can usually be removed intact.

 

On the subject of prevention, I have used various coppa-slip pretenders aerosols plus also spray white grease which I have used on wheel bolts, wheel hub centre locations, the 5 point linkage adjusters on my tractor and without fail the next time they are removed there is no trace of the product or lubrication, they are not seized but you would never know they had been treated. Are they just coloured washable grease?

 

My decades old tin of Comma Copper grease remains visible and lubricating.

I to have an old comma copper grease tub which I have just used on the new one.

Alasdair

They do break sometimes, all you can do is be as careful as possible. "Give it a spray and walk away" is the key rule for anything that's a bit seized. I'm a big believer in letting stuff soak overnight where possible.

 

Don't get too hung up playing Top Trumps with what the best spray is, if one's going to work, they're all going to work sooner or later - it's just a question of how much you have to use and how long you let it soak for. 

 

Be patient and wiggle the sensor loose rather than going in with bit actions. Once you get a bit of movement on it and there's a gap between the metal and the plastic, get some more spray in and drink some more tea. Try to lift it out with a tool under the sensor against the metal rather that pulling it. 

 

@J.R. 's suggestion of giving the surrounding metal a buzz with the air hammer is a great one 👍