97 850 remove rear ABS sensors

[erikv11]

Does anyone know a good way to remove the rear ABS sensors, intact?

Because of this https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/vie ... =1&t=74943 I am removing the complete rear suspension from this:

97 850 GLT donor vehicle

I spent a couple hours on it today, all I have left to do is the ABS sensors and the parking brake cables, then the whole setup will be removed from the sedan, complete with sway bar, hubs, brake lines, both arms, and all.

When I get it out, this rear suspension will be transplanted into my wagon by the body shop. I don't want to pay the extra labor for them to drop the tank and fish around with the ABS sensor wires, so the easiest would be if I (and they) can leave the sensors with the car, pop them out at the shop them pop them back in to the hubs I when deliver the rear suspension setup.

I have done some searching, it looks like there is no magic bullet but I could use any advice: is there a good way (or any and all ideas!) to get the ABS sensors out without ruining them?

[scot850]

All my recent experience with the rear of P80's has been with AWD. Only way to get them out involved a lot of swearing , removing the rear axles (which does not help you) and then using a large metal punch which destroyed them needless to say. The units although were plastic, the holes in which they sat filled with grit and moisture and left a very rusted surface.

My advice other than spending a lot of time soaking in penetrating oil and gently trying to push them out would be to leave them in the 'new' rear hubs and transport all the ABS system and wires to the old car.

Good luck!

Neil.

[mecheng]

You can try gently with a vice grips, but when my sensor went bad I had to resort to a punch and hammer as they usually seize being in the rear.
If you do damage it, $20 on Ebay shipped to your door you get two rear sensors with fully wiring harness so try but if you fail I wouldn't worry.

[abscate]

Mine just popped out of the rear hub on my 1999 - even after 16 years of salt. The body of the sensor is plastic so it should not seize in the hub really ?? Once you remove the 10mm bolt (M6) I put a sharp screwdriver in between the body and hub to break it free, gently. Hand pressure only.

You can also clip the wires and resolder them - Im not even sure polarity matters although I preserved it.

[erikv11]

... leave them in the 'new' rear hubs and transport all the ABS system and wires to the old car.

Good luck!

Neil.

With only the lunch hour to work with and Neil's inspiration I gave it a go this way - success, thank you!
- removed trunk felt liner, unhook yellow ABS connector on the pillar where it is clipped in
- removed fuel pump and sending unit covers
- dropped just the front bolt on the gas tank, which moved it maybe 1/2 inch down. That provided enough clearance for the plug, see below.
- taped up the yellow plug and ABS wires near to it with duct tape to make them more streamlined and remove stress on the wires as they are pulled around
- undo two clips that hold the ABS wires: one at the fuel pump on top of the tank, one above the rear trailing arm on the passenger side.
- feed the yellow plug out, it was not difficult at all, only a smidgen tight at the very end when I could see it.

I would recommend this same routine for anyone who needs to replace the rear ABS sensors, and tie a string to the plug that you can use to feed the new wires back up.

At any rate, I will send it to the shop with the ABS intact, hopefully I can convince them to do the same with the wiring on the acceptor car, rather than cut and splice/solder.

Now, to decide if the trailing arm bushings are so shot that i should replace one/them while it is all apart, hmmmm ...

[scot850]

Glad the first part (removal) went well. Hopefully transplant goes equally well.

My 2c worth is while you are in there fix the obvious/difficult to access stuff as the labour is going to be much reduced as it is already apart.

Bushes are obvious parts and as you will probably need an alignment at the end, makes sense to do anything that may affect it now without going nuts. You have to be selective as I found out, costs can quickly get away from you as it did on my V 70R.

Neil.

[erikv11]

Thanks Neil. This car will now be salvage titled, and my winter beater more or less ... but expect it to run a very long time yet, I have maintained it several years now. I will eyeball the bushings tonight then decide, maybe I will install the non-Volvo ones that a few people have put in recently. One side looked pretty worn out.

4 wheel alignment is already part of the negotiated cost, the shop mentioned it to me I didn't have to remind them, I thought that was encouraging.