Hi all! So, I'm trying to replace my front right abs sensor on my 2006 CR-V. How do I get this out of the knuckle? Every YouTube video I watch says that it's a 10 millimeter bolt, but it's completely round. It looks like in the middle, an alan wrench might be needed, but that doesn't do it either. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

Looks like someone already broke the head off the bolt. Should lift right out at this point. Can be stubborn with rust build up. Try giving the sensor a twist to break it free.

 

I tried to wiggle the sensor out, but it will not budge. I even sprayed rust repellent and let it sit for awhile. I'm thinking I may have to drill both the screw and the sensor out. Are there any other options?

 

Spray some more penetrating oil and let it sit some more. Then use a big flat-head screwdriver and try to pry it out from different sides. You probably will still have part of the broken bolt stuck in there afterward; but, if there is some of the bolt that you can grab with pliers you might be able to turn it out (using slight back and forth turning motions at first to loosen the frozen bolt).

 

I've tried everything that you both suggested, but it won't budge. So now the screw is still stuck AND the sensor was so stuck that even after letting it sit with rust penetrant for a LONG time, trying gently to wiggle it back and forth, it STILL broke off inside. Ugh! I just tried to screw a small screw down into the middle of the sensor in hopes that I could pull it out. No luck at all. I've never seen something so stuck! Any advice from this point?

 

Have you tried using a hammer with the screwdriver to drive in it between the area of the sensor and the mounting area first, then pry up?

Not that you necessary need a screwdriver with a striking cap; but, some screwdrivers come with a steel striking cap just for that purpose.

 

I started to do that, but was afraid I'd ruin something around the hole where the new sensor fits in. But, from researching more, it appears that the only thing I need to be really concerned with is the bottom (in other words, drilling too far down into the wheel bearing or something). Is this even remotely correct? Lol

 

There is a chance of drilling too far and catching the bearing. Bearings are VERY hard steel. Drill shouldn't do any damage, may even catch and break the drill bit. Go with a drill size that just clears the hole diameter. I believe the hole is 10mm.

Sensor should break free before you drill to the end. Don't want that flat tip of the sensor to break free. I don't believe there is a way for that piece to fall free without removing or at least backing out the CV joint.

I think I have one of these knuckles laying in the scrap pile. Let me go see if I can get a picture.

 

IIRC, when installed, the sensor is closely parallel to the wheel bearing, near the magnetic encoder ring incorporated into the wheel bearing. Like what is show in this link's illustration:

https://www.underhoodservice.com/hon...abs-tone-ring/

 

Just checked, a 3/8" drill will just fit down the hole but is large enough that the bearing shell will stop you from doing any damage by drilling too far.

Bearing intersects the hole.


And the view from the back of the bearing.

 

Ryanthegreat1, thanks for checking to see what size drill bit and uploading those pics! What do you mean by not wanting the flat top of the sensor to break free?

"Don't want that flat tip of the sensor to break free. I don't believe there is a way for that piece to fall free without removing or at least backing out the CV joint."

 

Ohhh! Now I understand what you're saying! You're saying that if that flat tip breaks off, then I would have to take the CV joint off to get it out. Is that correct?

 

Correct. It is possible for the tip of the sensor to fall and become trapped between the CV joint and the bearing.

 

It seems as though the sensor is melded into the sides, almost as if they're not two materials but one now. It's crazy. I definitely need to drill, but I'm almost positive that I'm going to lose the tip of the sensor down in the knuckle. Yikes!

 

What would happen if the flat tip of the sensor DID break loose into the knuckle and I couldn't get it out?

 

That tip would bounce around between the CV and bearing and tear up the magnetic encoder that is part of thw bearing. Could possibly break the tip off a new sensor as well. Could get expensive leaving that tip in there.

Take the nut off the CV joint and push the joint in as far as it will go. That will gave a gap on the vack side for the tip of the sensor to be retrieved.

 

Since I'm a novice at this, what tools do I need to remove the cv nut? A breaker bar? What size socket? Also, is there a certain thing to do, other than making sure it's back on super tight? I'm very careful, but just want to make sure I'm not endangering myself and others when driving after this is over.

 

36mm should be the size on that nut. It gets torqued to 181 lbft and then staked in place.

Don't bother with trying to unstake the nut before removing it. This will do more damage than just forcing the nut off. Will need a large breaker bar or decent 1/2" impact gun.

I would remove the wheel to remove the center cap from the wheel and then reinstall the wheel and put the vehicle back on the ground to muscle that nut off. The CV joint should then push into the hub 3/4"-1" and give clearance on the back side to extract the sensor tip. No need to fully remove the axle.