Had the service stabilitrak and service traction control lights come on last week while driving around in the snow storm for about an hour, then they came on the next morning for about 5 minutes before going off on my way to work. I usually keep the truck in ‘auto’ mode during winter.
Took the truck to Paddock out of precaution. Previously had both front wheel bearings replaced under warranty within the last 20K miles.
I was quoted almost $700 to replace the front two ABS sensors, as they diagnosed this as the problem. Does this seem pricey or is that the typical cost for this sort of work? Was Paddock just trying to find something wrong and blame it on that…
Normally, I do brake work myself or with my Dad, however we’ve never done ABS sensors or anything related like that. I’m having the work done either way just to be safe, but I just feel like maybe I was gouged price-wise, as what I’ve been reading it doesn’t seem like it should take long to replace (I could be wrong however, not everything you read on the internet is true…)
last few gm’s i worked on (90’s/early 2000’s) the abs sensor was built into the wheel bearing hub. new ones might be that way.
also make sure the wire isnt just ripped, on a zr2 blazer i had both sensor wires were pulled to tight and ripped, just reconnected them and it worked fine.
Looks like the sensors are $140 a piece for the online price; so $250-$300 each dealer price; plus 1-2 hours of labor; sounds about right to replace them.
Shouldn’t be that hard to replace them yourself either, save a few $$. It’s just a remove/replace sensor; nothing special involved.
I am like 80. % sure this sensor is bolted into the spindle pull caliper and rotor u should see a block with wires bolted to the spindle. Pull sensor out(should be a torx) be careful not to force it so you don’t break the bolt off. Before you put the new sensor in. Spray the hell out of the inside with brake clean.
4WD & 2WD - the ABS sensor is in the front sealed hub assembly. Sometimes you can remove the sensor clean the gunk off the end and knock down the rust on the outside where it mounts and it fixes it
I’m having them replace both as a precaution. Thanks for the information though guys, I will keep after the new ones and clean them every so often just to stay on top of things.
Usually the wheel hub comes with a new ABS sensor. Price through rockauto is about $100 each. They are fairly easy to install yourself as well. Takes maybe 1.5 hours per side for your first time. Remove wheel, brakes, 3 bolts holding in hub, retaining nut on half shaft (if 4x4), knock it out with a sludge hammer install new one. Done, drink beer knowing you just saved $500!