ABS reluctor rings

I have a 2000 X Reg TD4 Auto and have had a constant problem with a brake pedal shudder when you apply the brakes at slowish speed. The garage where I bought it from back in April said it was probably an ABS wheel sensor but they could not identify which one.
My regular mechanic has done a diagnostic on it with no error codes showing at all and he is suggesting front cracked or faulty reluctor rings. I am taking it to another local garage tomorrow and they are having a closer look at it on ramps and to check these rings out.

My question to the forum is, if it is faulty reluctor rings, can this cause a brake shudder and force your foot upwards when you apply the brakes? Also, is it an expensive job to replace these rings and any ideas on costings please?
Thanks

We came across this problem following replacement of a front wheel bearing on a TD4. Extreme heat and hammering were required to drive out the corroded hub to strut bolts to effect hub removal. Inspection showed that the reluctor ring was fine and we therefore replaced the ABS sensor which corrected the braking fault. The problem you have is in identifying exactly which of the four sensor/reluctor combinations is causing the ABS system confusion. I believe replacement reluctor rings are available at approx £5 online and subsequent replacement time would be about 1 hour.

If you have comprehensive service history for the vehicle, then check for any associated work carried out on brake system, suspension or drive-shafts etc which may give some clues.

On my TD4 of the same age it was the abs sensor , It had a small hole worn in the face most likely from a small stone trapped in ring .


Genuine abs sensors are £251 + vat btw

Thanks for the 2 replies. Unfortunately, I got the vehicle without any service history, so I have no idea what has been replaced in the past? If there is say 1 abs sensor failing surely this would show up in a diagnostic test with an error code, which it does not? The consensus is that it may be a reluctor ring, I will see what the garage say tomorrow and let the forum know for reference.

'If there is say 1 abs sensor failing surely this would show up in a diagnostic test with an error code'

As the affected ABS sensor is still producing a signal voltage, Albeit at reduced output voltage compared to a normal sensor, there are no warning lights or stored codes. My approach in future will be to compare the sensor outputs with a multimeter.

they should mesure about 1 ohm if ok do not pay the stupid prices at LR the ones of Ebay are just as good but it does sound as though it is one of your sensors
hope this helps

Thanks for all your replies, just to let you all know the garage have identified the nearside front reluctor rings out of shape and corroded and the most likely cause of the ABS problem I have. so, I am having both front rings done and outer CV joints at the same time. Hopefully this will cure the problem?

Also make sure the abs sensor locating holes are thooughly clean and that the sensors are fully seated with no excessive air gaps.....

I have been advised by my mechanic when replacing the reluctor rings to also replace the outer CV joints if they look in a bad condition bearing in mind they are probabaly as old as the vehicle (12 years), but when I checked with Paddocks (Landrover Parts), you cannot buy just the outer CV joints and you have to buy the complete half shafts at about £42 each + vat. Also, they said that the half shafts include the reluctor rings, or o rings, but I am not certain the girl knew what she was talking about?
Also, I phoned my local Landrover dealer and they were not sure either if the half shafts include the reluctor rings? Out of interest, I asked how much the half shafts were and they told me over £400 each side. How can they quote such a figure when Paddocks do them for £42 each? Any thoughts on the above points?

You can buy the outer cv joints for about £20 if memory serves for J & R CV joints, they also do the reluctor rings alone for about £5, they also do full drive shafts. For me I would replace the full shaft as it gives you both joints with new boots.
The shafts come with reluctor rings fitted, on the later models about 2003 onwards they use magnetic bearings so you just knock the rings off.

Thanks for your tips booboodag, thats a big help!

Just to update the forum on my ABS problem, I'm having the front CV joints fitted with reluctor rings Friday week and the sensors will be cleaned up and checked for damage etc. Hopefully this will stop the brake pedal shudder, if it does not, it must be a faulty ABS sensor, as I have had new front pads & calipers recently fitted. According to DTO member, genuine ABS sensors are £251 + vat, but Ive just checked on EBay and there is a firm called Autosense who specialise in sensors and they do them for about £15 each. Will these cheap sensors function properly, if I need replacements, as I cannot understand the vast price difference?

Did he definately mean joints and not boots?? Personally I would just replace the grease in the joint and put new boot's on.......
Only my opinion though.

i have used the cheap ones of ebay and they worked fine, and you do need to take them out before you put the new cv joints on as you will only destroy them.When putting them back in put the white contact crease around the new one and you will have a new cage put that on, then just shove it down as far as it will go and the just a small tap just to make sure it is home, and as soon as you move the car the air gap between the new sensor and the ring wil auto adjust . hope this helps

Yes, the mechanic advised to change both CV joints + boots, as they come with reluctor rings already fitted and they were quite cheap to buy from J & R (recommended by forum). Also, with my vehicle being 12 years old the joints have probably never been changed.
Thanks also to Teddywood for the fitting tips.

I need more advice please. When the new CV joints, boots & reluctor rings are fitted next week, there is a chance this will not fix the ABS brake shudder problem and the front sensors may need replacing. Would you buy a couple of the cheap sensors from ebay and have them fitted at the same time more as a precaution whilst the wheels and the old CV joints are off?

apexblue said:

Thanks for the 2 replies. Unfortunately, I got the vehicle without any service history, so I have no idea what has been replaced in the past? If there is say 1 abs sensor failing surely this would show up in a diagnostic test with an error code, which it does not? The consensus is that it may be a reluctor ring, I will see what the garage say tomorrow and let the forum know for reference.

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i know its old post but hope pics help others this is me changing abs on my td4 chisel and hammers then pulled base of old sensor out, and how to pull new line through without battery removal etc on front and if you look you can spot my broken reluctor ring, £12.50 a abs sensor lead new.

I didn't know Tratters had independent suspension.

GrumpyGel said:

I didn't know Tratters had independent suspension.

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tratters?

magpiepolish said:

tratters?

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Sorry, with all that rust I thought it must be a Tratter.