Brake Problem - ABS Pulsating, Not rotor warble.....

[dlechner]

Gents,

I did do a seatch first and didn't come up with much. Hopefully yous guys can help me out.

I have a 08 MZSPD3 and have recently put new tires and had both of my wheel bearings replaced. I had some major shake from the drivers side front wheel. My mechanic found a bad bearing and I just went ahead and replaced both.

Since then, I get this ABS (I think) pulsation. It isn't all the time and doesn't happen under any type of circumstance. I have taken to my mechanic twice and they can't find anything worng with it. And of course it doesn't happen when they drive it!(uhm)

This didn't do this prior to the wheel bearing being replaced. It happens under light breaking and a little harder breaking. It feels just like the ABS system kicking in for a brief moment. My wife says it sounds like grinding to her. But I can feel the pedal back off like it does in snow.

Anyway, I was hoping that someone else has had the same issue and had it fixed. I will try one more time with my mechanic to see if the problem occurs. I feel that they are responsible since it didn't do it before getting the bearings replaced!

HELP!!!!

Dave

 

[dlechner]

Someone suggested resetting the ECU. I will try that tonight or tomorrow.

 

[spdjnke]

sounds like there could be some air in the line, or a soon to be bad ABS actuator. does your ABS/TC light flicker when this happens???

 

[dlechner]

nope it doesnt flicker. just the ABS.

 

[dlechner]

So I reset my ECU and it STILL does it! Fuouogoououoguouogougougo!!!!!

This Sucks!!!

 

[dlechner]

Anyone else have experience with this?

 

[Rotus]

Just a shot in the dark, but...

Check the abs sensor and the sensor marks. make sure there is nothing impeding the sensor from "seeing" the marks and that non of the marks is messed up.

 

[dlechner]

Is this something easily seen? Do I have to remove one of my wheels?

 

[Rotus]

yup, you'll have to remove the wheel they replaced the bearing on. In this picture, the wire for the sensor is at the 12 o'clock position. You may need a mirror to look at the back side or you may need to remove the caliper and rotor to see the whole thing. Neither is hard to remove as long as you have the tools.

Let me know if this is something you want to try and I can write a quick how to. On the plus side, once you have removed the caliper, you are halfway to replacing your own brake pads

 

[dlechner]

It seems easy enough, but I will let my mechanic handle that one. I just need the damn thing to actaully do it when I take it to them.

Thanks SOOO much for the replies!!!

 

[spdjnke]

good luck and let us know what you find out??

 

[dlechner]

Well, had the sensors replaced! And........NOPE! Didn't fix it. Going to the dealer tonight to talk to them about it!

Ugh!!!!

 

[dlechner]

So, had the dealer inspect it. They found the steering column to be out of alignment. They aligned the car and said that it is 100% fixed.

Guess what! It STILL does it!!!

To be continued..................

 

[dlechner]

Ok the latest:

The dealer has found the problem. Looks like after installing the ABS/Speed sensor (for real this time) a code comes up. "Left front tone ring teeth failure". Looks like I will need to have the original mechanic replace the whole front left axel! Going to them tonight to drop the car off.

I hope that this will help someone in the future. I will post the final verdict once it is all done.

 

[Rotus]

yikes, Maybe he knocked a tooth off the ring or knocked it out of alignment when he installed the bearing.

It's the toothed ring on outer CV joint.

 

[t147]

this problem as a heads up and learning tool for everyone is most always a sensor or a tone ring.

Good job Rotus! I didn't get to this in time to help

 

[dlechner]

Yup, you nailed it! Of course Aspen Auto (yup I named them) says that they don't have to replace the whole axel! Well we will see when they open it up and see what damage was done. I think that they knew this from the start. Maye one of these days I will type up the whole story for you all to read. Its a long one! The original bearing "fix" was done on 1-4-11!!!

 

[dlechner]

Well , we thought we had it correct. My car is fixed. Aspen took it back and found one of the bearings that they installed (left one) was bad. They didn't replace the axel assembly! Now, I am only going with what they said, but they did re-imberse me for ALL of my expenses that I spent at the dealer. So, I have to say that I may go back.

Solution for the fix: Took it back to the original mechanic, they reaplaced the bearing in the left wheel and now my car is fixed.

Hopefully this will help someone out in the future!

 

[Rotus]

I'm glad that's over and the OG mechanic took care of the problem and you. +1 for honest mechanics.