Replacing the ABS Sensor in the 2005 Silverado

In 1999, Chevy began phasing in the Silverado and phasing out the C- and K-series pickups. Chevy completed this changeover the following year, leaving just the Silverado as its full-size pickup. The 2005 Silverados base package is the 1500, which came standard with a 195-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-6 engine and two-wheel drive. The 1500 also came standard with an antilock braking system. The ABS uses a set of speed sensors in the front hubs to measure the rotational speed of the wheel, allowing the ABS computer to know when the front wheels are about to lock up. Replacing the ABS sensor on the 2005 Silverado is a fairly simple task that nearly any do-it-yourself technician can complete.

Instructions

Removal

1

Loosen the front lug nuts on the wheel with the failed ABS sensor, using a ratchet and socket, and lift the front of the truck with a floor jack. Slide jack stands under the trucks frame rails and lower the Silverado onto the jack stands. Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel from the truck.

2

Remove the two caliper bracket bolts, using a ratchet and socket, and pull the caliper bracket, caliper and brake pads off the steering knuckle as one assembly. Hang the assembly from the front coil spring, using a bungee strap.

3

Unfasten the rotor-retaining screw, using a Phillips screwdriver. If the screw does not turn easily, strike its head with a hammer to free it, then remove it. If needed, pull the locking washers from the wheel studs, using needle-nose pliers. Discard the washers, as you do not need them. Pull the rotor from the hub. If the rotor does not pull off easily, lightly strike its backside with a rubber mallet to break it loose.

4

Trace the ABS sensors wire upward and find the four clips securing it to the following areas on the truck: steering knuckle, upper control arm and shock-to-frame bracket. Note the routing of the wire, then pry the clips outward from their attachment point on the truck, using a flat-head screwdriver.

5

Continue tracing the ABS wire upward until you find where it connects to the Silverados wiring. Unplug the ABS sensor wiring harness from the Silverados wiring harness.

6

Remove the bolt securing the ABS sensor to the wheel hub and carefully pull the sensor from the hub. Never pry the sensor from the hub, as you may break the sensor off inside the hub, which forces you to replace the entire hub.

Installation

7

Plug the ABS speed sensor hole with a rubber or plastic plug, then clean the sensors mating surface on the wheel hub, using a wire brush. Brush all of the debris from the hub, using a shop cloth, then apply a thin coat of wheel bearing grease to the mating surface.

8

Apply a thin coat of wheel bearing grease to the O-ring on the new ABS sensor and guide the sensor into place in the wheel hub. Tighten the ABS sensor bolt to 13 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

9

Route the new ABS sensors wiring in the same manner the original sensors wiring was routed. Press the wirings retaining clips into their respective holes in the steering knuckle, upper control arm and shock-to-frame bracket as you go. Plug the ABS sensor into the trucks wiring harness.

10

Guide the rotor back onto the hub and hand-tighten its retaining screw. Insert a long screwdriver or pry bar between the wheel studs. Hold the screwdriver or pry bar steady to prevent the rotor from spinning, then tighten the rotor-retaining screw to 106 inch-pounds, using a Phillips-bit socket and inch-pound torque wrench.

11

Guide the caliper bracket, caliper and brake pads onto the steering knuckle and hand-thread the caliper bracket bolts. Tighten the caliper bracket bolts to 133 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and socket.

12

Reinstall the wheel onto the front hub and hand-tighten its lug nuts. Raise the truck off the jack stands and remove the stands. Lower the truck to the ground and torque the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 140 foot-pounds.