How to Replace the ABS Speed Sensor and Wheel Bearing in a 1999 LHS

The 1999 Chrysler LHS came with a 3.5-liter six-cylinder engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. The front wheel bearing on your LHS is sealed within the hub assembly, which means the entire hub has to be replaced anytime the wheel bearing fails. The antilock brake sensor; also known as the wheel speed sensor, is mounted on the steering knuckle, but is not integrated into the wheel hub. Replacing the ABS sensor can be done at the same time as the wheel hub, but will require additional steps. Replacing the hub assembly will require removing the spindle nut, which will have to be replaced during installation.

Instructions

Removal

1

Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the front wheel to be serviced with a lug wrench, but do not remove them. Lift the front of the vehicle into the air with a floor jack and place jack stands under the front sub-frame rails. Lower the vehicle until it sits securely on the jack stands.

2

Remove the wheel lug nuts and remove the wheel from the vehicle. Instruct a helper to sit in the vehicle and apply the brakes. Remove the spindle nut with a 32 mm socket and 3/4-inch drive breaker bar. Discard the used spindle nut.

3

Place a pry bar through the access hole in the caliper and gently pry the caliper piston into its bore. Remove the brake caliper slider bolts with a socket and ratchet. Remove the caliper from the caliper bracket and hang it from the suspension with mechanics wire.

4

Slide the brake rotor off of the wheel hub and set it aside. Look at the back end of the steering knuckle to locate the three hub mounting bolts. Remove the three bolts with a socket and ratchet. Slide the wheel hub out of the steering knuckle and off of the axle shaft. Pry between the wheel hub and the steering knuckle at the very top with a pry bar, if the hub will not freely separate from the knuckle.

5

Remove the bolt securing the wheel speed sensor routing bracket to the strut with a socket and ratchet. Follow the sensor pig tail to the grommet in the inner fender well and Remove the bracket bolt. Pry the grommet out of the fender with a pry bar. Squeeze the locking tab and separate the sensor pigtail from the vehicle wiring harness.

6

Remove the bolt securing the wheel speed sensor to the steering knuckle with a socket and ratchet. Remove the wheel speed sensor from the steering knuckle.

Installation

7

Slide the new sensor pigtail through the rubber grommet. Connect the new wheel speed sensor pigtail to the vehicle wiring harness. Press the grommet into place in the inner fender well. Install the inner fender bracket mounting bolt and tighten with a socket and ratchet.

8

Install the wheel speed sensor bracket to the strut so that the harness loops upward exactly as it was removed. Tighten the mounting bolt to 105 inch-pounds with a torque wrench. Place a small amount of grease over the sensor head and slide it into the steering knuckle. Install the sensor mounting bolt and tighten to 60 inch-pounds.

9

Clean the hub mounting bore in the steering knuckle with a wire brush. Apply a small amount of grease the base of the hub assembly and slide it into the knuckle, while splining the axle into the hub. Install the hub mounting bolts and tighten them one turn at a time, alternating in a circle until the hub sits flush with the steering knuckle. Tighten the hub mounting bolts to 80 foot-pounds.

10

Install the new spindle nut onto the axle shaft until hand tight. Slide the brake rotor onto the new wheel hub, without dragging the rotor over the wheel studs. Support the brake caliper by hand and remove the mechanics wire. Slide the brake caliper of the rotor and line up the mounting holes with the bracket. Install the caliper slider bolts and tighten to 168 inch-pounds.

11

Install the wheel and tire onto the vehicle and install the lug nuts hand tight. Lift the front of the vehicle off the jack stands and remove the jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Tighten the lug nuts to 45 foot-pounds in a crisscross pattern, and then repeat to 95 foot-pounds.

12

Instruct a helper to sit in the vehicle and apply the brakes. Tighten the new spindle nut to between 110 and 130 foot-pounds.