ABS Tone Ring

Replace the ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) on a 1992 Dodge Viper, requiring wheel, brake caliper, and hub/rotor removal to access the pressed or bolted tone ring assembly.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) × 1 — Use OEM specification for 1992 Viper ABS system
• Brake fluid DOT 3 × 1 — Mopar or equivalent DOT 3
• Threadlocker (medium strength) × 1 — Loctite 243 or equivalent

Fluids

• brake — 0.25 qt

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake.
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground.
3. Raise vehicle with floor jack at appropriate jacking point and secure on jack stands.
4. Remove wheel completely and set aside.
5. Spray all brake caliper bolts and hub fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 10-15 minutes to soak.
6. Connect ABS scanner to verify which wheel speed sensor is reading incorrectly to confirm tone ring replacement location.
7. Inspect brake fluid level in master cylinder reservoir and top off if low before beginning work.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper
   Locate the caliper mounting bolts securing the fixed opposed-piston caliper to its bracket/knuckle. Remove both bolts completely using appropriate socket. Carefully lift caliper off the rotor and support it with wire or bungee cord attached to the suspension or frame. Do not disconnect the brake hose unless absolutely necessary for access.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the steering knuckle or axle housing. These are typically larger than the caliper bolts. Remove the bracket completely to expose the rotor. On front wheels, these are the caliper bracket bolts; verify correct socket size before applying force.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove any rotor set screws or clips if present (early Vipers may have Phillips head set screws). Slide the rotor off the hub. If rotor is stuck due to corrosion, tap gently around the rotor hat section with a soft-face hammer while rotating. Do not strike the rotor friction surface or ABS tone ring if visible on the rotor.
4. 4

   Inspect tone ring location and mounting type
   With rotor removed, inspect the hub assembly. The tone ring may be pressed directly onto the outer CV joint stub shaft, bolted to the back of the hub, or integrated with the rotor itself. Front wheels on this RWD Viper are non-driven and have no CV joints; any tone ring would mount to the front hub or be integrated with the rotor. Rear tone rings would mount to the hub or axle flange. Verify actual configuration on the vehicle. Note the mounting method before proceeding.
   ℹ️If tone ring is integrated with the rotor (single cast piece), rotor and tone ring are replaced as an assembly. Skip to step 8.
5. 5

   Remove pressed tone ring (if applicable)
   For pressed-on tone rings, the hub or CV shaft may need to be removed from the vehicle to use a hydraulic press. Front non-driven hubs are retained by the spindle/bearing assembly, not an axle nut. For the rear axle, remove the appropriate axle nut per factory spec. Verify configuration before applying force. Remove any snap rings securing the hub bearing assembly. Carefully press or tap the old tone ring off the shaft using a hydraulic press or appropriate bearing separator tool. Work evenly around the ring to avoid cocking it on the shaft.
   ⚠Tone rings are hardened steel and may shatter if struck directly. Always use a brass drift or press against the ring base, never the toothed edge.
6. 6

   Remove bolted tone ring (if applicable)
   For bolted tone rings, remove the 4-6 bolts securing the tone ring to the hub or axle flange. Note the exact bolt locations and any spacers or shims behind the ring. Remove the tone ring carefully and inspect the mounting surface for corrosion or damage. Clean the mounting surface with a wire brush.
7. 7

   Clean and prepare mounting surface
   Thoroughly clean the hub or CV shaft surface where the tone ring mounts using a wire brush and brake cleaner. Remove all rust, corrosion, and old adhesive. Inspect for wear, scoring, or damage that could affect tone ring seating. The surface must be smooth and free of debris for proper installation and sensor operation.
8. 8

   Install new tone ring
   For pressed rings: Position the new tone ring on the shaft with teeth facing the correct direction (toward the wheel speed sensor). Using a hydraulic press or appropriate driver tool, press the ring onto the shaft until it seats fully against the shoulder or to the original position depth. Apply steady, even pressure. For bolted rings: Position the ring with any alignment marks or dowel pins matched to the hub. Install bolts with threadlocker and torque to the factory specification (verify exact value in the service manual) in a star pattern.
   ⚠Tone ring teeth must face toward the wheel speed sensor location. Installing backward will prevent ABS function.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Verify tone ring runout and air gap
   If possible, mount a dial indicator to measure tone ring runout while rotating the hub by hand. Runout should not exceed 0.010 inches (0.25mm). Check the air gap between the tone ring teeth and the wheel speed sensor using feeler gauges. Gap should be 0.020-0.040 inches. Adjust sensor position if necessary by loosening the sensor mounting bolt.
   ℹ️Excessive runout or incorrect air gap will cause intermittent or permanent ABS fault codes.
10. 10

    Reinstall hub assembly (if removed)
    If the hub or CV shaft was removed for tone ring replacement, reinstall the complete assembly now. Install any snap rings, bearings, and seals in reverse order of removal. Torque the hub retaining fasteners to the factory specification listed in the service manual for the applicable axle position. Verify hub rotates smoothly without binding.
11. 11

    Reinstall brake rotor
    Clean the hub face and rotor mounting surface with brake cleaner. Slide the rotor onto the hub, aligning any locating holes or dowels. Install rotor set screws if equipped and tighten snugly. Verify rotor sits flush against hub face with no wobble.
12. 12

    Reinstall caliper bracket
    Position the caliper bracket over the rotor and align with mounting holes on the knuckle. Apply threadlocker to the bracket bolt threads. Install and torque the caliper bracket bolts to the factory specification (verify exact value in the service manual for the 1992 Viper). Verify bracket is secure and does not contact the rotor.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall brake caliper
    If brake caliper piston was extended during work, compress it fully using a C-clamp or piston tool before installing caliper. Position caliper over the rotor and bracket. Apply silicone brake grease to slide pin bolt threads and contact surfaces. Install the caliper mounting bolts and torque to the factory specification (verify exact value in the service manual for the 1992 Viper's fixed caliper).
    ⚠Compressing caliper piston will raise brake fluid level in master cylinder. Monitor reservoir to prevent overflow.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Bleed brake system if opened
    If brake lines were disconnected during the procedure, bleed the affected corner using the bleeder screw. With an assistant pumping the brake pedal, open the bleeder screw and allow fluid to flow until free of air bubbles. Close bleeder screw to 10 Nm (7 lb-ft). Repeat until pedal is firm. Top off master cylinder reservoir with the factory-specified brake fluid (verify DOT 3 vs DOT 4 in the service manual).
    Torque spec

    Bleeder Screw10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall wheel and test system
    Mount wheel onto hub and hand-tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle to ground and torque lug nuts to the factory specification (verify exact value in the service manual for the 1992 Viper) in a star pattern. Start engine and verify ABS warning light extinguishes after initial bulb check. Test drive vehicle at low speed in safe area and verify ABS system functions properly by triggering ABS on loose surface if possible. Use ABS scanner to verify no fault codes remain.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is detailed in procedure steps 8-15.
2. Ensure all torque specifications are followed exactly, especially caliper bracket bolts and wheel lug nuts.
3. If brake fluid was lost or system opened, perform complete brake system bleed before road testing.
4. Verify ABS warning light behavior matches normal operation (illuminates with key-on, extinguishes after engine start).

Verification

• Start vehicle and confirm ABS warning light extinguishes after 2-3 seconds.
• Use ABS scanner to read all wheel speed sensors and verify the replaced tone ring location now shows clean signal with no dropouts.
• Test drive at 15-20 mph and apply moderate braking to verify no ABS fault codes set.
• On safe surface (gravel or wet pavement), perform hard braking at 25-30 mph to trigger ABS and confirm system modulates properly at all wheels.
• Re-scan for fault codes after test drive to confirm no new codes stored.
• Verify brake pedal feel is firm and normal with no sponginess (indicating air in system).

More procedures for this vehicle