ABS Tone Ring

Replace the ABS tone ring on a 2005 Dodge Viper, which involves removing the wheel, brake caliper assembly, hub/bearing assembly, and pressing off/on the tone ring.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) × 1 — Use OEM specification - typically pressed onto hub bearing
• Hub bearing assembly (if tone ring is integrated) × 1 — Use OEM specification - some tone rings are integral to bearing
• Brake caliper bracket bolts (if corroded) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Thread locker (medium strength) × 1 — Loctite 243 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
3. Raise vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands at approved jacking points
4. Remove wheel completely and set aside
5. Inspect tone ring visually for damage, missing teeth, or corrosion to confirm replacement is necessary
6. Check if tone ring is pressed onto hub or integrated into bearing assembly - this determines service procedure

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper
   Locate the two caliper mounting bolts securing the fixed caliper to the knuckle. Remove both bolts and carefully lift the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper using a brake caliper hanger or secure wire attached to the suspension or frame - do not let it hang by the brake hose.
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper bracket
   If the caliper mounts directly to the knuckle (as on fixed-caliper Viper brakes), there may be no separate caliper bracket to remove — verify configuration. If a bracket is present, remove the two bracket mounting bolts securing it to the knuckle. These are large bolts and may require a breaker bar. Remove the bracket completely and set aside with hardware. Note any shims or spacers behind the bracket for reinstallation.
3. 3

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove the brake rotor from the hub. On the Viper, the rotor may be secured by small set screws or retained by wheel lug nuts only. If set screws are present, remove them. Slide the rotor off the hub studs. If stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap around the hat section of the rotor to break it free.
4. 4

   Disconnect wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor mounted near the tone ring on the steering knuckle or axle housing. Disconnect the electrical connector by pressing the release tab. Remove the sensor mounting bolt and carefully withdraw the sensor from its bore. Inspect the sensor tip for metallic debris or damage.
5. 5

   Remove hub bearing assembly
   Remove the hub bearing retaining hardware. The Viper front hub typically uses 4 bolts accessible from the back of the knuckle, while the rear may use a large axle nut and bolts. Once hardware is removed, use a hub puller or slide hammer with appropriate adapters to extract the hub bearing assembly from the knuckle or axle housing. Work carefully to avoid damaging the mounting surfaces.
   ⚠Hub bearing removal requires significant force. Ensure puller is properly seated to avoid slippage and injury.
6. 6

   Inspect tone ring configuration
   With the hub removed, inspect whether the tone ring is pressed onto the hub as a separate component or integrated into the bearing assembly. If integrated, the entire hub bearing assembly must be replaced. If pressed on separately, proceed to remove the old tone ring. Clean all surfaces with brake cleaner and inspect for wear, corrosion, or damage.
7. 7

   Remove old tone ring (if serviceable separately)
   If the tone ring is a separate pressed component, use an arbor press or hydraulic press with appropriate support fixtures to press the old tone ring off the hub. Support the hub from below on a press plate with clearance for the ring to pass through. Apply steady pressure to press the ring off. Inspect the hub surface for burrs, rust, or damage and clean thoroughly with brake cleaner.
   ⚠Ensure hub is properly supported during press operations. Improper support can damage the hub or bearing surfaces.
8. 8

   Install new tone ring
   Position the new tone ring on the hub in the correct orientation - teeth must face toward the sensor mounting location. Using the arbor press or hydraulic press with a suitable driver that contacts only the inner hub surface of the ring (not the teeth), press the new tone ring onto the hub until fully seated against the shoulder. Press should be smooth and even. Verify the ring is perpendicular to the hub axis and fully seated with no gaps.
   ⚠Press only on the solid inner portion of the tone ring, never on the toothed section. Pressing on teeth will damage or crack the ring.
9. 9

   Verify tone ring runout (optional but recommended)
   If a dial indicator is available, mount it with the tip contacting the tone ring teeth. Rotate the hub and observe runout. Excessive runout (typically more than 0.008 inches) indicates improper installation or a defective part and will cause erratic ABS operation. If runout is excessive, remove and reinstall the ring.
10. 10

    Reinstall hub bearing assembly
    Clean the hub mounting surfaces in the knuckle or axle housing with brake cleaner. Apply a thin layer of anti-seize to the outer diameter of the hub bearing (if not a sealed unit). Carefully install the hub bearing assembly into the housing, aligning all mounting holes. Install the retaining hardware and torque to specification. Front hub bolt and rear axle nut torque values must be verified against the factory service manual for the 2005 Viper — do not rely on generic estimates.
11. 11

    Reinstall and adjust wheel speed sensor
    Clean the wheel speed sensor mounting bore and sensor tip with brake cleaner. Inspect the sensor O-ring and replace if damaged. Install the sensor into its bore, ensuring it is fully seated. The sensor air gap (clearance to tone ring) is typically self-adjusting on this vehicle but should be approximately 0.020-0.040 inches. Install the sensor mounting bolt and torque to factory specification (typically around 7-10 lb-ft for a small M6 sensor bolt — verify). Reconnect the electrical connector until it clicks.
    ℹ️Sensor tip must not contact tone ring. Verify clearance by rotating the hub by hand and listening for contact.
12. 12

    Reinstall brake rotor
    Clean the hub face and rotor mounting surface with brake cleaner to remove any oil or anti-seize. Install the rotor onto the hub, aligning any set screw holes. If equipped with set screws, install and tighten them to prevent rotor movement during caliper installation.
13. 13

    Reinstall brake caliper bracket
    If a separate caliper bracket is present, position it onto the knuckle, reinstalling any shims or spacers noted during removal. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the bolt threads. Install the mounting bolts and torque to factory specification (verify — value not confirmed for this platform).
14. 14

    Reinstall brake caliper
    Remove the caliper from its support wire or hanger. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the caliper mounting bolt threads. Position the caliper over the rotor, aligning the mounting bolt holes with the knuckle. Install both caliper mounting bolts and torque to factory specification (verify — fixed-caliper mounting bolts are typically much higher than 26 lb-ft).
15. 15

    Reinstall wheel and test
    Install the wheel onto the hub, aligning the holes with the studs. Install all lug nuts hand-tight. Lower the vehicle until the tire contacts the ground but is not bearing full weight. Torque the lug nuts to factory specification (verify — commonly ~100-110 lb-ft for this platform) in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands. Pump the brake pedal several times to restore brake pressure before moving the vehicle.

Reassembly

1. Torque all fasteners to specification using a calibrated torque wrench
2. Apply thread locker to caliper bracket bolts as specified
3. Apply silicone brake grease to caliper slide pins
4. Verify wheel speed sensor air gap and connector engagement
5. Ensure brake caliper is properly positioned and not binding on rotor

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify ABS warning light extinguishes after initial startup
• Perform a controlled ABS activation test on a safe surface to verify proper system operation
• Use a scan tool to read ABS wheel speed sensor data and verify all sensors are reading and tracking vehicle speed accurately
• Listen for abnormal noises from the wheel area during rotation - clicking or grinding may indicate sensor contact with tone ring
• Recheck wheel lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle