ABS Tone Ring

Remove and replace the ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) on a 2008 Dodge Viper, requiring wheel, brake caliper, rotor, and hub disassembly to access the damaged tone ring.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) × 1 — Use OEM specification for front or rear as needed
• Hub assembly (if tone ring is integral) × 1 — Use OEM specification - some Viper hubs have integrated tone rings

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise vehicle with floor jack at appropriate jacking point
4. Support vehicle securely with jack stands under frame rails or suspension pickup points
5. Remove wheel completely and set aside
6. Inspect tone ring visually for damage, missing teeth, or corrosion to confirm replacement is necessary

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper
   Locate the brake caliper mounting bolts on the rear of the caliper bracket. Remove the caliper mounting bolts (Brembo fixed caliper bolts directly to the knuckle/carrier - verify count and size per FSM) and carefully lift the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with a wire hanger or caliper hook attached to the suspension - do not let it hang by the brake hose. Do not depress the brake pedal while caliper is removed.
2. 2

   Remove brake rotor
   If present, remove any rotor retaining screws or clips. The rotor should slide off the hub once freed. If rotor is seized to the hub due to corrosion, strike the rotor face with a rubber mallet in an alternating pattern around the hub to break it free. Do not strike the rotor edge or cooling vanes. Once freed, remove the rotor completely.
3. 3

   Access the ABS tone ring
   With the rotor removed, inspect the hub assembly. The ABS tone ring is typically located on the inboard side of the hub (facing the vehicle) or pressed onto the outer CV joint/axle shaft. Clean the area thoroughly with brake cleaner to expose the tone ring and its mounting method. Note whether the tone ring is a separate component pressed onto the hub, bolted to the hub, or integrated into the hub bearing assembly.
4. 4

   Remove hub assembly (if required)
   If the tone ring is integral to the hub or pressed onto it requiring hub removal, note that the 2008 Viper is RWD: the FRONT hubs have no axle shaft or axle nut, while the REAR hubs are driven and use a halfshaft retained by an axle nut (size and torque per FSM - VERIFY, do not assume). For rear hubs, remove the axle nut first. Remove the hub/bearing mounting bolts from the back of the steering knuckle or rear suspension carrier. Use a hub puller or slide hammer with appropriate adapters to extract the hub assembly from the knuckle. The bearing may be pressed into the knuckle - removal may require pressing the hub out of the bearing race. Mark the orientation of the hub before removal for correct reinstallation. pressing the hub out of the bearing race. Mark the orientation of the hub before removal for correct reinstallation. Note: Exact size and torque specification for REAR axle/halfshaft nut on 2008 Dodge Viper (front is non-driven RWD - no front axle nut exists)
5. 5

   Remove damaged tone ring
   For separate tone rings: If the tone ring is pressed onto the hub, use a chisel or punch to carefully split the ring without damaging the hub surface underneath. Work around the circumference to expand and crack the ring. For bolted tone rings: Remove the fasteners securing the ring to the hub. Clean all old adhesive, rust, or debris from the hub surface with a wire brush and brake cleaner. Inspect the hub surface for damage that could affect new tone ring seating.
6. 6

   Install new tone ring
   If installing a pressed tone ring: Align the new tone ring onto the hub with the teeth facing the correct direction (toward the ABS sensor). The ring should have a slight interference fit. Use a press or drive the ring onto the hub using a socket or pipe that contacts only the base of the ring, not the teeth. Drive evenly around the circumference to seat the ring fully against the hub shoulder. For bolted rings: Position the new ring and install fasteners, tightening in a star pattern. Verify the tone ring is seated flat and concentric to the hub with no wobble.
7. 7

   Reinstall hub assembly (if removed)
   If the hub was removed, press or drive it back into the bearing in the knuckle, ensuring correct orientation per the marks made during removal. Install the hub mounting bolts to the knuckle and tighten to specification. For rear (driven) hubs only, install the axle/halfshaft nut and torque to the FSM-specified value (VERIFY exact spec for this platform - do not assume). Front hubs on this RWD vehicle have no axle nut. Do not fully torque the axle nut until the vehicle is back on the ground with the wheel installed.
8. 8

   Verify tone ring installation and sensor gap
   Rotate the hub by hand and visually inspect that the tone ring rotates concentrically without wobble. Check the gap between the tone ring teeth and the ABS wheel speed sensor - the sensor tip should be very close to the ring teeth (typically 0.020-0.050 inch gap) but not touching. Clean the ABS sensor tip with brake cleaner if contaminated. If the sensor was disturbed, ensure it is fully seated in its mounting bore.
9. 9

   Reinstall brake rotor
   Clean the hub face and rotor mounting surface thoroughly with brake cleaner to remove any oils or contaminants. Slide the rotor onto the hub, ensuring it seats flat against the hub face. If equipped, install any rotor retaining screws or clips. Verify the rotor spins freely without contacting any other components.
10. 10

    Reinstall brake caliper
    Remove the caliper from its hanging position and guide it back over the rotor. Align the caliper mounting holes with the bracket or knuckle. Install the 2 caliper mounting bolts and torque to specification. Ensure the brake pads are properly positioned on either side of the rotor and the caliper slides freely if equipped with slide pins.
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Place the wheel back onto the hub and hand-thread all lug nuts. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern to snug, but do not fully torque yet. Lower the vehicle carefully off the jack stands until the tire just contacts the ground. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. If the axle nut was removed, final-torque it now with the wheel on the ground and brakes applied. Fully lower the vehicle and remove the jack. Note: Lug nut torque per Viper FSM - VERIFY exact spec (do not assume a generic performance-car value)
12. 12

    Clear ABS fault codes and test system
    Start the vehicle and verify the ABS warning light on the dashboard illuminates briefly during bulb check, then extinguishes. If the ABS light remains on, use a diagnostic scan tool to read and clear any stored ABS fault codes related to the wheel speed sensor. Road test the vehicle at low speed (under 20 mph) to allow the ABS module to verify the new tone ring signal. Perform several gentle stops and turns to confirm proper operation. Recheck for ABS warning lights after the test drive.

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the removal steps in reverse order
2. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification, particularly wheel lug nuts, caliper bolts, hub bolts, and axle nut
3. Verify brake pedal is firm before moving the vehicle - pump pedal several times if necessary to reseat caliper pistons
4. Do not test ABS function aggressively until system has been verified operational with scan tool

Verification

• ABS warning light should extinguish after initial bulb check and remain off during driving
• No abnormal noise from the wheel bearing or hub area during rotation
• Brake pedal feels firm and normal with no pulsation during gentle braking
• Scan tool shows no active ABS fault codes and displays valid wheel speed sensor data from the repaired wheel
• Wheel speed sensor signal from repaired wheel matches other wheels during test drive (verify with scan tool live data)

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