ABS Tone Ring

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo, typically required when the ring is damaged, corroded, or triggering ABS/wheel speed sensor faults.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) × 1 — Use OEM specification - front or rear specific
• Hub bearing assembly (if tone ring damaged during removal) × 1 — Use OEM specification

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 and secure vehicle on jack stands at appropriate lift points
4. Remove wheel completely
5. Verify which corner has the faulty tone ring by checking diagnostic codes
6. Inspect tone ring visually for damage, missing teeth, or corrosion
7. Clean wheel speed sensor area with brake cleaner and wire brush

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper assembly
   Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts from the back of the caliper using appropriate socket. Lift caliper off the rotor and secure it to the suspension or strut using wire or bungee cord to prevent stress on the brake hose. Do not disconnect brake line.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove caliper bracket
   Remove the two caliper bracket bolts securing the bracket to the steering knuckle using a 17mm socket and breaker bar. These bolts are very tight. Remove the bracket completely. Note that front brackets use different bolts than rear.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove the rotor from the hub assembly. If rotor is stuck due to corrosion, use a plastic mallet to tap around the hat section or use the threaded jacking holes (if equipped) to press the rotor off. Clean the hub face with a wire brush.
   ⚠Do not strike the rotor with excessive force as this can damage the wheel bearing.
4. 4

   Inspect ABS tone ring condition
   With the rotor removed, inspect the ABS tone ring mounted on the inboard side of the hub bearing assembly. Look for missing teeth, cracks, corrosion, or physical damage. On this vehicle, the front tone ring is integrated into the wheel bearing assembly.
   ℹ️If the front tone ring is damaged, the entire wheel bearing hub assembly must be replaced as the tone ring is not serviceable separately on most 2018-2024 Accord configurations.
5. 5

   Remove wheel speed sensor (if necessary)
   If replacing the hub/bearing assembly, disconnect the wheel speed sensor electrical connector. Remove the single mounting bolt securing the sensor to the knuckle and carefully extract the sensor. Clean sensor mounting hole and apply light coat of brake grease to sensor o-ring on reinstallation.
   ⚠Wheel speed sensors are fragile. Do not pry on the sensor tip or use excessive force during removal.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove hub bearing assembly (if required)
   For front tone ring replacement, remove the hub bearing assembly from the steering knuckle. Remove the four bolts securing the hub to the knuckle from the back side. Use penetrating oil if bolts are corroded. The hub assembly can then be pressed or tapped out from the knuckle. For rear, procedures may vary based on drum or disc configuration.
   ⚠Hub bearing bolts may be extremely tight and corroded. Apply penetrating oil and allow to soak before removal.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Install new hub bearing with tone ring
   Clean the hub mounting surface on the knuckle thoroughly. Position the new hub bearing assembly with integrated ABS tone ring into the knuckle, ensuring proper orientation with the tone ring facing inboard. Install the four mounting bolts from the rear and torque to specification.
   ℹ️Ensure tone ring is positioned correctly to maintain proper air gap with wheel speed sensor (typically 0.5-1.5mm).
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Reinstall wheel speed sensor
   Apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the wheel speed sensor o-ring. Carefully insert the sensor into its mounting bore in the knuckle, ensuring it seats fully. Install the mounting bolt and torque to specification. Reconnect the electrical connector.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall brake rotor
   Clean the hub face and rotor hat mating surface with brake cleaner. Install the rotor onto the hub, ensuring it seats flush. Use a lug nut to temporarily hold the rotor in place during caliper installation if needed.
10. 10

    Reinstall caliper bracket
    Position the caliper bracket onto the steering knuckle. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the bracket bolt threads. Install both bolts and torque to specification in a cross pattern.
    ℹ️Threadlocker is recommended to prevent bracket bolts from loosening due to vibration.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall brake caliper
    Remove the support wire or bungee from the caliper. Apply a thin coat of silicone brake grease to the caliper slide pin bolts. Position the caliper over the rotor and bracket. Install both slide pin bolts and torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel onto the hub. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Snug lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower vehicle until tire just contacts ground. Torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification in the proper sequence
2. Verify wheel speed sensor connector is fully seated and locked
3. Pump brake pedal several times to ensure proper caliper piston positioning before moving vehicle
4. Check that there is no contact between tone ring and wheel speed sensor

Verification

• Start the vehicle and verify the ABS warning light extinguishes after a few seconds
• Use a scan tool to verify wheel speed sensor is reading correctly and no fault codes are present
• Perform a test drive at speeds above 10 mph to verify ABS system functionality
• Verify all four wheel speed sensors show similar readings when driving straight
• Recheck wheel lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving
• Confirm no unusual noises from the wheel bearing area during turns or braking

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