brakes

ABS Tone Ring

for 2021 Hyundai Tucson 2.5L I4 · AWD

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.5 h

Tools

Steps

Replace the ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) on a 2016-2024 Hyundai Tucson 2.5L AWD, which involves removing the wheel hub assembly to access the damaged tone ring.

Warnings

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use properly rated jack stands.

⚠The hub nut is torqued to very high specifications and requires a breaker bar to remove. Ensure vehicle is properly secured.

⚠ABS tone rings are magnetically encoded. Do not strike with a hammer or damage teeth, as this will cause ABS faults.

ℹ️Pressing the tone ring onto the hub requires even pressure to avoid warping. A hydraulic press is strongly recommended.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (0-200 Nm range)Essential

Socket set (10mm-22mm)Essential

Breaker barEssential

Hub puller or slide hammerEssential

Press or arbor pressEssential

Brake caliper hanger or wire

Wire brush

Dial indicator (for bearing preload check)

Pry bar

OBD2 scanner with ABS capability

Parts

ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) × 1 — Use OEM specification for 2.5L AWD
Wheel hub assembly (if damaged during removal) × 1 — Use OEM specification
Hub nut × 1 — Replace with new, one-time use
Anti-seize compound × 1 — Copper or nickel-based

Preparation

Scan ABS system for fault codes to confirm tone ring issue and identify which wheel is affected
Park vehicle on level ground and chock wheels opposite to the one being serviced
Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground, but do not remove
Raise vehicle using floor jack at appropriate jacking point and secure with jack stands
Remove wheel completely
Clean area around wheel hub, brake caliper, and suspension components to prevent contamination

Procedure

1
Remove brake caliper
Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts and lift the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with a wire hanger or caliper hanger to avoid stressing the brake hose. Do not let the caliper hang by the brake line.
Torque spec
Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
2
Remove brake rotor
Remove the rotor retaining screw if present (Phillips head). If the rotor is stuck due to corrosion, use two M8 bolts threaded into the jacking holes to press it off evenly. Do not strike the rotor with a hammer as this can damage the hub bearing.
3
Remove hub nut and washer
Remove the dust cap from the center of the hub. Use a breaker bar and appropriate deep socket (typically 27mm or 30mm) to remove the axle hub nut. This nut is torqued to very high specification and may require significant force. Remove the washer behind the nut.
⚠Hub nut is extremely tight. Ensure vehicle is stable and use proper leverage to avoid injury.
4
Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor
Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor connector near the strut or control arm. Disconnect the electrical connector by pressing the release tab. Remove any retaining clips or bolts securing the sensor wire to the knuckle or strut. On AWD models, carefully route the wire clear of the working area.
5
Remove hub assembly from knuckle
Remove the four mounting bolts on the back side of the steering knuckle that secure the hub/bearing assembly. These bolts access from the rear of the knuckle. Once removed, extract the hub assembly from the knuckle. If stuck, use a hub puller or slide hammer with appropriate adapters to remove without damaging the bearing or knuckle.
⚠Do not strike the hub assembly directly with a hammer as this will damage the wheel bearing.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
6
Remove damaged ABS tone ring
Inspect the tone ring on the hub assembly. The tone ring is typically pressed onto the back of the hub. Use a press or hub separator tool to carefully press the old tone ring off the hub. Apply even pressure around the circumference. If the tone ring is severely corroded or damaged, it may break during removal - this is acceptable as it is being replaced.
⚠Wear eye protection as corroded tone rings may fracture during removal.
7
Clean hub surface
Thoroughly clean the hub surface where the tone ring seats using a wire brush and brake cleaner. Remove all rust, corrosion, and debris. The surface must be completely clean and smooth to ensure proper seating of the new tone ring. Inspect the hub for damage - if the hub surface is pitted or damaged, the entire hub assembly must be replaced.
8
Install new ABS tone ring
Position the new tone ring on the hub in the correct orientation (teeth facing outward toward the sensor). Using a hydraulic press with appropriate supporting fixtures, press the tone ring onto the hub until it is fully seated against the hub shoulder. Apply even pressure and ensure the ring goes on straight without cocking. The tone ring should fit snugly with no gap between the ring and hub shoulder.
⚠Press must be used with even pressure. Do not hammer the tone ring on as this will damage the magnetic encoding and cause permanent ABS faults.
9
Reinstall hub assembly
Clean the bore in the steering knuckle where the hub seats. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the outer diameter of the hub bearing housing (not the mating face). Insert the hub assembly into the knuckle, ensuring the ABS tone ring is positioned correctly toward the sensor. Install the four mounting bolts from the rear of the knuckle and torque to specification in a cross pattern.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
10
Reconnect ABS sensor and install hub nut
Reconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connector and secure the wire with any retaining clips. Install the washer and a NEW hub nut onto the axle shaft. The hub nut is a one-time use item. Hand-thread the nut completely, then torque to manufacturer specification (typically 210-250 Nm, though not provided in database - consult service manual for exact value). Stake or install the dust cap.
ℹ️Hub nut torque specification not provided in database. Consult vehicle-specific service manual for exact torque value, typically 210-250 Nm for this platform.
11
Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
Clean the hub face and install the brake rotor, securing with retaining screw if equipped. Position the brake caliper over the rotor and install the caliper slide pin bolts. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pins as specified, then torque bolts to specification.
Torque spec
Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
12
Install wheel and lower vehicle
Install the wheel onto the hub, ensuring it seats flush. Install all lug nuts and hand-tighten in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground (enough to prevent wheel rotation). Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and secured with retaining clips
Verify brake caliper slides freely and brake pads are properly positioned
Check that there is proper clearance between the ABS sensor and tone ring (typically 0.5-1.5mm air gap)
Pump brake pedal several times to restore brake pressure before moving vehicle

Verification

Clear any ABS fault codes stored in the system using an OBD2 scanner
Start the vehicle and verify the ABS warning light turns off after initialization
Perform a test drive at low speed (under 15 mph) and verify ABS light remains off
Use an OBD2 scanner with live data to confirm the affected wheel speed sensor is reading properly and matches the other wheel speeds
Perform a controlled ABS stop in a safe area to verify system functions correctly
Re-scan for fault codes after test drive to ensure no new codes are present