This procedure covers the replacement of a damaged ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) on a 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK. The tone ring is typically pressed onto the axle shaft or hub assembly and requires removal of the wheel hub or axle shaft to replace.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) × 1 — Use OEM specification for specific axle type
• Hub bearing assembly (if damaged during removal) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Chock the rear wheels securely
3. Loosen wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise and support front of vehicle on jack stands at frame rails
5. Remove wheel and tire assembly
6. Inspect ABS sensor and wiring for damage; clean sensor tip with brake cleaner
7. Take photo of sensor position and wiring routing for reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper
   Remove the two caliper mounting bolts from the back of the caliper bracket. Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor and support it with a wire hanger or bungee cord from the suspension. Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove the rotor from the hub. If rotor is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap it loose. On some models, small screws may secure the rotor to the hub during assembly; these can be discarded if present as they are not reused.
   ℹ️Rotors may have significant rust buildup on the hub surface. Use penetrating oil and allow time to soak if removal is difficult.
3. 3

   Remove ABS wheel speed sensor
   Disconnect the ABS sensor electrical connector. Remove the single mounting bolt securing the sensor to the steering knuckle or hub assembly. Carefully extract the sensor from its bore, wiggling gently if necessary. Note the sensor depth and orientation for reinstallation.
   ⚠ABS sensors are fragile. Do not pry on the sensor body or bend the wiring harness. Clean the sensor bore with brake cleaner before reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove hub assembly mounting bolts
   Remove the three or four hub bearing assembly mounting bolts from the backside of the steering knuckle. These bolts are accessed from behind the knuckle and may require a long extension and universal joint. Keep track of bolt locations as they may be different lengths.
   ℹ️These bolts are typically very tight and may require a breaker bar. Apply penetrating oil and allow to soak if bolts are seized.
   Torque spec

   Bracket Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove hub bearing assembly
   Carefully pull the hub bearing assembly straight out from the steering knuckle. Use a pry bar behind the hub flange if necessary, applying even pressure around the perimeter. The hub may be tight in the knuckle bore due to corrosion. Once removed, place hub on a clean work surface with the tone ring facing up.
   ⚠Do not damage the hub bearing seals or knuckle bore during removal. Inspect the knuckle bore for damage or excessive corrosion.
6. 6

   Remove damaged tone ring
   Using a press or tone ring removal tool, carefully press the damaged tone ring off the hub assembly. Support the hub from behind and apply even pressure to avoid damaging the hub bearing. The tone ring is typically press-fit with an interference fit of 0.001-0.003 inches. Note the orientation and position of the tone ring before removal.
   ⚠️Use proper eye protection when using a press. The tone ring may fracture or release suddenly under pressure.
   ⚠If the tone ring is severely corroded or damaged, it may need to be cut or ground off. Take care not to damage the hub surface.
7. 7

   Prepare hub surface and install new tone ring
   Clean the hub surface where the tone ring mounts using a wire brush and brake cleaner. Remove all rust, debris, and old adhesive. Inspect the hub surface for damage or scoring. Verify the new tone ring matches the old ring tooth count and configuration. Using a press, carefully install the new tone ring onto the hub, ensuring it seats completely and squarely against the hub shoulder. Press until the tone ring is fully seated.
   ⚠The tone ring must be installed in the correct orientation. Most tone rings have a specific front/rear orientation marked on the ring. Incorrect installation will cause ABS malfunction.
   ℹ️Apply even pressure during installation to prevent cocking the tone ring. Some manufacturers recommend chilling the tone ring in a freezer or heating the hub slightly to ease installation.
8. 8

   Verify tone ring installation
   Using a dial indicator or runout gauge, check the tone ring for runout (wobble). Maximum runout should be less than 0.020 inches (0.5mm). Manually rotate the hub and verify the tone ring does not contact the hub or any other component. Visually inspect that the tone ring is fully seated and perpendicular to the hub axis.
   ⚠Excessive runout will cause erratic ABS sensor signals and ABS malfunction. If runout exceeds specification, remove and reinstall the tone ring.
9. 9

   Clean and inspect knuckle bore
   Clean the steering knuckle hub bore thoroughly with brake cleaner and a wire brush. Remove all rust, corrosion, and debris. Inspect the bore for damage, cracks, or excessive wear. Apply a thin film of anti-seize compound to the outer diameter of the hub bearing assembly (not the mounting flange).
   ℹ️Do not apply anti-seize to the hub mounting flange or bolt threads as this will affect torque values.
10. 10

    Install hub bearing assembly
    Carefully align the hub bearing assembly with the knuckle bore and push it into place by hand. Ensure the mounting bolt holes align with the knuckle. The hub should slide in relatively easily if the bore was properly cleaned. Seat the hub fully against the knuckle shoulder.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install and torque hub mounting bolts
    Install the hub bearing assembly mounting bolts from the backside of the knuckle. Thread all bolts in by hand first to ensure proper alignment. Tighten the bolts in a star pattern to the specified torque value. This is critical for proper hub bearing preload and alignment.
    ⚠Hub mounting bolts must be torqued to specification in a star pattern to ensure even loading. Improper torque can cause premature bearing failure or ABS issues.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall ABS wheel speed sensor
    Clean the ABS sensor tip and bore with brake cleaner. Apply a small amount of dielectric grease to the sensor O-ring if equipped. Insert the sensor into the bore until it seats against the bottom or the specified depth. Install and torque the mounting bolt. Reconnect the electrical connector and ensure the wiring is properly routed and secured away from rotating components.
    ⚠Verify the air gap between the sensor tip and tone ring is within specification (typically 0.020-0.050 inches). The sensor should not contact the tone ring at any point during wheel rotation.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
    Clean the hub mating surface with brake cleaner and install the brake rotor. Clean the caliper bracket and slide pin bores. Apply medium-strength thread locker to the caliper mounting bolt threads. Position the caliper over the rotor and install the caliper bolts. Torque the caliper bolts to specification.
    ℹ️Ensure the brake pads are properly seated in the caliper bracket and the rotor spins freely without dragging.
    Torque spec

    Caliper Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel and tire assembly. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Snug the lug nuts in a star pattern while the vehicle is still on jack stands. Lower the vehicle to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Double-check all fasteners are properly torqued, especially hub mounting bolts and wheel lug nuts
2. Verify ABS sensor connector is fully seated and wiring is secured away from moving parts
3. Pump the brake pedal several times to ensure proper brake operation before driving

Verification

• Start the vehicle and verify the ABS warning light illuminates during bulb check and then extinguishes after a few seconds
• Perform a low-speed test drive in a safe area and verify no unusual noises from the wheel bearing or brakes
• Perform a controlled ABS activation test in a safe area (10-15 mph on dry pavement) to verify the ABS system is functioning correctly
• Use an OBD-II scanner to check for ABS-related diagnostic trouble codes; clear any codes related to the repair and verify they do not return
• Verify the wheel speed sensor signal is being received by the ABS module (scanner data should show wheel speed readings that match vehicle speed)
• Recheck wheel lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving

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