brakes

ABS Tone Ring

for 2012 Toyota Camry 2.5L I4 · FWD
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
1.5 h
Tools
16
Steps
13

This procedure covers the replacement of a damaged or worn ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) on the front or rear axle of a 2012-2017 Toyota Camry with the 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

⚠️Never allow brake calipers to hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose and cause brake failure
Vehicle must be securely supported on jack stands - never work under a vehicle supported only by a floor jack
The ABS tone ring is fragile and can be damaged easily - handle with care during removal and installation
ℹ️Some tone rings are integral to the hub bearing and cannot be replaced separately - verify your specific configuration before beginning

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential
Lug wrench or 21mm socketEssential
10mm socket and ratchet
12mm socket and ratchet
14mm socket and ratchetEssential
17mm socket and ratchetEssential
19mm socket and ratchet
Torque wrenchEssential
Breaker barEssential
Pry bar or large flathead screwdriver
Wire brush
Brake cleanerEssential
Hub puller or slide hammer (if tone ring is press-fit)
Rubber malletEssential
C-clamp or brake caliper toolEssential
Caliper hanger or wireEssential

Parts

  • ABS tone ring (front or rear, as needed) × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Brake cleaner spray × 1 — Generic

Preparation

  1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
  2. Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn before lifting vehicle
  3. Lift vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer lift points
  4. Remove wheel completely
  5. Identify whether tone ring is on front or rear axle and if it is integral to hub bearing or a separate component
  6. Clean the wheel hub area with brake cleaner and wire brush to expose the tone ring

Procedure

  1. 1
    Remove brake caliper
    Remove the two caliper slide pin bolts using a 17mm socket. Carefully lift the caliper off the rotor and support it using a caliper hanger or secure wire tied to the suspension or chassis. Do not let the caliper hang by the brake hose.
    Torque spec
    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
  2. 2
    Remove brake rotor
    If present, remove any rotor retaining screws using a Phillips screwdriver or impact driver. The rotor may be stuck due to corrosion - tap it from behind with a rubber mallet to break it free. Once loose, slide the rotor off the hub.
  3. 3
    Inspect ABS tone ring configuration
    Examine the tone ring to determine if it is a separate slip-on component or press-fit onto the hub, or if it is integrated into the wheel bearing assembly. Clean the area thoroughly with brake cleaner. If the tone ring is integral to the bearing, the entire hub bearing must be replaced - proceed to hub bearing removal.
    ℹ️On many 2012-2017 Camry models, the front tone ring is integral to the hub bearing and requires complete hub replacement
  4. 4
    Remove caliper bracket (if replacing front hub/tone ring)
    If replacing the front hub assembly with integral tone ring, remove the two caliper bracket bolts using a 17mm socket and breaker bar. These bolts are torqued to high specification and may require significant force. Remove the bracket completely.
    Torque spec
    Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
  5. 5
    Remove wheel speed sensor
    Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor mounted near the tone ring. Disconnect the electrical connector by pressing the release tab. Remove the sensor mounting bolt (typically 10mm) and carefully extract the sensor from its bore. Set aside in a clean location.
    The wheel speed sensor tip is magnetic and may have metal debris attached - clean carefully with brake cleaner before reinstallation
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
  6. 6
    Remove axle nut (front only)
    For front hub replacement, remove the cotter pin and loosen the 30mm axle nut while the vehicle is still supported. You may need an assistant to apply brakes or use a breaker bar with significant leverage. Remove the nut completely.
    The axle nut is torqued to very high specification (216 Nm / 159 lb-ft) - use proper tools to avoid injury
  7. 7
    Remove hub assembly bolts (if applicable)
    For separate tone ring replacement on rear axle or if replacing front hub, remove the hub mounting bolts from the back of the knuckle (typically four bolts, 14mm or 17mm). Support the hub as you remove the final bolt.
  8. 8
    Remove old tone ring or hub assembly
    If tone ring is separate: carefully pry or tap the old tone ring off the hub using a screwdriver or pry bar, working evenly around the circumference. If replacing entire hub: pull the hub assembly from the knuckle - you may need to tap the axle shaft from behind or use a hub puller. Clean all mating surfaces with brake cleaner and wire brush.
    Avoid damaging the hub surface or knuckle mounting face during removal
  9. 9
    Install new tone ring or hub assembly
    If installing separate tone ring: align the new tone ring squarely onto the hub and tap it into place using a rubber mallet, ensuring it seats fully and evenly. If installing new hub assembly: guide the hub into the knuckle, ensuring the axle shaft enters the bearing correctly. Install hub mounting bolts and tighten evenly in a cross pattern.
    Ensure tone ring teeth are not damaged during installation and that the ring is fully seated
  10. 10
    Reinstall wheel speed sensor
    Clean the sensor bore with brake cleaner and ensure no debris is present. Insert the wheel speed sensor carefully into its mounting hole, ensuring proper alignment. Install the mounting bolt and torque to specification. Verify the sensor gap to tone ring is within 0.5-1.5mm (should be automatic with proper installation). Reconnect the electrical connector.
    ℹ️Verify the sensor tip is clean and gap is correct to prevent ABS fault codes
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
  11. 11
    Reinstall caliper bracket (if removed)
    Position the caliper bracket over the mounting points on the knuckle. Apply threadlocker to the bracket bolt threads as specified. Install both caliper bracket bolts and torque to specification in even increments using a torque wrench.
    ℹ️Threadlocker is recommended for caliper bracket bolts to prevent loosening
    Torque spec
    Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
  12. 12
    Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
    Slide the brake rotor onto the hub. If rotor retaining screws were present, reinstall them. Position the brake caliper over the rotor and bracket. Apply silicone brake grease to the slide pin bolt threads and contact surfaces. Install the caliper slide pin bolts and torque to specification.
    Torque spec
    Caliper Slide Pin Bolts35 Nm (26 lb-ft)
  13. 13
    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Mount the wheel onto the hub and hand-tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec
    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

  1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification
  2. Verify wheel speed sensor connector is fully seated and locked
  3. Check that brake caliper operates smoothly and brake pedal feels firm
  4. Ensure no tools or parts are left in the wheel well area

Verification

  • Start the vehicle and verify the ABS warning light extinguishes after initial self-check (3-5 seconds)
  • Test drive at low speed (5-10 mph) in a safe area and verify no ABS warning lights illuminate
  • Perform a controlled low-speed brake application to verify ABS system responds normally
  • Use an OBD-II scanner to verify no ABS fault codes are stored in the system
  • Recheck wheel lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving

More procedures for this vehicle

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