Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Tone Wheel: Inspection
Tone wheels can cause erratic wheel speed sensor signals. Inspect tone wheels for the following possible causes.
- missing, chipped, or broken teeth
- contact with the wheel speed sensor
- wheel speed sensor to tone wheel alignment
- wheel speed sensor to tone wheel clearance
- excessive tone wheel runout
- tone wheel loose on its mounting surface
If a front tone wheel is found to need replacement, the drive shaft must be replaced. No attempt should be made to replace just the tone wheel.
If a rear tone wheel is found to need replacement, the rear hub and bearing must be replaced. No attempt should be made to replace just the tone wheel. Refer to REAR for removal and installation.
If wheel speed sensor to tone wheel contact is evident, determine the cause and correct it before replacing the wheel speed sensor or tone wheel.
Check the gap between the speed sensor head and the tone wheel to ensure it is within specifications. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS .
Excessive wheel speed sensor runout can cause erratic wheel speed sensor signals. Refer to SPECIFICATIONS for the maximum allowed tone wheel runout. If tone wheel runout is excessive, determine if it is caused by a defect in the drive shaft assembly or hub and bearing. Replace as necessary.
Tone wheels are pressed onto their mounting surfaces and should not rotate independently from the mounting surface. Replacement of the front driveshaft or rear hub and bearing is necessary.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.