Alrighty, so here we are again.

I originally took the ABS sensor off and gave it a good cleaning. Trifecta went away, no big deal, everything was fine. At first.

Anyway, driving along the road and hit a small pothole , aaaand BAM! Trifecta again! Went to get my tires balanced about a day or two later to fix a wobbly steering wheel and all that nonsense, and the mechanic pointed out the wheel sensor housing snapped/cracked apart leaving exposed wiring.

(You know how on the hub, there's that tricky little 5mm allen key bolt holding the sensor in, snapped across diagonally from the housing down to the little bracket holding it down... ) Doesn't seem like I'll be able to remove the sensor any time soon without torching it... Yay, melting pieces.

So, that being said, is this a pretty common thing? Never replaced an ABS sensor and I'm not looking forward to it... but I wanna see if anyone else had a similar experience...

 

I've seen it more than a few times on MINI's. It is also very common on Audi and VW applications as well. We have a write up on how to diag an ABS light and the replacement of a speed sensor in our tech articles for the R56 as it was something commonly people wanted to see done. Here's a thread on NAM about the ABS sensor for the 1st gen MINI. Here is also another thread about someone having an issue on the removal of their sensor. Maybe see if it can be helpful as well. Good luck!

 

I have talked about it many times, the heads of the abs sensor can be sensitive to cracks and if rusted into place and break.


Most of the time when you try to pop the sensors out they are rusted into place.

I had one of those snap in two when replacing the wheel bearing. Then tend to seize into the socket.

For the wheel bearing after you remove it, clean the axle carrier where the wheel bearing mounts back in with some fine sand paper, spray some lubricant and then wipe it clean, it helps seat the new wheel bearing seal into place.

Front ABS sensor
http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/34526756384/


When installing the ABS sensor make sure you clean out the insertion hole, as I have had corrosion built up and when you slide it in they tend to stick.

 

BMWs and MINIs both seem to consume these sensors. on top of that, MINIs seem to have them rust into place in addition to failing. Why a sealed non-contact sensor fails is beyond me. Very aggravating.

The really cheap ($15-$30) imports are completely worthless. Don't waste your time and money. The better aftermarket ones (check around, think $50 plus) seem ok.

 

That isn't as terrible as I thought. Honestly, I was thinking I'd be spending $79.99+ for an OEM one.

 

Had a minute and looked up the part for early R53. You should check your year on realoem to confirm the part number

Front wheel speed sensor (using 2003 MCS as an example)
34526756384
List $130
Mass Mini $104 for MINI part
ECS Tuning has 5 aftermarket versions between $30 and $73.

I have used PEX brand before without trouble, but not the other brands ECS Tuning stocks. I did try a couple of no-name parts before moving to PEX and they were all garbage...

 

Had time to check out ECS, decided to just opt out on the oem. Dealership will be ordering it and sending it to my address. Thank god for warranties...