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Thread: ABS/traction control lights after Hyper Method front shocks installation

  1. #1
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    ABS/traction control lights after Hyper Method front shocks installation

    Well, my front shocks feels fine. At first my car would barely move as the front brakes were being applied by I believe the traction control. So, I unplugged the traction control and the light is on, but, I can drive the car, and after a short while the ABS light would come on. I just installed two new front OEM ABS sensors and they did not cure my problem. My Traction control light came on again and the bakes are still being applied. I again unpluged the traction control so the car drives fine and after a short while the ABS light comes on. This is with two brand new front OEM ABS sensors.
    When I changed the shocks I replace both front hubs and bearings made by FAG. There is only one part number for the sensor for all e31s and it fits either of the two hubs. One hub has an offset for the brake rotor screw and the other is symmetrical. I bought two used shock tubes and installed the new FAG hubs to match my original style hubs so I could use my original rotors. So I am miffed as to why the problem hasn't been cured with the new sensors. Any help would be appreciated.

  2. #2
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    What size tires are you running, front and back?

  3. #3
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    245 50 16 all around.

  4. #4
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    If it were the ABS causing the front brakes to lock you should feel the vibration through the brake pedal - do you get that?
    The ABS has no effect at slow speeds - do the wheels lock before you actually start moving?
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  5. #5
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    As I drive slowly, yes. Something is vibrating very strongly not wanting the car to go. So don't try to go any faster, as it feels like I could really mess things up if I did. When I unplug the traction control, the light is one but the car drive normally. Shortly thereafter upon driving the ABS light will also come on.

  6. #6
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    Yes, at least that confirms it is the ABS that is complaining. The front hubs contains the reluctance ring for the ABS sensors - so, if you have new sensors then I would guess that the reluctance ring is incompatible.
    Timm..2007 E64 650i Individual Sport..1999 E31 840ci Individual Sport..ex owner of 2000 E38 740..1999 E38 740i V8 M62..1998 E38 735i V8..1993 E32 730i V8..1988 E28 518i


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  7. #7
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    Then new hubs to replace my new hubs, or can I remove my old reluctance rings and swap them into the new hubs?

  8. #8
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    My problem has been rectified. First, a quick summary. I bought a pair of used shock tubes from a dismantler from a 1991 850I and I was told all e31 strut tubes are the same. They are NOT. I wanted to do the HYPER Method front Koni shock installation and do the shock tube preparations off the car and then swap the completed Koni shock tubes at my independent mechanic's shop to save time on the labor by having my parts "ready to go". I drove in and a few hours later drove home. Everything went well...except for the traction control and ABS. I had to unplug the traction control to drive the car and then the ABS light would come on after a mile. Don't get me wrong, the car drove great but it obviously wasn't right. So next I installed a pair of new OEM front ABS sensors and hoped and crossed my fingers. No change.

    I went back and pored over Real OEM and realized I bought the wrong shock tubes. I should have done my homework in the first place to avoid all the extra time an expense. So, I purchased another set of front shock tubes from another dismantler and this time they came from a 1994 840Ci. There is a difference in part numbers for the shock tubes and sensors with the change occurring around 1994. The hubs can be interchanged but most likely the standoff of the ABS sensor which mounts on the tube assembly is different, and that is the reason for the Traction control not working and the reason for a different ABS sensor for the earlier cars. The magnets may be a different length.

    I performed the required HYPER Method preparations to the 840Ci tubes (which is pretty easy now) and dropped them and the car off at my independent mechanic's shop again. This time I went out of town and left it in his hands and picked up my car last night and it is a beautiful thing. I did a small burn out, spinning the rear tires once, and the traction control light illuminated as it is supposed to and drove home in pure 840 style and comfort.

    As a side note: I have a pair of early pre 1994 HYPER Method prepared e31 (850i) shock tubes (for Koni adjustable shocks) the have been tested for a couple of hundred miles that I would like to part company with if anyone is interested. I also have a pair of Bilstein front shocks from the 1994 840Ci shock tubes I bought and a pair of front stock OEM coil springs from the same 1994 840Ci that need a home. They are all clean and ready.

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