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Dealer wants to change all 4 ABS wheel speed sensors

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7.8K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  HotGrbg  
#1 ·
2013 x3 x28 f25

I was getting multiple dashboard errors incl ABS, parking break, etc. Dealer says I need to change all 4 wheel speed sensors for $880. And wants to change brake pads for a few hundred more which I changed last. I have a good 1/4 inch+ on the thinnest one.

I change my own brakes. Any reason why I couldn’t do this, swap out the wheel speed sensor cables? Any special tools or skills needed? Is changing all 4 just a good practice or is he upselling me? Who are you ordering your OEM parts from?

your time and comments are appreciated.

thank you
 
#2 ·
What in the world did you write on your work order authorization that the dealer says that you need to do the work?

Customer states [your problem]. Diagnose, estimate and cure. In a word. You will pay, but the dealer is liable under your state’s consumer protection laws of goodworkmanship and merchantability of parts.

It is not likely EMF being caused by speed sensors. Like a lawyer representing himself has a fool for a client.
 
#3 ·
Sorry, I’m seeing how poorly I worded that. The dealer diagnosed a problem with the ABS wheel Speed sensors and recommended I have them replace all 4. I’m inclined to refuse and try to replace them myself. I do a good deal of my own maintenance and am not afraid to do this myself, but I would take the advice of others if it was thought that this was not a project for an amateur.
 
#5 ·
Wheel speed sensors do not need any coding. They are plug and play.
It is not standard practice to replace all 4. Speculation says maybe they aren’t confident in their diagnosis and want to perform a blanket repair.
Replacement of wheel speed sensors is easy and at most requires a set of Torx or Allens.
I would absolutely use OEM parts and not “Amazon OEM”. I would make sure your Allen or Torx is fully seated before trying to turn, you don’t want to strip these bolts out. I would buy them and have them mark the locations on the bag or box of each one so you can’t mess it up.
Older cars the wheel speed sensors would corrode into the hubs but that’s super uncommon on newer cars and I can’t imagine that’s the case for F25 unless you park in the creek every night.