97 Explorer Sport ABS Problem
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97 Explorer Sport ABS Problem
We are having trouble with our '97 Ford Explorer. Most of the time (not always) when we hit the brakes we get a 'groaning' sound and the brakes vibrate/chatter. We also get the groaning sound at times when we push in the clutch.
We took our Explorer to a Ford dealer and they did an "ABS Light Diagnosis" (taken from the bill) - which cost us $80.
The diagnosis, according to them, is "Vehicle needs both front ABS sensors". They said our Explorer would be safe to drive, only the condition would get worse. That was 11/4/04. I'm still driving it (it's 'MY" SUV) and it's not worse. There's only 10,000 on it! It mostly gets driven around town and once in a while on a trip.
The total the Ford dealer gave us to have this done was $432! We couldn't afford it, that's why we didn't have it fixed. :/ I just now found this great site and thought I'd throw all this out to you guys. Can we fix this ourselves, are they trying to take us over the coals, and does this completely sound like what they said was diagnosed?
Thanks for any help you can give. We also have a Ford extended van, so will be hanging around here.
- Jan
We took our Explorer to a Ford dealer and they did an "ABS Light Diagnosis" (taken from the bill) - which cost us $80.
The diagnosis, according to them, is "Vehicle needs both front ABS sensors". They said our Explorer would be safe to drive, only the condition would get worse. That was 11/4/04. I'm still driving it (it's 'MY" SUV) and it's not worse. There's only 10,000 on it! It mostly gets driven around town and once in a while on a trip.
The total the Ford dealer gave us to have this done was $432! We couldn't afford it, that's why we didn't have it fixed. :/ I just now found this great site and thought I'd throw all this out to you guys.
Can we fix this ourselves, are they trying to take us over the coals, and does this completely sound like what they said was diagnosed? Thanks for any help you can give. We also have a Ford extended van, so will be hanging around here.
- Jan
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Hi, Tim - 
Thank you for the nice welcome. I'm sure we're going to be happy I found this forum.
I've already put a shortcut to this site on my desktop - never know when we're going to need you guys in a hurry!
- Jan
Thank you for the nice welcome. I'm sure we're going to be happy I found this forum.
I've already put a shortcut to this site on my desktop - never know when we're going to need you guys in a hurry!
- Jan
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Just checked advance auto website, $80 ea. 2 req'd.
Remove wheel
Remove caliper
Remove dust shield
See the wire going into the hub, remove bolt
Remove sensor from hub
Unplug harness
Plug in new sensor
Put everything back together
Very easy to do, straightforward.
Good luck
Remove wheel
Remove caliper
Remove dust shield
See the wire going into the hub, remove bolt
Remove sensor from hub
Unplug harness
Plug in new sensor
Put everything back together
Very easy to do, straightforward.
Good luck
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Originally Posted by vicv
Just checked advance auto website, $80 ea. 2 req'd.
Remove wheel
Remove caliper
Remove dust shield
See the wire going into the hub, remove bolt
Remove sensor from hub
Unplug harness
Plug in new sensor
Put everything back together
Very easy to do, straightforward.
Good luck
Remove wheel
Remove caliper
Remove dust shield
See the wire going into the hub, remove bolt
Remove sensor from hub
Unplug harness
Plug in new sensor
Put everything back together
Very easy to do, straightforward.
Good luck
I'm sorry it's taken me so long to thank you for the information about the ABS sensors for my Explorer - it's been quite a summer.
My husband is on his way as I type
to Advance Auto to get the sensors. It's a beautiful sunny day here in central Massachusetts - what better way to spend it than working on a car? 
I'll let you know how things worked out tonight or tomorrow.
Again, thanks for your help and I do apologize for not getting back to you sooner.
- Jan
Last edited by PokeyLZY; Aug 27, 2005 at 09:52 AM.
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I finally made it back here to the forum! 
My husband installed both front ABS sensors on our '97 Explorer two weeks ago today. The noise and vibrating when we apply the brake is gone!
By doing the work himself, instead of paying a Ford dealer over $400 for the sensors, it cost us less than $200 for the two sensors.
This forum is serving a great purpose and I'm happy to be a member of it. Keep up the good work and thanks!
- Jan
My husband installed both front ABS sensors on our '97 Explorer two weeks ago today. The noise and vibrating when we apply the brake is gone!
By doing the work himself, instead of paying a Ford dealer over $400 for the sensors, it cost us less than $200 for the two sensors.
This forum is serving a great purpose and I'm happy to be a member of it. Keep up the good work and thanks!
- Jan
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