ABS Speed sensor broke off 2011 Sentra SR

[ShaggySparx]

While doing the front wheel hubs yesterday, starting on the passenger side, I attempted to take off the speed sensor because I didn't want to damage it, even though the Haynes manual doesn't mention it. I got the screw out and the sensor wouldn't budge. Trying to pry it from the top, half of it busted off (where the bolt goes, speed sensor still lodged in the knuckle.) After a bit of swearing and a few cigarettes, I just finished that and took it for a drive. Noises all gone, ABS, Traction and VDS light on.

Went on to replace driver side hub. After beating the crap out of it to get it off, the thin back plate thing popped off, sensor still intact. I don't know how i got the passenger side on without busting the actual sensor, i just slid right in. This one gave me more of a problem. I again attempted to remove the sensor and after one turn of the bolt, the head popped off, speed sensor still there. More swearing, more cigarettes When attempting to put hub in, back plate was hitting sensor. Had to bend the plate up to get it past the sensor then tapped it back into place afterwards.

Soooo. Haynes manual says nothing about removing the sensor, they just tell you what it does. Searched around google and youtube, found many articles and videos but nothing for a sentra.

All i need to know is: Where does the other end of that sensor go, how hard is it to get to and how do you get to it? Also should i get it from a store/online or could I just go get one at pull-a-part (junkyard)?

Thanks in advance!

[centralcoaster33]

Welcome to NICO Club!

Step1 - find the receipt to your haynes manual and return it to the store for a refund. I'm not joking.
Step2 - download each chapter of your FSM to your device (go to each link, let the pdf load, hover over the upper right hand corner and a download arrow will appear, click it and proceed...) You will find a table of contents in the FWD chapter.
http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Sentra/2011/
Step3 - look to the FAX chapter and go to page 6 for hub swap details, torque settings, and of course, removal of the dang sensor! You were right the whole time, it comes out.

So, you have broken bits lodged in there. It's just a tunnel, through the knuckle to the hub. To push through and remove broken bits, you'll have to take the dang hub off again! This sucks, but will give you a chance to straighten your splash shield and re-torque your other bolts. Did you strip off a head and now have to extract a bolt? Good luck sir and work carefully. It can be done, but it's like a half a pack job and several odd bits. The sensors your broke are $10-25 bucks new each. Used will be stuck and probably break and might not even work. I say buy new.

Let us know how it goes!