ABS tone ring / brakes pull to the left?

WARREN1814

MEMBER
2000 FORD E-SERIES VAN
4.2L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
165,400 MILES

Today I went to get my ABS tone ring (they are supposed to look at that and clean it or replace it next week). I hit my brakes hard today and my van pulled kind of hard to the left. It did that two times and then it quit doing it the rest of the way home. Should I be worried about my van doing that? This is the first time my van has ever done that too. At least while I have owned it anyway. The ABS light keeps going on and off too. Can a bad sensor on that monitors the ABS tone ring cause my van to pull to the left because it is messing with the ABS system in general? I know it's a silly question but I thought I would ask. Also, sorry if posted this in the wrong spot again or it's a repeat etc.

7 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

No problem, it sounds like during the repair they got oil or grease on the brake rotor or pad which has now worn off, also can I ask if the ABS system is being activated? (pulsing brake pedal) if this happens at low speeds it means the sensor is not seeing the signal at low speeds. I would call the shop that did the work and ask them to recheck their work. The ABS should not make the van pull either way. You should do an ABS scan to see which codes are coming up, this guide can help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/anti-lock-system-testing-and-repair-abs

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Saturday, September 2nd, 2023 AT 4:59 PM

WARREN1814

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No I was just asking, can a bad speed sensor that's in the differential cause a vehicle to pull to the left? Reason I asked that is because the only thing they were supposed to work on / change was the speed sensor that's in the differential and that's all.

Now, to answer your question "can I ask if the ABS system is being activated? (Pulsing brake pedal)". It's hard to tell because I use hand controls on my van. But I will say this, when I put on the brakes it doesn't feel like it is pulsing to me. If it is, it's doing it so lightly I can't tell through the hand controls. And ok I will put my scanner on there and see what ABS codes come up. Last time it was just C1230 and C1229.

Here is what he charged me for on the receipt. It said under labor: Wheel Speed Sensor: Replaced - Rear Speed Sensor.
Part: center speed sensor $23.99
Part: Gear Oil $19.99
plus, shop supplies and taxes, but that's all he was supposed to do.
Far as I know he hasn't touched the ABS tone ring at all. Nor was he supposed to touch the front brakes / rotors at all either. If he did I sure didn't ask him to. And thank you for posting the help guide video. :-) It was very helpful.

I remember him saying my differential was low on oil, I do remember him telling me that though so he may have added some etc.

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Saturday, September 2nd, 2023 AT 9:06 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,959 POSTS

Yep, that should not cause the van to pull, maybe there was rust on one rotor, to be safe I would have the shop take a look at it just to be sure.

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Sunday, September 3rd, 2023 AT 10:44 AM

WARREN1814

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129 POSTS

Well, I drove it to the store and church today and it didn't pull to the left at all. I hope that it doesn't do that again, that scared me big time. I even tested down a street where nobody was. And press the brakes kind of hard too. No pull at all. The ABS light came on and went off but that is all praise the Lord.

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Sunday, September 3rd, 2023 AT 12:33 PM

KEN L