Removal of a smallish screw with a rusty head

[Ross365]

Yes, this Youtube shows the guy using shims at about 4,30 in.

On the other hand there is a Youtube of a guy doing a Toyota Corolla and no shims. But clearly, my Celica did have shims, made of the most highly rusting alloy known to man! I keep seeing suggestions that shim need to be around 0.6-0.9mm.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Here is a discussion about the gap for the BMW K1200LT. The spec would be similar on any vehicle in my opinion.

BMW K1200LT forum.

 

[Blobber]

GM used a stainless shim for the ABS sensors part no 90278359, no idea if they are still available but ive got a few if you want me to measure them

 

[Ross365]

Thanks for the comments. There is a small area on the sensor where the shim is stuck on and I'm measuring it (by difference) at ~1.3mm. You'd have to think that some of that is rust, so perhaps it was around 1mm originally?

I can talk to Toyota on Monday, but guess that will be a waste of time. Spalding fasteners have some aluminium washers that might be pressed in to service. The main hole for the sensor is ~18.3mm and they have washers of 18mm.

It was never my intention to take the sensors out, but simply to try to getting the bolts out while there was something left of the heads and the one sensor just glided out. The reluctor ring that's visible looks really nice and silvery and clean. So, I'm not quite where I expected to be, but no bolts are broken and the shim business can surely be sorted. I suspect that fibre washers generously coated in Blue Hylomar might work, with a nice stainless bolt holding it in place.

The pole of the sensors is really quite magnetic.

 

[brightspark]

I have something similar - it has never ever worked once!

i once got one it must have gone in the bin because i never ever used it and never missed it avertised on one of them daytime tv programmes peddling crap wifey bought me it

 

[Ross365]

So, I had me tea and managed to find a bit of 1.5mm thick ali, and behold, a shim which looks like it will do.

Really struggled to get the last bit of the old shim off but did it. Checked it on a magnet and it was magnetic, so a steel of some kind. Weird choice of material!

 

[ukracer]

I want to examine the ABS sensors on my Celica, which is 21 years old. They are held in place by a 10mm hex head screw, but rust has taken its toll and a 10mm socket feels loose on the heads, so much so that I’ve not tried to get the screw out fearing that’s what’s left of the corners will fail. Access is restricted so I think a socket on a shaft is the only option.

I’ve ordered a couple of 6 point 9mm sockets, thinking that I can use the minidrill / attachments to open one up to a size that should fit more closely, especially when "tapped" on with a small hammer? In advance, I'm applying releasing fluid. The use of heat is out - too close to the sensor.

Any alternative ideas welcomed.

You could get molegrips on that bolt.

 

[Blobber]

I dont think I would be using aluminium as a shim in that environment, that will dissolve quicker than Nicola Sturgeons reputation

 

[MetalMonkey]

Land Rover body panels were Aluminium for many a year without dissolving away.

LR used birmabright, AA5251 - which has better corrosion resistance than more common grades of aluminium. They still corrode badly where they come in contact with steel,and especially so when subject to salts from road spray.

I'd suggest not an ideal material for the spacer. Stainless would be better really.

 

[dobbslc]

What about flattening a bit of copper pipe instead?

 

[Ross365]

OK; maybe not ali, though it could be used to assess the thickness that's acceptable, or at least keep me on the road while other options are pursued?

Making holes in thin sheet get's tricky; I used a step drill on the ali. I'm sure I heard some say to use a rag under a drill, but I've never had to do it.

I'm sure I have some stainless shim, I've certainly got some brass shim (alternative to copper), or flattened copper pipe might be worth a try; probably thick enough and rigid enough to use the step drill again? I'm thinking that a thin smear of Hylomar would be good on whatever material I use?

Thanks for the inputs .

 

[MetalMonkey]

Copper might be a bit of a mare to drill though.
Aluminium isn't going to disintegrate overnight so it will keep you running for a bit, but it will corrode and end up going very soggy and crumbly.

For drilling, I would probably sandwich the sheet between a couple of bits of wood and drill through with a hole saw for the big one, and then twist drill on the small one - or use a hand punch.

 

[Ross365]

Considering that it is just a physical spacer, I wonder if some form of non-metallic material might do? This is where all of those odd bits of material that I never throw away might prove handy.

 

[ajlelectronics]

OK; maybe not ali, though it could be used to assess the thickness that's acceptable, or at least keep me on the road while other options are pursued?

I have given you realistic measurements to work to. All you have to do is to measure the gap without a shim and work out how thick the shim needs to be for minimum clearance. It's that easy! It just needs to as close as possible without fouling when hot.

 

[octo0072000]

two shims cut out of a corn flake packet that should be about right

 

[Blobber]

Let’s keep the politics out of it. Land Rover body panels were Aluminium for many a year without dissolving away. Lots of othe examples, so please stop the political jibes - they are not needed, even if true.

That told me, I will book in with my GP for a sense of humour bypass immediately now ive been made aware its not to be tolerated!
Owning a land Rover product with aluminium panels I can confirm they have indeed not dissolved but they do have quite a few layers of anti corrosion treatment

 

[Ross365]

I have given you realistic measurements to work to. All you have to do is to measure the gap without a shim and work out how thick the shim needs to be for minimum clearance. It's that easy! It just needs to as close as possible without fouling when hot.

If it seems to you that I'm dithering, it's just that I've never worked on an ABS sensor before and I'm getting some conflicting info. One person has told me that he's dealt with a number of Gen7 Celica ABS and never seen shims and the Toyota manual does not show them, but I've got them and think I should return the car to "as was working" configuration ! I'll try get the no-shim gap.

 

[ajlelectronics]

If it seems to you that I'm dithering, it's just that I've never worked on an ABS sensor before and I'm getting some conflicting info. One person has told me that he's dealt with a number of Gen7 Celica ABS and never seen shims and the Toyota manual does not show them, but I've got them and think I should return the car to "as was working" configuration ! I'll try get the no-shim gap.

Ideally stop seeing a car in front of you and think electronics. The shim is 'selected' on test to achieve the minimum clearance, which is why it will be different across the range of quoted vehicles. Measure the gap without a shim and then work out the thickness required. If the gap is too small, it will foul, if too large the sensor won't. The vehicle is irrelevant which is why I posted the LT discussion.

 

[ajlelectronics]

It’s not me - just don’t post anything that can be used as an excuse for a moderator to close down a thread.

This isn't the https://www.vintage-radio.net forum! Moderators here are nice people who are not power crazed N a z i s ;-)

 

[bricol]

I'd be surprised if a production line built vehicle had shims installed based on careful measurement of actual fit at all corners. The sensor will have a working range, and if Toyota can't make components so tolerance stack up doesn't take it out of that range, I'd be extremely surprised!

What does a new sensor come with? Is it not just a corroded part of the standard sensor - a seating face/stiffener?