Installing Front ABS Sensor, help

#1

Can someone please post a pic or description of how the front ABS sensor mounts?
I am installing ABS in my car (inspired by FishMan). The car was previously an SCCA racer and did not have ABS installed when I got it four years ago. I have the sensors from a donor car (Thanks Mr. Patton!).
I see where the rears install, but cannot figure out how to mount the fronts. Arrrg. Is there a bracket that holds the sensor that I may be missing? Thanks for the help.

#2

These are from the left side.

[attachment=1409]FrontABSSensorFromAbove.JPG[/attachment]

[attachment=1410]FrontABSSensorFromBehindNAbove.JPG[/attachment]

#3

I am pretty sure there is a small bracket that is part of the sensor that sticks out and you put a bolt in it over to the threaded hole on the side about 1 cm away.

Michael

#4

The front ones to me are counter-intuitive. The sensor has to be angled forward towards the front of the car, even though to my eye it looks wrong. Get 'em backwards and the ABS won’t work.

#5

Not all E30s had ABS. If you have strut housings off an early non-i car, you could have a problem. The mounting points for the wheel sensors are simply two holes. One hole is ~nickel sized where the sensor is installed; the other hole is ~6mm for the mounting tab bolt. If you don’t have these holes, get different strut housings. Also, check to make sure you have “cogged” front wheel hubs. Otherwise, the sensors will not detect wheel movement. I can send you a picture tonight if you’d like.

#6

That was good thinking. Gold star for you.

#7

I may have a pair of 89 i struts here pretty soon if you need em…

#8

Thanks for all of the good input. I have bad news, bad news, good news, and bad news.
Bad news 1: FishMan was correct, some front strut housings do not have the ABS sensor hole. Neither of my housings has the ABS sensor hole. My strut housings came from a junk yard - I did not care about ABS at the time as I spent hours on my back in the dusty gravel in 90 degree summer heat acquiring these beauties.
Bad news 2: only one of my front hubs has the toothed wheel for ABS.
Good news: I have the two front struts and hubs that came with the car and they have the hole for the ABS sensor.
Bad news #3:The spring perches at the top of the spare strut housings have been cut away to accommodate adjustable coilovers. That’s why they are lounging in a plastic storage tub. (At this point let me re-affirm to the congregation that the pleasures of remodeling a race car, from one class/series to another, never cease.)

So, I think the net is to acquire two ABS-ready strut housings. Install two ABS ready hubs (from my inventory). Mount the proper struts/hubs in my car and THEN proceed with the ABS project. Or call Strictly German for two complete strut/hub sets. Other ideas? Thanks.