2002 Century Help. Anti-lock and Traction off lights

Hey guys, my grandarents have a 2002 Century with 74k on it. Years back with only 10k they had to have a passenger side hub replaced.

Now they are getting Anti-lock and Trac off lights on here and there. Happens more times than not. I jacked up the drivers side and there is a good amount of side to side play, but no up and down.

All the boots look great and the tie rod still seems stiff. Sway bar links and control arms are in good shape. Car is always garaged. To me, it would almost have to be the hub, but at $130 for a timken replacement, I can't be wrong.

What do you guys think?

I'd say it's the VSS sensor in the wheel hub. It's pretty common.

You can confirm by scanning the car. It will tell you which side to change.

Doesn't it need to be taken to a garage with a certain scanner to be certain? I need the same done on my Riviera unfortunately. but don't care about traction or abs.

Also, does the whole hub need replaced? ABS Speed sensor? Is this what your talking about:

Just an obd2 scanner. I think Autozone in the USA does it for free?
Yes, the whole hub has to be changed since the wheel speed sensor is built into it. Sorry. Unless you can repair the faulty wire. Don't go for the cheap-o hubs. Go for the Timken or SKF. I think they are the only two still made in America, though some have reported getting Chinese made versions of those. Check the box.
When my gf's regal had the same problem, just cleaning the contacts on the connector bought her like 4 months.

Cool thanks a bunch Jason, you were a big help.

Oh, side by side = bearings, correct?

Could be; or tie rod ends worn, play in any of the steering linkage. Have someone look at all joints with flashlight while you move the wheel side to side. Sometimes a little play in each joint can add up.

The scanners they have at AZ do not read ABS codes. A good modern mechanic or a brake shop should be able to read the codes for you. Don't know if they'll do it for free, but they should be able to read it.

I had to pay a shop $30 (minimum charge) to read my ABS code so I could find out which hub to replace.

I took my car in to a shop last week. The mechanic could tell which hub was bad just by pushing on the wheel. He diagnosed the tie rod ends using a similar technique. Any good front end man should be able to tell you what's wrong without plugging into the OBD system.

MOVED TO: BRAKES & SUSPENSION

AA wrote:

I took my car in to a shop last week. The mechanic could tell which hub was bad just by pushing on the wheel. He diagnosed the tie rod ends using a similar technique. Any good front end man should be able to tell you what's wrong without plugging into the OBD system.

MOVED TO: BRAKES & SUSPENSION

Thanks AA. The tie rods did not seem culprit at all. Did he get alot of side to side play? Also, I know a tie rod would not be a cause of those lights.

I think tie rods are side to side, bearing is up & down. I don't know exactly how he does it, but he's almost always right. Comes from doing it for 30+ years, I guess.