Anyone else dealing with ABS brakes on older models…?

Hi everyone… I’m working on my 2003 Avalon XLS and having a tough time finding rear wheel hubs and ABS brake calipers. With winter around the corner, I’d really like to get the ABS, Traction Control, and VSC all working properly. These features are dependent on those parts, and I haven’t had much luck finding them in stores or online. Has anyone else gone through this? Any ideas on where I can source these parts?

You can find all those parts over at RockAuto. They’ve got a pretty wide selection.

Fife said:
You can find all those parts over at RockAuto. They’ve got a pretty wide selection.

Totally agree with this .

Ollie said:

Fife said:
You can find all those parts over at RockAuto. They’ve got a pretty wide selection.

Totally agree with this!

Same here! I’ve found parts for older cars like 98 Camrys and even 2005 Tundras on RockAuto when they were hard to get at places like AutoZone or the dealerships.

I think you might be looking for a standard rear brake caliper… there isn’t a specific ‘ABS caliper.’ RockAuto and most parts stores should have what you need listed.

Porter said:
I think you might be looking for a standard rear brake caliper… there isn’t a specific ‘ABS caliper.’ RockAuto and most parts stores should have what you need listed.

There’s a plug that connects to the caliper though, right?

@CorollaCrew3
Do you have a picture of this plug? I just replaced my calipers on my 2000 Avalon not long ago.

I also have an Avalon from 2000. You may not actually need an ABS-specific hub. Just take a look behind the rotor after removing the wheel… if there’s a wire or harness back there, that’s likely it.

Just did a similar replacement on my brother’s 2002 Camry. I used a couple of 3/8-inch lag bolts with nuts and washers to help press out the hub assembly. Accidentally tore the ABS wire but managed to replace it and route it behind the rear seat area.

@Vinn
Yes, there’s a plug on the calipers themselves. Thanks for sharing .

CorollaCrew3 said:
@Vinn
Yes, there’s a plug on the calipers themselves. Thanks for sharing!

Hmm… are you talking about a plug for the ABS on the caliper itself? Maybe it’s actually the ABS hub assembly… I’d suggest checking RockAuto’s ABS hub assemblies. Some come with or without ABS, and the plug is often a circular piece in the center.

If you follow that wire, it should lead up into your car.

@Vinn
Nope, this plug is directly on the brake caliper. It’s for the electronic ABS system… the wire comes down from the trunk area and attaches to the brake caliper.

CorollaCrew3 said:
@Vinn
Nope, this plug is directly on the brake caliper. It’s for the electronic ABS system… the wire comes down from the trunk area and attaches to the brake caliper.

I just replaced both rear calipers on my 2000 Avalon. Mine only had a line going to the brake hose, the bleeder valve, and bolts for the caliper bracket. Checked on RockAuto, and didn’t see any caliper specifically labeled ‘with ABS.’

If yours does have that setup, I haven’t seen it online either. Do you have any pictures of the hub assembly, wire, or the caliper with the plug?

@Vinn
Hmm, maybe it’s actually part of the bearing hub and I’m just not remembering it right. I know my 03 Avalon has some minor differences from 00-02 models, but I didn’t think this would be one of them. I think I kept the original but it’s somewhere in my garage…

@CorollaCrew3
Honestly, I’d just get both the caliper and the hub. I went with a PowerStop remanufactured caliper, and it’s worked fine.

It sounds like you may have two separate jobs here: the wheel hub and the caliper. Also, if that wire is the brake hose, brake fluid will leak out once you disconnect it. If you follow it, it’ll lead to a bracket that holds it in place… think mine was a 12 or 14mm. That connects back into the car.

@Vinn
Thanks for all the advice… really appreciate it .

CorollaCrew3 said:
@Vinn
Thanks for all the advice… really appreciate it!

No problem! Just did this myself recently, so let me know if anything comes up.

Also, when you take off the caliper, I’d recommend ordering new hardware like caliper bracket bolts. The remanufactured ones should come with new slide pins and a bracket.

One tip: the washers that came with mine were a bit too big, so I had to swap them with a smaller size I had on hand. And don’t forget to get more brake fluid while you’re at it!

Hopefully, it’s not an issue with the ABS system itself. If it is, fixing that is usually pretty pricey since it requires a computer to install and calibrate. A lot of people end up just going without ABS because of the cost… the brakes will work fine even if the ABS is out. Fingers crossed it’s just a wire or sensor issue.

@Charlotte
Everything seems to be working… I just can’t locate the right parts to finish up the ABS. The rear calipers have plugs for the ABS, but I can’t find any replacements for them.

CorollaCrew3 said:
@Charlotte
Everything seems to be working… I just can’t locate the right parts to finish up the ABS. The rear calipers have plugs for the ABS, but I can’t find any replacements for them.

You could try looking on 1A Auto. They’ve got good prices and free shipping too. I got several parts for my old 94 Camry from them, and they offer customer support if you need to call them. Worth a look: 1aauto.com