It seems to be quite common on tintops produced from about 1999 onwards for the brake reluctor rings to fail due to corrosion of the outer surface of the CV joint outer casing causing the reluctor ring to split. MG-Rover 25/45 and Vauxhalls seem particularly badly affected.

Symptoms are general lack of braking power premature ABS vibration through the brake pedal which may or may not trigger an ABS fault warning.
On visual inspection the rings which are a light interferencefit over the CV joint casing will be seen to be badly corroded and split.

Replacement reluctor ring are availble from a couple of sources on the net (I highly recommend Nigel Thompson Transmissions in Leeds tel 0113 289 0819 ) http://www.cvjoints.co.uk/home.cfm for a good price and quick delivery.

Fitting is quite easy on Rovers simply undo the large drive shaft nut, undo and split the track rod end and bottom ball joints pop the drive shaft out of the wheel bearing & drive flange.

The old ring will then fall off. The CV should then be cleaned of any rust & scale. The new ring is easier fitted if first heated to about 200c --- and fitted hot and tapped fully home . I use a smear of Loctite on the outside of the CV joint to ensure the ring stays on.



[Edited on 28/9/08 by britishtrident]

Useful to know.
I've had to replace the CV joints on three Nissan Primera's for the same reason.
Was told the rings were not available separately.