Where is the exact location of a wheel speed sensor?
The wheel speed sensor is typically mounted on or near the wheel hub or knuckle beside the brake rotor; exact location varies by model and drivetrain. In many cars the sensor sits at the front hub, while the rear sensor may live on the rear axle or within the hub assembly, and some designs place the sensor inside the hub bearing itself.
What is a wheel speed sensor and why its position matters
Wheel speed sensors monitor how fast each wheel spins and feed data to the anti-lock braking system (ABS), traction control, and electronic stability control. The sensor’s placement affects measurement accuracy, protection from debris, and ease of servicing. Misalignment or wiring damage can trigger ABS warnings or incorrect safety-system operation.
How the sensing system works is straightforward: a small sensor reads a tone ring or reluctor as the wheel turns, producing a signal that the ABS controller uses to determine wheel speed. If the sensor or ring is out of alignment, dirty, or damaged, the signal can become noisy or missing.
Where it sits on common drivetrain layouts
Although designs vary, the following placements cover the most common configurations:
- Front-wheel-drive (FWD) cars: typically mounted on the front wheel knuckle near the rotor, with the sensing tip positioned close to a toothed tone ring on the rotor or inside a rotor hub. The wiring often runs along the control arm into the wheel well.
- Rear-wheel-drive (RWD) cars: usually located on the rear axle hub or knuckle, near the rotor or the drum/drum-in-hub assembly in some setups. The tone ring may be part of the rotor or hub, with wiring routed along suspension members.
- All-wheel drive / four-wheel drive (AWD/4WD): sensor on each wheel hub, with tone rings either on the rotor or integrated into the hub assembly. Wires route to the ABS module along the chassis.
- Integrated hub-bearing designs: the sensor sits inside the hub assembly and the tone ring is often part of the rotor or hub itself, making access more confined.
- Vehicles with nonstandard layouts: some models conceal the sensor behind the rotor or inside the brake rotor assembly, requiring removal of additional components to access.
Because there is no universal mounting point across all vehicles, consult the specific service manual or a repair diagram for your make and model to identify the exact location.
How to locate yours on your vehicle
To find the wheel speed sensor on a particular car, follow these practical steps:
- Identify your vehicle’s ABS sensor type and layout by checking the owner’s manual or service documentation.
- Park on a level surface, apply the parking brake, and chock the wheels for safety.
- Remove the wheel to access the hub/knuckle area and inspect for a small sensor with a connector near the brake rotor.
- Look for a short sensor probe that faces a tone ring or reluctor near the rotor or hub.
- Trace the wiring from the sensor along the suspension or inner fender toward the ABS module, noting any protective covers or clips.
- If you don’t see the sensor near the rotor, check behind the rotor or inside the hub bearing assembly, as some designs hide the sensor there.
With the sensor located, you can assess for damage, loose connectors, or broken wires. If replacing, ensure the gap between the sensor tip and the tone ring matches the manufacturer’s specification.
Signs you may need to check the wheel speed sensor
Unexplained ABS or traction-control warnings, intermittent braking behavior, or a constant ABS light on the dash can indicate a faulty wheel speed sensor or a damaged wiring harness. A professional scan with a proper diagnostic tool can confirm a sensor fault and point to the exact wheel needing inspection.
Summary
In most vehicles, the wheel speed sensor is mounted on or near the wheel hub or knuckle close to the brake rotor, with the exact position determined by the vehicle’s design (FWD, RWD, AWD, and hub-integrated layouts). To locate the sensor on a specific car, consult the service manual, inspect the hub/knuckle area, and trace the wiring to the ABS module. Accurate placement is essential for reliable ABS and stability control operation, so refer to manufacturer specifications when servicing or replacing the sensor.
Where are the wheel speed sensors located?
Wheel speed sensors are located at each wheel hub, attached near the brake rotor or on the axle assembly. You can find the sensor by following the wires that lead from the wheel hub toward the vehicle's body.
This video shows how to locate and remove a wheel speed sensor: 59sspeedkar99YouTube · Jun 1, 2015
- Location: The sensor is mounted at each wheel hub, and its exact position can vary by vehicle model.
- Connection: It's connected to a "tone ring" on the wheel's bearing hub or the CV axle shaft, which it reads to monitor speed.
- Wires: The sensor has a wire that connects to the vehicle's harness and is typically routed through the fender liner or along the chassis.
You can watch this video to learn more about the location of the wheel speed sensor and how to access the harness connector: 59s2CarProsYouTube · Jun 6, 2020
How do I identify which wheel speed sensor is bad?
Set the multimeter to ohms. Measure the resistance. It should be minimal. If the meter indicates an open condition (very high resistance) or a short, the sensor is bad.
Where can I find the wheel speed sensor?
You'll find them mounted on the axles of all ABS equipped vehicles. Look for this sensor on your wheel hubs, near the brake rotors. You'll find the rear wheel speed sensor mounted on the rear axle housing or wheel cylinder. The ABS sensor is a vital part of the braking system.
Where are all wheel drive sensors located?
📍 Location • The ABS sensor (often called a wheel speed sensor) is typically located at each wheel hub, right near the brake disc/rotor or brake drum. It is positioned very close to a tone ring (reluctor ring) or a magnetic encoder wheel attached to the axle, hub, or differential.
