# ABS wheel speed sensors: Reluctor ring or wheel bearing? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [June 27, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-wheel-speed-sensors-reluctor-ring-or-wheel-bearing/195239 "2024-06-27T21:51:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 9:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-wheel-speed-sensors-reluctor-ring-or-wheel-bearing/195239/1 "2024-06-27T21:51:26Z")
Is there an easy way to tell whether an ABS wheel speed sensor uses a separate reluctor ring vs part of the wheel bearing? Just asking, curious is all. For example, is it obvious just by looking at the sensor? ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-wheel-speed-sensors-reluctor-ring-or-wheel-bearing/195239/2 "2024-06-27T22:35:25Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > Is there an easy way to tell whether an ABS wheel speed sensor uses a separate reluctor ring vs part of the wheel bearing? Yes, no, maybe > [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > is it obvious just by looking at the sensor? Yes , no , maybe Basically if you see wires disappearing into the hub bearing (no plug, magnetic ring) it is part of the bearing, if you can see a reluctor ring (toothed ring), well you know… Remember me saying there is always an exception for every rule before? Now the fun part is when it has a removeable sensor like (older) Hondas, but the press in hub bearing has the magnetic ring built in… Disclaimer, space aliens could have taken over my little brain and I could be way off explaining this… 👽 [https://apecautomotive.co.uk/techmate-guides/abs-sensors/#:~:text=ABS%20sensors%20are%20classified%20in,is%20with%20a%20power%20supply.&text=These%20comprise%20of%20a%20wire,core%20and%20a%20permanent%20magnet](https://apecautomotive.co.uk/techmate-guides/abs-sensors/#:~:text=ABS%20sensors%20are%20classified%20in,is%20with%20a%20power%20supply.&text=These%20comprise%20of%20a%20wire,core%20and%20a%20permanent%20magnet). ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2024, 10:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-wheel-speed-sensors-reluctor-ring-or-wheel-bearing/195239/3 "2024-06-27T22:45:09Z")
Good info, thanks. So while wires going to the wheel bearing is pretty telling there’s no reluctor ring involved, on some cars a wheel speed sensor can still be pointed at the bearing, but not part of the bearing assy, even though it still senses the bearing going round and round, rather than a separate reluctor ring. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-wheel-speed-sensors-reluctor-ring-or-wheel-bearing/195239/4 "2024-06-28T00:39:57Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > it still senses the bearing going round and round, rather than a separate reluctor ring The reluctor ring is INside the bearing. It does not sense the balls going round. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/abs-wheel-speed-sensors-reluctor-ring-or-wheel-bearing/195239/5 "2024-06-28T16:37:46Z")
> [@George\_San\_Jose1](#): > > even though it still senses the bearing going round and round, rather than a separate reluctor ring. Guess I missed that part… Thank Mustangman… ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/b/c/bc74aa4a380aea05f46042afb65fd444e7217df4.jpeg)