What is the difference between front and rear wheel speed sensors?

JAMIENEAL

MEMBER
2013 INFINITI JX35
3.5L
V6
4WD
AUTOMATIC
155,000 MILES

I am having an issue with my vehicle's wheel speed sensor. The diagnostic reader says it's "Wheel Speed Sensor A" but I can't figure out which wheel is "A". So, I figure it will be best to just replace all 4. My question is, what, if any, is the difference between the front and rear, left and right, sensors? Can I simply buy 4 of the same sensors, or do I need a specific one for each wheel?

1 Reply

CANNON1349

MECHANIC
581 POSTS

Hello and thanks for your question!

The two front sensors are the same and both rear sensors are different. So that's three different sensors.

Here are some part numbers I found:

Front Wheel Speed Sensors: Beck / Arnley 0844970
Rear Right Wheel Speed Sensor: Beck / Arnley 0844972
Rear Left Wheel Speed Sensor: Beck / Arnley 0844976

The procedure for removing the front and rear sensors are virtually the same, but I included both instructions below:

Removal and Installation - Front Wheel Sensor

CAUTION:
- Be careful not to damage wheel sensor edge and sensor rotor teeth.
- When removing the front or rear wheel hub, first remove the wheel sensor from the wheel hub. Failure to do so may result in damage to the wheel sensor wires making the sensor inoperative.
- Pull out the wheel sensor, being careful to turn it as little as possible. Do not pull on the wheel sensor harness.
- Before installation, check if foreign objects such as iron fragments are adhered to the pick-up part of the sensor or to the inside of the hole in the wheel hub for the wheel sensor, or if a foreign object is caught in the surface of the mating surface for the sensor rotor. Fix as necessary and then install the wheel sensor.

REMOVAL

1. Remove the front wheel and tire assembly using power tool. Refer to "Adjustment" See: Wheels and Tires > Procedures > Adjustment.
2. Partially remove the fender protector to gain access to the wheel sensor connector.
3. Disconnect the front wheel sensor connector.
4. Remove the front wheel sensor bolt.
5. Remove the front wheel sensor from the strut bracket and body brackets.
6. Remove the front wheel sensor from the steering knuckle.

Removal and Installation - Rear Wheel Sensor

CAUTION:
- Be careful not to damage wheel sensor edge and sensor rotor teeth.
- When removing the front or rear wheel hub, first remove the wheel sensor from the wheel hub. Failure to do so may result in damage to the wheel sensor wires making the sensor inoperative.
- Pull out the wheel sensor, being careful to turn it as little as possible. Do not pull on the wheel sensor harness.
- Before installation, check if foreign objects such as iron fragments are adhered to the pick-up part of the sensor or to the inside of the hole in the wheel hub for the wheel sensor, or if a foreign object is caught in the surface of the mating surface for the sensor rotor. Fix as necessary and then install the wheel sensor.

REMOVAL

1. Remove the rear wheel and tire assembly using power tool. Refer to "Adjustment" See: Wheels and Tires > Procedures > Adjustment.
2. Remove the rear wheel sensor bolt.
3. Disconnect the rear wheel sensor connector.
4. Remove the rear wheel sensor from the sensor brackets.
5. Remove the rear wheel sensor from the rear knuckle.

Please let us know how it goes or if you need anything else, we are here to help!
William