They may look similar, but there’s a big distinction between these two wheel bearings. Understanding why can save you a ton of frustration. (Image/Beck Arnley’s YouTube Channel)

A wheel bearing must be installed correctly to ensure it’ll function as it should—and we’re not just talking about its ability to spin freely.

That’s because, on vehicles equipped with an anti-lock brake system (ABS), the wheel bearing likely includes a sensor to provide critical wheel speed data to the ABS control module. And if you’ve ever installed one of these ABS sensor-equipped wheel bearings backwards, you already know that there will be an ABS light on the dashboard greeting you when you turn the key.

Suffice it to say, that blinky light means you’ll have to do the job over again. (Oh, and buy a new wheel bearing too.)

So if you’re replacing wheel bearings in a vehicle with an anti-lock brake system, it’s vital that you orient the bearings correctly. To show you how, the tech team at Beck/Arnley prepared this two-minute video with some really easy tips. It’s a must-watch when it comes time to replace your wheel bearings. Check it out below:

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