Wheel Bearing - Press-In Rear

This procedure covers removal and replacement of a press-in rear wheel bearing on a 2015-2020 Ford F-150 with 3.5L EcoBoost engine, requiring bearing press equipment.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing assembly (press-in type) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut cotter pin or stake nut × 1 — Use OEM specification
• ABS sensor O-ring (if applicable) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Chock front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle and support with jack stands at frame rails
5. Remove rear wheel on affected side
6. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak if corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ABS wheel speed sensor
   Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connector. Remove sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract sensor from hub/knuckle assembly. Do not damage sensor or tone ring during removal. Secure sensor out of work area.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove brake caliper mounting bolts and support caliper with wire or bungee cord to prevent strain on brake hose. Do not let caliper hang by brake line. Remove caliper bracket bolts if necessary. Slide brake rotor off hub studs.
   ⚠Never let brake caliper hang by the rubber brake hose as this can cause internal hose damage.
3. 3

   Remove axle nut and hub assembly
   Remove and discard cotter pin or unstake axle nut. Use breaker bar to remove axle nut (may require significant force). Remove hub mounting bolts from back of hub/knuckle assembly. Use hub puller if necessary to separate hub from axle shaft and bearing. Mark hub orientation for reassembly.
   ℹ️Axle nut must be replaced with new cotter pin or properly staked per manufacturer specification.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

   Hub Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove backing plate and dust shield
   Remove brake backing plate mounting bolts and position backing plate aside. Remove any dust shields or retaining clips that may interfere with bearing removal. Keep all hardware organized for reinstallation.
   ⚠Backing plate is often corroded to mounting surface. Use penetrating oil and careful prying to avoid bending.
5. 5

   Press out old bearing from hub
   Position hub assembly in hydraulic press with proper support under hub face. Use bearing race driver or appropriately sized driver to press bearing out from back side of hub. Apply steady, even pressure. Ensure bearing races and seals are completely removed. Clean hub bore thoroughly with wire brush and brake cleaner.
   ⚠Press must contact only the bearing inner race, not the hub casting. Improper support will damage hub.
6. 6

   Inspect hub and prepare for new bearing
   Thoroughly inspect hub bore for cracks, scoring, or damage. Check hub mounting surface for warping or damage. Verify ABS tone ring is intact and securely attached. Clean all surfaces with brake cleaner. Measure hub bore if runout is suspected. Hub must be replaced if damaged or out of specification.
   ℹ️Any cracks, deep scoring, or dimensional issues in the hub bore require hub replacement.
7. 7

   Press new bearing into hub
   Place new bearing at hub bore entrance, ensuring correct orientation (sealed side typically faces outward). Position hub in press with proper support. Use bearing race driver matching outer race diameter to press bearing squarely into hub bore. Apply steady, even pressure until bearing is fully seated against shoulder. Verify bearing seats completely and sits flush.
   ⚠️Press force must be applied to outer bearing race only. Pressing on inner race or bearing cage will destroy the bearing.
   ⚠Bearing must enter bore squarely. Cocked bearing will damage hub bore and binding will occur.
8. 8

   Reinstall hub assembly to axle
   Clean axle shaft splines and hub splines thoroughly. Apply light coat of anti-seize to axle splines. Position hub assembly onto axle shaft, aligning splines. Install hub mounting bolts from rear and tighten in star pattern to specification. Ensure hub seats properly against mounting surface with no gaps.
   ℹ️Hub bolts should be tightened in progressive steps using star pattern to ensure even seating.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts117 Nm (86 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install axle nut
   Install new axle nut onto axle shaft threads. Torque axle nut to specification while preventing hub rotation (brake rotor or use appropriate holding tool). Install new cotter pin through axle shaft and nut, bending ends to secure. If using stake-type nut, properly stake nut into axle shaft groove per Ford procedure.
   ⚠Never reuse old axle nut cotter pin. Always use new cotter pin or properly stake nut as specified.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall brake backing plate and components
    Position brake backing plate to mounting surface and install mounting bolts. Reinstall any dust shields or clips removed earlier. Ensure all components are properly positioned and secured.
11. 11

    Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
    Slide brake rotor onto hub studs, ensuring rotor seats flush against hub face. Position brake caliper bracket (if removed) and torque bolts. Install brake caliper over rotor and torque caliper mounting bolts to specification. Verify caliper operates smoothly.
12. 12

    Install ABS wheel speed sensor
    Inspect ABS sensor tip for damage and clean if necessary. Replace O-ring if equipped. Insert sensor into hub/knuckle bore, ensuring proper seating. Install sensor mounting bolt and torque to specification. Reconnect electrical connector and verify secure connection. Ensure sensor wire routing matches original configuration with no tension or kinks.
    ⚠ABS sensor must maintain proper air gap to tone ring. Overtightening or debris can cause sensor failure.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install wheel onto hub studs. Thread lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Lower vehicle to ground and perform final lug nut torque check in star pattern with vehicle weight on ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts203 Nm (150 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all torque specifications are met, particularly axle nut and hub bolts
2. Verify new cotter pin is properly installed and secured or nut is properly staked
3. Confirm ABS sensor is properly seated with electrical connector fully engaged
4. Double-check brake caliper mounting and operation before test drive

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no abnormal noise, vibration, or grinding from rear wheel bearing area
• Perform several moderate brake applications to verify proper brake function
• Check for ABS warning lights on instrument cluster - no warning lights should illuminate
• Raise vehicle and check for wheel end play by grasping tire at 12 and 6 o'clock positions - no excessive play should be present
• Verify axle nut is properly secured and wheel lug nuts remain tight after initial test drive
• Scan for ABS fault codes using diagnostic scanner to confirm wheel speed sensor is functioning correctly

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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