Wheel Bearing - Press-In Rear

This procedure covers removal and replacement of a press-in rear wheel bearing on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo. Requires pressing out the old bearing from the knuckle and pressing in a new bearing.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing assembly × 1 — Use OEM Honda specification
• Axle nut × 1 — 90305-T0G-A01 or equivalent
• Cotter pin for axle nut (if applicable) × 1 — 94201-40450 or equivalent
• Brake caliper mounting bolts (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Lower ball joint castle nut (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and set parking brake firmly
2. Chock front wheels securely
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Loosen the 32mm axle nut with breaker bar while vehicle is on ground (do not remove yet)
5. Raise rear of vehicle and support on jack stands at designated jacking points
6. Remove rear wheel completely
7. Verify bearing failure by checking for excessive play, grinding, or roughness when rotating hub

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the brake caliper mounting bolts and hang the caliper from the suspension using a wire or bungee cord. Do not let it hang by the brake hose. Remove the brake rotor by pulling it off the hub. If stuck, use penetrating oil and tap with a plastic mallet.
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor mounted to the rear knuckle. Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the sensor mounting bolt. Carefully remove the sensor from the knuckle to prevent damage.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove axle nut and separate driveshaft
   Fully remove the 32mm axle nut that was previously loosened. Remove and discard the nut (do not reuse). Push the driveshaft inward slightly to disengage it from the hub. If stuck, use a brass drift to tap the end of the shaft while pulling the hub assembly outward.
   ⚠The axle nut must be replaced with a new one. Mark this nut as unusable to prevent accidental reuse.
4. 4

   Separate lower control arm ball joint
   Remove the castle nut from the lower ball joint. Use a ball joint separator tool to disconnect the lower control arm from the knuckle. Apply force carefully to avoid damaging the ball joint boot or knuckle threads.
5. 5

   Disconnect trailing arm and toe control link
   Remove the bolts connecting the trailing arm and toe control link to the rear knuckle. Support the knuckle as you remove the final fasteners. Carefully remove the knuckle assembly from the vehicle with the hub still attached.
6. 6

   Remove hub bolts and separate hub from knuckle
   Secure the knuckle assembly in a vise with soft jaws. Remove the four hub mounting bolts from the back of the knuckle. The hub and bearing assembly will separate from the knuckle. Remove any snap rings or dust shields present.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Press out old wheel bearing
   Using a hydraulic press with proper bearing support plates, press the old bearing out of the knuckle bore. Support the knuckle around the bearing bore, not on the outer edges. Apply even pressure and press the bearing completely out. Remove any remaining snap rings or seals.
   ⚠Ensure the knuckle is properly supported during pressing to prevent cracking or distortion. Apply pressure only to the bearing races, not the knuckle body.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect knuckle bore
   Thoroughly clean the bearing bore in the knuckle using a wire brush and solvent. Remove all rust, debris, and old grease. Inspect the bore for damage, cracks, or excessive wear. Measure the bore diameter if tools are available to verify it is within specification. The bore must be smooth and free of burrs.
9. 9

   Press in new wheel bearing
   Apply a thin film of high-temperature bearing grease to the knuckle bore (do not over-grease). Using the hydraulic press and correct size bearing driver that contacts only the outer race of the new bearing, carefully align and press the new bearing squarely into the knuckle. Press until the bearing is fully seated against the stop in the bore. Install any snap rings or seals according to the service manual orientation.
   ⚠️Press ONLY on the outer race when installing the bearing. Pressing on the inner race or balls will destroy the bearing immediately.
   ⚠Ensure the bearing is pressed in straight and square. Any cocking or misalignment will damage the bearing and knuckle.
10. 10

    Install hub into new bearing
    Clean the hub mating surface and apply anti-seize to the hub bolts. Align the hub with the bearing and press or carefully tap it into place ensuring it seats fully. Install the four hub bolts from the rear of the knuckle and torque to specification in a star pattern.
    ⚠Torque hub bolts in a star pattern to ensure even seating and prevent bearing preload issues.
    Torque spec

    Hub Bolts97 Nm (71 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall knuckle assembly to vehicle
    Carefully position the knuckle assembly back into the vehicle. Reconnect the trailing arm and toe control link to the knuckle, installing bolts finger-tight initially. Reconnect the lower control arm ball joint and install a new castle nut if needed, torquing per specification and installing cotter pin.
12. 12

    Install driveshaft and axle nut
    Align the driveshaft splines with the hub and push the shaft fully into the hub. Install the NEW axle nut and thread it on by hand. Do not fully torque yet as the wheel must be on the ground.
13. 13

    Reinstall ABS sensor and brake components
    Reinstall the ABS wheel speed sensor into the knuckle and torque the mounting bolt to specification. Ensure the sensor is fully seated. Reinstall the brake rotor and brake caliper, torquing caliper mounting bolts per specification.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final torquing and verification
    Install the wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but most weight is still on the jack stands. Torque the axle nut to 108 Nm (80 lb-ft), then stake the nut or install the cotter pin as applicable. Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    ⚠️The axle nut must be torqued with the wheel on the ground or just touching to prevent wheel rotation. Final torque is 250 Nm (184 lb-ft).
    ⚠Always stake the axle nut or install a new cotter pin. Never leave the axle nut unstaked.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)

    Wheel Lug Nuts108 Nm (80 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Torque all suspension fasteners to specification with the vehicle at normal ride height
2. Double-check that the axle nut is properly staked or cotter pin is installed
3. Verify the ABS sensor connector is fully seated and secured

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no grinding, humming, or vibration from the rear wheel
• Perform a brake test to ensure proper brake caliper operation
• Verify ABS system is functioning by checking for warning lights on the dashboard
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving
• Listen for any abnormal noises during turns and straight-line driving
• Check for proper wheel alignment if vehicle pulls to one side

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle