Wheel Bearing - Press-In Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a press-in type rear wheel bearing on a 2016-2024 Hyundai Tucson with 2.5L I4 AWD, requiring hub removal and hydraulic press equipment.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing assembly (press-in type) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut × 1 — Use OEM specification - replace if staked
• Cotter pin (if applicable to model year) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Hub snap ring (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Loosen but do not remove the 32mm axle nut while vehicle is on ground with parking brake applied
4. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-approved lift points
5. Remove rear wheels completely
6. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil if corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove axle nut and ABS sensor
   Completely remove the 32mm axle nut that was previously loosened. Remove the ABS wheel speed sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the hub assembly. Secure the sensor away from the work area to prevent damage to the cable.
   ⚠Do not allow ABS sensor to hang by its wire. Damage to the sensor or wiring will cause ABS malfunction.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the brake caliper mounting bolts and hang the caliper securely with wire or a bungee cord - do not let it hang by the brake hose. Remove the brake rotor. If rotor is seized, use penetrating oil and light tapping with a plastic mallet on the hat section.
   ⚠Never allow brake caliper to hang by the brake hose as this can damage the hose internally.
3. 3

   Disconnect hub from suspension
   Remove the four hub mounting bolts that secure the hub/bearing assembly to the trailing arm or knuckle. These bolts pass through from the back side. Use a breaker bar if necessary as these bolts can be very tight. Once removed, the hub assembly should be free to pull outward from the axle shaft.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove hub assembly from axle
   Pull the hub/bearing assembly straight off the axle shaft splines. If the assembly is stuck on the splines, use a hub puller or carefully tap the axle shaft inward with a brass drift while pulling outward on the hub. Avoid damaging the axle threads or ABS tone ring.
   ⚠Do not strike the axle threads directly. Protect threads with a nut or use proper drift techniques.
5. 5

   Disassemble hub bearing assembly
   Secure the hub assembly in a vise or on the hydraulic press bed. Locate and remove the snap ring from the inner or outer groove of the bearing (location varies by design). This snap ring retains the bearing in the hub housing.
   ℹ️Note the orientation and position of the snap ring for reassembly. Some designs have snap rings on both sides.
6. 6

   Press bearing out of hub
   Using the hydraulic press, position the hub assembly so the bearing can be pressed out. Use a bearing separator or press adapter that contacts only the bearing inner race, not the hub. Apply steady pressure to press the old bearing out of the hub housing. The bearing may also bring the inner hub flange with it depending on design.
   ⚠️Ensure press adapters contact only the bearing race, not the hub housing. Improper support will damage the hub or cause sudden component release.
   ⚠Wear safety glasses. Bearing components can fragment under press loads.
7. 7

   Clean and inspect hub housing
   Thoroughly clean the bearing bore in the hub housing using a wire brush and solvent. Remove all old grease, dirt, and corrosion. Inspect the bore for scoring, pitting, or damage. Measure the bore diameter if precision tools are available - it should be within factory specifications. Inspect the hub flange for cracks, wear on the splines, and ABS tone ring damage.
   ℹ️Any scoring or damage to the bearing bore may require hub replacement. A damaged bore will cause premature bearing failure.
8. 8

   Press new bearing into hub
   Position the new bearing at the hub bore opening in the correct orientation (sealed side typically faces outward). Using the hydraulic press with a bearing driver or adapter that contacts only the outer race, apply steady even pressure to press the bearing fully into the hub until it seats against the shoulder or snap ring groove. The bearing should press in smoothly with gradually increasing resistance.
   ⚠️Press only on the outer bearing race when installing into the hub. Pressing on the inner race, rollers, or cage will destroy the bearing.
   ℹ️Some technicians use freeze spray on the bearing or heat the hub slightly (max 200°F) to ease installation, but this is optional.
9. 9

   Install snap ring and verify bearing
   Install the snap ring into its groove, ensuring it is fully seated around the entire circumference. Verify the bearing is fully seated by checking that the snap ring groove is visible and the bearing does not move axially. Rotate the bearing by hand to verify smooth rotation with no binding or roughness.
   ⚠An incompletely seated snap ring will allow the bearing to move and fail quickly. Verify complete seating.
10. 10

    Reinstall hub assembly to vehicle
    Guide the hub assembly onto the axle shaft splines, aligning carefully to avoid damaging the splines or ABS tone ring. Push the assembly fully onto the shaft. Align the hub bolt holes with the trailing arm or knuckle mounting points and install the four hub bolts finger-tight initially.
11. 11

    Torque hub mounting bolts
    Torque the four hub mounting bolts to specification in a cross pattern to ensure even seating of the hub. Final torque is 102 Nm (75 lb-ft). Verify all bolts are properly tightened.
    ⚠Uneven or improper torque on hub bolts will cause bearing preload issues and premature failure.
    Torque spec

    Hub Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install ABS sensor
    Clean the ABS sensor tip and bore with a clean cloth. Insert the ABS wheel speed sensor into the hub and install the mounting bolt. Torque to 11 Nm (8 lb-ft). Ensure the sensor wire routing is correct and secured with any clips.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall brake components
    Reinstall the brake rotor onto the hub. Reinstall the brake caliper and torque the caliper mounting bolts per the brake service specifications (not provided in this bearing procedure).
14. 14

    Install and torque axle nut
    Install a new axle nut onto the axle shaft threads and tighten finger-tight. With the vehicle still on jack stands, torque the axle nut to 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) using a torque wrench. If the design uses a staked nut, stake the nut into the axle shaft groove using a punch. If the design uses a cotter pin, install a new cotter pin through the castle nut and axle shaft hole, then bend the pin ends to secure.
    ⚠Axle nut must be torqued to specification and properly secured with stake or cotter pin. Failure will allow the nut to loosen and cause wheel separation.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall wheel and final torque
    Reinstall the rear 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 lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands. Perform a final torque check on lug nuts with vehicle on ground.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reassembly is covered in the procedural steps above
2. Ensure all torque specifications are met, particularly the critical axle nut and hub bolt torques
3. Verify new axle nut is properly secured with stake or new cotter pin as applicable
4. Double-check ABS sensor is properly installed and wire is routed correctly

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no abnormal noise, vibration, or ABS warning lights
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-torque the wheel lug nuts to specification
• Listen for any growling, humming, or grinding noise from the rear wheel area that would indicate bearing failure
• Verify no ABS warning light is illuminated and ABS system performs self-test normally
• Check for any axle end play by grasping the tire at 12 and 6 o'clock positions and attempting to rock it - there should be no perceptible movement

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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