drivetrain

Wheel Bearing Hub - Rear

for 2015 Kia Forte 1.8L I4 · FWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

1.2 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the rear wheel bearing hub assembly on a 2015 Kia Forte with 1.8L I4 engine.

Warnings

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

⚠The axle nut is torqued to 200 Nm and may require significant force to loosen. Break it loose before lifting the vehicle.

⚠Do not allow the brake caliper to hang by the brake hose, as this can damage the hose and cause brake failure.

Tools required

Floor jack and jack standsEssential

Torque wrench (10-200 Nm range)Essential

19mm socket for lug nutsEssential

Socket set (10mm-19mm)Essential

Ratchet and extensionsEssential

Breaker barEssential

Pry bar or large flathead screwdriver

Wire or zip ties

Threadlocker (medium strength)Essential

Wire brush

Anti-seize compound

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Parts

Rear wheel bearing hub assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
Axle nut × 1 — Replace if specified - single use

As an Amazon Associate and Autel/ANCEL partner, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.

Preparation

Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn while vehicle is on the ground
Loosen but do not remove the axle nut while vehicle is on the ground (have assistant apply brakes)
Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer's designated lift points
Remove rear wheel completely

Procedure

1
Remove brake caliper and bracket
Remove the two caliper bracket bolts securing the brake caliper and bracket assembly to the knuckle. Support the caliper assembly with wire or a zip tie to the suspension to prevent strain on the brake hose. Do not let it hang freely.
2
Remove brake rotor
If present, remove any retaining screws or clips securing the brake rotor. Slide the brake rotor off the hub. If stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap it free or spray penetrating oil and wait a few minutes.
3
Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor
Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor on the back of the knuckle or hub assembly. Disconnect the electrical connector. Remove the ABS sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the hub. Set aside in a clean location.
⚠The ABS sensor tip is magnetic and fragile. Avoid dropping or contaminating with metal debris.
4
Remove axle nut
Completely remove the previously loosened axle nut from the end of the axle shaft. This nut should be replaced with a new one during reassembly per manufacturer specifications.
Torque spec
Axle Nut200 Nm (148 lb-ft)
5
Remove wheel bearing hub mounting bolts
Access the rear of the knuckle assembly and locate the four bolts securing the wheel bearing hub assembly. These bolts thread into the knuckle from behind. Remove all four bolts completely using a socket and extension. Keep bolts organized for inspection and potential reuse.
ℹ️On some vehicles these bolts may have threadlocker applied from the factory and require extra force to remove.
Torque spec
Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
6
Remove hub assembly from knuckle
Pull the hub assembly straight out from the knuckle. You may need to tap the back of the hub with a soft mallet or use a pry bar to carefully separate it from the knuckle. Simultaneously push the axle shaft back through the hub to clear it. The hub should slide off the axle shaft and out of the knuckle bore.
7
Clean mounting surfaces
Use a wire brush to thoroughly clean the hub mounting surface on the knuckle, removing any rust, corrosion, or old threadlocker. Clean the axle shaft splines with a wire brush. Inspect the knuckle bore for damage or excessive wear. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the axle shaft splines (not the threads).
8
Install new wheel bearing hub
Align the new hub assembly with the axle shaft and knuckle bore. Push the hub onto the axle shaft splines and into the knuckle, ensuring proper alignment of the bolt holes. The hub should seat flush against the knuckle face.
9
Install and torque hub mounting bolts
Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the threads of the four hub mounting bolts if specified by the manufacturer. Insert all four bolts from the back of the knuckle and thread them in by hand. Tighten the bolts in a crisscross pattern to ensure even seating, then torque to specification in the same pattern.
ℹ️Tighten bolts gradually in a star pattern to avoid cocking the hub assembly in the bore.
Torque spec
Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
10
Install new axle nut
Install a new axle nut onto the axle shaft threads. Hand-tighten as much as possible. The final torque will be applied after the wheel is installed and the vehicle is on the ground.
Torque spec
Axle Nut200 Nm (148 lb-ft)
11
Reinstall ABS sensor
Clean the ABS sensor tip with a clean cloth if necessary. Insert the sensor into the hub bore and align the mounting hole. Install the ABS sensor bolt and torque to specification. Reconnect the electrical connector ensuring it clicks into place.
12
Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
Slide the brake rotor onto the hub and install any retaining screws if present. Position the caliper and bracket assembly over the rotor and align with the mounting holes on the knuckle. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the caliper bracket bolt threads as recommended. Install both caliper bracket bolts and torque to specification.
13
Install wheel and lower vehicle
Install the wheel onto the hub and hand-tighten all lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but the suspension is not yet loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle completely to the ground.
14
Final torque axle nut
With the vehicle on the ground and the parking brake engaged (or have an assistant apply the service brake), use a torque wrench to tighten the axle nut to final specification. This is a critical fastener requiring precise torque.
⚠The axle nut must be torqued with the wheel on the ground to prevent hub rotation and ensure accurate torque.
Torque spec
Axle Nut200 Nm (148 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Torque all fasteners to specification in the order presented
Ensure ABS sensor connector is fully seated and secured
Verify brake caliper is properly mounted and brake hose is not kinked or twisted

Verification

Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no abnormal noise from the rear wheel bearing area
Check for proper ABS function - the ABS warning light should not be illuminated
Verify no brake pedal pulsation or grinding during light braking
Recheck axle nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving
Confirm no wheel play by attempting to rock the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock positions with vehicle raised