Wheel Bearing - Press-In Front

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a press-in front wheel bearing on a 2022 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van, requiring hydraulic press equipment and precise alignment.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing assembly (press-in type) × 1 — Use OEM Rivian specification
• Wheel hub seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Front axle hub nut × 1 — Single-use fastener
• Anti-seize compound × 1 — High-temperature nickel-based
• Bearing assembly grease × 1 — High-temperature synthetic lithium complex

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect 12V battery negative terminal and wait 5 minutes for system capacitor discharge
3. Verify high-voltage system is in service mode per Rivian safety procedures
4. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
5. Raise front of vehicle and support with heavy-duty jack stands on frame rails
6. Remove front wheel and tire assembly
7. Mark relationship between brake rotor and hub with paint pen for reinstallation reference

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove axle nut and brake components
   Have assistant apply brake pedal or use brake pedal depressor. Remove and discard front axle hub nut using appropriate socket (typically 30mm or 36mm). Remove brake caliper mounting bolts and support caliper with wire or bungee cord without stressing brake hose. Remove brake rotor retaining screw (if equipped) and slide rotor off hub.
2. 2

   Disconnect wheel speed sensor
   Locate ABS wheel speed sensor connector on inner fender or frame rail. Disconnect electrical connector. Remove speed sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract sensor from hub assembly. Protect sensor and wiring from damage during knuckle removal.
3. 3

   Separate tie rod end and ball joints
   Remove tie rod end castle nut and cotter pin. Use ball joint separator to disconnect tie rod end from steering knuckle. Remove upper and lower ball joint nuts/bolts (configuration varies by suspension design). Use appropriate separator tool to disconnect ball joints from knuckle without damaging boots or threads.
4. 4

   Remove knuckle and hub assembly
   Support knuckle assembly with one hand. Remove any remaining bolts securing knuckle to suspension components. Carefully pull knuckle assembly away from CV axle shaft - may need to tap hub face with plastic mallet while pulling to separate from splines. Transport knuckle assembly to press workbench.
5. 5

   Remove wheel hub from knuckle
   Secure knuckle in hydraulic press with appropriate support fixtures. Position hub puller tool on wheel hub studs or mounting face. Press hub out of bearing inner race using steady pressure. Keep knuckle properly aligned to prevent binding during extraction. Once hub is free, remove hub and inspect for wear or damage.
6. 6

   Remove inner bearing race from hub
   If inner bearing race remains on hub after extraction, use bearing separator and press to remove race from hub. Alternatively, carefully cut race with die grinder taking care not to damage hub surface. Clean hub thoroughly and inspect for scoring, cracks, or excessive wear.
7. 7

   Extract bearing from knuckle
   Inspect knuckle bore and identify bearing retaining features (snap ring or interference fit only). If snap ring is present, remove it with snap ring pliers. Position knuckle in press with bearing facing downward. Use appropriate bearing driver or press adapter that contacts outer bearing race only. Press bearing out of knuckle using steady, even pressure. Remove outer seal during this process.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect knuckle bore
   Thoroughly clean bearing bore in knuckle using wire brush, solvent, and lint-free cloths. Remove all old grease, rust, and debris. Inspect bore for scoring, cracks, corrosion, or damage. Measure bore diameter with dial bore gauge or caliper if available to verify within specification. Check for out-of-round condition.
9. 9

   Prepare and install new bearing
   Remove new bearing from packaging and verify correct part number. Apply light coat of anti-seize compound to outer diameter of bearing (outer race only - do not contaminate bearing internals). Apply thin coat of anti-seize to knuckle bearing bore. Position knuckle in press with hub mounting face upward. Align bearing squarely in bore opening.
10. 10

    Press bearing into knuckle
    Select press driver that contacts outer bearing race only - never press on inner race, seals, or rolling elements. Apply steady, even pressure to press bearing into bore until fully seated against machined stop or to specified depth. Monitor alignment throughout pressing operation - stop immediately if binding occurs. Once seated, install snap ring if equipped, ensuring it is fully seated in groove.
11. 11

    Install hub seal and lubricate
    Install new hub seal using seal driver tool, ensuring seal is square and pressed to proper depth per manufacturer specification. Pack new bearing with high-temperature bearing grease if not pre-sealed. Apply grease to seal lip. Ensure all bearing internal spaces are properly lubricated per bearing manufacturer guidelines.
12. 12

    Press hub into new bearing
    Clean CV axle splines on hub with wire brush and apply light coat of anti-seize. Position hub into bearing from back side of knuckle. Select press adapter that supports inner bearing race through hub center - adapter must not contact outer race or bearing cage. Press hub into bearing using steady pressure until hub is fully seated. Hub face should be flush or at specified position relative to knuckle mounting surface.
13. 13

    Verify bearing installation
    Install dial indicator against hub face. Rotate hub by hand and monitor runout - should be minimal (typically less than 0.003 inches). Check for smooth rotation with no binding, roughness, or excessive play. Verify hub is fully seated and bearing has no axial play. If any issues detected, disassemble and inspect for installation errors.
14. 14

    Reinstall knuckle assembly
    Apply anti-seize to CV axle splines. Carefully align knuckle and hub assembly onto CV axle shaft, sliding hub onto splines. Position knuckle into suspension mounting points. Reconnect upper and lower ball joints and install new fasteners hand-tight. Reconnect tie rod end and install castle nut, tightening to specification and aligning cotter pin hole. Do not back off nut to align - tighten further if needed.
15. 15

    Final assembly and torque
    Install and torque all suspension fasteners per Rivian specifications in proper sequence. Install ABS wheel speed sensor and connect electrical connector - ensure sensor gap is correct. Install brake rotor aligned with previous reference marks. Install brake caliper and torque mounting bolts. Install new axle hub nut and torque to specification while assistant holds brake pedal or use hub holding tool. Install wheel and torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern.

Reassembly

1. All fasteners must be torqued to Rivian specifications - consult service manual for exact values as none are available in this database
2. Always use new single-use fasteners where specified, particularly axle hub nut and suspension bolts
3. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
4. Brake caliper must be properly torqued and brake hose must have no stress or kinks

Verification

• Reconnect 12V battery and clear any diagnostic codes related to ABS/wheel speed sensor
• Lower vehicle and perform final lug nut torque check with vehicle on ground
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in safe area, verifying no abnormal noises, vibrations, or handling issues
• Verify ABS system functions properly with no warning lights
• Perform steering wheel center check and alignment inspection - alignment may be needed after suspension work
• Re-torque lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving

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