Wheel Bearing - Press-In Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of a press-in style rear wheel bearing on a 2022 Rivian EDV 500 electric delivery van, requiring hub removal and press equipment.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing assembly (press-in type) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle hub nut × 1 — Use OEM specification
• High-temperature wheel bearing grease × 1 — Synthetic lithium complex
• Brake cleaner × 1 — Non-chlorinated
• Thread locker (medium strength) × 1 — Loctite 243 or equivalent

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (1/4 turn)
4. Verify high-voltage system is properly de-energized per manufacturer service manual
5. Raise rear of vehicle and support with jack stands at designated lift points
6. Remove rear wheel completely
7. Spray penetrating oil on all fasteners to be removed and allow to soak 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper assembly
   Remove the brake caliper mounting bolts and carefully lift the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with a wire hanger or bungee cord to avoid stressing the brake hose. Do not let the caliper hang by the brake line.
2. 2

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove any retaining screws or clips securing the brake rotor. If rotor is stuck, use a rubber mallet to tap around the hat section to break it loose. Remove rotor completely and set aside.
3. 3

   Remove axle hub nut
   Have an assistant apply the brake pedal or insert a drift punch through rotor mounting holes into the hub to prevent rotation. Use a breaker bar and appropriate socket to remove the center axle hub nut. This nut is typically torqued to high specification and will require significant force. Discard the old nut as it should not be reused.
4. 4

   Disconnect wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connector and carefully disconnect it. Remove the wheel speed sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract the sensor from the hub assembly. Set aside in a clean location to prevent contamination of the sensor tip.
5. 5

   Remove hub mounting hardware
   Remove all bolts securing the hub assembly to the knuckle. On the Rivian EDV 500, these are typically located on the rear of the knuckle assembly. Keep track of bolt orientation and any shims or spacers present.
6. 6

   Extract hub assembly from knuckle
   Using a hub puller tool, carefully extract the hub assembly from the wheel bearing inner race. Apply steady, even pressure. If the hub is severely corroded or stuck, apply additional penetrating oil and allow to soak before attempting removal again. The hub must separate cleanly from the bearing inner race.
7. 7

   Press out old bearing from knuckle
   Position the knuckle assembly in a hydraulic press with appropriate support under the knuckle ears. Use a bearing race driver or appropriately sized sleeve to contact only the outer race of the bearing. Press the bearing out of the knuckle bore, applying steady pressure. Ensure the press tooling is centered to prevent knuckle damage.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect knuckle bore
   Thoroughly clean the bearing bore in the knuckle using brake cleaner and a wire brush or shop towel. Inspect the bore for any scoring, cracks, or damage. Measure the bore diameter with a caliper if available to verify it is within specification. Check for any burrs and remove with fine emery cloth if necessary.
9. 9

   Prepare new bearing for installation
   Remove the new bearing from its packaging. Verify it is the correct part number for this application. Apply a light coat of high-temperature bearing grease to the outer race of the new bearing. Do NOT remove any factory seals or pack the sealed bearing with additional grease.
10. 10

    Press new bearing into knuckle
    Position the knuckle in the press with proper support. Place the new bearing squarely in the knuckle bore opening, ensuring correct orientation (magnetic encoder ring facing outward if equipped). Using a bearing installation sleeve that contacts ONLY the outer race, press the bearing into the bore with steady pressure until it is fully seated against the shoulder in the knuckle. Do not press on the inner race or center of the bearing.
11. 11

    Install hub into new bearing
    Clean the hub mating surface thoroughly with brake cleaner. Position the hub into the bearing inner race. Using a press with a sleeve or driver that contacts the inner race only, press the hub into the bearing until fully seated. Apply steady, even pressure and ensure the hub seats squarely without cocking to one side.
12. 12

    Reinstall hub and knuckle assembly
    Position the hub and knuckle assembly back onto the vehicle. Install all hub mounting bolts and tighten in a star pattern to ensure even seating. Since no torque specifications are provided in the database, refer to the Rivian service manual for proper torque values. Apply medium-strength thread locker to bolt threads before installation.
13. 13

    Install new axle hub nut
    Install the new axle hub nut onto the CV axle shaft threads. Hand-tighten fully, then use a torque wrench to tighten to specification per the Rivian service manual. Have an assistant apply the brake or use a drift to prevent hub rotation during final torque.
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel speed sensor
    Clean the wheel speed sensor mounting bore with brake cleaner. Insert the wheel speed sensor carefully into the hub, ensuring the tip does not contact the tone ring. Install and tighten the sensor mounting bolt. Reconnect the electrical connector, ensuring it clicks securely into place.
15. 15

    Reinstall brake components and wheel
    Reinstall the brake rotor and secure with any retaining clips or screws. Position the brake caliper over the rotor and install caliper mounting bolts, torquing to specification. Install the wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle to the ground and torque lug nuts to specification per Rivian service manual in a star pattern.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to manufacturer specifications using the Rivian service manual
2. Verify wheel speed sensor electrical connector is fully seated and secured
3. Check that brake caliper slides freely and brake pads are properly positioned
4. Pump brake pedal several times to ensure proper brake pad seating before moving vehicle

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify no abnormal noises from rear wheel bearing
• Perform figure-eight maneuvers at low speed to load bearing in both directions and confirm smooth operation
• Verify ABS system has no fault codes and wheel speed sensor is reading properly using diagnostic scanner
• Check for any looseness in the wheel bearing by attempting to rock the wheel at 12 and 6 o'clock positions with vehicle raised
• Verify no brake fluid leaks at caliper after reassembly
• Recheck wheel lug nut torque after 50-100 miles of driving

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

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