Wheel Bearing Hub - Rear

Replace the rear wheel bearing hub assembly on a 2025 Rivian EDV 500, including removal of the brake caliper, rotor, axle nut, and hub mounting bolts.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing hub assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Hub mounting bolts (if reuse not recommended) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Power off the vehicle completely using the center display
3. Disconnect the 12V battery negative terminal and wait 5 minutes for system capacitors to discharge
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground
5. Raise and securely support the rear of the vehicle on jack stands rated for EV weight
6. Remove the rear wheel on the side being serviced
7. Chock the front wheels to prevent any vehicle movement

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove axle nut cotter pin and loosen axle nut
   Straighten and remove the cotter pin from the rear axle nut using a punch and hammer. With the vehicle still supported and parking brake engaged, use a breaker bar to loosen (but do not remove) the axle nut. This nut requires significant torque to remove.
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper
   Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts and carefully lift the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with wire or a bungee cord attached to the suspension or body. Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose.
3. 3

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove the brake rotor retaining screw if present. If the rotor is stuck due to corrosion, tap it gently with a rubber mallet while rotating to break it free. Remove the rotor from the hub.
4. 4

   Remove axle nut completely
   With the brake rotor removed, fully remove the rear axle nut that was previously loosened. Set the old nut aside as it should not be reused with the new cotter pin installation.
5. 5

   Remove ABS wheel speed sensor connector
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connector near the wheel bearing hub. Press the release tab and disconnect the connector. If the sensor is integrated into the hub assembly, gently unclip any wiring harness retainers along the route to the hub.
6. 6

   Remove wheel bearing hub mounting bolts
   From behind the backing plate or knuckle, locate and remove the four wheel bearing hub mounting bolts. These bolts access from the rear of the knuckle assembly. Clean the bolt threads and inspect for damage.
7. 7

   Remove wheel bearing hub assembly
   Pull the hub assembly away from the knuckle. If the hub is stuck, use a hub puller or slide hammer to extract it. Be careful not to damage the backing plate or surrounding components. The axle shaft will separate from the hub splines as you pull.
8. 8

   Clean mounting surfaces
   Thoroughly clean the hub mounting surface on the knuckle using a wire brush and brake cleaner. Remove all rust, corrosion, and old sealant. Ensure the mating surface is completely clean and smooth for proper hub seating. Inspect the axle shaft splines for damage.
9. 9

   Install new wheel bearing hub
   Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the axle shaft splines (avoid getting any on the hub mounting surface). Align the new hub assembly with the axle shaft splines and carefully slide it onto the shaft while aligning the bolt holes with the knuckle. Ensure the ABS sensor connector or integrated sensor is properly positioned.
10. 10

    Install hub mounting bolts
    Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the hub mounting bolt threads if specified by the manufacturer. Install all four hub mounting bolts and tighten them in a star pattern to ensure even seating. Torque the bolts to specification in multiple passes using a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install and torque axle nut
    Install the axle nut onto the axle shaft and tighten by hand. Using a torque wrench, torque the axle nut to specification. Ensure the castle nut slots align with the cotter pin hole in the axle shaft. If alignment is off, tighten slightly (never loosen) until the next slot aligns with the hole.
    ⚠Never loosen the axle nut to align the cotter pin hole. Only tighten to the next castle slot if needed.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut200 Nm (148 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install new cotter pin
    Insert a new cotter pin through the castle nut and axle shaft hole. Bend the cotter pin legs in opposite directions to secure it properly. Ensure the pin is fully seated and cannot back out.
13. 13

    Reconnect ABS sensor
    Reconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor electrical connector and secure any wiring harness clips along the route. Ensure the wiring has adequate slack and will not interfere with suspension movement or rotating components.
14. 14

    Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
    Clean the hub face and rotor mounting surface with brake cleaner. Install the brake rotor onto the hub and secure with the retaining screw if equipped. Remove the caliper from its support wire and position it over the rotor. Install the caliper mounting bolts and torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Brake Caliper Bracket Bolts110 Nm (81 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the rear wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground. Torque the wheel lug nuts to the manufacturer's specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the 12V battery negative terminal
2. Power on the vehicle and check for any warning lights related to ABS or traction control systems
3. If any differential seals were disturbed, check the rear differential fluid level and top off with 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil as needed

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and listen for any abnormal noises from the rear wheel bearing
• Perform several moderate brake applications to verify proper brake function
• Verify no ABS or traction control warning lights are present on the instrument cluster
• After 50-100 miles, re-check the wheel lug nut torque and axle nut cotter pin security
• Listen for any humming, grinding, or abnormal noises from the replaced hub bearing during normal driving

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