Wheel Bearing Hub - Rear

Replacement of a rear wheel bearing/hub assembly on a 2024 Model 3 Long Range AWD. The rear hub is bolted to the rear knuckle and is serviced as a complete unit; the half-shaft must be partially withdrawn to access it.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing/hub assembly × 1 — OEM Tesla Model 3 rear hub assembly — refer to VIN
• Axle nut (single-use, replace) × 1 — OEM single-use stake/locking nut
• Hub mounting bolts (replace if specified by Tesla as single-use) × 4 — OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park on level ground, place in P, engage parking brake.
2. Exit ALL doors with the key fob away from the vehicle. Wait at least 2 minutes for HV systems to fully de-energize, even on this non-HV job.
3. Disconnect the 12V (or Li-ion low-voltage) battery. On 2024 Model 3, the LV battery may be located behind the right rear seat back panel or under the floor depending on build — verify before disconnecting.
4. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
5. If at any point you encounter an orange cable, an HV component, or are unsure if a system is de-energized: STOP and consult a Tesla-certified technician.
6. Place the vehicle in Transport/Jack Mode via the touchscreen BEFORE disconnecting the 12V, to disable air suspension self-leveling (N/A on coil) and to release the parking pawl as needed for wheel rotation. Note: with 12V disconnected, the parking pawl will be locked — break the axle nut loose with the wheel still on the ground BEFORE jacking and BEFORE disconnecting 12V.
7. Loosen (do not remove) the rear wheel lug nuts and the axle nut while the wheel is on the ground.
8. Lift the rear of the vehicle at Tesla-approved jack points using pucks; support on jack stands rated for the vehicle's curb weight (~4,050 lb).
9. Remove the rear wheel.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove axle nut
   With the wheel removed, fully back off the rear axle nut. Discard the nut — it is single-use. Inspect axle threads for damage.
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper and bracket
   Remove the rear brake caliper assembly, then the caliper bracket. Suspend the caliper from the suspension with a hanger — do not let it hang by the flexible brake hose. Remove the brake rotor (it may be retained by a small Torx screw).
   ⚠Do not depress the brake pedal while the caliper is off.
3. 3

   Disconnect ABS sensor and parking brake
   Unclip the ABS wheel speed sensor harness from any retaining clips on the knuckle/control arm. Remove the ABS sensor bolt and withdraw the sensor from the hub bore. The rear caliper integrates the electric parking brake — if the caliper was unbolted from the bracket, ensure the EPB harness is released from its clips and is not under tension.
   ℹ️Do not pry the ABS sensor out — it can break. Twist gently to free it.
4. 4

   Free the half-shaft from the hub
   Push the outer CV stub axle inward through the hub. If seized, use a soft-faced mallet on the threaded end (with a sacrificial nut threaded on flush to protect the threads) or a hub puller. Support the half-shaft with wire so it does not hang from the inner CV joint.
   ⚠Do not over-extend the inner CV joint at the rear drive unit — it can dislodge the inner tripod and damage the seal.
5. 5

   Remove hub mounting bolts
   From the inboard side of the rear knuckle, remove the four hub-to-knuckle bolts. Note the orientation of the hub (ABS tone ring side, harness clip orientation) before removing.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove the hub assembly
   Withdraw the hub from the knuckle. If corroded in place, tap evenly around the flange with a soft-faced mallet, or use a puller. Do NOT pry between the hub and the aluminum knuckle face — you will damage the sealing surface.
   ⚠Aluminum knuckle — gouges on the mating face will cause hub run-out and premature bearing failure.
7. 7

   Clean and inspect mating surfaces
   Thoroughly clean the knuckle hub bore and mating face. Remove all corrosion and old threadlocker from the bolt holes. Inspect the knuckle for cracks or damage. A light film of anti-seize on the pilot diameter (NOT the bolt threads) helps future serviceability.
8. 8

   Install new hub assembly
   Position the new hub assembly to the knuckle with the ABS tone ring/sensor port aligned. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the hub bolt threads if specified by Tesla. Install all four bolts hand-tight first, then torque in a cross/star pattern.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Re-engage half-shaft and install new axle nut
   Guide the outer CV stub through the hub splines. Install a NEW axle nut. Torque to specification with the wheel off the ground but with the brake rotor temporarily reinstalled and held with a pry bar through the rotor vanes (or have an assistant apply the brake once reassembled enough). Stake the nut if the OEM design requires staking.
   ⚠️Under-torquing the axle nut can cause bearing preload loss, wheel separation, and loss of vehicle control.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut200 Nm (148 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall ABS sensor
    Lightly grease the sensor O-ring/bore, seat the ABS sensor fully into the hub, and torque the retaining bolt. Reroute the harness through all original clips.
11. 11

    Reinstall brake components
    Reinstall the brake rotor, caliper bracket (apply threadlocker to bracket bolts), and caliper. Torque the caliper bracket bolts to specification. Caliper guide pin/slider bolts: torque to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the rear wheel; snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
2. Lower the vehicle to the ground.
3. Final-torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern.
4. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
5. Close all doors, allow the vehicle to fully wake, and exit Jack/Service Mode via the touchscreen.

Verification

• Before driving: with the vehicle stationary, press the brake pedal firmly several times to seat the caliper pistons against the pads.
• Check the touchscreen for any ABS, traction control, EPB, or stability control alerts. The ABS module may need a brief drive cycle (≈10–15 mph straight-line) to relearn the wheel speed sensor signal.
• Test the electric parking brake engage/release on the touchscreen.
• Road-test at low speed first, listening for grinding (improper hub seating), clicking (improper CV engagement), or ABS faults.
• Recheck axle nut torque and lug nut torque after the first 50 miles.
• Tesla recommends rear tire rotation every ~6,250 mi — note the new bearing date in service records.
• Torque - Wheel Lug Nuts: 136 Nm (100 lb-ft).

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