Replacement of a press-in front wheel bearing on a 2024 Tesla Model S Long Range AWD. The front hub assembly must be removed from the steering knuckle and the bearing pressed out and replaced using a hydraulic press or on-vehicle bearing puller kit.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front wheel bearing (press-in type) for 2024 Model S × 1 — OEM Tesla front wheel bearing — verify by VIN
• Axle nut (single-use) or new cotter pin if staked-nut design × 1 — OEM axle retainer — single use
• Hub/knuckle pinch bolts (if specified single-use by Tesla) × 1 — Refer to Tesla Service Manual

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 16V on applicable Plaid) low-voltage battery — located in the front trunk under the nose cowl panel on Model S. Some 2021+ Plaid units use a 16V lithium under the rear seat — 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. If equipped with air suspension, enable Jack Mode from the touchscreen (Controls → Service → Jack Mode) before lifting.
7. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts and the axle nut (cotter pin removed first if present) while the wheel is still on the ground — the axle nut is at 250 Nm and requires high breakaway torque.
8. Raise the front of the vehicle using Tesla-specified jack points and pucks; support on rated jack stands.
9. Remove the front wheel and set aside on its sidewall to protect the finish.

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS sensor on the steering knuckle. Remove the retaining bolt and gently extract the sensor from its bore. Unclip the harness from any brackets along the strut. Set the sensor aside where it will not be damaged — do not let it dangle by the wire.
   ⚠ABS sensors are fragile. If seized, twist gently — do not pry against the sensor body or you will destroy it.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove the brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the caliper carrier bolts and lift the caliper assembly off the rotor. Support the caliper with a hanger or bungee — do NOT let it hang from the flexible brake hose. Remove the rotor retaining clip/screw if present and pull the rotor off the hub. If the rotor is stuck, tap evenly around its hat with a soft-face mallet.
   ℹ️Torque the caliper carrier and guide-pin bolts to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
3. 3

   Separate the outer tie rod end
   Remove the tie rod end castle nut/cotter pin and separate the tie rod from the steering knuckle using a tie rod separator tool. Avoid striking the aluminum knuckle directly.
   ⚠Do not use a pickle fork on the tie rod boot — it will tear the boot. Use a press-style separator.
4. 4

   Disconnect the upper control arm / strut from the knuckle
   Remove the upper ball joint pinch bolt or upper control arm-to-knuckle fasteners (configuration varies — refer to Tesla Service Manual for the 2024 Model S front suspension). Carefully separate without damaging the aluminum forging. If equipped with air suspension, take care not to load or twist the air line.
   ⚠Aluminum knuckle — do not pry against thin webbing. Torque all suspension fasteners to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
5. 5

   Push the half-shaft (CV axle) out of the hub
   With the axle nut already removed, push the splined end of the half-shaft inward through the hub. If it is stuck, use a hub puller — do not hammer the axle threads. Support the inner CV joint so it is not over-articulated or pulled from the differential.
   ⚠Do not let the half-shaft hang by the inner CV joint — support it. Over-articulation can damage the inner tripod and grease seal.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove the hub/knuckle assembly
   Separate the lower control arm/ball joint from the knuckle, then maneuver the knuckle off the half-shaft and off the vehicle. On most 2024 Model S front configurations the bearing is integrated into a hub assembly bolted to the knuckle, or pressed into the knuckle — confirm which design is on the vehicle before proceeding. Take the assembly to a press station.
7. 7

   Press out the old bearing
   Using a hydraulic press with appropriately sized drivers, press the hub flange out of the bearing inner race first (one race typically remains on the hub and must be removed with a bearing splitter or puller). Then press the bearing outer race out of the knuckle bore. Clean the knuckle bore thoroughly and inspect for scoring, ovality, or aluminum galling — replace the knuckle if damaged.
   ⚠Press tonnage can be high. Keep hands clear, use proper backing plates, and shield with a press cage if available.
   ⚠Never reuse a bearing once pressed out — even if it looks fine. The press operation damages the internal preload.
8. 8

   Press in the new bearing
   Lightly lubricate the knuckle bore with a thin film of clean bearing grease or assembly lube. Press the new bearing into the knuckle using a driver that contacts ONLY the outer race — never the inner race or seals — until fully seated against the shoulder. Then press the hub flange into the bearing supporting the inner race on the press base (so press force does not pass through the balls).
   ⚠️Pressing through the wrong race will destroy the new bearing and may cause it to fail catastrophically in service.
9. 9

   Reinstall the knuckle assembly
   Slide the knuckle back onto the half-shaft splines. Reattach the lower ball joint, upper control arm/strut, and tie rod end. Hand-start all fasteners before final torque. Torque suspension fasteners to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
10. 10

    Install a new axle nut
    Thread on a NEW axle nut. With a helper holding the brake pedal (after caliper reinstall) or with the wheel back on the ground, torque the axle nut to specification. Install a new cotter pin or stake the nut as appropriate for the design.
    ⚠️Critical fastener. Use a calibrated torque wrench. Do not reuse the old nut.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall rotor, caliper, and ABS sensor
    Place the rotor on the hub and secure with the retainer if used. Reinstall the caliper bracket and caliper, torquing to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual. Reseat the ABS sensor in its bore (clean the bore first to ensure correct air gap) and torque the retaining bolt.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall the wheel
    Mount the wheel and run the lug nuts down by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground, then torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
    ⚠Tesla-specified torque is 140 Nm (103 lb-ft). Over-torquing risks stretching studs and warping rotors.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Lower the vehicle fully off the jack stands.
2. Reconnect the 12V (or 16V) low-voltage battery and reinstall the frunk cowl/cover.
3. If air suspension equipped, exit Jack Mode by allowing the vehicle to re-level — confirm no fault messages appear.
4. Press the brake pedal several times before driving to seat the caliper pistons and restore firm pedal.

Verification

• Confirm no ABS, traction control, or stability control warnings appear on the touchscreen after a short test drive — a misseated ABS sensor will throw a fault almost immediately.
• Listen for bearing noise (humming or growling that changes with speed or cornering load) on a road test at 30–50 mph; a correctly installed bearing should be silent.
• Re-check axle nut staking/cotter pin and verify lug nut torque after ~50 miles.
• Verify the steering wheel is centered and the vehicle tracks straight — if not, a front-end alignment is required (recommended any time the tie rod has been disconnected).
• While the vehicle is on the lift, take the opportunity to inspect the cabin air filter (Tesla recommends replacement every 2 years, or every 3 years for HEPA-equipped Model S) and verify brake fluid condition (Tesla recommends brake fluid service every 2 years).

More procedures for this vehicle