Wheel Bearing Hub - Rear

Replacement of a rear wheel bearing/hub assembly on a 2024 Tesla Model S Long Range AWD. The rear hub is integrated with the bearing and bolts to the rear knuckle; the half-shaft must be partially withdrawn to clear the hub flange.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing hub assembly × 1 — OEM-spec rear hub/bearing for 2024 Model S AWD — verify by VIN
• Axle nut (single-use) × 1 — Replace if specified by Tesla — single-use stake/crimp nut
• Hub mounting bolts × 4 — Reuse only if undamaged; replacement recommended if stretched/TTY

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. Open the frunk and disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery (located under the nose cowl/frunk trim). Follow Tesla's documented disconnect order for the low-voltage system.
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 into Jack/Service Mode via the touchscreen BEFORE losing 12V (this disables auto-leveling on air suspension and prevents the car from shifting out of P during lift). If 12V is already disconnected, ensure the vehicle is on stands at the factory lift points.
7. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts and the rear axle nut while the vehicle is still on the ground (the axle nut torque is very high — do not attempt with the wheel off the ground).
8. Raise the rear of the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified lift points and support on jack stands rated for EV weight. Remove the rear wheel.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove the axle nut
   With the wheel removed, fully unthread and remove the rear axle/hub nut from the end of the half-shaft. Discard if it is a single-use stake nut and a replacement is specified by Tesla.
2. 2

   Remove the brake caliper and bracket
   Unbolt the rear brake caliper bracket from the knuckle. Support the caliper with wire or a bungee — do NOT let it hang by the flexible brake line. Remove the brake rotor (it may need a gentle tap with a dead-blow; do not strike with a steel hammer).
   ⚠Aluminum knuckle — use a dead-blow or rubber mallet only.
3. 3

   Disconnect the ABS / wheel speed sensor
   Remove the ABS sensor retention bolt and carefully withdraw the sensor from the knuckle. Unclip the sensor harness from any retainers along the trailing/upper control arms so the sensor is not pulled when the knuckle is moved.
   ℹ️If the sensor is seized, twist gently — do not pry against the tone ring on the new hub.
4. 4

   Separate the half-shaft from the hub
   Push the outer CV stub axle inward, out of the hub splines. If seized, use a hub puller or tap with a brass drift on the stub end. Once free, support the half-shaft horizontally with wire — do not allow it to dangle from the inner joint.
   ⚠If the half-shaft will not retract enough to clear the hub, you may need to loosen one suspension link to gain clearance — refer to the Tesla Service Manual for the link to release on this trim.
5. 5

   Remove the hub assembly from the knuckle
   From the rear/inboard side of the knuckle, remove the four hub mounting bolts securing the bearing/hub assembly. Withdraw the hub assembly from the knuckle face. If corroded in place, use a soft mallet on the hub flange — never pry against the aluminum knuckle face.
   Torque spec

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

   Clean and inspect the knuckle mating surface
   Thoroughly clean the hub mounting face on the knuckle with brake cleaner and a non-abrasive pad. Remove any corrosion or debris. Inspect the knuckle bore and bolt threads for damage. Verify the new hub seats flat and flush against the knuckle.
7. 7

   Install the new hub assembly
   Position the new hub against the knuckle, aligning the ABS tone-ring orientation and bolt holes. Apply medium-strength threadlocker to the hub bolts if specified. Install the four bolts hand-tight, then torque in a cross/star pattern.
   ⚠Do not use impact tools for final torque — use a calibrated torque wrench in two passes.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
8. 8

   Re-engage the half-shaft
   Guide the outer CV stub through the new hub splines. A light film of anti-seize on the splines is acceptable; keep it off the threaded end and the bearing seal. Start a new axle nut by hand to prevent cross-threading.
9. 9

   Reinstall the ABS sensor
   Insert the ABS wheel speed sensor into its bore on the knuckle, ensuring the sensor face is clean and seated fully against the tone ring shoulder. Install the retaining bolt and reclip the harness in its original routing.
10. 10

    Reinstall the brake rotor and caliper
    Slide the rotor onto the new hub. Reinstall the caliper bracket onto the knuckle with threadlocker on the bolts, then reinstall the caliper over the pads. Verify pads slide freely and the caliper guide pins move smoothly.
11. 11

    Final axle nut torque
    With the wheel reinstalled and lug nuts snug, lower the vehicle so the tire just contacts the ground (or have an assistant hold the brake). Torque the axle nut to the verified critical value. If a stake/crimp nut is specified, stake it into the half-shaft groove per Tesla service procedure.
    ⚠️Improper axle nut torque is the #1 cause of premature bearing failure. Use a calibrated torque wrench — do not estimate.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut200 Nm (148 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the wheel and snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
2. Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
3. Final-torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern using a calibrated torque wrench.
4. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery in the frunk.
5. Close the frunk, re-enter the vehicle, and exit Jack/Service Mode via the touchscreen.
6. Allow the vehicle to wake fully and clear any transient ABS/TC warnings by driving at low speed in a safe area.

Verification

• Confirm no ABS, traction control, or stability control faults appear on the touchscreen after a short drive above ~10 mph (the ABS module needs wheel-speed signal to clear).
• Listen for bearing noise (humming/growling that changes with cornering load) at 30–50 mph — should be silent on a correctly installed new hub.
• Re-check wheel lug torque after the first 50–100 miles (Tesla's published recommendation for any wheel removal).
• Verify no brake drag, no ABS warning, and that regenerative braking behaves normally — abnormal regen behavior can indicate an ABS sensor seating or tone-ring issue.
• While the rear was apart, confirm the rear drive unit gear oil service status: Tesla now recommends inspection/replacement on a service interval (initial ~12,500 mi, then 25,000–50,000 mi) — note this in the service record if due.
• Confirm tire rotation status — Tesla recommends every 6,250 mi due to high torque and vehicle weight.

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