Wheel Bearing Hub - Rear

Replacement of a rear wheel bearing hub assembly on a 2024 Tesla Model X Long Range. The hub is bolted to the rear knuckle and retains the outer CV stub via the axle nut; air suspension and the parking brake integration require attention specific to this platform.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing hub assembly × 1 — OEM Tesla Model X rear hub (verify by VIN — Raven/refresh hubs differ from earlier Model X)
• Axle nut (single-use) × 1 — OEM-spec single-use rear axle nut
• Hub mounting bolts (replace if specified by service manual) × 4 — OEM-spec hub-to-knuckle bolts

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. On the touchscreen, enable Jack Mode (Service menu) to disable air suspension self-leveling BEFORE disconnecting the 12V.
4. Open the frunk and disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery (frunk-mounted on Model X). Insulate the negative terminal.
5. DO NOT touch, cut, or pierce ANY orange cable — these are high-voltage and lethal.
6. 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.
7. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts while the vehicle is still on the ground.
8. Loosen (do not remove) the rear axle nut while the wheel is on the ground — the vehicle's weight prevents hub rotation. This is the safest method.
9. Lift the rear of the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified jack points using approved pucks. Support on rated jack stands.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove rear wheel
   Remove the lug nuts and pull the wheel straight off. Set aside on a soft surface to avoid scratching the finish.
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper and bracket
   Remove the two caliper guide pin bolts and slide the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with a hanger — do NOT let it hang by the flexible brake hose. Then remove the two caliper bracket bolts that secure the bracket to the knuckle and set the bracket aside.
   ⚠If the parking brake actuator (electric) is integrated into the rear caliper, do not disconnect its harness without first putting the caliper into service mode via the touchscreen if available; otherwise leave the caliper supported and undisturbed.
3. 3

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove any rotor retaining screw if fitted, then slide the rotor off the hub. If seized, apply penetrant to the hub center and tap evenly with a dead blow — do not strike the rotor face.
4. 4

   Disconnect ABS sensor
   Locate the ABS/wheel speed sensor on the knuckle. Remove the retaining bolt and carefully pull the sensor straight out. Set it aside where it will not be damaged. Inspect the sensor tip and tone ring for debris.
   ⚠Do not pry on the ABS sensor — the tip is brittle and a damaged sensor will trigger ABS/Stability faults.
5. 5

   Separate outer CV joint from hub
   Remove the (now loosened) rear axle nut and discard it — it is single-use. Push the outer CV stub axle inward through the hub splines. If the splines are corroded, apply penetrant and tap with a soft drift on the stub end. Support the half-shaft with wire so it does not hang on the inner CV.
   ⚠Do not let the half-shaft dangle by the inner CV joint — this can damage the inner tripod and contaminate the grease.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut200 Nm (148 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove hub assembly from knuckle
   From behind the knuckle, remove the four hub-to-knuckle mounting bolts. Withdraw the hub assembly forward out of the knuckle bore. If seized in the bore, use a hub puller or carefully tap from the rear with a brass drift — never strike the aluminum knuckle directly with steel.
   ⚠The knuckle is aluminum. Avoid prying against the knuckle face or scoring the bore.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Bearing Hub Bolts100 Nm (74 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Clean knuckle bore and mating surface
   Wire-brush the knuckle bore and bolt holes. Remove all corrosion, dirt, and old threadlocker. The hub must seat flush against a clean mating surface — any debris will cock the bearing and cause premature failure or ABS air-gap issues.
8. 8

   Install new hub assembly
   Position the new hub into the knuckle, ensuring the ABS tone ring (integrated into the hub) faces correctly toward the sensor bore. Hand-thread all four hub bolts (with fresh threadlocker if specified by the service manual) before torquing in a cross pattern.
   Torque spec

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

   Reinstall outer CV stub through hub
   Slide the outer CV splines through the new hub. Install a NEW axle nut finger-tight. Final torque is applied with the wheel back on the ground (see reassembly).
10. 10

    Reinstall ABS sensor
    Apply a small amount of silicone grease to the sensor o-ring/shaft, seat the sensor fully into the knuckle bore, and install the retaining bolt.
11. 11

    Reinstall rotor and caliper
    Place the rotor on the hub. Reinstall the caliper bracket with fresh medium-strength threadlocker on the bracket bolts. Reinstall the caliper over the rotor and torque the guide pin bolts to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the rear wheel and snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.
2. Lower the vehicle until the tire firmly contacts the ground (weight on the wheel).
3. Final-torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to spec (Wheel Lug Nuts).
4. Final-torque the new axle nut to spec (Axle Nut) — this is CRITICAL; under-torque will destroy the new bearing.
5. Fully lower the vehicle.
6. Reconnect the 12V battery in the frunk and close the frunk.
7. Power the vehicle on; the air suspension will re-level. Exit Jack Mode if it is still active.
8. Allow the vehicle to sit for 1-2 minutes for the suspension to settle and any transient faults to clear.

Verification

• Touchscreen: confirm no active alerts for ABS, Stability Control, Traction Control, or Air Suspension after a key cycle.
• Press the brake pedal several times before driving — pedal should be firm and consistent.
• Low-speed roll test in a safe area: listen for grinding, humming, or clicking from the repaired corner. A new bearing should be silent.
• Test drive at 25-45 mph in a straight line and through gentle turns — bearing noise typically changes with load transfer left vs right.
• Recheck axle nut torque after the test drive — the splines can settle. Re-torque to spec (Axle Nut).
• After ~50 miles, recheck wheel lug nut torque (Wheel Lug Nuts).
• Service interval reminder: this is a good opportunity to inspect brake fluid age (Tesla recommends replacement every 2 years) and check rear drive unit gear oil if it has not been serviced per Tesla's updated 25,000-50,000 mi recommendation.

More procedures for this vehicle