Wheel Bearing - Press-In Rear

Replace a press-in rear wheel bearing on a 2024 Model Y Long Range AWD. The rear bearing is pressed into the knuckle (hub bolts to bearing), requiring hub removal and a hydraulic press or in-vehicle bearing puller kit.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing (press-in type, OEM-spec) × 1 — Manufacturer-specified Model Y rear bearing — verify against VIN
• Axle nut (single-use) with new cotter pin or stake nut as applicable × 1 — OEM single-use rear axle nut
• Hub bolts (recommended replacement) × 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. Disconnect the 12V low-voltage battery (located behind/under the rear seat area on 2024 Model Y — refer to service manual for exact access).
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 'Jack Mode' via the touchscreen BEFORE lifting if not already disabled by 12V disconnect, to prevent self-leveling/active suspension faults (note: Model Y uses coil suspension, but the setting prevents drive-related faults).
7. Loosen the rear axle nut and wheel lug nuts slightly while the wheel is still on the ground.
8. Raise the rear of the vehicle at the manufacturer-specified jack points and support on jack stands rated for EV weight. Remove the rear wheel.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the rear brake caliper bracket bolts and suspend the caliper from the suspension with a wire or bungee — do NOT let it hang by the flexible brake hose. Remove the rotor retaining clip/screw if present and slide the rotor off. If the parking brake actuator is integrated (electric parking brake on Model Y rear), release it via service mode on the touchscreen before removing the caliper, or disconnect the EPB connector to avoid damage.
   ⚠Model Y uses electric parking brake calipers at the rear. Place EPB in service/maintenance mode via the vehicle's touchscreen before retracting the pistons or removing the caliper.
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS sensor and routing clips
   Unbolt the ABS/wheel speed sensor from the knuckle and free its harness from the routing clips along the trailing arm. Set the sensor aside where it will not be damaged during hub removal.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove the rear axle nut
   Remove and discard the cotter pin (if equipped) or unstake the nut. Fully remove the axle nut. This nut is single-use — a new one is required for reassembly.
   ⚠Do not reuse the axle nut or cotter pin. Reusing the staked/torque-to-yield nut can result in axle separation.
4. 4

   Separate the half-shaft from the hub
   Push the outer CV stub out of the hub splines using a soft-faced punch on the end of the shaft, or use a hub puller. If the splines are seized, apply penetrating oil and work gently. Support the half-shaft so its inner CV is not over-articulated.
   ⚠Do not let the half-shaft hang by the inner CV joint — over-articulation can damage the inner joint and seal.
5. 5

   Remove the hub from the knuckle
   Remove the four hub-to-knuckle bolts from the rear of the knuckle. Withdraw the hub assembly forward. With a press-in style bearing, the inner race may remain on the hub — plan for a bearing separator if so.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Decide: in-car puller vs. knuckle removal
   If using an on-car bearing puller/installer kit, the bearing can be pressed out and in with the knuckle on the vehicle. If using a shop press, remove the knuckle by disconnecting the upper and lower control arm balljoints/bolts and toe link as required by the OEM service manual. Mark alignment positions of any cam bolts before removal.
   ℹ️If knuckle is removed, an alignment is required after reassembly. Mark every adjustable cam/eccentric position before disturbing.
7. 7

   Press out the old bearing
   Support the knuckle properly on the press (or with the on-car tool's reaction plate) and press the bearing OUT in the correct direction per the bearing's shoulder. Use a driver matched to the bearing outer race OD. Inspect the knuckle bore for scoring, corrosion, or out-of-round; clean thoroughly.
   ⚠Never press on the inner race during removal of a sealed unit — it will destroy the new bearing if reused or contaminate the bore.
8. 8

   Press in the new bearing
   Lightly oil the knuckle bore. Press the new bearing in squarely using a driver that contacts ONLY the outer race. Press until the bearing is fully seated against the shoulder. Verify it is square and not cocked. Reinstall any retaining clip if applicable.
   ⚠Pressing on the inner race will damage the bearing internally even if it appears to install correctly.
9. 9

   Reinstall knuckle (if removed) and hub
   If the knuckle was removed, reinstall it and torque suspension fasteners to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual (these values are not on the verified list). Reinstall the hub through the new bearing, then install the four hub-to-knuckle bolts.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall half-shaft and new axle nut
    Slide the CV stub through the hub splines. Install a NEW axle nut and torque to spec. Install a new cotter pin or stake the nut into the shaft groove per the design used on this vehicle.
    ⚠️An under-torqued axle nut will allow the bearing to fail rapidly and the wheel to potentially separate. This is a CRITICAL fastener.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall ABS sensor, brake rotor, and caliper
    Reinstall the ABS sensor (clean the tip and seat — debris causes false faults), reinstall the rotor, and refit the caliper. Torque caliper bracket and guide pin bolts to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual. Reseat the harness in all retaining clips.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten lug nuts.
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. Power on the vehicle. Exit any service mode and allow systems to initialize. The EPB may auto-calibrate; if not, perform the calibration via the touchscreen service menu.
6. Cycle the brake pedal several times to seat the caliper pistons before driving.

Verification

• Confirm no ABS, traction control, or EPB warning lights on the instrument cluster after a short test drive.
• At low speed in an empty area, verify no grinding, humming, or roughness from the rear corner — bearing noise typically changes with cornering load.
• Re-check axle nut staking/cotter pin is fully engaged after the test drive.
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles (Tesla recommends a re-torque after wheel service).
• If the knuckle was removed or any suspension fastener disturbed, perform a 4-wheel alignment.
• While the vehicle is in the air, take this opportunity to inspect the opposite-side rear bearing and verify rear tires are within Tesla's 6,250 mi rotation interval — Model Y wears rear tires aggressively.

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

More procedures for this vehicle