Wheel Bearing - Press-In Rear

Replacement of a press-in rear wheel bearing on a 2024 Tesla Model Y Performance AWD. The rear hub assembly must be removed from the knuckle and the bearing pressed out/in using a hydraulic press or in-vehicle bearing puller kit.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing (press-in type, manufacturer-specified for Model Y Performance) × 1 — OEM Tesla rear wheel bearing — verify by VIN
• New axle nut (single-use) or new cotter pin if staked-nut design uses one × 1 — OEM-spec single-use axle nut / cotter pin
• Hub bolts (replace if showing thread damage or stretch) × 4 — OEM-spec hub mounting 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 under the rear seat or in the front trunk area depending on build date — refer to architecture notes).
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 / Tow Mode equivalent or ensure the rear wheels can be turned freely after loosening lug nuts.
7. Loosen the rear wheel lug nuts and the axle nut while the wheel is still on the ground (axle nut requires significant breakaway torque).
8. Raise the rear of the vehicle using only the manufacturer-specified lift points and support on jack stands rated for EV weight.
9. Remove the rear wheel.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove axle nut
   Remove the cotter pin (or unstake the nut) and back off the axle nut. Discard — this is a single-use fastener. Note the orientation of any washer behind the nut.
2. 2

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the rear caliper bracket bolts and hang the caliper from the suspension with a hook or bungee — do not let it hang by the flexible brake line. Remove the brake rotor. If the rotor is seized to the hub, use the threaded extraction holes (do not strike the hub face).
   ⚠Do not allow the caliper to hang by the brake hose — internal damage to the hose is hidden and can cause failure under braking.
3. 3

   Disconnect ABS sensor
   Carefully remove the ABS wheel speed sensor bolt and pull the sensor straight out of the knuckle. Do not yank the harness. Unclip the harness from any retainers on the trailing arm. Inspect the sensor for damage.
   ⚠ABS sensors are fragile. If seized in the bore, apply penetrating oil and rotate gently — do not pry against the sensor body.
   Torque spec

   ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Separate half-shaft from hub
   Push the outer CV stub axle inward through the hub. If splines are seized, use a soft-faced drift on the stub end. Once free, support the half-shaft with a bungee — do not let it dangle from the inner joint.
5. 5

   Remove hub assembly from knuckle
   Access the four hub mounting bolts from the inboard side of the knuckle. Remove the bolts and pull the hub/bearing assembly out the outboard side. A slide hammer may be required if the hub is corroded into the knuckle bore.
   ⚠Knuckle is aluminum — strike only with a dead-blow or brass drift if separation is required.
6. 6

   Press out the old bearing
   On a hydraulic press (or using an in-vehicle bearing press tool kit), support the hub carrier and press the old bearing out. Pay attention to the direction of press — refer to the Tesla Service Manual or bearing manufacturer instructions for correct support and press direction. Clean the bore thoroughly and inspect for scoring, ovality, or cracks. If the bore is damaged, the knuckle must be replaced.
   ⚠️Hydraulic presses can launch components with extreme force if misaligned. Use proper press plates and keep body parts clear of the load path.
7. 7

   Press in new bearing
   Press the new bearing into the carrier using a driver that contacts ONLY the outer race. Pressing on the inner race will destroy the new bearing immediately. Press until fully seated against the shoulder — do not over-press.
   ⚠Never press on the inner race of a new sealed bearing. This causes immediate brinelling and premature failure.
8. 8

   Reinstall hub assembly to knuckle
   Clean the knuckle mounting face. Reinstall the hub carrier with its four bolts. Apply a small amount of anti-seize to the hub-to-knuckle pilot if specified. Torque the hub bolts to specification in a cross pattern.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall half-shaft, rotor, and caliper
   Slide the outer CV stub through the hub splines. Install the rotor, then the caliper bracket. Torque caliper bracket bolts to OEM specification — refer to Tesla Service Manual.
10. 10

    Reinstall ABS sensor
    Lightly lubricate the sensor O-ring or bore with silicone grease, seat the sensor fully, and torque the sensor bolt. Reroute the harness and reinstall all retainers exactly as factory.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install and torque new axle nut
    Install a NEW axle nut. Torque to specification while a helper applies the brake (or with the wheel on the ground). Install a new cotter pin or stake the nut into the half-shaft groove as designed. The cotter pin/stake is mandatory — this is a CRITICAL fastener.
    ⚠️An improperly torqued or unstaked axle nut can back off, allowing the half-shaft to disengage from the hub and causing loss of drive and wheel separation.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall wheel
    Mount the wheel and hand-thread all lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground, then torque the lugs to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Reconnect the 12V low-voltage battery.
2. Pump the brake pedal multiple times until firm before moving the vehicle — the caliper pistons may need to re-seat.
3. Cycle the vehicle on, allow ABS/ESC self-check to complete, and verify no warning lights remain on the touchscreen.
4. Re-torque lug nuts after 50-100 miles (Tesla recommendation for any wheel-off service).

Verification

• Test drive at low speed and verify no bearing growl, hum, or vibration that changes with cornering load (left turn loads right bearing, and vice versa).
• Confirm no ABS, traction control, or stability control warnings on the touchscreen.
• Confirm ABS wheel speed reading is active — can be checked via Service Mode wheel speed display.
• Inspect the axle nut staking/cotter pin after the test drive to confirm it has not loosened.
• Note: While the vehicle is up, this is a good opportunity to inspect rear tire wear (Model Y Performance wears rear tires aggressively — Tesla recommends rotation every 6,250 miles) and check brake fluid age (Tesla recommends brake fluid service every 2 years).

More procedures for this vehicle