Wheel Bearing - Press-In Rear

This procedure covers removal of the rear wheel hub assembly, pressing out the old bearing, pressing in a new bearing, and reinstalling the hub on a 2018-2024 Toyota Camry with 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel bearing × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut (if staked type) × 1 — 90179-32034 or equivalent
• Cotter pin (if applicable) × 1 — Check axle nut design
• Brake caliper mounting hardware × 1 — Use OEM specification if damaged

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
3. If axle nut is staked type, use punch to unstake the crimped portion while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
5. Remove rear wheel completely
6. Clean area around hub, brake components, and suspension with wire brush to prevent contamination

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts and carefully lift caliper off rotor. Support caliper with wire or bungee cord to prevent stress on brake hose - do not let it hang freely. Remove brake rotor by pulling straight off hub. If rotor is stuck, use rubber mallet to tap from behind or thread M8 bolts into threaded holes to push rotor off.
2. 2

   Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor
   Locate ABS wheel speed sensor on rear knuckle or hub assembly. Disconnect electrical connector by pressing release tab. Remove ABS sensor mounting bolt and carefully extract sensor from hub. Secure sensor away from work area to prevent damage.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove axle nut
   Using a breaker bar and 32mm socket, remove the rear axle nut. This nut is torqued to 250 Nm and will require significant force. If the axle spins, have an assistant apply the brake or use a pry bar against the lug studs. Remove and discard the axle nut if it is the staked type. Remove cotter pin if equipped with castellated nut design.
   ⚠Do not reuse staked axle nuts. Always install a new nut if the old one was staked.
   Torque spec

   Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove hub bolts from knuckle
   Access the four hub mounting bolts from the rear side of the knuckle assembly. These bolts secure the hub assembly to the steering knuckle. Remove all four bolts completely. The hub assembly may now be loose but the axle will hold it in place.
   Torque spec

   Hub Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Extract hub assembly from knuckle
   Pull the hub assembly off the axle shaft and away from the knuckle. The hub may require light tapping with a soft mallet if it is tight on the axle splines. Once removed from axle, pull hub assembly straight out from the back of the knuckle. If bearing is seized in knuckle, hub may separate from outer race - this is normal for bearing replacement.
6. 6

   Remove bearing snap ring
   With hub assembly on workbench, inspect the inner side of the knuckle bore. Locate the bearing retaining snap ring in the groove. Using snap ring pliers, compress or expand the snap ring (depending on type) and remove it from the knuckle. Set aside for potential reuse if in good condition.
7. 7

   Press bearing out of hub
   Position the hub assembly in hydraulic press with proper supports contacting the inner bearing race only. Do not apply pressure to outer race or hub flange. Press the hub through the bearing, which will separate the hub from the inner race. Remove hub and set aside. Then use a bearing race driver or appropriate sized socket to press the bearing races out of the knuckle bore, working from the inner side. Press evenly to prevent cocking the races.
   ⚠Support must contact only the bearing race being pressed, never the hub flange or knuckle casting. Incorrect support placement will crack the knuckle.
8. 8

   Clean and inspect knuckle bore
   Thoroughly clean the bearing bore in the knuckle using a wire brush and brake cleaner. Remove all old grease, rust, and debris. Inspect the bore for scoring, cracks, or damage. Check that the snap ring groove is clean and undamaged. Measure the bore diameter if possible to verify it is within specification (consult service manual for exact dimension).
9. 9

   Press new bearing into knuckle
   Apply a thin film of clean wheel bearing grease to the knuckle bore (optional but recommended). Position new bearing squarely at the bore entrance with any markings or shields facing the correct direction (typically external side faces outward). Place knuckle in press and use a bearing race driver that contacts the outer race only. Press bearing in evenly until it seats fully against the internal shoulder in the knuckle bore. Do not press on inner race. Reinstall snap ring into groove.
   ⚠Press force must be applied only to the outer bearing race. Pressing on the inner race or bearing shield will destroy the bearing immediately.
10. 10

    Press hub into new bearing
    Clean the hub mating surface and axle splines. Apply light coating of grease to hub splines. Position the hub into the inner race of the newly installed bearing. Using press and a driver that contacts only the inner race, press the hub into the bearing until fully seated. The hub should sit flush and rotate smoothly with slight resistance. Verify bearing rotates without binding or roughness.
    ⚠Press force must be applied only to the inner bearing race through the hub. Never press on the hub flange or outer race during hub installation.
11. 11

    Install hub assembly to knuckle
    Align hub assembly with axle shaft and slide onto splines. Guide hub assembly into position on rear of knuckle, ensuring proper alignment of mounting bolt holes. Install all four hub mounting bolts and hand tighten. Torque hub bolts in a crisscross pattern to specification.
    Torque spec

    Hub Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install and torque axle nut
    Install new axle nut (if staked type) or reuse castellated nut with new cotter pin. Thread nut onto axle by hand as far as possible. Using torque wrench and 32mm socket, torque axle nut to specification. If using staked nut, stake the nut into the axle shaft groove using punch and hammer. If using castellated nut, align cotter pin hole and install new cotter pin, bending ends securely.
    ⚠Axle nut must be torqued to exactly 250 Nm. Under-torquing will cause bearing failure; over-torquing may damage hub or axle threads.
    Torque spec

    Axle Nut250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Reinstall ABS sensor
    Clean ABS sensor tip and bore in hub with brake cleaner. Insert ABS sensor into mounting hole and install mounting bolt, torquing to specification. Reconnect electrical connector ensuring it clicks fully into place. Verify sensor sits flush and cable routing matches original position.
    Torque spec

    ABS Sensor Bolt11 Nm (8 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall brake rotor and caliper
    Slide brake rotor onto hub, ensuring it sits flat against hub face. Remount brake caliper over rotor and install caliper mounting bolts, torquing to manufacturer specification (typically 65-80 Nm, verify in service manual). Remove caliper support wire or bungee cord.
15. 15

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Mount wheel onto hub and hand tighten lug nuts in star pattern. Lower vehicle until tire just contacts ground (weight not fully on wheel). Torque lug nuts to specification in star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts108 Nm (80 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to proper specifications in the order performed
2. Verify ABS sensor connector is fully seated and cable is properly routed without tension
3. Check that axle nut is properly staked or cotter pin is installed and bent correctly
4. Pump brake pedal several times to restore proper brake pad position before moving vehicle

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed in safe area and verify no abnormal noise from rear wheel bearing
• Check for proper ABS function - warning light should not illuminate during test drive
• Verify no wheel wobble or vibration at highway speeds
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving
• Listen for grinding, humming, or growling noises which indicate improper bearing installation

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