A drive unit for a vehicle wheel assembly includes an input gear set driven by an electric motor, a planetary gear set driven by the input gear set, and an output shaft driven by the planetary gear set. An adapter is used to attach a wheel rim and a brake component for rotation with the output shaft, which is rotatably supported by a wheel bearing. The input gear set and the planetary gear set are positioned outboard of the electric motor and inboard of the brake component. The brake component can be easily removed without requiring removal of the planetary gear set or any wheel bearings. Only the wheel rim and the adapter have to be removed in order to remove the brake component.