TOYOTA RAV4 1996 Service Repair Manual

ECHO models are equipped with a solid axle beam connected between shock absorbers, coil springs, and
vehicle body. Wheel bearings and the axle hub is a one piece assembly, bolted to the axle beam. See Fig. 3
.
Fig. 3: Exploded View Of Rear Suspension Components (ECHO)

Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC.
RAV4 models are either 4WD or FWD. Rear suspension components are coil springs, shock absorbers, and
upper and lower suspension arms connected between body and rear suspension arm. Wheel bearings are pressed
into axle hubs, which are bolted to rear suspension arms. See Fig. 4
.

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
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Fig. 4: Exploded View Of Rear Suspension Components (RAV4)
Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC.
ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION
WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
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Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 4 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

WHEEL BEARING INSPECTION
Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel and brake drum, or rotor (if equipped). Position dial indicator with
stem against center of axle hub. Move axle hub in and out while observing dial indicator. Replace hub if axial
play exceeds .002" (.05 mm). Measure hub axial runout. Replace hub if runout exceeds .0028" (.07 mm).
WHEEL BEARING ADJUSTMENT
Hubs must be replaced if axle end play or runout are not within specification. No adjustment is available. See
WHEEL BEARINGS (HUBS)
under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
REMOVAL & INSTALLATION
AXLE BEAM
Removal (ECHO)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels and brake drums. Disconnect brakelines from flex hoses,
remove retaining clips from shock absorbers and plug openings. Disconnect ABS sensor and remove
harness clamp from axle beam. Disconnect parking brake cable from backing plate and remove cable
clamp from axle beam. Remove axle hub assemblies. Remove backing plate assemblies, with brake shoes
still attached.
2. Remove high-mounted stop light from rear package tray. Remove 2 clips and remove package tray.
Remove rear seat. Remove door scuff plate and door opening trim. See Fig. 5
. Remove rear seat outer
seat belts and remove quarter trim panels. On 2 door models, remove outer anchor for front seat shoulder
belt and remove roof side inner garnish. On all models, remove room partition board.
3. Using 2 floor jacks, support rear axle beam under each coil spring. While holding shock absorber shaft,
remove the 2 upper nuts, disconnecting lower suspension supports from body. Lower jacks slowly.
Remove coil springs and insulators. Remove axle beam-to-
body bolts. Remove axle beam. NOTE: See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES
in WHEEL ALIGNMENT article.

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
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Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 5 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 5: Exploded View Of Rear Seat Components (ECHO)
Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC.
Installation (ECHO)
1. Install coil spring insulators and coil springs to rear axle beam. Install shock absorbers and lower
suspension supports to axle beam, if removed. Raise axle beam with floor jacks and install axle beam-to-
body bolts. Install lower suspension supports and shock absorbers to body. Leaving axle beam-to-body
bolts, lower suspension supports and shock absorber bolts loose, lower vehicle.
2. Bounce vehicle several times to settle suspension. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Fill and bleed
brake system.
AXLE HUB & CARRIER
Removal (Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, Celica & Corolla)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. On models with ABS, disconnect rear speed sensor. On
drum brake models, disconnect brakeline from flex hose, and plu
g openings. Remove brake drum.

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
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Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 6 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

2. On disc brake models, remove rotor and caliper. Leaving flex hose attached, suspend caliper aside. On all
models, remove 4 axle hub-to-axle carrier bolts, axle hub and "O" ring.
3. Note position of nuts on suspension arms and strut rods for installation reference. Disconnect strut rod
from axle carrier. Disconnect No. 1 and No. 2 lower suspension arms from axle carrier. Remove 2 bolts
and nuts, and remove axle carrier.
Installation (Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, Celica & Corolla)
To install, reverse removal procedure. Coat NEW "O" ring with grease and install hub. Tighten all fasteners to
specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
. Bleed brake system. Check rear wheel alignment.
Removal (RAV4)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheel and brake drum. On 4WD models, remove drive axle.
Remove ABS speed sensor (if equipped). Remove drive axle lock nut. Place matchmarks on drive axle
and differential gear shaft. Remove the 4 nuts and remove drive axle from differential side gear. On FWD
models, disconnect ABS sensor and remove harness clamp (if equipped). On all models, remove 2
brakeline clamps from rear No. 1 suspension arm. Remove parking brake cable clamp. See Fig. 4
.
2. Remove 4 bolts and remove axle hub and backing plate, leaving brake shoes attached. Disconnect lower
end of shock absorber. Using Ball Joint Puller (09628-62011), disconnect upper and lower suspension
arms from rear No. 1 suspension arm. Place matchmarks on camber adjusting cam and suspension
member and remove bolt. See Fig. 6
. Place matchmarks on toe adjusting cam and body and loosen bolt.
See Fig. 7
. Remove coil spring and upper insulator. Remove loosened toe adjusting cam bolt. Remove
rear No. 1 suspension arm. NOTE: Bounce vehicle several times to stabilize suspension. Tighten axle carrier-to-
shock absorber assembly and suspension arm bolts to specification with
vehicle at normal operating height.

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
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Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 7 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 6: Placing Matchmarks On Camber Cam (RAV4)
Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A. INC.

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
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Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 8 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 7: Placing Matchmarks On Toe Cam (RAV4)
Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A. INC.
Installation (RAV4)
To install, reverse removal procedure. Install suspension arms and adjusting cam bolts, but DO NOT tighten.
Lower vehicle and bounce several times to settle suspension. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification, with
vehicle weight on suspension. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
STABILIZER BAR
Removal (Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, Celica & Corolla)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. On Camry models, remove rear muffler heat shield. On
Celica models, remove rear muffler, and heat shield, if equipped.
2. On 1999 Celica models, using a jack and wooden block, support fuel tank and disconnect right side fuel
tank mounting band.
3. On Corolla models, disconnect flexible brake hoses mounted on shock absorbers. Remove the clips and
plug openings. Disconnect shock absorbers from rear axle carrier. Using a jack and wooden block,
support fuel tank and disconnect both fuel tank mounting bands. Lower fuel tank.
4. On all models, disconnect left and right stabilizer bar links from stabilizer bar. Remove stabilizer bar
brackets and bushings. Remove stabilizer bar.

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
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Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 9 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. On Avalon, Camry and 2000 Celica models, install stabilizer bar
bushings to the outside of the bushing stoppers on stabilizer bar. See Fig. 8
. On Corolla & 1999 Celica models,
install stabilizer bar bushings to the outside of the paint line on stabilizer bar. See Fig. 9
. Tighten all nuts and
bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
.
Fig. 8: Installing Stabilizer Bar Bushings (Camry Shown; Avalon, Camry Solara & 2000 Celica Are
Similar)
Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC.

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
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Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 10 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

Fig. 9: Installing Stabilizer Bar Bushings (Corolla Shown; 1999 Celica Is Similar)
Courtesy of TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, U.S.A., INC.
STRUT OR SHOCK ABSORBER ASSEMBLY
Removal (Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, Celica, Corolla & ECHO)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. Remove flexible brake hose and ABS speed sensor
harness (if equipped) clamps from struts/shock absorbers. Disconnect left and right stabilizer bar links
from struts.
2. On models with a one-piece rear seat, remove rear seatback and cushion. On models with separated rear
seat, lean rear seatback forward. On Camry models, remove rear side seatback. On Camry Solara and
ECHO models, remove rear outer seat belts. On Camry Solara, Celica & ECHO models, remove package
tray trim panel. On Camry Solara & ECHO models, remove quarter trim panels, roof side inner garnish
and room partition board. On 2000 Celica models, remove luggage compartment mat, rear deck trim
cover, and deck trim side panel. On ECHO models, remove door scuff plate and door opening trim. See
Fig. 5
.
3. Using 2 floor jacks, support rear axle carriers, or axle beam for ECHO models. Remove strut or shock
absorber lower mounting nuts/bolts. Remove the cap and strut-to-body upper mounting nuts. On ECHO
models, remove the 2 shaft nuts and lower suspension support. On all models, remove strut or shock

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
Microsoft
Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 11 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.

absorber.
Inspection
Compress and extend shock/strut shaft to check for abnormal resistance or noise. Push shaft in fully, and
release. Shaft should return at a constant speed throughout its travel. If shock/strut is defective, replace as an
assembly.
Installation
To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all fasteners to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS .
Removal & Installation (RAV4)
Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. Using a jack and wooden block, support rear suspension arm.
Remove upper suspension cap. See Fig. 4
. Remove 2 shaft nuts, retainers and cushion. Remove shock
absorber. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS .
STRUT ROD
Removal & Installation (Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, 1999 Celica & Corolla)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. On all models except 1999 Celica, remove center exhaust
pipe. On all models, remove nuts and bolts holding strut rod to axle carrier, and body. Remove strut rod.
2. Install strut rod, leaving nuts and bolts loose. Lower vehicle. Bounce vehicle several times to settle
suspension. With vehicle weight on suspension, tighten all nuts and bolts to specification. See TORQUE
SPECIFICATIONS .
SUSPENSION ARMS
Removal (Avalon, Camry, Camry Solara, Celica & Corolla)
1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove rear wheels. Remove the 2 nuts and suspension arm washer. See Fig.
1 . Remove No. 2 suspension arm from axle carrier. Remove stabilizer bar brackets from suspension
member. NOTE: If strut is to be disassembled, loosen, but do not remove strut shaft nut before
removing strut.
CAUTION: To prevent personal injury, discharge gas from old shock absorber prior to
disposal. Carefully drill a hole 0.08-0.12" (2-3 mm) in diameter above lower
mounting bracket on cylinder.
NOTE: Note orientation of suspension arm installation for reassembly reference.

1999 Toyota RAV4
1999-2000 SUSPENSION Rear - Front Wheel Drive
Microsoft
Sunday, November 22, 2009 10:37:21 AMPage 12 © 2005 Mitchell Repair Information Company, LLC.