1996 TOYOTA RAV4 suspension

R10657
− SUSPENSION AND AXLETIRE AND WHEEL
SA−3
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
4. CHECK WHEEL BEARING LOOSENESS
(a) Check the backlash in the bearing shaft direction.
Maximum: 0.05 mm (0.0020 in.)
(b) Check the axle hub deviation.
Maximum: 0.07 mm (0.0028 in.)
5. CHECK FRONT SUSPENSION FOR LOOSENESS
6. CHECK STEERING LINKAGE FOR LOOSENESS
7. CHECK BALL JOINT FOR LOOSENESS
8. CHECK SHOCK ABSORBER WORKS PROPERLY
Check for oil leak
Check mounting bushings for wear
Check bounce for front and rear of the vehicle

R10734R10735
F02020
Front:
Rear:SA0T7−05
Z03382
SA3213
A
CB
FrontD SA−4
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
FRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
INSPECTION
1. MEASURE VEHICLE HEIGHT
Tire sizeFront*1
mm (in.)Rear*2
mm (in.)
215/70R16 (2WD)227 (8.94)353 (13.90)
215/70R16 (4WD)227 (8.94)360 (14.17)
*1: Front measuring point:
Measure from the ground to the center of the lower suspension
arm front mounting bolt.
*
2: Rear measuring point:
Measure from the ground to the center of the body side No.1
suspension arm mounting bolt.
NOTICE:
Before inspecting the wheel alignment, adjust the vehicle
height to the specification.
If the vehicle height is not to specification, try to adjust it by
pushing down on or lifting the body.
2. INSTALL CAMBER−CASTER−KINGPIN GAUGE
ONTO VEHICLE OR POSITION VEHICLE ON WHEEL
ALIGNMENT TESTER
Follow the specific instructions of the equipment manufacturer.
3. INSPECT CAMBER, CASTER AND STEERING AXIS
INCLINATION
Tire size: 215/70R16
2WD4WD
Camber
Left−right error−0°20’ ± 45’
(−0.33°± 0.75°)
45’ (0.75°) or less−0°15’± 45’
(−0.25° ± 0.75°)
45’ (0.75°) or less
Caster
Left−right error1°25’ ± 45’
(1.42° ± 0.75°)
45’ (0.75°) or less1°20 ± 45’
(1.33° ± 0.75°)
45’ (0.75°) or less
Steering axis inclination
Left−right error11°00’ ± 45’
(11° ± 0.75°)
45’ (0.75°) or less10°45’ ± 45’
(10.75° ± 0.75°)
45’ (0.75°) or less
If the caster and steering axis inclination are not within the spec-
ification, after the camber has correctly adjusted, recheck the
suspension parts for damaged and/or worn out parts.
4. INSPECT TOE−IN
To e−in
(total)A + B: 0° ± 0’10’ (0° ± 0.17°)
C D: 0 ± 2 mm (0 ± 0.08 in.)
If the toe−in is not within the specification, adjust it by the tie rod
end.

R10850
W01204
F01195
Bolt
Set Bolt Adjusting Bolt
1 Dot 2 Dots 3 Dots
30’
45’
1°15’
1°30’
Adjusting
ValueOD=13.9 mmOD=13.3 mm OD=12.4 mm
Original
15’
1°00’
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
SA−5
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
5. ADJUST CAMBER
NOTICE:
After the camber has been adjusted, inspect the toe−in.
(a) Remove the front wheels.
(b) Remove the 2 nuts on the lower side of the shock absorb-
er.
(c) Coat the threads of the nuts with engine oil.
(d) Temporarily install the 2 nuts.
(e) Adjust the camber by pushing or pulling the lower side of
the shock adjustment is required.
(f) Tighten the 2nuts.
Torque: 158 N·m (1,610 kgf·cm, 117 ft.lbf)
(g) Install the front wheels.
Torque: 103 N·m (1,050 kgf·cm, 76 ft.lbf)
(h) Check the camber.
HINT:
Try to adjust the camber to the center value.
Adjusting value for the set bolts is 6’ − 30’ (0.1° − 0.5°).
If the camber is not within the specification, using the table be-
low, estimate for how much additional camber adjustment will
be required, and select the camber adjusting bolt.

W01205
1
2
R10746
R10747
SA0028
AB
FrontA B
A: Inside
B: Outside SA−6
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT WHEEL ALIGNMENT
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
(i) Follow the above mentioned steps again. Between the
step (b) and (c), exchange 1 or 2 selected bolts.
HINT:
When exchanging the 2 bolts, exchange 1 bolt for each time.
6. ADJUST TOE−IN
(a) Remove the boot clamps.
(b) Loosen the tie rod end lock nuts.
(c) Turn the left and right rack ends an equal amount to adjust
the toe−in.
HINT:
Try to adjust the toe−in to the center value.
Make sure that the length of the left and right rack ends
is the same.
Tie rod end length difference:
1.5 mm (0.059 in.) or less
(d) Torque the tie rod end lock nuts.
Torque: 56 N·m (570 kgf·cm, 41 ft·lbf)
(e) Place the boot on the seat and install the clamp.
HINT:
Make sure that the boots are not twisted.
7. INSPECT WHEEL ANGLE
Turn the steering wheel fully, and measure the turning angle.
Inside wheel33°15’ ± 2.0° (33.25° ± 2.0°)
Outside wheel: Reference28°05’ (28.08°)
If the wheel angles differ from the standard specification, adjust
the toe−in.

SA0T8−05
SA3213
AB
D
Front
C
W01763
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEREAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
SA−7
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
REAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
INSPECTION
1. MEASURE VEHICLE HEIGHT (See page SA−4)
NOTICE:
Before inspect the wheel alignment, adjust the vehicle
height to specification.
2. INSTALL CAMBER−CASTER−KINGPIN GAUGE OR
ONTO WHEEL ALIGNMENT TESTER
Follow the specifications of the equipment manufacturer.
3. INSPECT CAMBER
2WD4WD
Camber
Left−right error−1°20’ ± 45’
(1.33° ± 0.75°)
45’ (0.75°) or less−1°05’ ± 45’
(1.08° ± 0.75°)
45’ (0.75°) or less
If the camber is not within the specification, adjust it by the cam-
ber adjust cam.
4. INSPECT TOE−IN
2WD
To e−in
(total)A + B: 0°20’ ± 0’10’ (0.33° ± 0.17°)
C − D: 4 ± 2 mm (0.16 ± 0.08 in.)
4WD
To e−in
(total)A + B: 0°15’ ± 0’10’ (0.25° ± 0.17°)
C − D: 3 ± 2 mm (0.12 ± 0.08 in.)
If the toe−in is not within the specification, adjust it by the toe−
adjust cam.
If the toe−in is not within the specification, adjust it by the toe−
adjust cam.
5. ADJUST CAMBER
(a) Loosen the camber adjust cam lock bolt.
(b) Turn the camber adjust cam to adjust camber.
HINT:
Try to adjust the camber to the center value.
The camber will change about 16’ (0.27°) with each grad-
uation of the cam.
(c) Torque the lock bolt.
Torque: 113 N·m (1,150 kgf·cm, 83 ft·lbf)

R10782
W01761
SA−8
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEREAR WHEEL ALIGNMENT
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
6. ADJUST TOE−IN
(a) Measure the distance between each wheel disc and cor-
ner of the cam bracket, then confirm that both are the
same.
Left−right difference: 1 mm (0.04 in.) or less
If the left−right difference is larger than 1 mm (0.04 in.), adjust
it by following the procedures below.
(b) Loosen the toe−adjust cam lock bolt.
(c) Turn the toe−adjust cam an equal amount to adjust toe−
in.
HINT:
Try it adjust the tie−in to the center value.
The toe−in will change about 2.5 mm (0.10 in.) with each
graduation of the cam (both side).
(d) Torque the lock bolts.
Torque: 132 N·m (1,350 kgf·cm, 97 ft·lbf)

SA0T9−03
Z19327
49
ABS Speed Sensor158 (1,610, 117)
49 (500, 36)
8.3 (85, 74 in.·lbf)
127 (1,300, 94)
107 (1,090, 79)
Steering Knuckle
with Axle Hub
Axle Hub Snap Ring Oil Seal
Lower Ball JointSteering Knuckle Front Shock Absorber
Lower
Suspension
Arm
Lock CapCotter Pin 
5 (55, 48 in.·lbf)
Front Drive Shaft
Tie Rod End
Hub Bolt
Disc Cotter Pin

Brake Caliper
Dust Deflector 
Dust Cover 
Bearing 
Cotter Pin 
Oil Seal  N·m (kgf·cm, ft·lbf)
Non−reusable part: Specified torque

216 (2,200, 159)
127 (1,300, 94)

8 (80, 69 in.·lbf)
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT AXLE HUB
SA−9
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
FRONT AXLE HUB
COMPONENTS

SA0TA−03
R10657
R10655
SA−10
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT AXLE HUB
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
REMOVAL
1. REMOVE FRONT WHEEL
Torque: 103 N·m (1,050kgf·cm, 76 ft·lbf)
2. CHECK BEARING BACKLASH AND AXLE HUB DEVI-
ATION
(a) Remove the 2 bolts and brake caliper from the steering
knuckle.
(b) Support the brake caliper securely.
(c) Remove the disc.
(d) Using a dial indicator near the center of the axle hub and
check the backlash in the bearing shaft direction.
Maximum: 0.05 mm (0.0020 in.)
If the backlash exceeds the maximum, replace the bearing.
(e) Using a dial indicator, check the deviation at the surface
of the axle hub outside the hub bolt.
Maximum: 0.07 mm (0.0028 in.)
If the deviation exceeds the maximum, replace the axle hub and
bearing.
3. REMOVE DRIVE SHAFT LOCK NUT
(a) Install the disc and brake caliper.
Torque: 107 N·m (1,090 kgf·cm, 79 ft·lbf)
(b) Remove the cotter pin and lock cap.
(c) With applying the brakes, remove the nut.
Torque: 216 N·m (2,200 kgf·cm, 159 ft·lbf)
(d) Remove the brake caliper and disc.
4. w/ ABS:
REMOVE ABS SPEED SENSOR AND WIRE HARNESS
FROM STEERING KNUCKLE
Remove the 2 bolts, ABS speed sensor and wire harness.
Torque:
ABS speed sensor x Steering knuckle:
8 N·m (80 kgf·cm, 69 in.·lbf)
ABS speed sensor wire x Steering knuckle:
5 N·m (55 kgf·cm, 48 in.·lbf)
5. LOOSEN 2 NUTS ON LOWER SIDE ON SHOCK AB-
SORBER
Torque: 158 N·m (1,610 kgf·cm, 117 ft·lbf)
HINT:
Do not remove the 2 nuts and bolts.
6. D I S C O N N E C T T I E R O D E N D F R O M S T E E R I N G
KNUCKLE
(a) Remove the cotter pin and nut.
Torque: 49 N·m (500 kgf·cm, 36 ft·lbf)