1996 TOYOTA RAV4 steering

SA0TR−03
Z19330
23 Door vehicle
Stabilizer Bar LinkStabilizer
BarPower Steering Gear Assembly
Bracket
No.1
Bushing
Bushing
Clamp
(A/T Only)
Front Suspension
Crossmember
Center MemberLower Suspension
Arm Bracket
Cushion
Retainer
Lower Suspension Arm
LH Engine Cover
29 (300, 22)
29 (300, 22)
113 (1,150, 83)
8.3 (85, 74 in.·lbf)
112 (1,140, 82)
172 (1,750, 126)
206 (2,100, 152)
127 (1,300, 94)
137 (1,400, 101)
28 (290, 21)

N·m (kgf·cm, ft·lbf)
Non−reusable part: Specified torque
X7
Clamp 137 (1,400, 101)
64 (650, 47)
113 (1,150, 83)5 Door vehicle
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
SA−39
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
FRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
COMPONENTS

R10831
R10832
R10833
R10834
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT LOWER SUSPENSION ARM
SA−41
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
(b) Remove the 2 power steering gear assembly set bolts
and nuts.
Torque: 113 N·m (1,150 kgf·cm, 83 ft·lbf)
(c) Remove the exhaust pipe No.1 support bracket from the
front exhaust pipe.
(d) Remove the bolt and clamp.
Torque: 8.3 N·m (85 kgf·cm, 74 in.·lbf)
(e) Support the front suspension crossmember with a jack.
(f) Remove the 2 bolts and front suspension crossmember
with the lower suspension arms.
Torque: 206 N·m (2,100 kgf·cm, 152 ft·lbf)
(g) Remove the bolt and lower suspension arm.
Torque: 172 N·m (1,750 kgf·cm, 126 ft·lbf)
HINT:
At the time of installation, please refer to the following item.
After stabilizing the suspension, torque the bolt.
9. REMOVE LOWER SUSPENSION ARM BRACKET
Remove the bolt, lower suspension arm bracket and cushion
retainer.
Torque: 137 N·m (1,400 kgf·cm, 101 ft·lbf)
HINT:
At the time of installation, please refer to the following item.
After stabilizing the suspension, torque the bolt.

SA0TV−01
R10677
SST
SA−44
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT LOWER BALL JOINT
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
REMOVAL
1. REMOVE STEERING KNUCKLE WITH AXLE HUB
(See page SA−10)
2. REMOVE LOWER BALL JOINT
(a) Using a screwdriver, remove the dust deflector.
(b) Remove the cotter pin and nut.
(c) Using SST, remove the lower ball joint.
SST 09628−62011

R10771
SST
SST
SST
SA0TX−03
SA−46
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT LOWER BALL JOINT
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
INSTALLATION
1. INSTALL NEW DUST DEFLECTOR
Using SST and a hammer, install a new dust deflector.
SST 09316−20011, 09608−32010,
09950−70010 (09951−07150)
HINT:
Align the holes for the ABS speed sensor in the dust deflector
and steering knuckle.
2. INSTALL LOWER BALL JOINT
(a) Install the lower ball joint and tighten the nut.
Torque: 127 N·m (1,300 kgf·cm, 94 ft·lbf)
(b) Install a new cotter pin.
3. INSTALL STEERING KNUCKLE WITH AXLE HUB
4. CHECK ABS SPEED SENSOR SIGNAL (See page
DI−257)

SA0TY−03
Z19330
23 Door vehicle
Stabilizer Bar LinkStabilizer
BarPower Steering Gear Assembly
Bracket
No.1
Bushing
Bushing
Clamp
(A/T Only)
Front Suspension
Crossmember
Center MemberLower Suspension
Arm Bracket
Cushion
Retainer
Lower Suspension Arm
LH Engine Cover
29 (300, 22)
29 (300, 22)
113 (1,150, 83)
8.3 (85, 74 in.·lbf)
112 (1,140, 82)
172 (1,750, 126)
206 (2,100, 152)
127 (1,300, 94)
137 (1,400, 101)
28 (290, 21)

N·m (kgf·cm, ft·lbf)
Non−reusable part: Specified torque
X7
Clamp 137 (1,400, 101)
64 (650, 47)
113 (1,150, 83)5 Door vehicle
− SUSPENSION AND AXLEFRONT STABILIZER BAR
SA−47
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
FRONT STABILIZER BAR
COMPONENTS

SR0FC−01
− STEERINGSTEERING SYSTEM
SR−1
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
STEERING SYSTEM
PRECAUTION
Care must be taken to replace parts properly because they could affect the performance of the
steering system and result in a driving hazard.
The TOYOTA RAV4 is equipped with SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) such as the driver
airbag and front passenger airbag. Failure to carry out service operation in the correct se-
quence could cause the SRS to unexpectedly deployed during servicing, possibly leading to
a serious accident. Before servicing (including removal or installation of parts, inspection or
replacement), be sure to read the precautionary notices in the RS section.

SR0FD−01
SR−2
− STEERINGTROUBLESHOOTING
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
TROUBLESHOOTING
PROBLEM SYMPTOMS TABLE
Use the table below to help you find the cause of the problem. The numbers indicate the priority of the likely
cause of the problem. Check each part in the order shown. If necessary, repair or replace these parts.
SymptomSuspect AreaSee page
Hard steering
1. Tires (Improperly inflated)
2. Power steering fluid level (Low)
3. Drive belt (Loose)
4. Front wheel alignment (Incorrect)
5. Steering system joints (Worn)
6. Suspension arm ball joints (Worn)
7. Steering column (Binding)
8. Power steering vane pump
9. Power steering gearSA−2
SR−5
SR−3
SA−4
−
SA−45
−
SR−31
SR−44
Poor return
1. Tires (Improperly inflated)
2. Front wheel alignment (Incorrect)
3. Steering column (Binding)
4. Power steering gearSA−2
SA−4
−
SR−44
Excessive play
1. Steering system joints (Worn)
2. Suspension arm ball joints (Worn)
3. Intermediate shaft, Sliding yoke (Worn)
4. Front wheel bearing (Worn)
5. Power steering gear−
SA−45
−
SA−4
SR−44
Abnormal noise
1. Power steering fluid level (Low)
2. Steering system joints (Worn)
3. Power steering vane pump
4. Power steering gearSR−5
−
SR−31
SR−44

P06717
SR0FH−01
Z00038
DENSO Borroughs
P06723
CORRECT WRONG WRONG
− STEERINGDRIVE BELT
SR−3
1996 RAV4 (RM447U)
DRIVE BELT
INSPECTION
INSPECT DRIVE BELT
(a) Visually check the belt for excessive wear, frayed cords
etc.
If any defect has been found, replace the drive belt.
HINT:
Cracks on the rib side of a belt are considered acceptable. If the
belt has chunks missing from the ribs, it should be replaced.
(b) Using a belt tension gauge, measure the belt tension.
Belt tension gauge:
DENSO BTG−20 (95506−00020)
Borroughs No. BT−33−73F
Drive belt tension:
New belt: 95 − 145 lbf
Used belt: 60 − 100 lbf
If the belt tension is not as specified, adjust it.
HINT:
”New belt” refers to a belt which has been used less than
5 minutes on a running engine.
”Used belt” refers to a belt which has been used on a run-
ning engine for 5 minutes or more.
After installing a belt, check that it fits properly in the
ribbed grooves.
Check with your hand to confirm that the belt has not
slipped out of the groove on the bottom of the pulley.
After installing a new belt, run the engine for about 5 min-
utes and recheck the belt tension.