Toyota RAV4 Service Manual: Rear shock absorber
Components

Removal
Hint
- Use the same procedures for the rh side and lh side.
- The procedures listed below are for the lh side.
- Remove rear wheel
- Remove rear shock absorber assembly lh

- Support the no. 2 Suspension arm lh with a jack.
Notice:
Place a wooden or rubber block between the
jack and arm.
- Remove the bolt and 2 nuts from the suspension
member and axle carrier.

- Remove the 2 bolts and disconnect the shock
absorber with the bracket.

- Remove the nut and bolt from the shock absorber
upper side.
- Remove the shock absorber from the vehicle.
- Remove the nut and bolt from the bracket.
Hint:
While fixing the nut in place, loosen and remove the
bolt.
Inspection
- Inspect rear shock absorber assembly lh

- Compress and extend the shock absorber rod, and
check that there is no abnormal resistance or
unusual sound during operation.
If there is any abnormality, replace the shock
absorber with a new one.
Notice:
When disposing of the shock absorber, see
disposal (see page sp-37).
Installation
Hint:
- Use the same procedures for the rh side and lh side.
- The procedures listed below are for the lh side.
- Temporarily install rear shock absorber assembly lh
- Temporarily install the bracket to the shock absorber
with the bolt and nut.
Notice:
Fix the nut in place and temporarily install the
bolt.
- Temporarily install the shock absorber upper side to
the suspension member with the bolt and nut.
Notice:
Fix the nut in place and temporarily install the
bolt.


- Install the shock absorber with the 2 bolts to the axle
carrier.
Torque: 80 n*m (816 kgf*cm, 59 ft.*Lbf)
- Temporarily install the suspension arm with the bolt
and 2 nuts to the suspension member and axle
carrier.
- Temporarily install rear upper control
arm assembly lh (see page sp-40)
- Install rear wheel
torque: 103 n*m (1,050 kgf*cm, 76 ft.*Lbf)
- Stabilize suspension
- Lower the vehicle.
- Press down on the vehicle several times to stabilize
the suspension.
- Tighten rear shock absorber assembly lh
- Fix the nut in place and tighten the bolt.
Torque: 80 n*m (816 kgf*cm, 59 ft.*Lbf)
- Inspect and adjust rear wheel alignment
- Inspect and adjust the rear wheel alignment (see
page sp-7).
Disposal
- Dispose of rear shock absorber assembly lh

- Fully extend the shock absorber rod, and clamp it in
a vise at an angle.
- Using a drill, make a hole near the center of the
cylinder in the hatched area shown in the illustration
to discharge the gas inside.
Caution:
As metal debris may be blown outward by the
gas, you must:
- Wear protective glasses.
- Cover the area being cut.
Notice:
The gas is colorless, odorless and harmless
Components
Removal
Hint:
Use the same procedures for the rh side and lh side.
The procedures listed below are for the lh side.
Remove rear wheel
Remove skid control sensor wire (fo ...
Components
Removal
Hint:
Use the same procedures for the rh side and lh side.
The procedures listed below are for the lh side.
Remove rear wheel
Disconnect skid control sensor wire ...
Other materials:
Precaution
Notice:
Perform the reset memory procedures (a/t
initialization) when replacing the automatic transaxle
assembly, engine assembly or ecm (see page ax-18).
Hint:
Reset memory cannot be completed by only reconnecting
the cable to the negative (-) battery terminal.
Caution:
When using compresse ...
Unlocking and locking the doors
Front doors
Grip the driver’s door handle to
unlock the door. Grip the passenger’s
door handle to unlock all the
doors.*
Make sure to touch the sensor on
the back of the handle.
The doors cannot be unlocked for
3 seconds after the doors are
locked.
*: The door unlock settings can be ...
Installation (2005/11-2006/01)
Install front drive shaft assembly lh
Coat the spline of the inboard joint shaft with gear
oil.
Using a brass bar and hammer, align the shaft
splines in the drive shaft.
Notice:
Set the snap ring with the opening side facing
downwards.
Be careful not to damage the oil s ...