Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.4 4WD (ACA31, ACA33), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.0 4WD (ACA30_), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.2 D 4WD (ALA30_), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.2 D 4WD (ALA30_), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.0 (ZSA35_), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.0 4WD (ZSA30_), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.2 D 4WD (ALA30_), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.2 D (ALA35_), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.0 (ZSA35), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.0 4WD (ZSA30), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.4 (ACA36, ACA38), TOYOTA RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) 2.2 D 4WD (ALA30) … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock absorber on TOYOTA RAV 4 3 (XA30) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for RAV 4 III (ACA3_, ACE_, ALA3_, GSA3_, ZSA3_) and other TOYOTA models

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Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. Tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      All-purpose cleaning spray
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #17
                    
                      Drive socket # 12 
                    
                      Drive socket # 17 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #21
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. AUTODOC recommends:

Both shock absorbers of the rear suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock absorbers of the rear suspension.
Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. Use the following procedure:

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.

Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 3

Raise the rear of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Toyota RAV4 III
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Unscrew the rear transverse arm fastener to the stub axle. Use a drive socket #17. Use a tap wrench.
Step 8

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 9

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 10

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 11

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer bar with the control arm. Use a drive socket #17.
Step 12

Remove the support from under the arm.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 13

Detach the suspension arm from the rear knuckle.
Step 14

Remove the spring.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. Tip:
Inspect the rubber mounts of the suspension spring. Replace if necessary.
Step 15

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17.
Step 16

Pull down the suspension control arm. Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 17

Detach the lower part of the shock absorber. Use a crowbar.
Step 18

Clean the fastener of the ABS sensor bracket. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Unscrew the ABS cable holder. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #17 (2 pieces).
Step 22

Remove the fastening bolt.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock absorber when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 23

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 24

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. Tip from AUTODOC:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 25

Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and fasten it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts. Toyota RAV4 III
Step 26

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 27

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a combination spanner #17 (2 pieces). Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 Nm torque.
Step 28

Support the stub axle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 29

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 80 Nm torque.
Step 30

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 31

Install the coil spring together with the rubber mounts into the mounting seats.
Step 32

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 33

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 34

Attach the suspension arm to the rear knuckle.
Step 35

Install the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar.
Step 36

Raise the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
Step 37

Tighten the control arm fastener to the stub axle. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 Nm torque.
Step 38

Remove the support from under the arm.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 39

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer bar with the control arm. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 30 Nm torque.
Step 40

Tighten the ABS cable holder. Use a drive socket #12. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 41

Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 42

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 43

Clean the brake disk surface. Use all-purpose cleaning spray.
Step 44

Install the wheel.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Toyota RAV4 III. Professionals recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 45

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #21.
Step 46

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 103 nm torque.
Step 47

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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