In 1994, Toyota released the RAV4 small sport-utility vehicle in the Japanese market. In the 1996 model year, Toyota shipped the RAV4 to the U.S. The 1997 RAV4 came fitted with a 120-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Toyota fitted this compact SUV with McPherson struts on the front end and shocks on the rear. When replacing the rear shocks on the 1997 RAV4, it is imperative that you replace them in pairs, or the vehicle may sag on the side with the older shock.
Instructions
- 1
Loosen the rear lug nuts with a ratchet and socket. Raise the rear of the RAV4 with a floor jack and slide jack stands under the rear cross-member. Remove the lug nuts and pull the rear wheels off the SUV.
2Position the floor jack under the lowermost suspension arm and lift the jack until it supports the suspension arm but does not lift it.
3Open the rear hatch and find the shock access panel a rectangular panel on the cargo area trim just above the shock you are working on. Pry this access panel off the cargo trim with a flat-head screwdriver.
4Remove the two upper shock nuts with a combination wrench, as you hold the upper shock stud from turning with slip-joint pliers Toyota mounted these two nuts one on top of the other. Pull the washer and the rubber bushing from the top of the shock.
5Remove the shock-to-lower suspension arm bolt with a ratchet and socket, and remove the shock from the vehicle.
6Slide a new washer, then a rubber bushing, included with the shock, onto the upper shock-mounting stud.
7Install the new shock so its upper mounting stud slides into its upper mounting hole. Align the lower shock mounts bolt hole with the bolt hole in the lowermost suspension arm. Hand-thread the lower mounting bolt into place.
8Guide a new rubber bushing onto the upper shock-mounting stud, then slide on a metal washer. Hand-tighten the first upper shock nut and torque it to 8 foot-pounds, using a torque wrench and crows foot attachment while holding the upper shock stud steady with slip-joint pliers. Hand-tighten the second nut onto the stud and torque it to 8 foot-pounds, as well. Set the shock access panel back into place and press it toward the shock until it clicks into place.
9Tighten the lower shock bolt to 27 foot-pounds.
10Repeat steps 2 through 9 to change the shock on the other side of the RAV4.
11Reinstall the rear wheels onto the rear hubs and hand-tighten the lug nuts. Raise the SUV off the jack stands with a floor jack and remove the jack stands. Lower the RAV4 to the ground and torque the lug nuts, in a crisscross pattern, to 76 foot-pounds.
