This procedure covers removal and replacement of the ABS tone ring (reluctor ring) on the front or rear axle of a 2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 with the 2.5L I4 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• ABS tone ring (front or rear, specify side) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Axle nut (front) × 1 — 90179-28046 or equivalent
• Cotter pin (if applicable) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Brake cleaner × 1 — Aerosol brake parts cleaner

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts and front axle nut (30mm or 32mm) approximately 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground
3. Raise vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points
4. Remove wheel completely
5. Inspect ABS sensor for damage and note routing for reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove brake caliper and bracket
   Remove the two caliper bolts (14mm) and slide the caliper off the rotor. Support the caliper with wire or a zip tie to avoid stress on the brake hose. Do not let it hang freely. Remove the two caliper bracket bolts (17mm) and remove the bracket completely. Set aside with hardware organized.
   Torque spec

   Caliper Bolts88 Nm (65 lb-ft)

   Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove brake rotor
   Remove the rotor from the hub. If stuck, use two M8 bolts threaded into the jacking holes on the rotor face to press it off, or tap gently with a rubber mallet from behind. Remove rotor completely to access the axle and hub assembly.
3. 3

   Disconnect ABS wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor connector near the strut tower or frame rail. Disconnect the electrical connector and carefully unclip or unbolt the sensor wire from any routing clips along the strut or knuckle. Remove the sensor mounting bolt and extract the sensor from the knuckle. Store in a clean area away from metal debris.
4. 4

   Remove axle nut and separate lower ball joint
   Completely remove the front axle nut (previously loosened). Remove the cotter pin if equipped. Use a ball joint separator or pickle fork to disconnect the lower control arm ball joint from the steering knuckle. This will allow the knuckle to pivot for axle removal.
   ⚠The ball joint separator can damage the ball joint boot. Inspect and replace if torn during removal.
5. 5

   Remove drive axle from hub
   Push the outer CV joint and axle shaft out of the wheel hub by pushing the hub/knuckle assembly inward. You may need to tap the end of the axle with a soft mallet or use a puller if it's stuck in the hub splines. Once free, move the axle aside. You do not need to fully remove the axle from the transmission for this job.
6. 6

   Remove hub assembly from knuckle
   Remove the four hub mounting bolts from the back of the steering knuckle (typically 14mm or 17mm). These bolts secure the hub bearing assembly to the knuckle. Once removed, the hub assembly will separate from the knuckle. The tone ring is pressed onto the outer edge of this hub assembly.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove damaged ABS tone ring
   Inspect the tone ring on the hub for damage (cracks, missing teeth, corrosion). Use a chisel, grinder, or cutting tool to carefully remove the old tone ring. If using a press, support the hub properly and press the tone ring off. Clean the hub surface thoroughly with a wire brush and brake cleaner, ensuring no rust, debris, or old adhesive remains on the mounting surface.
   ⚠Avoid damaging the hub bearing or mounting surface when removing the old tone ring. Any burrs or damage will prevent proper seating of the new ring.
8. 8

   Install new ABS tone ring
   Position the new tone ring on the hub, ensuring correct orientation (teeth facing outward toward the sensor). Use a press or tone ring installation tool to press the ring squarely onto the hub until fully seated against the shoulder. The ring must be perpendicular to the hub axis to prevent runout. Check with a dial indicator or by measuring gap uniformly around the circumference if possible.
   ⚠️Tone ring must be pressed on squarely. Crooked installation will cause ABS sensor faults and braking system malfunction.
9. 9

   Reinstall hub assembly to knuckle
   Clean the knuckle mating surface and position the hub assembly back into the steering knuckle. Install the four hub mounting bolts and torque to specification. Ensure the hub is fully seated before torquing.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts27 Nm (20 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall drive axle and lower ball joint
    Insert the drive axle shaft back through the hub, ensuring the splines engage fully. Reconnect the lower control arm ball joint to the steering knuckle and install the castle nut. Torque per manufacturer specification (typically 120+ Nm, verify in service manual). Install new cotter pin if equipped. Install new axle nut hand-tight for now.
11. 11

    Reinstall ABS wheel speed sensor
    Clean the ABS sensor tip with brake cleaner if needed. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize or dielectric grease to the sensor body (not the tip). Insert the sensor into the knuckle bore and install the mounting bolt. Torque to specification (typically 5-8 Nm, verify in manual). Reconnect the electrical connector and secure the wire routing clips along the strut and frame.
12. 12

    Reinstall brake components
    Reinstall the brake rotor onto the hub. Install the caliper bracket and torque the bracket bolts to specification using threadlocker as recommended. Install the brake caliper over the rotor and torque the caliper bolts to specification.
    Torque spec

    Bracket Bolts102 Nm (75 lb-ft)

    Caliper Bolts88 Nm (65 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Torque axle nut and install wheel
    With the vehicle still on jack stands, install the wheel and thread lug nuts hand-tight. Lower the vehicle so the wheel contacts the ground (but vehicle weight is still on jack stands). Apply the parking brake. Torque the axle nut to manufacturer specification (typically 216 Nm / 159 lb-ft for RAV4, verify in service manual). Stake the axle nut collar into the axle shaft groove using a punch and hammer. Raise vehicle, remove jack stands, lower completely, and torque lug nuts to specification in a star pattern.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
2. Verify ABS sensor wire routing matches original path and has no pinch points or contact with moving components
3. Double-check that axle nut is properly staked to prevent loosening

Verification

• Start the engine and verify the ABS warning light extinguishes after a few seconds
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed (under 10 mph) and verify ABS light does not illuminate
• Use a diagnostic scanner to check for ABS trouble codes; there should be no codes related to wheel speed sensor signal
• Perform a controlled ABS activation test in a safe area to confirm proper system operation
• Verify no abnormal noises from the wheel bearing or brake area during driving

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