This procedure covers the removal and installation of rear brake drums on a 2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 with the 2.5L I4 gas engine and FWD configuration.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear brake drum (if replacing) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on a level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of both front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on the ground
4. Raise rear of vehicle with floor jack at designated rear jacking point
5. Place jack stands under rear frame rails or designated support points
6. Lower vehicle onto jack stands and verify stability before working
7. Remove rear wheel completely

Procedure

1. 1

   Release parking brake
   Fully release the parking brake lever or button inside the vehicle. The parking brake mechanism must be disengaged to allow drum removal. Verify the parking brake warning light on the dashboard is off.
2. 2

   Remove drum retaining screw (if equipped)
   Some RAV4 models have a small Phillips or cross-head retaining screw in the center of the drum face. If present, remove this screw completely. This screw is for assembly line use only and does not need to be reinstalled. If screw is corroded, apply penetrating oil and allow to soak for 5-10 minutes before attempting removal.
3. 3

   Attempt initial drum removal
   Grasp the brake drum firmly with both hands and pull straight outward away from the hub. The drum should slide off the hub and over the brake shoes. If the drum does not come off easily, do not force it. Proceed to Step 4.
4. 4

   Break drum free from hub (if stuck)
   If drum is stuck due to corrosion or rust buildup: Use a rubber mallet to tap around the outer edge of the drum face in a circular pattern. Do NOT strike the center of the drum. Apply penetrating oil around the center hub area and wait 10-15 minutes. If drum has tapped holes in the face, thread in M8 bolts evenly to push the drum off the hub. Alternatively, tap the drum edge while rotating it to break the corrosion seal.
   ⚠Never strike the drum with excessive force. Cracking the drum can create dangerous metal fragments and render it unsafe for reuse.
5. 5

   Inspect brake drum and hub
   Once drum is removed, inspect the interior friction surface for excessive wear, scoring, cracking, or heat discoloration. Maximum drum diameter specification should be marked on the drum exterior. Inspect the hub surface for corrosion, damage, or debris. If reusing the drum, it should be smooth with no deep grooves or cracks.
   ⚠Drums worn beyond maximum diameter specification must be replaced. Oversized drums can cause brake failure.
6. 6

   Clean hub and drum mounting surfaces
   Use a wire brush to clean rust and corrosion from the hub face where the drum seats. Clean the center hub pilot area. Spray brake cleaner on the hub and wipe with shop towels. If installing a new or resurfaced drum, clean the interior and exterior with brake cleaner to remove protective coating or machining debris.
7. 7

   Install brake drum
   Align the drum over the wheel studs and slide it onto the hub. The drum should slide over the brake shoes and seat fully against the hub face. Ensure the drum is seated evenly and flush against the hub. If installing a new drum, ensure any protective coating has been removed. Rotate the drum to verify it spins freely without dragging or binding on the brake shoes.
   ⚠If drum does not slide on easily, do not force it. The parking brake may still be engaged or brake shoes may be over-adjusted. Verify parking brake is fully released.
8. 8

   Install wheel and lug nuts
   Mount the wheel onto the hub, aligning the lug nut holes with the studs. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Use a wrench to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern, but do not fully torque yet.
9. 9

   Lower vehicle and torque lug nuts
   Raise the vehicle slightly with the floor jack to remove tension from the jack stands. Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle. Carefully lower the vehicle until the wheel is on the ground and supporting the vehicle weight. Using a calibrated torque wrench, tighten the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern to ensure even seating.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Verify brake operation
    Before moving the vehicle, pump the brake pedal several times to verify normal pedal feel. Start the engine and test brake operation at low speed in a safe area. The brakes should engage smoothly without pulling to one side. Listen for any abnormal noises such as grinding or scraping.
    ⚠️Do not drive the vehicle at normal speeds until brake operation has been verified in a controlled environment. Test brakes at low speed in a safe area first.

Reassembly

1. If both rear drums were serviced, repeat the procedure for the opposite side to ensure balanced braking
2. Torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern after vehicle is on the ground
3. Perform a final walk-around inspection to ensure all tools and parts have been removed from the work area

Verification

• Verify wheel lug nuts are torqued to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern
• Pump brake pedal several times and verify firm pedal feel before driving
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify brakes engage smoothly without pulling or noise
• After test drive, re-check wheel lug nut torque after driving 50-100 miles
• Verify parking brake engages and holds the vehicle on an incline

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