This procedure balances all four tires on a 2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 to eliminate vibrations and ensure even tire wear.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Wheel weights (adhesive or clip-on) × 1 — Varies by wheel type and balance requirements
• Valve stem caps × 4 — Replace if damaged

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels if lifting front, or front wheels if lifting rear
3. Loosen all wheel lug nuts approximately 1 turn while vehicle is still on ground
4. Verify wheel balancer machine is calibrated and functional
5. Note current tire positions if planning tire rotation during this service

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove first wheel
   Lift vehicle at appropriate jacking point and secure with jack stand. Remove lug nuts completely and take off wheel. Mark wheel position with chalk (LF, RF, LR, RR) if needed for reinstallation tracking.
2. 2

   Clean wheel mounting surface
   Use wire brush to remove dirt, rust, and old wheel weight adhesive from both sides of wheel rim. Clean the hub mounting surface on the vehicle. Any debris will affect balance accuracy.
3. 3

   Remove old wheel weights
   Remove all existing wheel weights from the wheel. For clip-on weights, use a screwdriver or weight removal tool. For adhesive weights, peel off and clean residue with adhesive remover.
4. 4

   Mount wheel on balancer
   Install wheel on balancer spindle using the correct cone or adapter for the RAV4 wheel center bore (60.1mm). Ensure wheel is seated flat against the balancer mounting plate. Secure with wing nut but do not overtighten.
5. 5

   Input wheel specifications
   Enter wheel diameter (17", 18", or 19" depending on trim), wheel width, and distance from balancer to weight placement surface. For RAV4, typical wheel widths are 7.0-7.5 inches. Use the balancer's measuring arm for accurate distance measurement.
6. 6

   Spin and analyze wheel
   Lower the safety hood and initiate the spin cycle. Allow the balancer to complete its analysis. The machine will indicate required weight amounts and positions for both inner and outer rim locations.
7. 7

   Install balance weights
   Install weights at the positions indicated by the balancer. For clip-on weights, ensure they are securely clipped to the rim flange. For adhesive weights, clean the surface with alcohol, peel backing, and press firmly at the 12 o'clock position as indicated, then rotate wheel to install at correct location. Ensure weights are seated completely.
8. 8

   Verify balance
   Spin the wheel again to verify balance is within acceptable limits (typically 0.25 oz or less for passenger vehicles). If still out of balance, adjust weight positions or amounts as indicated. Repeat until balanced.
9. 9

   Check and adjust tire pressure
   Remove wheel from balancer and check tire pressure with gauge. Adjust to specification shown on driver door jamb label (typically 35 PSI for RAV4). Check valve stem condition and replace cap if damaged.
10. 10

    Reinstall wheel
    Clean hub surface again if needed. Mount wheel onto hub, ensuring it seats flush. Install lug nuts by hand, threading them in a star pattern to ensure even seating. Do not fully tighten yet.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque wheel lug nuts
    Lower vehicle until tire just contacts ground but most weight is still on jack stand. Torque lug nuts to 140 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stand. Torque lug nuts again in star pattern to final specification to ensure proper clamping force.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts140 Nm (103 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Repeat for remaining wheels
    Repeat steps 1-11 for each remaining wheel. Work systematically around the vehicle, ensuring each wheel is properly balanced and torqued before moving to the next.

Reassembly

1. Verify all lug nuts are torqued to specification in star pattern
2. Double-check that all wheels have valve stem caps installed
3. Remove wheel chocks and lower vehicle completely
4. Store all tools and dispose of old wheel weights properly

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at various speeds (30-70 mph) to verify no vibration is present
• Listen for any unusual noises from wheels that might indicate loose lug nuts
• Re-torque lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving as part of proper wheel installation procedure
• Check tire pressures are all at specification using door jamb label as reference

More procedures for this vehicle