This procedure performs a complete four-wheel alignment on a 2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 with 2.5L I4 engine, adjusting camber, caster, and toe angles to factory specifications for optimal tire wear and handling.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Tie rod lock nut (if seized or damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Camber adjustment bolt (if seized or damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Verify tire pressures are set to specification (typically 35 PSI front and rear for base model, check door jamb sticker).
2. Inspect all four tires for uneven wear patterns that may indicate suspension damage.
3. Check suspension components for wear: ball joints, tie rod ends, control arm bushings, strut mounts, and stabilizer links.
4. Ensure fuel tank is at least half full to simulate normal driving weight.
5. Remove any heavy cargo from vehicle and set front seats to mid-position.
6. Verify wheel and tire sizes match factory specifications and are consistent on all four corners.
7. Inspect wheel bearings for excessive play by lifting each wheel and checking for movement.

Procedure

1. 1

   Position vehicle on alignment rack
   Drive vehicle onto alignment rack with wheels centered on turntables and slip plates. Ensure vehicle is level and rack is on stable, flat surface. Apply parking brake if rear wheels are not on turntables, or leave off if using four-wheel turntables.
2. 2

   Perform initial jounce procedure
   Jounce (bounce) each corner of the vehicle 3-5 times by pushing down firmly on the bumper or fender and releasing. This settles the suspension to its normal ride height. Allow vehicle to settle for 10-15 seconds after jouncing before proceeding.
3. 3

   Install wheel alignment sensors
   Attach alignment sensors to all four wheels according to alignment machine manufacturer's instructions. Ensure sensors are securely mounted and wheel rims are clean where sensors contact. Verify sensors are level and properly calibrated.
4. 4

   Perform wheel runout compensation
   Follow alignment machine prompts to perform wheel runout compensation procedure. This typically involves rolling the vehicle forward or backward to measure wheel and sensor runout. Complete compensation for all four wheels before proceeding to measurements.
5. 5

   Take initial alignment readings
   With vehicle settled and sensors calibrated, take initial readings for all four wheels. Record camber, caster, and toe values for front and rear. Compare to Toyota factory specifications: Front camber -0.58° ± 0.75°, front caster 2.92° ± 0.75°, front toe 0.0° ± 0.16° (total), rear camber -1.08° ± 0.75°, rear toe 0.12° ± 0.16° (total).
6. 6

   Adjust rear toe (if necessary)
   RAV4 rear toe is adjusted via eccentric cam bolts on the rear trailing arm assembly. Loosen the adjustment bolt lock nut, rotate the eccentric cam to adjust toe, and retighten. Adjust left and right sides equally to maintain thrust angle near zero. Rear camber is not adjustable without aftermarket components.
   ℹ️The 2019-2024 RAV4 FWD has limited rear adjustability. If rear camber is out of specification, inspect for bent components or consider aftermarket adjustment solutions.
7. 7

   Adjust front camber (if necessary)
   Front camber is adjusted by loosening the two bolts securing the front strut to the steering knuckle. Loosen both 14mm bolts, shift the knuckle in or out as needed to achieve specification, then retighten bolts. Limited adjustment range is available (approximately ±0.75°). If camber cannot be brought to specification, aftermarket camber bolts may be required.
   ⚠Do not fully remove strut-to-knuckle bolts. Loosen only enough to allow movement while supporting the knuckle to prevent separation.
8. 8

   Verify front caster
   Front caster is typically not adjustable on the RAV4 without aftermarket components. Verify caster readings are within specification (2.92° ± 0.75°) and reasonably equal side-to-side (within 0.5°). If caster is significantly out of specification, inspect for bent control arms, subframe damage, or strut tower misalignment.
9. 9

   Unlock steering and release turntables
   Ensure steering wheel is centered and unlocked. Release front turntable locks so wheels can pivot freely for toe adjustment. Verify slip plates are free to move. The steering wheel should be in the straight-ahead position with vehicle pointed straight.
10. 10

    Adjust front toe
    Loosen the tie rod lock nuts on both sides using a 17mm wrench. Rotate the tie rod adjusting sleeve to change toe angle - rotating toward the front of the vehicle increases toe-in, rotating toward rear increases toe-out. Adjust both sides equally to maintain centered steering wheel. Target specification is 0.0° ± 0.16° total toe (0.0° ± 0.08° per wheel).
    ℹ️Count turns on each tie rod to ensure equal adjustment. If steering wheel is off-center after equal adjustment, the steering wheel may need to be removed and repositioned, or one tie rod adjusted more than the other.
11. 11

    Tighten tie rod lock nuts
    Once front toe is within specification and steering wheel is centered, tighten the tie rod lock nuts securely. Typical torque specification is 55 Nm (41 lb-ft), though this is not listed in your provided specs. Hold the tie rod sleeve with a wrench to prevent rotation while tightening the lock nut.
12. 12

    Perform final jounce and verification
    Lock all turntables and slip plates. Jounce each corner of the vehicle 3-5 times again to settle the suspension after adjustments. Take final alignment readings on all four wheels. Verify all values are within manufacturer specifications and that thrust angle is near zero (within 0.10°).
13. 13

    Remove sensors and perform test drive
    Remove all alignment sensors from wheels. Lower vehicle from alignment rack. Test drive vehicle in a straight, level area to verify steering wheel is centered, vehicle tracks straight with no pull, and steering returns to center properly. Re-check alignment if any issues are noted.

Reassembly

1. Ensure all tie rod lock nuts and camber adjustment bolts are properly tightened.
2. Verify wheel lug nuts are torqued to 140.0 Nm (103 lb-ft) in a star pattern if wheels were removed during inspection.
3. Clean any grease or lubricant from wheel faces and brake components.
4. Reset TPMS if tire pressures were adjusted during procedure.

Verification

• Verify all alignment angles are within Toyota factory specifications for 2019-2024 RAV4.
• Confirm thrust angle is within 0.10° of centerline to ensure vehicle tracks straight.
• Check that steering wheel is centered when driving straight (within 2-3 degrees).
• Test drive vehicle on level road to verify no steering pull and proper return to center.
• Print and provide customer with before and after alignment readings.
• Advise customer to monitor tire wear patterns over the next 1,000-2,000 miles to confirm proper alignment.

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