This procedure covers the proper alignment of all four wheels on a 2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 with the 2.5L I4 gas engine, including adjustment of front toe, front camber (if adjustable), and rear toe to factory specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Alignment adjustment hardware kit (if worn) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Verify all tires are inflated to specification (35 PSI front and rear for standard configuration)
2. Inspect all suspension components for wear, damage, or looseness. Replace any worn parts before alignment
3. Check for uneven tire wear patterns indicating previous alignment issues
4. Ensure vehicle has no heavy cargo and fuel tank is at approximately half capacity for accurate readings
5. Bounce each corner of the vehicle several times to settle suspension
6. Mount alignment heads to all four wheels according to alignment machine manufacturer instructions
7. Perform rolling compensation procedure per alignment machine guidelines

Procedure

1. 1

   Obtain initial alignment readings
   With vehicle positioned on alignment rack and all sensors mounted, raise vehicle if using runway-style rack or ensure it is level on lift-style rack. Lock steering wheel in center position using steering wheel lock or alignment machine steering lock feature. Input vehicle specifications into alignment computer: 2019-2024 Toyota RAV4 2.5L FWD. Perform initial measurement scan and record all current alignment angles for front and rear camber, caster, and toe. Compare readings to factory specifications.
2. 2

   Set rear toe first (if adjustable)
   Begin with rear axle toe adjustment as rear alignment affects front alignment readings. Locate the rear suspension cam bolts on the trailing arm or suspension link (configuration varies by model year). Loosen the cam bolt nuts enough to allow rotation but do not remove. Rotate the cam bolts using cam adjustment tool to change toe angle while monitoring live readings on alignment machine. Adjust both sides equally to achieve total rear toe within specification (typically 0° ± 0.2° total toe). Once within spec, hold cam bolts in position.
   Torque spec

   Cam Bolts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Torque rear cam bolts
   With rear toe set to specification and cam bolts held in final adjustment position, torque the cam bolt nuts to 129.0 Nm (95 lb-ft). Torque both sides. After torquing, verify toe readings have not shifted. If readings changed during torquing, loosen and repeat adjustment process.
4. 4

   Adjust front camber (if equipped with adjustable camber bolts)
   If vehicle is equipped with aftermarket camber bolts or adjustable strut mounts, adjust front camber now. Factory RAV4 FWD models typically have limited camber adjustment. If camber bolts are present at the strut-to-knuckle connection, loosen the bolts slightly and shift the top of the knuckle in or out to achieve desired camber angle (typically -0.3° to -0.8° per side). Most adjustments will be minor corrections only.
   Torque spec

   Camber Bolts75 Nm (55 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Measure front toe before adjustment
   Before adjusting front toe, verify steering wheel is centered and locked. Check current front toe reading on alignment machine. Note whether toe-in or toe-out correction is needed and by how much on each side. Front toe specification is typically 0° ± 0.2° total toe (0.0° ± 0.08° per wheel). Calculate the amount of adjustment needed for each tie rod.
6. 6

   Loosen tie rod jam nuts
   Locate the tie rod jam nuts on both front tie rod assemblies between the inner and outer tie rod ends. Use a 19mm wrench to loosen the jam nuts on both sides. Do not remove the nuts completely, just loosen them enough to allow the outer tie rod to rotate freely on the threads of the inner tie rod. Mark or count the current position if desired for reference.
   Torque spec

   Tie Rod Jam Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Adjust front toe
   Rotate the outer tie rod ends to lengthen or shorten the tie rod assembly. Rotating the tie rod end toward the front of the vehicle (threading it in) increases toe-in; rotating toward the rear (threading it out) increases toe-out. Make equal adjustments to both sides while monitoring live alignment readings. Approximately one full rotation of the tie rod equals about 0.1° toe change. Adjust until total front toe is within specification (0° ± 0.2° total). Ensure individual wheel toe readings are also balanced side-to-side.
8. 8

   Torque tie rod jam nuts
   Once front toe is set to specification, hold each outer tie rod end in position to prevent rotation. Torque the tie rod jam nuts to 55.0 Nm (41 lb-ft) using a 19mm wrench and torque wrench. After torquing both sides, recheck toe readings on alignment machine to confirm values did not shift during tightening. If readings changed, loosen and repeat adjustment.
9. 9

   Verify steering wheel center position
   Remove steering wheel lock and check that steering wheel is centered with wheels pointing straight ahead. If steering wheel is off-center after toe adjustment, the individual wheel toe settings are unequal. Return to front toe adjustment and ensure both wheels have equal individual toe angles (typically 0.0° ± 0.08° each). Readjust tie rods as needed to center steering wheel while maintaining proper total toe.
10. 10

    Perform final alignment verification
    With all adjustments complete and all fasteners torqued to specification, perform a final alignment measurement scan. Verify all angles are within factory specifications: front camber, front caster, front toe, rear camber, rear toe, and steering wheel angle. Print final alignment report showing before and after readings. Ensure all green/acceptable readings on alignment machine display.

Reassembly

1. Remove all alignment machine sensors and equipment from wheels
2. Remove steering wheel lock or brake pedal depressor if used
3. Double-check that all tie rod jam nuts and cam bolts are torqued to specification
4. Perform visual inspection of all adjustment points to ensure no fasteners were left loose
5. Lower vehicle from alignment rack if raised

Verification

• Test drive vehicle on a straight, level road at various speeds (25-65 mph) to verify straight-line tracking
• Verify steering wheel is centered when driving straight with no pull to either side
• Check that vehicle does not pull left or right during acceleration or braking
• Confirm no unusual tire scrubbing noises during turns indicating binding
• Recheck tire pressures after test drive and adjust if necessary
• Review printed alignment report to confirm all specifications met factory tolerances
• Advise customer to monitor tire wear over next 1,000 miles to ensure even wear pattern

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