OEM 2001 Toyota RAV4 Ball Joint

2001 Toyota RAV4 Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to service and repair the ball joint on 2001 Toyota RAV4?

  A: Service and repair operations begin with removing both the steering knuckle with axle hub then targeting the lower ball joint by removing its cotter pin followed by its nut. Service tool 09628-62011 from Special Service is used to detach the lower ball joint. The ball joint stud needs examination before reinstalling the nut by performing five rotations in both directions. The procedure requires turning the nut while using a torque wrench at a steady pace of 3 - 5 seconds per turn until the fifth turn when measuring 1.0 - 4.9 Nm (10 - 50 kgf-cm, 9 - 43 inch lbs.). To install the lower ball joint users must connect the joint to its nut and tighten it to 133 Nm (1,360 kgf-cm, 98 ft. lbs.) before installing a new cotter pin. Extra pressure on the nut becomes necessary if the holes for the cotter pin remain off-center by more than 60 degrees. Steering knuckle installation follows the axle hub then the ABS speed sensor signal should be checked before verifying front wheel alignment.