Removal (RAV4)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2001 Toyota Sequoia, 2001 Toyota RAV4, 2001 Toyota MR2, and 2001 Toyota Highlander. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Raise and support vehicle. Remove front wheel. Remove engine undercover. Drain gear oil from transaxle into proper container. Remove ABS speed sensor (if equipped). Remove cotter pin and lock cap. See Fig 1 and Fig 2 . Apply brakes, and remove axle shaft nut from end of axle shaft. Release brakes.
Remove bolt and 2 nuts, and separate lower ball joint from suspension arm. Using a plastic hammer, tap axle shaft from hub. Pull steering knuckle outward, and disconnect axle shaft from steering knuckle.
NOTE: On FWD vehicles, removal of right-side axle shaft requires disassembly of center bearing axle support.
To remove axle shaft (except right side on FWD), use an appropriate pry bar and pry axle from transaxle assembly. See Fig 4. Slide axle shaft toward steering knuckle until free of transaxle assembly.
To remove right-side axle shaft on FWD, remove 2 bolts from center bearing axle support and remove axle shaft. See Fig 3.

Fig 1: Exploded View Of Front FWD & AWD Axle Shaft Components (RAV4)

Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Fig 2: Exploded View Of Front FWD & AWD Axle Shaft (RAV4)

Courtesy of © TOYOTA, LICENSE AGREEMENT TMS1002

Fig 3: Disassembling Center Bearing Front Axle Shaft Support (2WD - RAV4 Shown; Highlander Is Similar)

Fig 4: Removing Left-Side Axle Shaft (AWD - RAV4)