How To Replace Front Strut Assembly 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4

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TRQ Struts are made to fit your vehicle exactly, just like the original part. Struts can wear out as early as 50,000 miles. You should inspect them regularly for leaks or wear. Save time, money, and hassle by replacing an entire strut assembly. This video shows you how to install new reliable TRQ struts in your 2006-2012 Toyota RAV4.

This repair was done on a 2006 Toyota Rav4 Limited 2.4L and the process should be similar on the following vehicles:
2006 Toyota Rav4
2007 Toyota Rav4
2008 Toyota Rav4
2009 Toyota Rav4
2010 Toyota Rav4
2011 Toyota Rav4
2012 Toyota Rav4

Tools you will need:
• 22mm Wrench
• 21mm Socket
• 3/8 Inch Impact Gun
• Socket Driver
• Rust Penetrant

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⚠ DISCLAIMER:
While TRQ strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, it makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk. It is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. TRQ is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video.

[TRQ]

√ *Watch the Video*
√ *Do it Yourself*
√ *Save Money*

[derekmelyndadeckens]

Excellent video! Thank you for sharing! I appreciate the clear and friendly communication skills of the technician and I can tell the camera operator is experienced as well.

[alanrich]

Hows this only have 6k views. I just changed mine and musta watched this vid 10k times myself. Super helpful. I over torqued the last bolt at the end and snapped it. But otherwise all good 😂

[philipwong]

Thanks for posting this video! Was able to knock it out no problem. Anyone watching this I highly recommend you follow these instructions. The only thing I did different was I jacked up the wheel hub after I remove the big bolts. It may getting the sway bar on much easier.

[brettoberry]

Just changed the struts on our 2010 RAV4. There was no ABS clip to take off and both strut bolts and nuts were 22mm. Other than that, perfect instructional video. 2 hours was my learning curve, I went slow and completed it comfortably.

[LGascco]

This was so well done and easy to follow. I could totally save a few hundred bucks doing this myself!!! Thank you for sharing such clear, well articulated and quality instructional video!!

[gatitorivera]

piece of cake I thought it was more difficult thanks for your video

[robertkelly]

I’ve become my father. Watching instruction vids to maintain my autos. 😂. Great video, thanks. I’ll be trying to send business your way, next time I need do car maintenance.

[luckylukesutliffe]

This video saved me so much money doing it myself. Thank you so much.

[JohnSmith-oksn]

I installed new springs on my front struts myself, on the floor, with just the O'Reilly's spring compressor kit that I rented from them, and a couple of spanners.

Do torque the two knuckle bolts to 177 lb-ft, though! - Very important!

Torque Specs for them, (2.4 L RAV4, '07, no third row):

Struts (Front):

Bottom, (knockle), 2 nuts - 177 lb-ft

Top 3 nuts - 37 lb-ft

Top central nut, (when the strut is installed, and the car is on its wheels, on the ground) - 35 lb-ft

...

1Aauto, (and/or TRQ), have a video on how to change/work with strut springs, plus, there are a million videos on YouTube on it.

The main takeaway is you should always position yourself at 90° to the strut as you are working on the springs, so that if the spring pops, it'll go safely to your right, and the strut will go safely to your left.

Piece of cake!

[danielsfbay]

Between Scotty Kilmer and TRQ, I was able to change out both front strut assemblies in under an hr. The only trouble I had was breaking free the two 21mm bolts from the knuckle. 175ft lbs is about as much as I weigh.

[alandust]

Better than the previous A1 video and certainly Better than the TRQ video....thanks!

[yogreco]

Great video ! Once you do the first one . The second one is a breeze after you know .

[brianallen]

Excellent video, really helped me save a bunch of money.

[robcondon]

Exactly what I was looking for, great video and tips!

[christianloftis]

Thank you for a great instructional video.

[christian]

I wish you guys would make one of these videos on the newer 19-23 models!!

[greenmarine]

2011 rav4 here, original struts, this job would take me two days. One day soaking all the nuts in PB blaster and one full day buying all new nuts because they are rusted so bad they all rounded off.

[andreanagy]

I noticed at 42 seconds you release the ABS wire from its clip that seems to be affixed to the strut but at 7:51after attaching the brake line with the two bolts, the ABS line is just left hanging.

[edzanjero]

TRQ doesn't appear to have a presence on Amazon with struts for sale. If you have to purchase struts from another manufacturer, it's smart to make sure the top strut plate nuts are torqued to spec. Some manufacturers have lacking quality control, like Detroit Axle.