my Toyota RAV4 makes a grinding noise when turning is this serious

Solution

1. Preparation

• Gather tools and parts.
• Park the vehicle on a flat surface and engage the parking brake.
• Disconnect the negative battery terminal for safety.

2. Inspect and Replace CV Joints

• Sub-steps:
  1. Raise the vehicle and secure it on jack stands.
  2. Remove the wheel to access the CV joint.
  3. Visually inspect the CV joint and boot for any tears or grease leakage.
  4. If damaged, remove the retaining clips and disconnect the CV joint from the axle.
  5. Install the new CV joint, ensuring it is properly seated and secured with new clips.
  6. Reinstall the wheel and lower the vehicle.

3. Check and Replace Wheel Bearings

• Sub-steps:
  1. Remove the wheel and brake assembly to access the wheel hub.
  2. Inspect the wheel bearing for any signs of wear or noise by spinning it by hand.
  3. If noise or roughness is detected, remove the hub assembly.
  4. Replace the wheel bearing with a new one, ensuring proper alignment and seating.
  5. Reassemble the brake assembly and wheel.

4. Inspect Suspension Components

• Sub-steps:
  1. Visually inspect the struts, shocks, and control arms for any signs of damage or wear.
  2. If any components are worn, remove and replace with new parts.
  3. Tighten all bolts to the manufacturer's specified torque values.
  4. Lower the vehicle and perform a final inspection of the suspension.

Tools Required:

• Jack and jack stands
• Socket set
• Torque wrench
• Pliers
• Screwdrivers
• CV joint removal tool (if applicable)

Parts Required:

• New CV joint (if necessary)
• New wheel bearings (if necessary)
• Suspension components (if necessary)

Estimated Repair Time: 2-4 hours

Safety Warnings:

• Ensure the vehicle is securely supported on jack stands before working underneath it.
• Always disconnect the battery before performing repairs on electrical components.