1991 ACURA NSX Service Repair Manual

Steering Column

Removal
CAUTION: All SRS electrical wiring harnesses are covered with
yellow outer insulation. Before disconnecting any part of the SRS wire
harness, install the short connectors (see pages
24-10('93-'96),23-323('91-'92) and 24-11('93-'96), 23-323('91-'92).

Replace the entire effected SRS harness assembly if
it has an open circuit or damaged wiring.
1. Disconnect both the negative cable and positive ca- ble from the battery.
2. Remove the airbag assembly and steering wheel from the column (see page 17-8).
3. Remove the dashboard lower panel, knee bolster pad, and knee bolster.
KNEE BOLSTER
KNEE BOLSTER

PAD

DASHBOARD
LOWER PANEL
4. Disconnect the connector between the cable reel and the SRS main harness, then remove the con-
nector holder.
5. Remove the column lower panel.

COLUMN

LOWER PANEL

SRS MAIN HARNESS
(YELLOW)
CONNECTOR HOLDER CABLE REEL

3-P CONNECTOR

(YELLOW)6. Remove the column covers.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the column covers.

UPPER COLUMN COVER

LOWER

COLUMN

COVER
7. Disconnect the TCS sensor connector. TCS SENSOR CONNECTOR
(GREEN)

TCS SENSORProCarManuals.com

8. Remove the combination switch assembly from the

column shaft.

NOTE: The combination switch can be removed

by disconnecting only the TCS sensor connector.

COMBINATION SWITCH

ASSEMBLY

COLUMN SHAFT

9. Remove the steering joint cover.

CLIP

CLAMPS

STEERING JOINT COVER
10. Remove the steering joint bolts and toothed lock

washers from the steering joint.

STEERING JOINT

TOOTHED

LOCK WASHERS

STEERING JOINT BOLTS

11. Disconnect the ignition switch connectors and

remove the column holder, then remove the steer-

ing column assembly by removing the 8 mm bolts

and flange nuts.

STEERING

COLUMN ASSEMBLY

COLUMN

HOLDER

8 mm BOLTS
8 mm FLANGE NUTSProCarManuals.com

Steering Column

Inspection

STEERING COLUMN
ASSEMBLY
8 mm FLANGE NUTS
16 N ·
m

(1.6 kg-m, 12 Ib-ft)
8 mm BOLTS
22 N ·
m

(2.2 kg-m, 16 Ib-ft)
CLAMPS
STEERING

JOINT COVER

NOTE:
Check
the
telescopic mechanism,
tilt
mechanism,
and
steering
joint
bearings
or
steering shaft
for
movement
and
damage.
Replace as an assembly if damaged or faulty.If either the steering column assembly or TCS sensor is removed, select the appropriate shim and adjust the distance
between the steering shaft and TCS sensor. Refer to Section 19 for shim selection.
Attach a spring scale to the knob of the telescopic lever.
Measure the force required to move the lever.
Preload:
70-90
N
(7-9
kg,
15-20 Ibs) If the force measured is not within the specification, loos-

en the locknut then the telescopic adjusting bolt until the

correct force can be obtained.

SPRING
SCALE
TELESCOPIC LEVER
SHIM


6 mm SOCKET BOLT

10 N ·
m

(1.0 kg-m,7 Ib-ft)
TCS SENSOR COLUMN HOLDER TOOTHED
LOCK WASHER

CLIP

STEERING JOINT

BOLTS

22 N ·
m

(2.2 kg-m, 16 Ib-ft)
LOCKNUT
TELESCOPIC

ADJUSTING BOLT

RETAINING
COLLARS
Check for damage.ProCarManuals.com

Installation

CAUTION:
All SRS wiring harnesses are covered with yellow
outer insulation.

Replace the entire affected SRS harness assembly if

it has an open circuit or damaged wiring.

1. Slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pin- ion shaft.
2. Reposition the column assembly on the hanger bracket and loosely tighten with 8 mm flange nuts.
COLUMN ASSEMBLY
8 mm FLANGE NUTS
16 N.m

(1.6 kg-m, 12 lb-ft)
3. Tighten to the steering joint bolts.

NOTE:
Be sure that the lower bolt is securely in the
groove in the steering gearbox pinion shaft. Be sure the pinion shaft and the steering column
shaft are aligned; the joint should slip on freely.
If not reposition the steering rack to correct the
misalignment.
STEERING JOINT

Slip the upper end of the steering joint onto the steering

shaft (line up the bolt hole with the groove around the
shaft) and loosely install the upper bolt. STEERING COLUMN
SHAFTPull down while

tightening bolt.

Bolt must line up with flat

on shaft.

STEERING GEARBOX

PINION SHAFT

TOOTHED LOCK

WASHERS
STEERING JOINT BOLTS
22 N ·
m (2.2 kg-m, 16 Ib-ft) 4. Install the column holder with the 8 mm bolts.
COLUMN

HOLDER

8 mm BOLTS

22 N.m

(2.2 kg-m, 16 Ib-ft)
5. Tighten the 8 mm flange nuts to the specified
torque.

6. Install the steering joint cover with the clamps and clips.

CLIP

STEERING JOINT COVER
CLAMPS

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.com

Steering Column

Installation (Cont'd)
7. Install the combination switch assembly into the
column shaft.

COMBINATION SWITCH

ASSEMBLY

COLUMN SHAFT

8. Reconnect TCS sensor connector. TCS SENSOR CONNECTOR(GREEN)
TCS SENSOR 9. Install the column covers.
NOTE: Be careful not to damage the column covers.
UPPER COLUMN COVER

LOWER

COLUMN

COVER

10. Insert the cable reel 3-P connector through the col- umn lower panel and attach it to the column lower
panel with the connector holder. Then connect the
SRS main harness and cable reel 3-P connector.
11. Install the column lower panel.

COLUMN

LOWER

PANEL

SRS MAIN

HARNESS CABLE REEL 3-P
CONNECTOR
CONNECTOR
HOLDERProCarManuals.com

12. Install the knee bolster and pad.
13. Connect the foot well light harness and light-on
warning chime to the dashboard lower panel, then
install the dashboard lower panel.

KNEE

BOLSTER

KNEE BOLSTER

PAD

DASHBOARD
LOWER PANEL
14. Install the steering wheel and airbag assembly to the column (see page 17-10).ProCarManuals.com

Component Location
Index

NOTE:
If an intact airbag assembly has been removed from a scrapped car or has been found defective or damaged during
transit, storage or service, it should be deployed (see section 23). Before removing the gearbox, remove the ignition key to lock the steering shaft from turning.
After installing the gearbox, check the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
STEERING WHEEL/AIRBAG ASSEMBLY

Removal, page 17-8

Disassembly, page 17-9

Installation, page 17-10

STEERING COLUMN
Removal, page 17-12
Inspection, page 17-14 Installation, page 17-15
STEERING GEARBOX
Removal/Installation, page 17-19 Disassembly, page 17-22

Inspection, page 17-21

Reassembly, page 17-25ProCarManuals.com

Manual Steering
Gearbox Removal/Installation
NOTE: Before removing the steering gearbox, make
sure the front wheels are straight ahead.
1. Remove the steering joint cover.

STEERING JOINT COVER

CLAMP

CLIP

2. Remove the steering joint bolts, and disconnect the steering joint by moving the joint toward the

column.

STEERING JOINT

STEERING JOINT BOLTS
22 N .
m (2.2 kg-m, 16 Ib-ft)

3. Lock the steering shaft with ignition key to keep the steering shaft position.

4. Raise the car and place safety stands in the proper
locations (see section 1).
5. Remove the front wheels.
8 x
1.25
mm

BOLT WASHERS

25 N .
m (2.5 kg-m, 18 Ib-ft)

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut
FLOOR UNDER

COVER

9. Remove the folding spare tire and spare tire holder
plate.
10. Disconnect the battery negative terminal, then disconnect the positive terminal and remove the
battery.
11. Remove the spare tire holder and floor under cover.
10 N·
m

(1.0 kg-m, 7 Ib-ft)

SPARE TIRE
HOLDER

(cont'd)

COTTER PIN

Replace.

On reassembly, bend
the cotter pin as shown.

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

CASTLE NUT

44 N
·
m

(4.4 kg-m, 32 Ib-ft)

10 mm HEX NUT

NOTE: If necessary, apply penetrating type lubricant
to loosen the ball joint.

BALL JOINT REMOVER. 28 mm

07MAC-SL00200

6. Remove the cotter pin from the castel nut and
remove the nut.
7. Install the 10 mm hex nut on the ball joint. Be sure that the 10 mm hex nut is flush with the ball joint
pin end, or the threaded section of the ball joint pin
might be damaged by the ball joint remover.
NOTE: Remove the ball joint using the Ball Joint

Remover, 28 mm (07MAC-SL00200). Refer to

page 18-21('93-'96), 18-21('91-'92) for how to use
8. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the special tool.
CAUTION: Avoid damaging the ball joint boot.

TOOTHED LOCK

WASHERSProCarManuals.com