1991 ACURA NSX Service Repair Manual

Knuckle/Control Arms/Complianc e Pivo t
Illustrate d Inde x
Overal l Suspensio n NOTE : Alig n th e whit e lin e o n th e stabilize r ba r wit h th e
bushin g end , an d instal l th e stabilize r bar .
NOTE :
• Wip e of f th e greas e befor e tightenin g th e nu t a t th e bal l joint .
• Torqu e specifications , se e pag e 18-14 .
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
STABILIZE R BA RChec k fo r damage .
*UPPE R CONTRO L BAL L JOIN T
Inspec t fo r fault ymovemen t an d wear . STABILIZE
R LIN K
Inspect for fault y
movemen t an d wear .
COMPLIANC E PIVO TASSEMBL YCheck fo r damag e o r cracks .
Chec k fo r deterioratio n an d damag e UPPE
R CONTRO L AR M
Chec k fo r damag e
an d cracks .
COMPLIANC E PIVO T
LOWE R BRACKE TCheck fo r damag e an dcracks .
FLANG E BOL T8 x 1.2 5 mm22 N- m (2. 2 kg-m , 1 6 Ib-ft )
* UPPE R AR M BAL LJOINTInspec t fo r fault ymovemen t an d
wear .
LOWE R CONTRO L AR M
Chec k fo r damag e an d crack s
* LOWE R CONTRO L AR M BAL L JOIN T
Inspec t fo r fault ymovemen t an d wear .
KNUCKL ECheck fo r damag e
an d cracks .
LOWERBALL JOIN TInspec t fo r fault ymovemen t an d wear .
NOTE: Replac e th e join t boo t i f an y ar e damaged . Th e part s marke d wit h a n asteris k (* ) hav e a retaine r attachin g
the bal l joints . Replac e th e retaine r wheneve r th e boo t i s replaced .
CAUTION: D o no t remov e th e arms , knuckle , an d complianc e pivo t b y strikin g the m wit h a hammer , an d tak e car e
not t o dro p them .
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Removal
1. Remov e th e fron t whee l an d bearin g uni t assembly
(se e pag e 18-15 ).
2 . Remov e th e splas h guar d fro m th e knuckle .
SPLASH GUAR D
10 N- m(1.0 kg-m , 7 Ib-ft )
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
3. Remov e th e lowe r contro l ar m guard .
10 N- m(1.0 kg-m , 7 Ib-ft )
LOWE R AR M GUAR D
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
NOTE: Us e th e bal l join t remover s t o separat e th e bal l
joint s fro m th e suspensio n o r steerin g arm .
CAUTION :
• B e carefu l no t t o damag e th e bal l join t boot .
• Torqu e th e castl e nu t t o th e lowe r torqu e specifica -
tion , the n tighte n it onl y fa r enoug h t o alig n th e slo t
wit h th e pi n hole . D o no t alig n th e nu t b y loosening .
4 . Clea n an y dir t o r greas e of f th e bal l joint .
5 . Remov e th e cotte r pi n fro m th e steerin g arm , an d
remov e th e nut .
6 . Appl y greas e t o th e specia l too l o n th e area s
shown . Thi s wil l eas e installatio n o f th e too l an d
preven t damag e t o th e pressur e bol t threads .
Apply greas e here . PRESSUR
E BOL T
7. Instal l a 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
that th e he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t pi n en d to
preven t damag e t o th e threade d en d o f th e bal l
joint.
8. Us e th e bal l join t remover , 2 8 mm , a s shown .
Insert th e jaw s carefully , makin g sur e yo u d o no t
damag e th e bal l join t boot . Adjus t th e ja w spacin g
by turnin g th e pressur e bolt .
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
cant t o loose n th e bal l joint .
CASTL E NU T40-4 8 N- m
BAL L JOIN T REMOVER , 2 8 m m07MA C-SL0020 0
(4.0-4.8 kg-m, 29-35 Ib-ft)
COTTE R
PINReplace .On reassembly , ben dthe pi n a s shown .Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
Knuckle/Control Arms/Compliance Pivot
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Knuckle/Control Arms/Complianc e Pivo t
Remova l
9. Onc e th e too l i s i n place , tur n th e adjustin g bol t a s
necessar y t o mak e th e jaw s parallel . The n hand -
tighte n th e pressur e bolt , an d rechec k th e jaw s t o
mak e sur e the y ar e stil l parallel .
PRESSUR E BOL T
ADJUSTIN G BOL T
10. Wit h a wrench , tighte n th e pressur e bol t unti l th e
bal l join t shaf t pop s loos e fro m th e steerin g arm .
Wea r ey e protection . Th e bal l join t
ca n brea k loos e suddenl y an d scatte r dir t o r othe r
debri s in you r eyes .
11 . Remov e th e tool , the n remov e th e nu t fro m th e en d
o f th e bal l join t an d pul l th e bal l join t ou t o f th e
steering/suspensio n arm . Inspec t th e bal l join t boot ,
an d replac e i t i f damaged . 12
. Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d lowe r contro l ar m bal l
joint nut .
13. Instal l th e 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
that th e 1 2 m m he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t
pin end , o r th e threade d sectio n o f th e bal l join t pi n
migh t b e damage d b y th e bal l join t remover .
14 . Us e th e bal l join t remover , 3 2 mm , a s show n o n pag e
18-2 1 t o separat e th e bal l join t an d lowe r contro l
arm.
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
cant t o loose n th e bal l joint .
CASTL E NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm55-6 5 N- m(5.5-6. 5 kg-m, 40-47 Ib-ft)
COTTE R BAL L JOIN TPIN REMOVER , 3 2 m mReplace . 07MAC - SL0010 0On reassembly ,bend th e cotte r pi n a s shown .
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
1 5 . Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d th e uppe r bal l join t nut .
16 . Instal l th e 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
that th e 1 2 m m he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t
pin end , o r th e threade d sectio n o f th e bal l join t pi n
migh t b e damage d b y th e bal l join t remover .
17 . Us e th e bal l join t remover , 3 2 mm , a s show n o n pag e
18-2 1 t o separat e th e bal l join t an d uppe r arm .
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
can t t o loose n th e bal l joint .
BALL JOIN T REMOVER , 3 2 m m07MA C - SL0010 0COTTER PI NReplace .On reassembly , ben d th ecotte r pi n a s shown .
CASTL E NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm55-6 5 N- m(5.5-6. 5 kg-m,40-47 Ib-ft )
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
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18. Remove the knuckle.

KNUCKLE

19. Separate the lower control arm and damper by

removing the damper mounting bolt.

DAMPER

MOUNTING

BOLT
Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

95 N-m (9.5 kg-m, 69 Ib-ft)
20. Hold the ball pin of the stabilizer link with a hex

wrench, and loosen the self-locking nut.

STABILIZER

LINK

LOWER CONTROL

ARM

HEX WRENCH

SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

85 N-m (8.5 kg-m, 61 Ib-ft)

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

21. Disconnect the stabilizer link from the lower control

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Knuckle/Control Arms/Complianc e Pivo t
Remova l
22. Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d lowe r ar m bal l join t nut .
23 . Instal l th e 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
that th e 1 2 m m he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t
pin end , o r th e threade d sectio n o f th e bal l join t pi n
migh t b e damage d b y th e bal l join t remover .
24 . Us e th e bal l join t remover , 3 2 mm , a s show n o n pag e
18-2 1 t o separat e th e bal l join t an d complianc e pivot .
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
can t t o loose n th e bal l joint .
CAUTION : Avoi d damagin g th e bal l join t boot .
CASTL E NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm55-6 5 N-m(5.5-6. 5 kg-m, 40-47 Ib-ft)
COTTE RPINReplace .On reassembly ,bend th e cotte r pi nas shown .
BALL JOIN T REMOVER , 3 2 m m07MAC -SL0010 0Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
25. Remov e th e lowe r contro l ar m b y removin g th e ad -
justin g bolt .
SELF-LOCKIN G NU T12 x 1.2 5 mmReplace .125 N- m(12. 5 kg-m , 9 0 Ib-ft )
ADJUSTIN GBOLT
ADJUSTIN G CA M
LOWE R CONTRO L AR M
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
26. Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d uppe r ar m bal l join t nut .
27 . Instal l th e 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
that th e 1 2 m m he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t
pin end , o r th e threade d sectio n o f th e bal l join t pi n
migh t b e damage d b y th e bal l join t remover .
28 . Us e th e bal l join t remover , 3 2 mm , a s show n o n pag e
18-2 1 t o separat e th e bal l join t an d complianc e pivot .
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
can t t o loose n th e bal l joint .
CAUTION : Avoi d damagin g th e bal l join t boot .
CASTL E NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm55-6 5 N-m(5.5-6. 5 kg-m, 40-47 Ib-ft )
BALL JOIN T REMOVER , 3 2 m m07MA C-SL0010 0Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
COTTER PI NReplace .On reassembly ,bend th e cotte rpin a s shown .
29 . Remov e th e stabilize r ba r bracke t fro m th e com -
plianc e pivot .
30 . Remov e th e thre e lowe r complianc e pivo t bolts .
STABILIZE RBAR
COMPLIANC E PIVO TASSEMBL Y
FLANGE BOL T8 x 1.2 5 mm22 N- m(2.2 kg-m , 1 6 Ib-ft )
FLANG E BOL T12 x 1.2 5 mm95 N- m(9.5 kg-m , 6 9 Ib-ft )
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
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31. Remove the compliance pivot assembly by remov-

ing the bolts and nuts shown.

32. Remove the upper control arm assembly by remov-

ing the flange bolt shown.

SELF-LOCKING

NUTS

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

95 N-m

(9.5 kg-m, 69 Ib-ft)

FLANGE BOLT

10 x
1.25
mm

60 N-m

(6.0 kg-m, 43 Ib-ft)
FLANGE BOLTS

10 x
1.25
mm

60 N-m

(6.0 kg-m, 43 Ib-ft)

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut
NOTE:

• Install the upper control arm on the frame before

installing the compliance pivot assembly.

• Install the compliance pivot bolts and nuts. Tor-

que them to the specified torque in the order.

1. Loosely tighten the flange bolt

2. Insert the stud bolts into the frame.

3. Install the three flange bolts and tighten to the

specified torque.

4. Install the two flange bolts and tighten to the

specified torque.

5. Tighten the flange bolt

6. Install the 12 mm self-locking nuts and tighten

to the specified torque.

STUD BOLT

FLANGE BOLTS

10 x
1.25
mm

60 N-m

(6.0 kg-m, 43 Ib-ft)

FLANGE BOLTS

12 x
1.25
mm

95 N-m

(9.5 kg-m, 69 Ib-ft)
SELF-LOCKING

NUTS

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

95 N-m

(9.5 kg-m, 69 Ib-ft)

UPPER CONTROL

ARM

FLANGE BOLT

12 x
1.25
mm

95 N-m

(9.5 kg-m, 69 Ib-ft)

Corrosion resistant

bolt/nut
COMPLIANCE

PIVOT ASSEMBLYProCarManuals.com

Knuckle/Control Arms/Complianc e Pivo t
Ball Join t Boo t Replacemen t
NOTE:Do no t damag e th etapere d section of th ebal l pi n wit h th e bear -
in g puller .
3 . Pac k th e interio r of the boo t an d li p wit h grease .
BOOT INSTALLATIO N SECTIO N
CAUTION : D o no t contaminat e th e boo t installa -
tio n sectio n wit h grease . 4
. Wip e th e greas e of f th e slidin g surfac e o f th e bal l
pin , an d pac k wit h fres h grease .
5 . Inser t th e ne w retaine r lightl y int o th e bal l join t pin .
NOTE : Whe n installin g th e bal l joint , pres s th e re -
taine r int o th e bal l join t pin .
BAL L PI N TAPERE D SECTIO N
BOOT INSTALLATIO NSECTION
CAUTION :
• Kee p greas e of f th e boo t installatio n sectio n an d
th e tapere d sectio n o f th e bal l pin .
• D o no t allo w dust , dirt , o r othe r foreig n
material s t o ente r th e boot .
6 . Instal l th e boo t i n th e groov e o f th e boo t installatio n
sectio n securely , the n blee d air .
7. Adjus t th e specia l too l wit h th e adjustin g bol t unti l
the en d o f th e too l align s wit h th e groov e o n th e
boot .
8. Slid e th e se t rin g ove r th e too l an d int o position .
BALL JOINT .BOOT CLI PGUID E07GA G - SD4070 0
SET RIN G
BOO T
ADJUSTIN G BOLT BALL JO|N TAdjus t th e dept h BOO T CLI Pby turnin g th e bolt . GUID E
07MA G - SL0020 0
Adjus t th e dept h
b y turnin g th e tool .
uppe r knuckl e an dupper/lowe r contro l arm .knuckl e lowe r bal l join tonly.
CAUTION : Afte r installin g th e boot , chec k th e bal l
pi n tapere d sectio n an d thread s fo r greas e con -
taminatio n an d wip e the m if necessary .
NOTE: Th e uppe r contro l ar m bal l joint , lowe r contro l
arm bal l join t an d knuckl e uppe r bal l join t ar e attache d
with the boo t retaine r t o improv e th e sealin g efficienc y
of th e boot .
1. Remov e th e se t rin g an d boot .
2. Remov e th e retainer .
NOTE: Th e knuckl e lowe r bal l join t doe s no t hav e a
retainer .
TWO-JA W PULLE R(Commerciall yavailable)
SET RIN G
BOO T
TAPERE DSECTION
RETAINE R
RETAINER
SET RIN G
BOO T
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Front Damper

Removal

1. Remove the front wheel.

2. Remove the brake hose mounting bolt from the

damper.

3. Separate the damper and lower arm by removing

the damper mounting bolt.

BRAKE HOSE MOUNTING BOLT

DAMPER MOUNTING BOLT

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut
SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

4. Remove the caps from the top of the cowl, then

remove the self-locking nuts.

5. Remove the damper assembly.

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

CAP
SELF-LOCKING NUT

10 x
1.25
mm

Replace.
Disassembly/Inspection

Disassembly:

1. Compress the damper spring with the spring com-

pressor according to the manufacturer's instruc-

tions, then remove the self-locking nut.

CAUTION: Do not compress the spring more than

necessary to remove the nut.

SELF-LOCKING NUT

10 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

STRUT SPRING

COMPRESSOR:

(Commercially available)

BRANICK® T/N MST-580A

or equivalent

2. Remove the spring compressor, then disassemble

the damper as shown on the next page.

Inspection:

1. Reassemble all parts, except the spring.

2. Push on the damper assembly as shown.

3. Check for smooth operation through a full stroke,

both compression and extension.

NOTE: The damper should move smoothly. If it

does not (no compression or no extension), the gas

is leaking, and the damper should be replaced.

WOODEN

BLOCK

4. Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises or binding dur-

ing these tests.ProCarManuals.com