1996 ACURA RL KA9 lock

2. Tighte n th e rac k guid e scre w to 2 5 N- m (2. 5 kgf-m ,
18lbf-ft) , the n loose n it .
3 . Retighte n th e rac k guid e scre w to 5. 9 N- m (0. 6 kgfm ,
4 Ibf-ft) , the n bac k it of f t o specifie d angle .
Specifie d Retur n Angle : 1 5 ± 5°
4 . Tighte n th e locknu t whil e holdin g th e rac k guid e
screw .
5 . Chec k fo r tigh t o r loos e steerin g throug h th e com -
plet e turnin g travel .
6 . Perfor m th e followin g inspection s (se e pag e 17-12 ).
• Steerin g operation .
• Powe r assis t wit h vehicl e parked . 2
. Connec t a hos e o f correc t diamete r t o th e discon -
necte d retur n hose , an d pu t th e hos e en d i n a suit -
abl e container .
CAUTION : Tak e car e no t t o spil l th e flui d o n th e
bod y an d parts . Wip e of f an y spille d flui d a t once .
3 . Star t th e engine , le t i t ru n a t idle , an d tur n th e steer -
in g whee l fro m lock-to-loc k severa l times . Whe n
flui d stop s runnin g ou t of the hose , shu t of f th e
engine . Discar d th e fluid .
4 . Reinstal l th e retur n hos e o n th e reservoir .
5 . Fil l th e reservoi r t o th e uppe r leve l line .
6 . Star t th e engin e an d ru n i t a t fas t idle , the n tur n th e
steerin g fro m lock-to-loc k severa l time s t o blee d ai r
fro m th e system .
7 . Rechec k th e flui d leve l an d ad d mor e if necessary .
CAUTION : D o no t fil l th e reservoi r beyon d th e
uppe r leve l line .
Inspectio n an d Adjustmen t
Rack Guid e Adjustmen t
NOTE: Perfor m rac k guid e adjustmen t wit h th e wheel s
i n th e straigh t ahea d position .
1 . Loose n th e rac k guid e scre w locknu t wit h th e spe -
cial tool .
'96 - 9 8 models :
Loose n th e rac k guid e screw .
'9 9 - 0 1 models :
Remov e th e rac k guid e screw . Remov e th e ol d
sealan t fro m th e rac k guid e scre w threade d section ,
an d appl y ne w sealan t t o th e al l aroun d threads .
Loosel y instal l th e rac k guid e scre w o n th e steerin g
gearbox .
Fluid Replacemen t
Check th e reservoi r a t regula r intervals , an d ad d th e rec -
ommende d flui d a s necessary .
CAUTION : Alway s us e Genuin e Hond a Powe r Steerin g
Fluid- V o r S . Usin g an y othe r typ e o f powe r steerin g
flui d o r automati c transmissio n flui d ca n caus e
increase d wea r an d poo r steerin g in col d weather .
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Pump Pressur e Chec k
Check th e flui d pressur e a s follow s t o determin e
whether th e troubl e i s i n th e pum p o r gearbox .
NOTE: Firs t chec k th e powe r steerin g flui d leve l an d
pum p bel t tension .
CAUTION : Carefull y disconnec t th e high-pressur e hos e
s o th e powe r steerin g flui d doe s no t lea k o n th e fram e
an d othe r parts .
1 . Remov e th e ai r cleane r (ACL) .
2. Disconnec t th e outle t hos e fro m th e pum p outle t fit -
ting , an d instal l th e P/ S join t adapte r (pump ) o n th e
pum p outlet .
P/S JOIN T ADAPTE R (PUMP )
07GAK-SE0011 2
P/S PRESSUR EGAUGE07406-0010001
P/S JOIN T ADAPTE R (HOSE )07GAK-SE0012 0
3. Connec t th e P/ S join t adapte r (pump ) t o th e powe r
steerin g pressur e gauge , the n connec t th e outle t
hose t o th e adapter .
4 . Connec t th e powe r steerin g pressur e gaug e t o th e
adapter .
5 . Ope n th e shut-of f valv e fully .
6 . Ope n th e pressur e contro l valv e fully .
P/S PRESSUR E GAUG E
0740 6-001000 1
7. Star t th e engin e an d le t i t idle .
8 . Tur n th e steerin g whee l fro m lock-to-loc k severa l
times to war m th e flui d to operatin g temperature .
9. Measur e steady-stat e flui d pressur e whil e idlin g
with th e shut-of f valv e full y open . I f th e pum p i s i n
goo d condition , th e gaug e shoul d rea d les s tha n
150 0 kP a (1 5 kgf/cm
2, 21 3 psi) .
I f i t read s high , chec k th e fee d lin e o r valv e bod y
unit.
10. Clos e th e pressur e contro l valve , the n clos e th e shut -
off valv e graduall y unti l th e pressur e gaug e needl e
i s stable . Rea d th e pressure .
11 . Immediatel y ope n th e pressur e contro l valv e fully .
CAUTION : D o no t kee p th e pressur e contro l valv e
close d mor e tha n 5 second s o r th e pum p coul d b e
damage d b y over-heating .
I f th e pum p i s i n goo d condition , th e gaug e shoul d
rea d a t leas t 7,80 0 - 8,80 0 kP a (8 0 - 9 0 kgf/cm
2, 1,13 8
- 1,28 0 psi) . A lo w readin g mean s pum p outpu t i s
to o lo w fo r ful l assist . Repai r o r replac e th e pump .
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3. Connec t th e cruis e contro l switche s connector , th e
radi o remot e switc h connector , an d th e hor n con -
nector .
4 . Instal l th e driver' s airba g assembly , an d confir m
prope r syste m operatio n (se e sectio n 24 ).
5 . Chec k th e horn , th e cruis e contro l switche s an d th e
radi o remot e switc h fo r prope r operation .
3
. Remov e th e steerin g whee l nut .
4 . Remov e th e steerin g whee l wit h a steerin g whee l
puller .
CAUTION :
• D o no t ta p o n th e steerin g whee l o r th e steerin g
colum n shaf t whe n removin g th e steerin g wheel .
• I f yo u threa d th e pulle r bolt s int o th e whee l hu b
mor e tha n fiv e threads , th e bolt s wil l hi t th e
steerin g whee l lowe r cove r an d damag e it . T o
preven t this , instal l a pai r o f ja m nut s fiv e
thread s u p o n eac h pulle r bolt . 2
. Instal l th e steerin g whee l wit h th e steerin g whee l
nut.
NOTE : B e sur e th e steerin g whee l shaf t engage s
wit h th e cabl e ree l an d cancelin g sleeve .
Remova l
SRS component s ar e locate d i n thi s area . Revie w th e
SR S componen t locations , precautions , an d procedure s
i n th e SR S (sectio n 24 ) befor e performin g repair s o r ser -
vice .
NOTE : Befor e removin g th e steerin g wheel , alig n th e
fron t wheel s straigh t ahead .
1 . Remov e th e driver' s airba g assembl y fro m th e steer -
in g whee l (se e sectio n 24 ).
2 . Disconnec t th e hor n connector , cruis e contro l
switche s connecto r an d radi o remot e switc h connec -
tor.
Installatio n
CAUTION : D o no t ta p o n th e steerin g whee l o r steerin g
colum n shaf t whe n installin g th e steerin g wheel .
NOTE : Befor e installin g th e steerin g wheel , alig n th e
fron t wheel s straigh t ahead .
1 . Befor e installin g th e steerin g wheel , cente r th e
cabl e reel . D o thi s b y firs t rotatin g th e cabl e ree l
clockwis e unti l i t stops . The n rotat e i t counterclock -
wis e abou t tw o turns . Th e arro w mar k o n th e cabl e
ree l labe l shoul d poin t straigh t up .
Steerin g Whee l
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5. Remove the boot bands and tie-rod clips. Pull the

boots away from the ends of the gearbox.

6. Hold the steering rack with one wrench ('99 - 01

models: left end only), and unscrew the rack end with

another wrench.

NOTE: '96 - 98 models shown.

CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the rack sur-

face with the wrench.
7. Loosen the locknut, then remove the rack guide

screw and O-ring ('96 - 98 models only).

8. Remove the spring and rack guide from the gearbox

housing.

9. Remove cylinder lines A and B from the gearbox.

10. Drain the fluid from the cylinder fittings by slowly

moving the steering rack back and forth.ProCarManuals.com

Reassembly (cont'd )
d. Determin e th e require d thicknes s o f th e 4 4 m m
shim s b y subtractin g th e clearanc e obtaine d i n th e
ste p - "C " fro m th e tota l thicknes s o f th e fou r shims .
(Tota l thicknes s o f th e fou r shims ) - (Clearance ) =
Require d thicknes s o f th e shim s
NOTE : Selec t th e shim s s o tha t th e tota l thicknes s
i s clos e to , bu t les s tha n th e require d thickness .
Example:
Measuremen t i s 0.2 8 m m (0.01 1 in) :
0.0 7 - 0.2 8 = 0.4 2 m m (0.02 8 - 0.01 1 = 0.01 7 in )
Th e selecte d shim s shoul d b e 0.2 5 m m (0.01 0 in ) an d
0.1 5 m m (0.00 6 in ) i n thickness .
I f th e require d shi m thicknes s i s 0.1 0 m m o r less , n o
shim s ar e necessary .
55 . Se t th e selecte d 4 4 m m shim s o n th e bearin g surfac e
o f th e gearbo x housing . 60
. Instal l cylinde r line s A an d B .
NOTE :
• Clea n th e joint s o f cylinde r line s A an d B
thoroughly . Th e joint s mus t b e fre e o f foreig n
material .
• Instal l cylinde r line s A an d B by lightin g th e flar e
nut s b y han d first , the n tighte n th e flar e nut s t o
th e specifie d torque .
Power Steerin g Gearbo x
61. Greas e th e slidin g surfac e of the rac k guide , an d
instal l i t ont o th e gearbo x housing .
62 . Fo r '9 6 - 9 8 models : Appl y a thi n coa t o f greas e t o
th e ne w 0-ring , an d instal l i t o n th e rac k guid e screw .
Fo r '9 9 - 0 1 models : Appl y sealan t t o th e al l aroun d
thread s o n th e rac k guid e screw .
63 . Instal l th e spring , rac k guid e scre w an d locknu t o n
th e gearbo x housing .
64 . Adjus t th e rac k guid e scre w (se e pag e 17-16 ).
NOTE : Afte r adjusting , chec k tha t th e rac k move s
smoothl y b y slidin g th e rac k righ t an d left .
56
. Coa t th e ne w O-rin g wit h grease , an d carefull y fi t i t
o n th e valv e housing .
57 . Appl y greas e t o th e needl e bearin g i n th e gearbo x
housing .
58 . Instal l th e valv e bod y uni t o n th e gearbo x housin g
b y engagin g th e gears.
NOTE : Not e th e valv e bod y uni t installatio n positio n
(directio n o f lin e connection) .
59 . Tighte n th e flang e bolt s t o th e specifie d torque .
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65. Install the new lock washer in the groove in the

steering rack.

66. Install the steering rack ends into the rack.

67. Hold the steering rack with a wrench ('99 - 01 mod-

els: left end only), and tighten the rack ends with

another wrench.
69. Apply steering grease to the circumference of the

rack end housing.

70. Apply a light coat of silicone grease to the boot

grooves on the rack ends.

71. Install the boots in the rack end with the tube clamps.

NOTE: Install the boots with the rack in the straight

ahead position (right and left tie-rods are equal in

length).
68. After tightening the rack ends, stake the four section

of lock washer with a commercially-available roll

pin drift and mallet.

• Place the wood block, then set the lock washer

section of rack end securely on the wood block.

• Be sure the tool is aligned with the stake point

(four dents) of the steering rack end before stak-

ing.ProCarManuals.com

75. Slid e th e rac k righ t an d lef t t o b e certai n tha t th e
boot s ar e no t deforme d o r twisted . 78
. Loosel y instal l th e tie-ro d locknut s an d tie-ro d end s
o n th e rac k ends .
73
. Ben d bot h set s o f lockin g tabs .
74 . Lightl y ta p o n th e doubled-ove r portion s t o reduc e
thei r height .
CAUTION : Stak e th e ban d lockin g tab s firmly . 76
. Instal l th e thre e line s ( 6 m m retur n line , 1 0 m m
retur n lin e an d senso r inle t line ) t o th e valv e bod y
uni t a s shown .
77 . Instal l th e lin e mountin g cushion s b y alignin g th e
mark s o n th e 1 0 m m retur n lin e (larg e diamete r
line).
Reassembl y (cont'd )
72. Instal l th e ne w boo t band s o n th e boot s a s shown .
Power Steerin g Gearbo x
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Installation (cont'd )
6. Reconnec t th e thre e line s (senso r inle t line , 1 0 m m
retur n lin e an d 6 m m retur n line ) t o th e hoses .
NOTE:
• Mak e sur e tha t ther e i s n o interferenc e betwee n
th e fee d line , th e rea r bea m o r an y othe r parts .
• Fo r hos e clamp s installation , refe r t o pag e 17-23 . 9
. Instal l th e steerin g joint , an d reconnec t th e steerin g
shaf t an d pinio n shaft .
NOTE : Mak e sur e th e steerin g join t i s connecte d a sfollows :
a. Inser t th e uppe r en d o f th e steerin g join t ont o th e
steerin g shaf t (lin e u p th e bol t hol e wit h th e fla t
o n th e shaft) , an d loosel y instal l th e uppe r join t
bolt,
b. Sli p th e lowe r en d o f th e steerin g join t ont o th e
pinio n shaf t (lin e u p th e bol t hol e wit h th e groov e
aroun d th e shaft) , an d loosel y instal l th e lowe r
joint bolt .
Be sur e tha t th e lowe r join t bol t i s securel y i n th e
groov e in th e pinio n shaft ,
c . Pul l o n th e steerin g join t t o mak e sur e tha t th e
steerin g join t i s full y seated . The n tighte n th e
join t bolts .
Power Steerin g Gearbo x
7. Tighte n th e tw o gearbo x mountin g bolt s o n th e
mountin g bracke t tha t wer e loosel y installe d in ste p 1 .
8 . Instal l th e splas h guar d wit h th e tw o gearbo x mount -
in g bolt s an d splas h guar d attachin g bolts .
NOTE : Instal l th e bolt s loosel y first , the n tighte n
the m securely .
10. Cente r th e cabl e ree l b y firs t rotatin g it clockwis e unti l
i t stops . The n rotat e i t counterclockwis e abou t tw o
turns . Th e arro w mar k o n th e labe l shoul d poin t
straigh t up .
Reinstal l th e steerin g whee l (se e pag e 17-18 ).
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