1996 ACURA RL KA9 lock

12. Instal l th e fron t wheels .
13 . Fil l th e syste m wit h th e recommende d powe r steer -
in g fluid , an d blee d ai r fro m th e syste m (se e pag e
17-16 ).
14 . Afte r installation , perfor m th e followin g checks .
• Star t th e engine , allo w it t o idle , an d tur n th e steer -
in g whee l fro m lock-to-loc k severa l time s t o war m
u p th e fluid . Chec k th e gearbo x fo r leak s (se e pag e
17-23 ).
• Adjus t th e fron t to e (se e sectio n 18 ).
• Chec k th e steerin g whee l spok e angle . Adjus t b y
turnin g th e righ t an d lef t tie-rods , i f necessary .
NOTE : Tur n th e righ t an d lef t tie-rod s equally .
11
. Reconnec t th e tie-ro d end s t o th e steerin g knuckles ,
tighte n th e castl e nu t ('9 6 - 9 8 models ) o r he x nu t
('9 9 - 0 1 models ) t o th e specifie d torque , an d instal l
ne w cotte r pins .
NOTE : Befor e connectin g th e tie-ro d ends , wip e of f
an y greas e contaminatio n fro m th e bal l join t tapere d
sectio n an d threads .
CAUTION : Torqu e th e castl e nu t t o th e lowe r torqu e
specification , the n tighte n it onl y fa r enoug h to 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 .
ProCarManuals.com

Front Toe Inspection/Adjustment

NOTE: Use commercially-available computerized four

wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel align-

ment (caster, camber, toe, and/or turning angle).

Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

1. Check the tire pressure.

2. Center the steering wheel spokes.

3. Check the toe with the wheels pointed straight

ahead.

Front toe: 0 ± 2 mm (0±1/16 in)

— If adjustment is required, go on to step 4.

— If no adjustment is required, remove the align-

ment equipment.

4. Loosen the tie-rod locknuts, then turn both tie-rods

in the same direction until the front wheels are

pointed straight ahead.

TIE-ROD LOCKNUT

14 x 1.5 mm

44 N-m (4.5 kgf-m, 33 Ibf-ft)
TIE-ROD

5. Turn both tie-rods equally until the toe reading on

the turning radius gauge is correct.

6. After adjusting, tighten the tie-rod locknuts, and

reposition the tie-rod boot if it is twisted or dis-

placed.
Rear Toe Inspection/Adjustment

NOTE: Use commercially-available computerized four

wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel align-

ment (caster, camber, toe and/or turning angle). Follow

the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

1. Release the parking brake.

NOTE:

• Measure the difference in toe measurements

with the wheels pointed straight ahead.

• If the parking brake is engaged, you may get an

incorrect reading.

Rear toe-in: 2 ± 2 mm (1/16 ± 1/16 in)

— If adjustment is required, go to step 2.

— If no adjustment is required, remove the align-

ment equipment.

2. Hold the adjusting bolt on the rear lower arm B and,

loosen the self-locking nut.

SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x 1.25mm

54 N-m (5.5 kgf-m, 40 Ibf-ft)

Replace.

LOWER ARM B

ADJUSTING BOLT

3. Adjust the rear toe by turning the adjusting bolt

until toe is correct.

4. Install the self-locking nut, and tighten it while hold-

ing the adjusting bolt.ProCarManuals.com

1. Loose n th e whee l nut s slightly .
2. Rais e th e fron t o f th e vehicle , an d suppor t i t wit h
safet y stand s in th e prope r location s (se e sectio n 1 ).
3 . Remov e th e whee l nut s an d fron t wheel .
WHEE L NU T108 N- m(11 kgf-m , 8 0 Ibf-ft )
SPINDL E NU T 2 4 x 1. 5 m m245 N- m(25 kgf-m , 18 1 Ibf-ft )Replace .NOTE:• Befor e installin g th e spindl e nut , appl y
engin e oi l t o th e seatin g surfac e o f th e nut .
• Afte r tightening , us e a drif t t o stak e th e
spindl e shoulde r agains t th e spindle .
4. Rais e th e lockin g ta b o n th e spindl e nut , the n
remov e th e nut .
5 . Remov e th e brak e hos e mountin g bolts .
BRAK E HOS E
9.8 N- m(1.0 kgf-m , 7. 2 Ibf-ft )22 N- m(2.2 kgf-m , 1 6 Ibf-ft )
6. Remov e th e whee l senso r fro m th e knuckle .
NOTE : D o no t disconnec t th e whee l senso r connec -
tor.
9.8 N- m (1. 0 kgf-m , 7. 2 Ibf-ft )
SENSO R MOUNTIN GBOLTS9.8 N- m(1.0 kgf-m , 7. 2 Ibf-ft )
WHEE L SENSO R
7. Remov e th e calipe r bracke t mountin g bolts , an d
han g th e calipe r assembl y t o on e side .
CAUTION : T o preven t accidenta l damag e t o th e
calipe r o r brak e hose , us e a shor t piec e o f wir e t o
han g th e calipe r fro m th e undercarriage .
CALIPER BRACKE T MOUNTIN G BOLT S12 x 1.2 5 mm108 N- m (1 1 kgf-m , 8 0 Ibf-ft )
ProCarManuals.com

Suspension Arms Removal/Inspection

CAUTION:

• Replace the self-locking nuts after removal.

• Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot.

STABILIZER END

RUBBER BUSHING

Check for deterioration

and damage.
UPPER ARM ASSEMBLY

Check for damage.

STABILIZER BAR

Check for bending and

damage.
BALL JOINT

Inspect for faulty

movement and wear.

BALL JOINT BOOT

Check for deterioration

and damage.

KNUCKLE

Check for damage.

LOWER ARM

RUBBER BUSHING

Check for deterioration

and damage.

BALL JOINT

Inspect for faulty

movement and wear.

BALL JOINT BOOT

Check for deterioration

and damage.

COMPLIANCE BUSHING

Do not contaminate the

tapered section with oil and

grease.
DAMPER FORK

RUBBER BUSHING

Check for deterioration

and damage.
LOWER ARM ASSEMBLY

Check for damage.

Do not disassemble

as it might deform the plate.
DAMPER

FORK

Do not interchange the

right and left damper fork.
STABILIZER LINK

Inspect for faulty

movement and wear.
BOOT

Check tor deterioration

and damage.ProCarManuals.com

Front Suspension

Suspension Arms Installation

NOTE:

• Wipe off the grease before tightening the nut at the ball joint.

• The right and left damper forks are not symmetrical. The left damper fork is marked with "Z5L" while the right damper

fork is marked with "Z5R". Do not interchange them.

STABILIZER BAR

Align the stabilizer mark

with the end of the stabilizer bushing.

FLANGE BOLT

10 x
1.25
mm

'96-98 models:

39 N-m (4.0 kgf-m, 29 Ibf-ft)

'99 - 01 models:

54 N-m

(5.5 kgf-m, 40 Ibf-ft)

CASTLE NUT

10 x
1.25
mm

39 - 47
N-m

(4.0 - 4.8 kgf-m, 29 - 35 Ibf-ft)

COTTER PIN

Replace.
FRONT

MARK

SELF-LOCKING NUT

10 x 1.25mm

'96 - 98 models:

37 N-m (3.8 kgf-m, 27 Ibf-ft)

'99 - 01 models:

43 N-m (4.4 kgf-m, 32 Ibf-ft)

Replace.

Hold the ball joint pin using a hex wrench,

and tighten the self-locking nut.

SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

103 N-m

(10.5 kgf-m, 76 Ibf-ft)

Replace.

FLANGE BOLT

12 x
1.25
mm

113 N-m

(11.5 kgf-m, 83 Ibf-ft)
FLANGE NUT 10 x 1.25 mm

29 N-m (3.0 kgf-m, 22 Ibf-ft)

Before tightening the flange nut,

position the ball joint pin

in the middle of its range of travel,

with the suspension under vehicle load.

RUBBER BUSHING
CASTLE NUT

('96 - 98 models)

12 x
1.25
mm

49
-
59
N-m

(5.0 - 6.0 kgf-m,

36-43 Ibf-ft)

HEX NUT

('99 - 01 models)

54 N-m

(5.5 kgf-m, 40 Ibf-ft)

CASTLE NUT

14 x 2.0 mm

69 - 78
N-m

(7.0 - 8.0 kgf-m, 51 - 58 Ibf-ft)

COTTER PIN

Replace.

SILICONE
SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

64 N-m

(6.5 kgf-m, 47 Ibf-ft)

Replace.

STABILIZER

BUSHING

FLANGE NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

123 N-m

(12.5 kgf-m, 90 Ibf-ft)

STABILIZER HOLDER

RUBBER BUSHING

SILICONE

FLANGE BOLT

10 x
1.25
mm

43 N-m (4.4 kgf-m,

32 Ibf-ft)ProCarManuals.com

Front Damper

Removal

1. Remove the brake hose clamps from the damper.

BRAKE HOSE

CLAMPS

FLANGE

BOLT

FLANGE BOLT

DAMPER FORK
SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

2. Remove the flange bolt.

3. Remove the flange bolt and self-locking nut, then

remove the damper fork.

4. Remove the damper by removing the five flange

nuts.

NOTE: Mark the right and left dampers or store them

separately. Do not confuse them on installation.

FLANGE NUTS
Disassembly/Inspection

Disassembly

1. Compress the damper spring with the spring com-

pressor according to the manufacturer's instructions,

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, T/N 7200,

or equivalent

2. Remove the damper from 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 as shown.

WOODEN

BLOCK

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.

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

ing these tests.ProCarManuals.com

Front Dampe r
Reassembl y
1. Instal l th e dampe r uni t o n a sprin g compressor .
NOTE : Follo w th e manufacturer' s instructions .
STRUT SPRIN G COMPRESSOR :
(Commerciall y available )
BRANICK ® T/ N MST-580A , T/ N 7200 ,
or equivalen t
SPRING LOWE R SEA T
2. Assembl e th e dampe r i n th e revers e orde r o f disas -
sembl y excep t th e dampe r mountin g washe r an d self -
lockin g nut .
NOTE : Alig n th e botto m o f th e damper spring an d
sprin g lowe r sea t a s shown .
3 . Positio n th e dampe r mountin g bas e o n th e dampe r
unit a s shown .
Left: Right :ALIGNING TA B
STU D BOL T STU D BOL T
4. Compres s th e dampe r sprin g wit h th e sprin g com -
pressor .
5. Instal l th e dampe r mountin g washer , the n loosel y
instal l a ne w self-lockin g nut .
6 . Hol d th e dampe r shaf t wit h a he x wrench , an d tighte n
th e self-lockin g nut .
SELF-LOCKIN G NU T
Replace .
10 x 1.2 5 mm29 N- m (3. 0 kgf-m .
2 2 Ibf-ft ) DAMPE
R
MOUNTIN G WASHE R
Installation
1. Loosel y instal l th e dampe r o n th e fram e wit h th e
alignin g ta b facin g inside , the n loosel y instal l th e
fiv e flang e nuts .
DAMPE R
FLANGE NUT S
10 x 1.2 5 mm38 N- m (3. 9 kgf-m , 2 8 Ibf-ft )Tighte n thes e nut s in ste p 6 .
ALIGNIN G TAB
2. Instal l th e dampe r for k ove r th e driveshaf t an d ont o
th e lowe r arm . Instal l th e dampe r i n th e dampe r for k
so th e alignin g ta b is aligne d wit h th e slo t i n th e
dampe r fork .
3 . Hand-tighte n th e bolt s an d nuts .
4 . Rais e th e knuckl e wit h a floo r jac k unti l th e vehicl e
jus t lift s of f th e safet y stand .
NOTE : Th e bolt s an d nut s shoul d b e tightene d wit h
th e vehicle' s weigh t o n th e damper .
Th e floo r jac k mus t b e securel y posi -
tione d o r persona l injur y ma y result .
22 N- m(2.2 kgf-m , ALIGNIN G
1 6 Ibf-ft ) TA B
9.8 N- m(1.0 kgf-m , 7. 2 Ibf-ft )
DAMPE R FOR K
5. Tighte n th e flang e bolt .
SLO T
43 N- m(4.4 kgf-m , 3 2 Ibf-ft )
69 N- m(7.0 kgf-m , 5 1 Ibf-ft )
6. Tighte n th e flang e bol t wit h a ne w self-lockin g nut .
7 . Tighte n th e dampe r t o th e fram e wit h th e flang e nuts .
8 . Instal l th e brak e hos e clamps .
ProCarManuals.com

Suspension Arm s Removal/Inspectio n
CAUTION:
• Replac e th e self-lockin g nut s afte r removal .
• B e carefu l no t t o damag e th e bal l join t boot .
NOTE :
• Th e bal l join t remove r wil l interfer e wit h th e lowe r ar m whe n removin g th e lowe r arm . T o preven t interference , remov e
th e beam' s pivo t bolt s befor e installin g th e bal l join t remover .
• Th e bal l join t remove r wil l interfer e wit h th e brak e hos e bracke t whe n removin g th e uppe r arm . T o preven t interfer -
ence , remov e th e brak e hos e bracke t befor e installin g th e bal l join t remover .
STABILIZE R BA RChec k fo r bendin g an d damage .
STABILIZE R BUSHIN GCheck fo r deterioratio n an d damag e
STABILIZE R LIN K• Chec k fo r bendin g an d damage .• Chec k th e bushin g fo r deterioratio nand damage .
LOWER AR M B• Chec k fo r bendin g an d damage .• Chec k th e bushin g fo rdeterioratio n an d damage .
BAL L JOIN T REMOVER , 2 8 m m
07MAC-SL0020 0See pag e 18-1 0 fo r ho w to
us e th e bal l join t remover .
TRAILING AR M BRACKE TCheck fo r damage .
TRAILING AR M• Chec k fo r bendin g an d damage .
• Chec k th e bushin g fo r
deterioratio n an d damage .
LOWER AR M A• Chec k fo r bendin g an d damage .
• Chec k th e bushin g fo r
deterioratio n an d damage . BAL
L JOIN T BOO T
• Chec k fo r deterioratio n an d damage .
• Se e pag e 18-2 3 fo r boo t replacement .
KNUCKLECheck fo r damage .
CLIPReplace , o r instal l ane w cotte r pin .
NOTE : Instal l th e
clip a s shown .
BALL JOIN T BOO T• Chec k fo r deterioratio n an d damage .
• Se e pag e 18-2 3 fo r boo t replacement .
BOOTChec k fo r deterioration ,
an d damage .
UPPER AR MChec k fo r bendin g an d damage. .
Chec k th e bushin g fo r
deterioratio n an d damage .
ProCarManuals.com