1996 ACURA RL KA9 lock

Rear Suspensio n
Suspension Arm s Installatio n
CAUTION:
• An y bolt s o r nut s connecte d to rubbe r mount s o r bushing s shoul d b e tightene d wit h th e vehicl e o n th e ground .
• 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 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 .
NOTE:
Wipe of f th e oil , dirt , o r greas e fro m th e thread s befor e tightenin g th e fasteners .
Mak e sur e th e to e adjuste r cam s o n lowe r ar m B ar e installe d in th e sam e direction .
Th e righ t an d lef t lowe r ar m A ar e symmetrical . Instal l s o th e pain t mar k o f "R " an d "L " poin t t o th e front .
Th e lef t uppe r ar m is stampe d wit h "L " whil e th e righ t uppe r ar m is stampe d wit h "R" .
Afte r installin g th e suspensio n arm , chec k th e rea r whee l alignment , an d adjus t i t i f necessar y (se e pag e 18-4 ).
'9 6 - 9 8 models :
FLANG E BOL T 8 x 1.2 5 m m
2 2 N- m (2. 2 kgf-m , 1 6 Ibf-ft )
'9 9 - 0 1 models :
FLANG E BOL T
10 x 1.2 5 mm51 N- m (5. 2 kgf-m ,
3 8 Ibf-ft )
STABILIZE RBUSHING
STABILIZE R BRACKE T to
CROS S BEA M
'9 6 - 9 8 models :
FLANG E BOL T 8 x 1.25 m m (2 )
2 2 N- m (2. 2 kgf-m , 1 6 Ibf-ft )
'99-01 models :FLANGE BOL T 1 0 x 1.2 5 m m (3 )
5 1 N- m (5. 2 kgf-m , 3 8 Ibf-ft )
FLANG E BOL T
12 x 1.25m m108 N- m (1 1 kgf-m , 8 0 Ibf-ft )
SELF-LOCKIN G NU T ,- .
10 x 1.2 5 mm :'96 - 98 models :
3 7 N- m (3. 8 kgf-m , 2 7 Ibf-ft )
'99 - 0 1 models :34 N- m (3. 5 kgf-m , 2 5 Ibf-ft )
Replace .
Hold th e bal l join t pi n usin g a hex wrenc hand tighte n th e self-lockin g nut .
FLANG E BOL T12 x 1.2 5 mm64 N- m (6. 5 kgf-m , 4 7 Ibf-ft )
FLANG E BOLT S
12 x 1.2 5 mm108 N- m (1 1 kgf-m ,
8 0 Ibf-ft )
FLANG E NUT S 1 2 x 1.2 5 m m'96-9 8 models :64 N- m (6. 5 kgf-m , 4 7 Ibf-ft )'99 - 0 1 models :65 N- m (6. 6 kgf-m , 4 8 Ibf-ft ) STABILIZE
R BA R
Alig n th e stabilize r mar kwith th e en d o f th e stabilize r bushing .FLANGE BOLT S12 x 1.2 5 mm103 N- m (10. 5 kgf-m , 7 6 Ibf-ft )
SELF-LOCKIN G NU T
12 x 1.2 5 mm64 N- m (6. 5 kgf-m , 4 7 Ibf-ft )Replace .
MARK
FLANG E BOL T
8 x 1.2 5 mm22 N- m (2. 2 kgf-m ,16 Ibf-ft )
FLANG E BOLT S 1 2 x 1.2 5 m m
'96 - 9 8 models :64 N- m (6. 5 kgf-m , 4 7 Ibf-ft )'99 - 0 1 models :65 N- m (6. 6 kgf-m , 4 8 Ibf-ft ) CASTL
E NU T
12 x 1.2 5 mm49 - 5 9 N- m(5. 0 - 6. 0 kgf-m , 3 6 - 4 3 Ibf-ft )
FLANG E NU T 1 0 x 1.2 5 m m
2 9 N- m (3. 0 kgf-m , 2. 2 Ibf-ft )
Before tightenin g th e flang e nut ,positio n th e bal l join t pi nin th e middl e o f it s rang e o f travel ,with th e suspensio n unde r vehicl e load .
SELF-LOCKIN G NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm54 N- m (5. 5 kgf-m . 4 0 Ibf-ft )Replace .
FLANGE BOL T12 x 1.2 5 mm108 N- m (1 1 kgf-m , 8 0 Ibf-ft )
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Rear Damper

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, T/N 7200,

or equivalent

2. Remove the damper from the spring compressor.

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.
Reassembly

1. Install the damper unit on a spring compressor.

NOTE: Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

STRUT SPRING COMPRESSOR:

(Commercially available)

BRANICK® T/N MST-580A,

T/N 7200, or equivalent

SPRING LOWER SEAT

2. Assemble the damper in the reverse order of disas-

sembly except the damper mounting washer and

self-locking nut.

NOTE: Align the bottom of the damper spring and

spring lower seat as shown.

3. Position the damper mounting base on the damper

unit as shown.

Left:
Right:

CUT OUT

STUD BOLT

CUT OUT
STUD BOLT

4. Compress the damper spring.

5. Install the damper mounting washer, and a new

self-locking nut.

6. Hold the damper shaft, and tighten the self-locking

nut.

SELF-LOCKING NUT

10 x
1.25
mm

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

MOUNTING WASHERProCarManuals.com

Inspection and Adjustment

Brake Pedal

Pedal Height

1. Disconnect the brake pedal position switch connec-

tor, loosen the brake pedal position switch locknut,

and back off the brake pedal position switch

until it is no longer touching the brake pedal.

2.

Lift up the carpet. At the insulator cutout, measure

the pedal height from the middle of the right side of

the pedal pad.

PUSHROD

LOCKNUT
BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH

BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH

LOCKNUT

INSULATOR

(CUTOUT)

MEASURING POINT

Standard Pedal Height (with carpet removed):

182 mm (7
3/16
in)

3. Loosen the pushrod locknut, and screw the pushrod

in or out with pliers until the standard pedal height

from the floor is reached. After adjustment, tighten

the locknut firmly.

NOTE: Do not adjust the pedal height with the

pushrod pressed.

Lower the pedal

PUSHROD LOCKNUT

15 N-m

(1.5 kgf-m, 11 Ibf-ft)
4.
Screw in the brake pedal position switch until its

plunger is fully pressed (threaded end touching the

pad on the pedal arm). Then back off the switch 1/4

turn to make 0.3 mm (0.01 in) of clearance between

the threaded end and pad. Tighten the locknut firm-

ly. Connect the brake pedal position switch connec-

tor.

CAUTION: Make sure the brake lights go off when

the pedal is released.

PAD

5. Check the brake pedal free play as described below.

Pedal Free Play

1. With the engine off, check the play on the pedal pad

by pushing the pedal by hand.

Free Play: 0.5 - 2.0 mm (0.02 - 0.08 in)

2. If the pedal free play is out of specification, adjust

the brake pedal position switch.

CAUTION: If the pedal free play is insufficient, it

may result in brake drag.

BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH

BRAKE PEDAL PAD

PEDAL FREE PLAY
LOCKNUT
THREADED

END

0.3 mm

(0.01
in)
BRAKE PEDAL PAD

PEDAL HEIGHT

Raise

the pedalProCarManuals.com

Inspection an d Adjustmen t
Parking Brak e Peda l
Inspectio n
1 . Pres s th e parkin g brak e peda l wit h 29 4 N (3 0 kgf , 6 6
Ibf ) o f pressur e to full y appl y th e parkin g brake .
Th e parkin g brak e peda l shoul d b e locke d withi n th e
specifie d numbe r o f clicks .
PARKIN G BRAK E PEDA L
Pedal Locke d Clicks : 6- 8Presse d wit h 29 4 N (3 0 kgf , 6 6 Ibf )
If th e numbe r o f peda l click s i s excessive , inspec t th e
parkin g brak e lining s fo r wea r (se e pag e 19-23 ). I f th e
parkin g brak e lining s ar e no t wor n beyon d th e servic e
limit, mino r adjustment s (1- 2 clicks ) ca n b e mad e wit h
the adjustin g nu t i n th e equalizer . Fo r majo r adjustment ,
se e th e nex t page .
CAUTION : Afte r replacin g th e linings , mak e sur e yo u
driv e th e vehicl e fo r "break-in " purposes . Refe r t o pag e
19-27 fo r th e linin g break-i n procedure .
Minor adjustment :
1 . Rais e th e rea r wheel s of f th e ground , an d suppor t
th e vehicl e o n safet y stands .
Bloc k th e fron t wheel s befor e jackin g
u p th e rea r o f th e vehicle .
2 . Remov e th e rea r consol e en d cover .
3 . Pres s th e parkin g brak e peda l on e click .
PARKIN G BRAK E PEDA L
4.Tighte n th e adjustin g nu t unti l th e parkin g brake s
dra g slightl y whe n th e rea r wheel s ar e turned .
EQUALIZE R
5.
6.
ADJUSTIN GNUT
Releas e th e parkin g brak e peda l fully , an d chec k
tha t th e parkin g brake s d o no t dra g whe n th e rea r
wheel s ar e turned . Readjus t i f necessary .
Wit h th e equalize r properl y adjusted , th e parkin g
brak e shoul d b e full y applie d whe n th e parkin g
brak e peda l i s presse d 6- 8 clicks .
7 . Instal l th e rea r consol e en d cover .
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Major adjustment :
Adjust th e parkin g brak e sho e lining-to-dru m clearanc e
with th e adjuste r i n th e dru m o f eac h rea r wheel .
NOTE : Mak e sur e th e parkin g brak e lining s ar e no t wor n
beyon d th e servic e limi t (se e pag e 19-23 ).
If eithe r lining is wor n beyon d the limit , both brak e
shoe s mus t b e replaced .
CAUTION : Afte r replacin g th e linings , mak e sur e yo u
driv e th e vehicl e fo r "break-in " purposes . Refe r t o pag e
19-2 7 fo r th e linin g surfac e brake-i n procedure .
1 . Rais e th e rea r wheel s of f th e ground , an d suppor t
th e vehicl e o n safet y stands .
Bloc k th e fron t wheel s befor e jackin g
u p th e rea r o f th e vehicle .
2 . Remov e th e rea r wheels .
3 . Remov e th e rea r consol e en d cover .
4 . Releas e th e parkin g brak e pedal , an d bac k of f th e
adjustin g nu t i n th e equalizer .
EQUALIZE R
ADJUSTIN GNUT
5. Tur n th e brak e sho e adjuste r u p wit h a fla t blad e
screwdrive r unti l th e shoe s lock , the n bac k of f 8
stops .
FLATBLAD E
SCREW -
DRIVE R
BRAK E SHO E ADJUSTE R
ACCESS PLU G
6. Chec k th e numbe r o f click s b y pressin g th e parkin g
brak e peda l wit h 29 4 N (3 0 kgf , 6 6 Ibf ) force .
Peda l Locke d Clicks : 6- 8
7 . Adjus t th e parkin g brak e wit h th e adjustin g nu t i n
th e equalize r i f th e peda l click s ar e ou t o f specifica -
tion.
8. Instal l th e rea r consol e en d cover .
9. Instal l th e rea r wheels , an d lowe r th e vehicle .
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Master Cylinder Inspection

CAUTION:

• Do not spill brake fluid on the vehicle; it may damage

the paint; if brake fluid does contact the paint, wash

it off immediately with water.

• Before reassembling, check that all parts are free of

dust and other foreign particles.

• Do not try to disassemble the master cylinder assem-

bly. Replace the master cylinder assembly with a

new one if necessary.

• Make sure no dirt or other foreign matter is allowed

to contaminate the brake fluid.

NOTE: '96 - 97 models shown.

RESERVOIR SEAL

Check for damage and

deterioration.
RESERVOIR CAP

Check for blockage

and vent holes.

STRAINER

Remove accumulated

sediment.

ROD SEAL

Check for damage

and deterioration.

MASTER CYLINDER

Check for leaks, rust, and damage.

SILICONE GREASEProCarManuals.com

Master Cylinder/Brak e Booste r
Pushrod Clearanc e Adjustmen t
(cont'd)
NOTE: I f th e clearanc e betwee n th e gaug e bod y an d
adjustin g nu t i s 0. 2 m m (0.00 8 in) , th e pushrod-to-pisto n
clearance i s 0 mm . However , i f th e clearanc e betwee n
th e gaug e bod y an d adjustin g nu t i s 0 mm , th e pushrod -
to-pisto n clearanc e i s 0. 2 m m (0.00 8 in ) o r more .
Therefor e it mus t b e adjuste d an d rechecked .
6 . I f th e clearanc e i s incorrect , remov e th e tool , an d
adjus t th e clearanc e b y holding the pushro d an d
turnin g th e adjuste r i n o r out .
CAUTION : D o no t pul l th e pushro d ou t o f th e brak e
booster .
NOTE: Adjus t th e clearanc e whil e th e specifie d vac -
uu m is applie d t o th e booster .
ADJUSTE R
PUSHRO D
7. Adjus t th e pushro d lengt h a s show n if th e booste r
is removed .
8 . Instal l th e maste r cylinde r (se e pag e 19-14 ).
PUSHRO DLOCKNU
T
15 N- m(1.5 kgf-m ,
1 1 Ibf-ft )CLEVI
S
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Rear Brake Pads

Inspection and Replacement

Never use an air hose or dry brush to clean brake

assemblies.

Use an OSHA-approved vacuum cleaner to avoid

breathing brake dust.

Block the front wheels before jacking up the rear of

the vehicle.

NOTE: '96 - 98 models shown.

1. Block the front wheels, loosen the rear wheel nuts

slightly, support the rear of the vehicle on safety

stands, then remove the rear wheels.

2. Remove the" brake hose bracket from the trailing arm.

BRAKE HOSE BRACKET

CALIPER BOLT

3.
CALIPER

Remove the caliper bolt, and pivot the caliper up out

of the way. '99 - 01 models only: Hold the caliper pin

with a wrench, being careful not to damage the pin

boot. Remove the caliper bolt with another wrench,

and pivot the caliper up out of the way.

CAUTION:

Thoroughly clean the outside of the caliper to

prevent dust and dirt from entering inside.

Support the caliper with a piece of wire so it

does not hang from the brake hose.

NOTE: Check the hoses and pin boots for damage

and deterioration.

4. Remove the pad shims, pad retainers, and pads.

INNER PAD SHIMS

Check for weakness.

BRAKE PADS

Check for wear.

OUTER PAD SHIM

Check for weakness.
5. Using vernier calipers, measure the thickness of

each brake pad lining.

Brake Pad Thickness:

Standard: 8.5-9.5 mm (0.33-0.37 in)

Service Limit: 1.6 mm (0.06 in)

BACKING PLATE

NOTE: Measurement does not include pad backing

plate thickness.

6. If the brake pad thickness is less than the service

limit, replace the rear pads as a set.

7. Clean the caliper thoroughly; remove any rust, and

check for grooves and cracks.

8. Check the brake disc for damage and cracks.

9. Install the pad retainers.

PAD RETAINERS

Check for weakness.

CALIPER BRACKET

Check for cracks.ProCarManuals.com