1996 ACURA RL KA9 boot

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

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

Rear Dampe r
Do no t damag e th eslidin g surfac e o fthe bal l pi n wit hthe bearin g puller .
RETAINE R(Upper bal l join tonly)
BAL L PI N TAPERE D SECTIO N
4. Wip e th e greas e of f th e slidin g surfac e o f th e bal l
pin , pac k i t wit h fres h grease , an d instal l th e retaine r
(Uppe r bal l join t only) .
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 materi -
als to ente r th e boot .
5 . 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 .
6 . Adjus t th e specia l too l wit h th e adjustin g bol t unti l th e
en d o f th e too l align s wit h th e groov e o n th e boot .
Slid e th e se t rin g ove r th e too l an d int o position .
BALL JOIN T BOO T
CLI P GUID E
07GA G - SD4070 0 ADJUSTIN
G BOL TAdjust th e dept h b yturnin g th e bolt .
SET RIN G
BOO T
CAUTION : Afte r installin g th e boot , chec k th e bal l
pi n tapere d sectio n fo r greas e contamination , an d
wip e it i f necessary .
Removal
1. Rais e th e rea r 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 ).
2 . Remov e th e rea r speake r an d dampe r cap .
DAMPE R CA P
DAMPER MOUNTIN G NUT S10 x 1.2 5 mm
3. Us e a floo r jac k t o compres s th e dampe r slightly .
4 . Remov e th e dampe r mountin g nuts .
5 . Remov e th e dampe r mountin g bolt .
DAMPE RMOUNTIN G BOL T
6. Lowe r th e rea r suspension , an d remov e th e dampe r
assembly .
NOTE : Mar k th e righ t an d lef t damper s o r stor e
the m separatel y s o the y can be reinstalle d o n th e
prope r sides .
SET RIN G
BOO T
Ball Join t Boo t Replacemen t
1. Remov e th e se t rin g an d th e boot .
2 . Remov e th e retaine r (uppe r bal l join t only) .
CAUTION : D o no t contaminat e th e boo t installa -
tio n sectio n wit h grease .
3 . Pac k th e interio r o f th e boo t an d li p wit h grease .
Replace a s aset .
BEARIN GPULLER
Rear Suspension
ProCarManuals.com

Inspection

'96-99 models:

Brake Hoses

Visually check for damage or signs

of fluid leakage. Replace the brake

hose with a new one if it is damaged

or leaking.
Caliper Piston Seal and Piston Boots

Check brake operation by applying the brake.

Visually check for damage or signs of fluid

leakage. If the pedal does not operate properly,

the brakes drag, or there is damage or signs of

fluid leakage, disassemble and inspect the

brake caliper. Replace the boots and seals with

new ones whenever the brake caliper is disassembled.

Master Cylinder Cup and Dust Seal

Check brake operation by applying the brakes.

Visually check for damage or signs of fluid

leakage. Replace the master cylinder as an

assembly if the pedal does not work properly

or if there is damage or signs of fluid leakage.

Check for a difference in brake pedal stroke

between quick and slow brake applications.

Replace the master cylinder if there is a

difference in pedal stroke.
Brake Booster

Check brake operation by applying the brakes.

If the brakes do not work properly, check the

brake booster. Replace the brake booster as an

assembly if it does not work properly or if there

are signs of leakage.
Brake System Rubber Parts and Brake Booster

'00 - 01 models (USA):ProCarManuals.com

Front Brak e Pad s
Inspectio n an d Replacemen t
• Neve r us e a n ai r hos e o r dr y brus h t o clea n brake
assemblies .
• Us e a n OSHA-approve d vacuu m cleane r t o avoi d
breathin g brak e dust .
1 . Loose n th e fron t whee l nut s slightly , the n rais e th e
vehicle , an d suppor t i t o n safet y stands . Remov e
th e fron t wheels .
2 . Remov e th e brak e hos e bracke t fro m th e knuckle .
BRAKE HOS E BRACKE T
CALIPE R BOL T
CALIPE R BOD Y
3. Hol d th e calipe r pi n wit h a wrench , bein g carefu l
not t o damag e th e pi n boot . Remov e th e calipe r bol t
wit h anothe r wrench , an d pivo t th e calipe r u p ou t o f
the way .
NOTE : Chec k th e hose s an d pi n boot s fo r damag e
an d deterioration .
4 . Remov e th e pa d shims , pa d retainers , an d pads .
NOTE : '96 , '97 , '99 , '0 0 an d 0 1 model s shown .
PAD RETAINER S
INNER PA D SHIM SCheck fo r weakness .
OUTE R PA D
Chec k fo r wear .
OUTE R PA D SHI M
Chec k fo r weakness .
NOTE: Replac e th e shim s togethe r wit h th e pad s a s a set . 5
. Usin g vernie r calipers , measur e th e thicknes s of
eac h brak e pa d lining .
Brake Pa d Thickness :
Standard: 10. 5 - 11. 5 m m (0.4 1 - 0.4 5 in )
Servic e Limit : 1. 6 m m (0.0 6 in )
'96 , '97 , '99 , '0 0 an d 0 1 models :
BACKIN G PLAT E
NOTE: Measuremen t doe s no t includ e pa d backin g
plat e thickness .
6 . I f th e brak e pa d thicknes s i s les s tha n th e servic e
limit , replac e th e fron t pad s a s a set .
7 . Clea n th e calipe r thoroughly ; remov e an y rust , an d
chec k fo r groove s an d cracks .
8 . Chec k th e brak e dis c fo r damag e an d cracks .
9 . Instal l th e pa d retainers .
PAD RETAINER S
BACKIN
G PLAT E
'9 8 mode l onl y
INNE R PA DChec k fo r wear .
ProCarManuals.com

10. Apply grease to the points indicated by the arrows

in the following illustration:

Piston end and inner shim B contact surface

Inner shim A contact surface (both sides)

Pads and caliper bracket contact surface

Outer pad and caliper body contact surface

Outer pad shim and outer pad contact surface

Outer pad shim and caliper body contact surface

NOTE:

Use the pad grease included in the pad set or

Molykote M77 grease, and apply a thin coat of

grease evenly to the designated points.

'96, '97, '99, '00 and 01 models shown.

PISTON

INNER PAD

Apply Molykote M77

to both sides of shims.

INNER

SHIM B

(Stainless)

INNER

SHIM A

WEAR

INDICATOR

OUTER PAD

OUTER

PAD
SHIM

Apply Molykote M77

to both sides of shim.

11. Install the brake pads and pad shims correctly.

When reusing the pads, always reinstall the

brake pads in their original positions to prevent

loss of braking efficiency.

Contaminated brake discs or pads reduce stop-

ping ability. Keep grease off the discs and pads.

NOTE: Install the pad with the wear indicator on

the inside.
12. Push in the piston so the caliper will fit over the

pads. Make sure the piston boot is in position to

prevent damaging it when pivoting the caliper

down.

CALIPER BOLT

49 N-m (5.0 kgf-m, 36 Ibf-ft)

PISTON

13. Pivot the caliper down into position. Hold the caliper

pin with a wrench, being careful not to damage the

pin boot. Install the caliper bolt with another wrench,

and tighten it.

CAUTION: Be careful not damage the pin boot

when pivoting the caliper down.

14. Install the brake hose bracket on the knuckle.

NOTE: Inspect the brake hose for interference and

twisting.

15. Press the brake pedal several times to make sure

the brakes work, then test-drive.

NOTE: Engagement of the brake may require a

greater pedal stroke immediately after the brake

pads have been replaced as a set. Several applica-

tions of the brake pedal will restore the normal

pedal stroke.

16. After installation, check for leaks at hose and line

joints and connections, and retighten if necessary.ProCarManuals.com

Front Brake Caliper

Disassembly/Reassembly

Never use an air hose or dry brush to clean brake assemblies.

Use an OSHA-approved vacuum cleaner to avoid breathing brake dust.

Contaminated brake discs or pads reduce stopping ability.

When reusing the pads, always reinstall the brake pads in their original positions to prevent loss of braking efficiency.

CAUTION:

Do not spill brake fluid on the vehicle; it may damage the paint; if brake fluid does contact the paint, wash it off imme-

diately with water.

To prevent spills, cover the hose joints with rags or shop towels.

Clean all parts in brake fluid and air dry; blow out all passages with compressed air.

Before reassembling, check that all parts are free of dust and other foreign particles.

Replace parts with new ones whenever specified to do so.

Make sure no dirt or other foreign matter is allowed to contaminate the brake fluid.

Always use Genuine Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid. Using a non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and decrease the

life of the system.

INNER PAD SHIM A

INNER PAD SHIM B

(STAINLESS)
'96, '97, '99,
'00 and

01 models:

INNER PAD

WEAR INDICATOR

Install inner pad with its

wear indicator downward.
PISTON SEAL

Replace.

OUTER PAD

PIN BOOTS

Replace.

'98 model only

CALIPER PIN A

CALIPER PIN B

CALIPER BRACKET

CALIPER PIN

PIN BOOT

Replace.
PISTON BOOT

Replace.

PAD RETAINERS
OUTER PAD SHIM

CALIPER BRACKET

Check for cracks.

CALIPER BRACKET MOUNTING BOLT

108 N-m (11 kgf-m, 80 Ibf-ft)
Brake cylinder grease

or equivalent rubber grease.

Silicone grease (Use

recommended grease in the caliper set).
NOTE:

Coat the piston, piston seal, and caliper bore with clean brake fluid.

Replace all rubber parts with new ones whenever disassembled.

After installing the front brake caliper:

— Check for leaks at hose and line joints and connections, and retighten if necessary.

— Check the brake hoses for interference and twisting.

BANJO BOLT

34 N-m (3.5 kgf-m,

25 Ibf-ft)

CALIPER BOLT

49 N-m (5.0 kgf-m,

36 Ibf-ft)
SEALING WASHERS

Replace.

BLEED SCREW

9 N-m (0.9 kgf-m,

6.5 Ibf-ft)

CALIPER BODY

Check for scoring on

cylinder wall.

PAD SPRINGProCarManuals.com

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