1996 ACURA RL KA9 wheel

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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Inspection and Adjustment

Bleeding

CAUTION:

• Always use Genuine Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid. Using

a non-Honda brake fluid can cause corrosion and

decrease the life of the system.

• Make sure no dirt or other foreign matter is allowed

to contaminate the brake fluid.

• 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.

NOTE: The reservoir on the master cylinder must be at

the MAX (upper) level mark at the start of the bleeding

procedure and checked after bleeding each brake

caliper. Add fluid as required.

1. Make sure the brake fluid level in the reservoir is at

the MAX (upper) level line.

'96 - 97 models: '98 - 01 models:

MAX (UPPER) LEVEL

LINE

MASTER CYLINDER

2. Have someone slowly pump the brake pedal several

times, then apply steady pressure.

3. Loosen the brake bleed screw to allow air to escape

from the system. Then tighten the bleed screw

securely.

4. Repeat the procedure for each wheel in the sequence

shown below until air bubbles no longer appear in

the fluid.

5. Refill the reservoir on the master cylinder to the

MAX (upper) level line.

BLEEDING SEQUENCE:

NOTE: Bleed the front calipers first.
FRONT:

BLEED SCREW

9 N-m (0.9 kgf-m, 6.5 Ibf-ft)

REAR:

BLEED SCREW

9 N-m (0.9 kgf-m, 6.5 Ibf-ft)

Front Right

Rear Right

Rear Left

Front LeftProCarManuals.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 .
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Front Brak e Dis c
Disc Runou t Inspectio n
1. Loose n th e fron t whee l nut s slightly , the n rais e th e
vehicle , an d mak e sur e i t i s securel y supported .
Remov e th e fron t wheels .
2 . Remov e th e brak e pad s (se e pag e 19-10 ).
3 .
4 .
5 .
Inspec t th e dis c surfac e fo r damag e an d cracks .
Clean th e dis c thoroughly , an d remov e al l rust .
Us e whee l nut s an d suitabl e plai n washer s t o hol d
th e dis c securel y agains t th e hub , the n moun t a dia l
indicato r a s shown , an d measur e th e runou t a t
1 0 m m (0. 4 in ) fro m th e oute r edg e o f th e disc .
Brak e Dis c Runout :
Service Limit : 0.1 0 m m (0.00 4 in )
10 m m(0.4 in )
WHEE L NU T AN DPLAI N WASHE R108 N- m(11 kgf-m , 8 0 Ibf-ft )
If th e dis c i s beyon d th e servic e limit , refinis h th e
brak e dis c wit h a n on-ca r brak e lathe . Th e Kwik -
Lathe produce d b y Kwik-wa y Manufacturin g Co .
and th e "Fron t Brak e Dis c Lathe " offere d b y Snap -
on Tool s Co . ar e approve d fo r thi s operation .
Max. Refinis h Limit :
'9 6 - 9 8 models :
21.0 mm (0.8 3 in)
'99 - 0 1 models :
26.0 mm (1.0 2 in)
NOTE : A ne w dis c shoul d b e refinishe d i f it s runou t
i s greate r tha n 0.1 0 m m (0.00 4 in )
Dis c Thicknes s an d Parallelis m
Inspectio n
1. Loose n th e fron t whee l nut s slightly , the n rais e th e
vehicle , an d mak e sur e i t i s securel y supported .
Remov e th e fron t wheels .
2 . Remov e th e brak e pad s (se e pag e 19-10 ).
3 .
4.
Usin g a micrometer , measur e dis c thicknes s a t
eigh t points , approximatel y 45 ° apar t an d 1 0 m m
(0.4 in ) i n fro m th e oute r edg e o f th e disc .
MICROMETE R
Brake Dis c Thickness :
'9 6 - 9 8 models :
Standard : 22. 9 - 23. 1 m m (0.9 0 - 0.9 1 in )
Max . Refinishin g Limit : 21. 0 m m (0.8 3 in )
'9 9 - 0 1 models :
Standard : 27. 9 - 28. 1 m m (1.1 0 - 1.1 1 in )
Max . Refinishin g Limit : 26. 0 m m (1.0 2 in )
NOTE : Replac e th e brak e dis c i f th e smalles t mea -
suremen t i s les s tha n th e max . refinishin g limit .
Brak e Dis c Parallelism : 0.01 5 m m (0.000 6 in ) max .
NOTE : Thi s i s th e maximu m allowabl e differenc e
between th e thicknes s measurements .
I f th e dis c i s beyon d th e servic e limi t fo r parallelism ,
refinis h th e brak e dis c wit h a n on-ca r brak e lathe .
Th e Kwik-Lath e produce d b y Kwik-Wa y Manufac -
turin g Co . an d th e "Fron t Brak e Dis c Lathe " offere d
b y Snap-o n Tool s Co . ar e approve d fo r thi s opera -
tion.
NOTE : Se e sectio n 1 8 fo r brak e dis c replacement .
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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

Rear Brak e Dis c
Disc Runou t Inspectio n
1. Loose n th e rea r whee l nut s slightly , the n rais e th e
vehicl e an d mak e sur e i t i s securel y supported .
Remov e th e rea r wheels .
2 . Remov e th e brak e pad s (se e pag e 19-17 ).
3 . Inspec t th e dis c surfac e fo r damag e an d cracks .
Clea n th e dis c thoroughly , an d remov e al l rust .
4 . Us e whee l nut s an d suitabl e plai n washer s t o hol d
th e dis c securel y agains t th e hub , the n moun t a dia l
indicato r a s shown , an d measur e th e runou t a t 1 0 m m
(0.4 in ) fro m th e oute r edg e o f th e disc .
Brak e Dis c Runout :
Servic e Limit : 0.1 5 m m (0.00 6 in )
WHEE L NU T AN DPLAI N WASHE R108 N- m(11 kgf-m , 8 0 Ibf-ft )
DIA L INDICATO R
5. I f th e dis c i s beyon d th e servic e limit , refinis h th e brak e
disc .
Max . Refinishin g Limit : 7. 5 m m (0.3 0 in )
'9 6 - 9 8 models :
7.5 m m (0.3 0 in)
'99 - 0 1 models :
10.0 mm (0.3 9 in)
NOTE : A ne w dis c shoul d b e refinishe d i f it s runou t
i s greate r tha n 0.1 5 m m (0.00 6 in) .
Dis c Thicknes s an d Parallelis m
Inspectio n
1. Loose n th e rea r whee l nut s slightly , the n rais e th e
vehicle , an d mak e sur e i t i s securel y supported .
Remov e th e rea r wheels .
2 . Remov e th e brak e pad s (se e pag e 19-17 ).
3 . Usin g a micrometer , measur e dis c thicknes s a t
eigh t points , approximatel y 45 ° apar t an d 1 0 m m
(0.4 in ) i n fro m th e oute r edg e o f th e disc .
MICROMETE R
Brake Dis c Thickness :
'9 6 - 9 8 models :
Standard : 8. 9 - 9. 1 m m
(0.35 0 - 0.35 8 in )
Max . Refinishin g Limit : 7. 5 m m (0.3 0 in )
'9 9 - 0 1 models :
Standard : 11.9-12. 1 m m
(0.46 9 - 0.47 6 in )
Max . Refinishin g Limit : 10. 0 m m (0.3 9 in )
NOTE : Replac e th e brak e dis c i f th e smalles t mea -
suremen t i s les s tha n th e max . refinishin g limit .
Brak e Dis c Parallelism : 0.01 5 m m
(0.000 6 in ) max .
NOTE : Thi s i s th e maximu m allowabl e differenc e
betwee n th e thicknes s measurements .
4 . I f th e dis c i s beyon d th e servic e limi t fo r parallelism ,
refinis h th e brak e disc .
NOTE : Se e sectio n 1 8 fo r brak e dis c replacement .
10 m m (0. 4 in)
10 m m (0. 4 in)
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Parking Brak e
Inspectio n
Never us e a n ai r hos e o r dr y brus h t o clea n brak e
assemblies .
Use a n OSHA-approve d vacuu m cleane r t o avoi d
breathin g brak e dust .
Contaminate d brak e lining s o r drum s reduc e stoppin g
ability .
Bloc k th e fron t wheel s befor e jackin g u p th e rea r o f
th e vehicle . 1
. Bloc k th e fron t wheels , loose n th e rea r whee l nut s
slightly , suppor t th e rea r of the vehicl e o n safet y
stand s (se e sectio n 1 ), the n remov e th e rea r wheels .
2 . Remov e th e rea r calipe r an d rea r brak e disc/dru m
(se e sectio n 18 ).
TENSIO N PI NBACKIN G PLAT E
'96 - 9 7 models :
UPPER RETUR N SPRING S
Chec k fo r weaknes s
an d damag e
CONNECTIN G RO D
16 m m FLANG E NU T
13 7 N- m (1 4 kgf-m , 10 1 Ibf-ft )
ADJUSTE R ASSEMBL Y
Chec k ratche t teet h
fo r wea r an d damage .
LOWE R RETUR N SPRIN G
Chec k fo r weaknes s
an d damage . PARKIN
G BRAK E LEVE R
PARKIN G BRAK E SHO E
Chec k fo r wear .
RETAINE R SPRIN G
Instal l securel y o n
tensio n pin .ROD SPRIN GCheck fo r weaknes s
an d damage .
'98 - 0 1 models :BACKIN G PLAT E
UPPE R RETUR N SPRING S
Chec k fo r weaknes s
an d damage .
CONNECTIN G RO D
LOWE R RETUR N SPRIN G
Chec k fo r weaknes s
an d damage .
ADJUSTE R ASSEMBL Y
Check ratche t teet hfor wea r an d damage . 1
6 m m FLANG E NU T
13 7 N- m (1 4 kgf-m , 10 1 Ibf-ft )
1 0 m m FLANG E NU T
3 8 N- m (3. 9 kgf-m , 2 8 Ibf-ft )
PARKIN G BRAK E LEVE R
RO D SPRIN G PARKIN
G BRAK E SHO E
Chec k fo r wear .
Chec k fo r weaknes s RETAINE R SPRIN G
an d damage . Instal l securel y o n
tensio n pin .
PIVO
T PI N
WAV
E WASHE R
U-CLI
P
Replace .
WAV
E WASHE R
PIVO T PI NU-CLI
P
Replace .
TENSION PI N
10 m m FLANG E NU T
3 8 N- m (3. 9 kgf-m , 2 8 Ibf-ft )
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Component Locations

ABS CONTROL UNIT

MODULATOR UNIT
SERVICE CHECK CONNECTOR (2P)

ABS INSPECTION CONNECTOR (6P)

RIGHT-REAR WHEEL SENSOR

RIGHT-FRONT WHEEL

SENSOR CONNECTOR

RIGHT-FRONT

WHEEL SENSOR
LEFT-REAR WHEEL

SENSOR CONNECTOR

LEFT-REAR

WHEEL SENSOR

RIGHT-REAR WHEEL

SENSOR CONNECTOR

UNDER-HOOD

RELAY BOX B

UNDER-HOOD

FUSE/RELAY BOX
UNDER-DASH FUSE/RELAY BOX

LEFT-FRONT WHEEL SENSOR

LEFT-FRONT WHEEL

SENSOR CONNECTOR

GAUGE ASSEMBLY:

ABS INDICATOR LIGHT

UNDER-DASH FUSE/RELAY BOX:

METER

(7.5 A) FUSE
ABS B2

(15 A) FUSE

ABS B1

(20 A) FUSE

METER

(15 A) FUSE
BATTERY

(120 A) FUSE

ABS MOTOR (40 A) FUSE

IG SW (50 A) FUSE

UNDER-HOOD RELAY BOX C:

REAR FAIL-SAFE RELAY

METER RELAY

FRONT FAIL-SAFE RELAY
ABS
UNIT

(7.5 A) FUSE
STOP/HORN

(ISA) FUSE
ABS PUMP

MOTOR RELAY
UNDER-HOOD FUSE/RELAY BOX:

ECU

(20 A) FUSE

R/C MIRROR

(7.5 A) FUSEProCarManuals.com