1996 ACURA RL KA9 ECU

18. Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d lowe r ar m bal l join t nut .
CASTL E NU T69 - 7 8 N- m(7. 0 - 8. 0 kgf-m ,51 - 5 8 Ibf-ft )
COTTE RPINReplace .On reassembly ,
ben d th e cotte r pi n a s shown .
HEX NU T
BAL L JOIN T REMOVER , 3 2 m m
07MAC-SL0010 0
19. Instal l a 14 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . Mak e sur e
that th e 1 4 m m he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t pi n
end , o r th e threade d sectio n of the bal l join t pi n
migh t b e damage d b y th e bal l join t remover .
20 . Us e th e specia l too l a s show n o n pag e 18- 8 to sepa -
rat e th e bal l join t an d lowe r arm .
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubrican t
t o loose n th e bal l joint .
21 . Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d th e uppe r bal l join t nut .
BAL L JOIN T REMOVER , 2 8 m m
07MA C - SL0020 0
HEX NU T
24. Pul l th e knuckl e outward , an d remov e th e driveshaf t
outboar d join t fro m th e knuckl e b y tappin g th e
driveshaf t en d wit h a plasti c hammer , the n remov e
th e knuckle .
KNUCKL E
OUTBOAR D JOIN T
Whee l Bearin g Replacemen t
NOTE: Replac e th e bearin g wit h a ne w on e afte r removal .
25 . Carefull y clam p th e calipe r bracke t moun t sectio n o f
th e knuckl e in a vis e wit h sof t jaws .
SLIDE HAMME R
(Commerciall y available ) WHEE
L NU T
FRON THUB
26. Separat e th e hu b fro m th e knuckl e usin g a commer -
ciall y availabl e hu b puller .
CAUTION :
• Hol d th e knuckl e securel y s o it doe s no t sli p ou t
o f th e vis e fro m th e impact .
• Tak e car e no t t o distor t th e splas h guard .
22
. Instal l a 10 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . Mak e sur e
th e 1 0 m m he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t pi n
end , o r th e threade d sectio n o f th e bal l join t pi n
migh t b e damage d b y th e bal l join t remover .
23 . Us e th e specia l too l a s show n o n pag e 18-1 0 to sep -
arat e th e bal l join t an d knuckle .
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubrican t
t o loose n th e bal l joint .
COTTE RPINReplace .On reassembly , ben dthe cotte r pi n a s shown .
CASTL E NU T39 - 4 7 N- m(4. 0 - 4. 8 kgf-m ,29 - 3 5 Ibf-ft )
ProCarManuals.com

NOTE: Was h th e knuckl e an d hu b thoroughl y i n
hig h flas h poin t solven t befor e reassembly .
31 . Pres s a ne w whee l bearin g int o th e knuckl e usin g
th e ol d bearing , plat e an d a press .
PressPLAT E
OLD BEARIN G
KNUCKL E
SUPPOR TBASE07965-6920201
WHEE L BEARIN G
DRIVER ATTACHMEN T78 x 90 m m07GAD-SD4010 1
32. Instal l th e sna p rin g securel y in th e knuckl e groove .
KNUCKL E
SNAP RIN G
33. Instal l th e splas h guard , an d tighte n th e screws .
6 m m SCRE W
4. 9 N- m (0. 5 kgf-m , 4 Ibf-ft )
SPLAS H
GUARD
34. Plac e th e fron t hu b i n th e specia l too l fixture , the n
se t th e knuckl e i n position , an d appl y downwar d
pressure usin g th e specia l tool s an d a press .
Press
ATTACHMENT ,42 x 47 m m07746-001030 0
FRONTHUB
ATTACHMENT ,72 x 7 5 m m07746-001060 0WHEEL BEARIN G
SUPPOR TBASE07965-SD9010 0
35. Instal l i n revers e orde r o f removal .
ProCarManuals.com

Front Suspensio n
Ball Join t Boo t Replacemen t
1. Remov e th e se t rin g an d th e boo t
CAUTION : D o no t contaminat e th e boo t installatio n
sectio n wit h grease .
2 . Pac k th e interio r o f th e boo t an d li p wit h grease .
BALL PI N TAPERE D SECTIO N
3. Wip e th e greas e of f th e slidin g surfac e o f th e bal l
pin , an d pac k wit h fres h grease .
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 -
al s to ente r th e boot .
4 . 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 . 5
. Instal l th e uppe r an d lowe r bal l join t boo t se t ring s
usin g th e specia l tool s a s follows :
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 posi -
tion.
BAL L 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
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 .
BOOT INSTALLATIO N SECTIO N
Wip e of f th e grease . BOO
T INSTALLATIO N SECTIO NWipe of f th e grease .
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

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 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 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 .
ProCarManuals.com

Master Cylinder/Brak e Booste r
Brake Booste r Inspectio n
Functiona l Tes t
1 . Wit h th e engin e stopped , pres s th e brak e peda l sev -
eral time s t o deplet e th e vacuu m reservoir , the n
pres s th e peda l har d an d hol d i t fo r 1 5 seconds . I f
th e peda l sinks , eithe r th e maste r cylinde r i s
bypassin g internally , o r th e brak e syste m (maste r
cylinder , lines , modulator , o r caliper ) i s leaking .
2 . Star t th e engin e wit h th e peda l pressed . I f th e peda l
sinks slightly , th e vacuu m booste r i s operatin g nor -
mally . I f th e peda l heigh t doe s no t vary , th e booste r
o r chec k valv e is faulty .
3. Wit h th e engin e running , pres s th e brak e peda l light -
ly. Appl y jus t enoug h pressur e t o hol d bac k auto -
mati c transmissio n creep . I f th e brak e peda l sink s
mor e tha n 2 5 m m (1. 0 in. ) i n 3 minutes , th e maste r
cylinde r i s faulty . A sligh t chang e i n peda l heigh t
whe n th e A/ C compresso r cycle s o n an d of f i s nor -
mal . (Th e A/ C compresso r loa d change s th e vacuu m
availabl e to th e booster. )
Leak Tes t
1 . Pres s th e brak e peda l wit h th e engin e running , the n
sto p th e engine . I f th e peda l heigh t doe s no t var y
whil e presse d fo r 3 0 seconds , th e vacuu m booste r i s
OK . I f th e peda l rises , th e booste r i s faulty .
2 . Wit h th e engin e stopped , pres s th e brak e peda l sev -
era l time s usin g norma l pressure . Whe n th e peda l i s
firs t pressed , i t shoul d b e low . O n consecutiv e appli -
cations , th e peda l heigh t shoul d graduall y rise . I f th e
peda l positio n doe s no t vary , chec k th e booste r
chec k valve .
Booste r Chec k Valv e Tes t
1 . Disconnec t th e brak e booste r vacuu m hos e a t th e
booster .
2 . Star t th e engine , an d le t i t idle . Ther e shoul d b e vac -
uum . I f n o vacuu m is available , th e chec k valv e i s
no t workin g properly . Replac e th e brak e booste r
vacuu m hos e an d chec k valve , an d retest .
NOTE : '9 6 - 9 7 model s shown .
BRAKE BOOSTE RVACUUM HOS E
(Chec k valv e is
built-in )
ProCarManuals.com