1996 ACURA RL KA9 suspension

General Info
Specifications
Maintenance
*Engine Electrical
Engine
Cooling
Fuel and Emissions
*TransaxleSteering
Suspension
*Brakes (Including ABS,
TCS and VSA)
*Body
*Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning
*Body Electrical
*Restraints
1996±0 4 3.5RL Main Menu
As sections w/ * include SRS components,
special precautions are required when servicing.
ProCarManuals.com

Wheel Alignment

Caster

NOTE: For proper inspection/adjustment of the wheel

alignment, check and adjust the following before check-

ing the alignment:

Check that the suspension is not modified.

Check the tire size and tire pressure.

Check the runout of the wheels and tires.

Check the suspension ball joints. (Hold a wheel with

your hands, and move it up and down and right and

left to check for wobbling.)

Inspection

NOTE: Use commercially available computerized four

wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment

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

equipment manufacturer's instructions.

1. Check the steering wheel angle; if significantly off

center, it may be necessary to remove the steering

wheel and reposition it on the splines. Turn the

steering wheel to the straight ahead position.

2. Check the caster angle.

Caster angle: 2°50'±1°

3. If out of specification, check for damaged suspen-

sion components.
Camber

Inspection

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 camber angle.

Camber angle:

Front: 0°00'±1°

Rear: -0°30'±1°

2. If out of specification, check for bent or damaged sus-

pension components.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

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 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 )
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

Installation

1. Lower the rear suspension, and set the damper

assembly in its original position.

2. Loosely install the damper mounting bolt.

3. Raise the rear suspension with a floor jack until the

weight of the vehicle is on the damper.

NOTE:

• The damper mounting bolts should be tightened

with the damper under vehicle load.

• Do not interchange the right and left dampers.

CAUTION: Carefully install the damper assembly

on the damper bracket making sure the speed sen-

sor wire does not get caught between the damper

and the bracket.

REAR

DAMPER

DAMPER MOUNTING

BOLT

103 N-m

(10.5 kgf-m, 76 Ibf-ft)

4. Install and tighten the damper mounting nuts.

5. Tighten the damper mounting bolt.

6. Install the damper cap and rear speaker.

DAMPER CAP

DAMPER

MOUNTING NUT

38 N-m

(3.9 kgf-m, 28 Ibf-ft)ProCarManuals.com