1997 ACURA NSX Service Repair Manual

Knuckle/Control Arms/Complianc e Pivo t
Illustrate d Inde x
Overal l Suspensio n NOTE : Alig n th e whit e lin e o n th e stabilize r ba r wit h th e
bushin g end , an d instal l th e stabilize r bar .
NOTE :
• Wip e of f th e greas e befor e tightenin g th e nu t a t th e bal l joint .
• Torqu e specifications , se e pag e 18-14 .
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
STABILIZE R BA RChec k fo r damage .
UPPE R CONTRO L BAL L JOIN T
Inspec t fo r fault y
movemen t an d wear .
STABILIZE R LIN KInspec t fo r fault y
movemen t an d wear .
COMPLIANC E PIVO T
ASSEMBL YCheck fo r damag e o r cracks .
Chec k fo r deterioratio n an d damage .
UPPER CONTRO L AR MChec k fo r damag eand cracks .
COMPLIANC E PIVO TLOWE R BRACKE TCheck fo r damag e an dcracks .
FLANG E BOL T8 x 1.2 5 mm22 N- m (2. 2 kgf-m , 1 6 Ibf-ft )
UPPER AR M BAL LJOINTInspec t fo r fault y
movemen t an d
wear .
LOWE R CONTRO L AR MChec k fo r damag e an d cracks .
LOWE R CONTRO L AR M BAL L JOIN T
Inspec t fo r fault y
movemen t an d wear .
KNUCKL ECheck fo r damag eand cracks .
LOWERBALL JOIN T
Inspec t fo r fault y
movemen t an d wear .
NOTE : Replac e th e join t boo t i f an y ar e damaged . Th e part s marke d wit h a n asteris k (* ) hav e a retaine r attachin g
the bal l joints . Replac e th e retaine r wheneve r th e boo t i s replaced .
CAUTION : D o no t remov e th e arms , knuckle , an d complianc e pivo t b y strikin g the m wit h a hammer , an d tak e car e
no t t o dro p them .
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Removal
1. Remov e th e fron t whee l an d bearin g uni t assembl y
(se e pag e 18-15 ).
2 . Remov e th e splas h guar d fro m th e knuckle .
SPLASH GUAR D
9.8 N- m(1.0 kgf-m , 7 Ibf-ft )
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
3. Remov e th e lowe r contro l ar m guard .
9.8 N- m(1.0 kgf-m , 7 Ibf-ft )
LOWE R AR M GUAR D
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
NOTE: Us e th e bal l join t remover s t o separat e th e bal l
joint s fro m th e suspensio n o r steerin g arm .
CAUTION :
• B e carefu l no t t o damag e th e bal l join t boot .
• Torqu e th e castl e nu t t o th e lowe r torqu e specifica -
tion , the n tighte n i t 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 .
4. Clea n an y dir t o r greas e of f th e bal l joint .
5. Remov e th e cotte r pi n fro m th e steerin g arm , an d
remov e th e nut .
6 . Appl y greas e t o th e specia l too l o n th e area s
shown . Thi s wil l eas e installatio n o f th e too l an d
preven t damag e t o th e pressur e bol t threads .
PRESSUR E BOL T
ADJUSTIN G BOL T
NOTE : Afte r makin g th e adjustmen t t o th e adjust -
in g bolt , b e sur e th e hea d o f th e adjustin g bol t i s i n
thi s positio n t o th e allo w th e ja w to pivot .
7 . Instal l a 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
that th e he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t pi n en d to
preven t damag e t o th e threade d en d o f th e bal l
joint.
8. Us e th e bal l join t remover , 2 8 mm , a s shown .
Insert th e jaw s carefully , makin g sur e yo u d o no t
damag e th e bal l join t boot . Adjus t th e ja w spacin g
b y turnin g th e pressur e bolt .
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
can t t o loose n th e bal l joint .
CASTL E NU T39 - 4 7 N- m(4. 0 - 4. 8 kgf-m , 2 9 - 3 5 Ibf-ft )
BALL JOIN T REMOVER , 2 8 m m
07MA C - SL0020 0
COTTERPINReplace .On reassembly , ben d
th e pi n a s shown .Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
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Knuckle/Control Arms/Complianc e Pivo t
Remova l
9. Onc e th e too l i s i n place , tur n th e adjustin g bol t a s
necessar y t o mak e th e jaw s parallel . The n hand -
tighte n th e pressur e bolt , an d rechec k th e jaw s t o
mak e sur e the y ar e stil l parallel .
PRESSUR E BOL T
ADJUSTIN G BOL T
10. Wit h a wrench , tighte n th e pressur e bol t unti l th e
bal l join t shaf t pop s loos e fro m th e steerin g arm .
Wea r ey e protection . Th e bal l join t
ca n brea k loos e suddenl y an d scatte r dir t o r othe r
debri s in you r eyes .
11 . Remov e th e tool , the n remov e th e nu t fro m th e en d
of th e bal l join t an d pul l th e bal l join t ou t o f th e
steering/suspensio n arm . Inspec t th e bal l join t boot ,
an d replac e i t i f damaged . 12
. Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d lowe r contro l ar m bal l
joint nut .
1 3 . Instal l th e 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
that th e 1 2 m m he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t
pin 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 .
14. Us e th e bal l join t remover , 3 2 mm , a s show n o n pag e
18-2 1 to separat e th e bal l join t an d lowe r contro l
arm.
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
can t t o loose n th e bal l joint .
CASTL E NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm54 - 6 4 N- m(5. 5 - 6. 5 kgf-m , 4 0 - 4 7 Ibf-ft )
1 5 . Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d th e uppe r bal l join t nut .
1 6 . Instal l th e 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
that th e 1 2 m m he x nu t i s flus h wit h th e bal l join t
pin 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 .
1 7 . Us e th e bal l join t remover , 3 2 mm , a s show n o n pag e
18-2 1 t o separat e th e bal l join t an d uppe r arm .
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
can t t o loose n th e bal l joint .
COTTE R PI NReplace .On reassembly , ben d th ecotte r pi n a s shown .
CASTL E NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm54 - 6 4 N- m(5. 5 - 6. 5 kgf-m ,40 - 4 7 Ibf-ft )
BALL JOIN T REMOVER , 3 2 m m07MA C - SL0010 0
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
BALL JOIN TREMOVER , 3 2 m m07MA C - SL0010 0
COTTERPINReplace .On reassembly ,bend th e cotte r pi n a s shown .
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18. Remove the knuckle.

KNUCKLE

19. Separate the lower control arm and damper by

removing the damper mounting bolt.

DAMPER

MOUNTING

BOLT
Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

93 N-m (9.5 kgf-m, 69 Ibf-ft)
20. Hold the ball pin of the stabilizer link with a hex

wrench, and loosen the self-locking nut.

STABILIZER

LINK

LOWER CONTROL

ARM

HEX WRENCH

SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

83 N-m (8.5 kgf-m, 61 Ibf-ft)

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

21. Disconnect the stabilizer link from the lower control

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Knuckle/Control Arms/Complianc e Pivo t
Remova l
22. Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d lowe r ar m bal l join t nut .
CASTL E NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm54 - 6 4 N- m(5. 5 - 6. 5 kgf-m , 4 0 - 4 7 Ibf-ft )
COTTE RPINReplace .On reassembly ,
ben d th e cotte r pi n
a s shown .
BAL L JOIN T REMOVER , 3 2 m m
07MA C - SL0010 0
Corrosion resistan t bolt/nu t
23. Instal l th e 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
tha t th e 1 2 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 .
24 . Us e th e bal l join t remover , 3 2 mm , a s show n o n
pag e 18-2 1 to separat e th e bal l join t an d complianc e
pivot.
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
can t t o loose n th e bal l joint .
CAUTION : Avoi d damagin g th e bal l join t boot .
25 . Remov e th e lowe r contro l ar m b y removin g th e
adjustin g bolt .
ADJUSTIN G CA M
ADJUSTIN G
BOLTLOWE R CONTRO L AR M
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
26. Remov e th e cotte r pi n an d uppe r ar m bal l join t nut .
CASTL E NU T12 x 1.2 5 mm54 - 6 4 N- m(5. 5 - 6. 5 kgf-m , 4 0 - 4 7 Ibf-ft )
BAL L JOIN T REMOVER , 3 2 m m
07MA C - SL0010 0 COTTE
R PI N
Replace .On reassembly ,
ben d th e cotte r
pin a s shown .
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
27. Instal l th e 1 2 m m he x nu t o n th e bal l joint . B e sur e
tha t th e 1 2 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 .
28 . Us e th e bal l join t remover , 3 2 mm , a s show n o n
pag e 18-2 1 to separat e th e bal l join t an d complianc e
pivot.
NOTE : I f necessary , appl y penetratin g typ e lubri -
can t t o loose n th e bal l joint .
CAUTION : Avoi d damagin g th e bal l join t boot .
29 . Remov e th e stabilize r ba r bracke t fro m th e compli -
anc e pivot .
STABILIZE RBAR
COMPLIANC E PIVO T
ASSEMBL Y
FLANG E BOL T
8 x 1.2 5 mm22 N- m(2.2 kgf-m , 1 6 Ibf-ft ) FLANG
E BOL T
12 x 1.2 5 mm93 N- m(9.5 kgf-m , 6 9 Ibf-ft )
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
30. Remov e th e thre e lowe r complianc e pivo t bolts .
SELF-LOCKIN G NU T12 x 1.2 5 mmReplace .123 N- m(12. 5 kgf-m , 9 0 Ibf-ft )
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31. Remove the compliance pivot assembly by remov-

ing the bolts and nuts shown.

FLANGE BOLT

FLANGE BOLTS 10 x 1.25 mm

10 x
1.25
mm 58 N-m

58 N-m (6.0 kgf-m, 43 Ibf-ft)

(6.0 kgf-m, 43 Ibf-ft)

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

32. Remove the upper control arm assembly by remov-

ing the flange bolt shown.
NOTE:

• Install the upper control arm on the frame

before installing the compliance pivot assembly.

• Install the compliance pivot bolts and nuts.

Torque them to the specified torque in the order.

1. Loosely tighten the flange bolt

STUD BOLT
SELF-LOCKING

NUTS

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

93 N-m

(9.5 kgf-m, 69 Ibf-ft)

UPPER CONTROL

ARM

FLANGE BOLTS

10 x
1.25
mm

58 N-m

(6.0 kgf-m, 43 Ibf-ft)

FLANGE BOLTS

12 x
1.25
mm

93 N-m

(9.5 kgf-m, 69 Ibf-ft)
)

FLANGE BOLT

12 x
1.25
mm

93 N-m

(9.5 kgf-m, 69 Ibf-ft)

Corrosion resistant

bolt/nut

2. Insert the stud bolts into the frame.

3. Install the three flange bolts and tighten to the

specified torque.

4. Install the two flange bolts and tighten to the

specified torque.

5. Tighten the flange bolt

6. Install the 12 mm self-locking nuts and tighten

to the specified torque.
SELF-LOCKING

NUTS

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

93 N-m

(9.5 kgf-m, 69 Ibf-ft)

COMPLIANCE

PIVOT ASSEMBLYProCarManuals.com

Knuckle/Control Arms/Complianc e Pivo t
Ball Join t Boo t Replacemen t
NOTE: Th e uppe r contro l ar m bal l joint , lowe r contro l
ar m bal l join t an d knuckl e uppe r bal l join t ar e attache d
wit h th e boo t retaine r t o improv e th e sealin g efficienc y
of th e boot .
1. Remov e th e se t rin g an d boot .
TWO-JA W PULLE R
(Commerciall y
available )
Replaceas a set .
NOTE :Do no t damag e th etapere d sectio n o f th ebal l pi n wit h th e bear -ing puller .
2. Remov e th e retainer .
NOTE : Th e knuckl e lowe r bal l join t doe s no t hav e a
retainer .
3. Pac k th e interio r o f th e boo t an d li p wit h grease .
BOOT INSTALLATIO N SECTIO N
CAUTION : D o no t contaminat e th e boo t installa -
tio n sectio n wit h grease . 4
. 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 .
5 . Inser t th e ne w retaine r lightl y int o th e bal l join t pin .
NOTE : Whe n installin g th e bal l joint , pres s th e
retaine r int o th e bal l join t pin .
BAL L PI N TAPERE D SECTIO N
BOO T INSTALLATIO N
SECTION
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 t o ente r th e boot .
6 . 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 .
7 . 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 .
BAL L JOIN T ADJUSTIN G BOL T
BOO T CLI P Adjus t th e dept h
GUIDE by turnin g the bolt .07GA G - SD4070 0
SE T RIN G
BOO T
Uppe r knuckl e an d
upper/lowe r contro l arm .
BALL JOIN T
BOO T CLI P
GUID E
07MA G - SL0020 0Adjust th e dept hby turnin g th e tool .
Knuckl e lowe r bal l join tonly.
8. Slid e th e se t rin g ove r th e too l an d int o position .
CAUTION : Afte r installin g th e boot , chec k th e bal l
pi n tapere d sectio n an d thread s fo r greas e contami -
natio n an d wip e the m if necessary .
SET RIN G
BOO T
RETAINE R
RETAINER
LIP
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Front Damper

Removal

1. Remove the front wheel.

2. Remove the brake hose mounting bolt from the

damper.

BRAKE HOSE MOUNTING BOLT

DAMPER MOUNTING BOLT

SELF-LOCKING NUT

12 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

3. Separate the damper and lower arm by removing

the damper mounting bolt.

4. Remove the caps from the top of the cowl, then

remove the self-locking nuts.

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

CAP
SELF-LOCKING NUT

10 x
1.25
mm

Replace.

5. Remove the damper assembly.
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 spring compressor, then disassemble

the damper as shown on the next page.

Inspection:

1. Reassemble all parts, except the spring.

2. Push on the damper assembly and 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.

WOODEN

BLOCK

3. Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises or binding dur-

ing these tests.ProCarManuals.com