1997 ACURA NSX height

(Front Compliance Mechanism)

To avoid the usual compromise between ride quality and handling characteristics, a pivot-type "compliance mechanism"

has been designed as an integral part of the front suspension. When one of the front wheels is subjected to a rearward

movement by an uneven road surface or by heavy braking, the load produced has two separate effects. As with any

suspension system, the load acts in the vertical direction to compress the suspension spring and reduce the ride height.

On the NSX/NSX-T the load also acts through both the upper and lower control arms to twist the compliance pivot. This

allows the wheel to move rearward by a controlled amount, thus absorbing energy. The result is an outstanding ride

quality with only minimal changes to track width and wheel geometry. In cornering, the compliance pivot does not come

into play, and the lateral suspension stiffness required for maximum roadholding and optimum control response is main-

tained.

TOP VIEW:

(Rear Toe Control Arm)

Many conventional passenger-vehicle independent rear suspension systems are subject to undesirable changes in toe-in

angle with wheel movement. This results in instability both in cornering and in acceleration. In the NSX/NSX-T, the design

and pivot locations of the rear toe control arm produce a slight controlled increase in toe-in during bump travel. As a

result, the NSX/NSX-T is extremely stable under heavy cornering loads and over bumpy road surfaces.

TOP VIEW:

TOE CONTROL ARM
COMPLIANCE

PIVOT
COMPLIANCE

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Wheel Alignment

Height

NSX/NSX-T four wheel alignment requires the use of equipment designed specifically for four wheel independent

suspensions and capable of immediate feedback.

NOTE: For proper inspection/adjustment of the wheel alignment, check and adjust the following before checking

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, then move the wheel up and down and right

and left to check for wobbling.)

• Check the height of each suspension (see below).

Standard value

Front:

Ground clearance to the center of the lower

control arm bolt
Rear:

Ground clearance to the center of the toe con-

trol arm bolt

Height inspection:

• Before checking for the height, bounce the vehicle up and down several times before measuring.

• Check the height with the vehicle empty, parked on a level surface, with properly inflated tires (tread wear indicators

must not be showing). If the height is out of specification, load or unload the vehicle as necessary.ProCarManuals.com

Front Wheel Alignment Adjusting Procedure

Adjustment

NOTE: NSX/NSX-T four wheel alignment requires the use of equipment designed specifically for four wheel independent

suspensions and capable of immediate feedback.

The NSX/NSX-T suspension can be adjusted for camber, caster (front only), and toe. However, because each of them

relates to the other, the camber changes when the toe is adjusted for example. Therefore, the total adjustment of the

front/rear wheel alignment is required whenever one of the elements (camber, caster, or toe) is adjusted.

Front wheel alignment adjusting procedure

Measure and adjust both camber and toe of the

left side.

Measure and adjust both camber and toe of the

right side.

Adjust caster on both sides.

Measure and readjust both camber and toe of

the left side.

Measure and readjust both camber and toe of

the right side.
TOP VIEW:

CASTER

TOE
CAMBER
Check tire pressure on both sides.

Check the ride height on both sides.ProCarManuals.com

Wheel Alignmen t
Front Whee l Alignmen t Adjustmen t Procedur e
NOTE:
• NSX/NSX- T fou r whee l alignmen t require s th e us e o f
equipmen t designe d specificall y fo r fou r whee l in -
dependen t suspension s an d capabl e of immediat e
feedback.
• Th e rid e heigh t i s ver y importan t fo r settin g th e align -
ment . Fo r ever y 1 0 m m (0. 4 in ) of chang e i n th e
fron t rid e height , th e cambe r wil l chang e approx -
imately 1 0 minutes .
• Th e fron t alignmen t setting s o n th e NS X ar e
interactive .
• A sligh t chang e i n to e wil l dramaticall y chang e th e
camber .
• Alway s inspec t an d adjus t th e fron t whee l alignmen t
wit h th e steerin g whee l i n th e straigh t ahea d
position .
1. Driv e th e vehicl e o n th e alignmen t rack .
2 . Chec k th e tir e pressur e an d rid e heigh t (se e pag e
18-6 ).
3 . Cente r th e steerin g whee l i n th e straigh t ahea d
position , an d loc k i t i n plac e wit h th e steerin g lock .
4 . Se t th e alignmen t equipmen t followin g th e
manufacturer' s instructions .
5 . Measur e an d adjus t th e cambe r an d to e o n th e lef t
side , the n measur e an d adjus t th e righ t side .
Toe:
— Loose n th e locknut , an d tur n th e righ t an d lef t
tie-rod s t o adjus t th e fron t toe .
LOCKNU T43 N- m(4.4 kgf-m , 3 2 Ibf-ft )TIE-RO D
Camber :
— Loose n th e self-lockin g nu t o n th e fron t lowe r
contro l ar m adjustin g point , an d adjus t th e
cambe r b y turnin g th e adjustin g cam .
SELF-LOCKIN G NU TReplace .123 N- m(12. 5 kgf-m , 9 0 Ibf-ft )
Corrosio n resistan t bolt/nu t
ADJUSTIN G CA M
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Rear Wheel Alignment Adjusting Procedure

Rear wheel alignment adjusting procedure

Check tire pressure on both sides.

Check the ride height on both sides.

Adjust both camber and toe of the left side.

Adjust both camber and toe of the right side.
TOP VIEW:

CAMBER

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Tests
Brake Booster

Functional Test

1. With the engine stopped, depress the brake pedal

several times to deplete the vacuum reservoir, then

depress the pedal hard and hold it for 15 seconds. If

the pedal sinks, either the master cylinder is

bypassing internally, or the brake system (master

cylinder, lines, modulator, proportioning valve, or

calipers) is leaking.

2. Start the engine with the pedal depressed. If the

pedal sinks slightly, the vacuum booster is operat-

ing normally, if the pedal height does not vary, the

booster or check valve is faulty.

3. With the engine running, depress the brake pedal

lightly. Apply just enough pressure to hold back

automatic transmission creep. If the brake pedal

sinks more than 10 mm (3/8 in.) in three minutes,

the master cylinder is faulty. A slight change in

pedal height when the A/C compressor cycles on

and off if normal. (The A/C compressor load

changes the vacuum available to the booster.)

Leak Test

1. Depress the brake pedal with the engine running,

then stop the engine. If the pedal height does not

vary while depressed for 30 seconds, the vacuum

booster is OK. If the pedal rises, the booster is

faulty.

2. With the engine stopped, depress the brake pedal

several times using normal pressure. When the

pedal is first depressed, it should be low. On con-

secutive applications, the pedal height should grad-

ually rise. If the pedal position does not vary, check

the booster check valve.
Booster Check Valve Test

1. Disconnect the brake booster vacuum hose at the

booster or at the booster side of the valve.

2. Start the engine and let it idle. There should be vac-

uum. If no vacuum is available, the check valve is

not working properly. Replace the check valve and

retest.ProCarManuals.com

Hood

Replacement/Adjustment

1. Disconnect the washer hose at the Y-joint, then pull it out of the hood.

2. Remove the hood by removing the hood mounting bolts on each side.

3. To remove the hood hinges, remove the front windshield lower molding.

ALIGNMENT:

• The hood hinges can be adjusted right and left as well as fore and aft by using the elongated holes.

• The hood hinges should be shimmed to adjust the height of the hood at the rear edge.

• Adjust the hood latch to obtain the proper height at the forward edge.

4. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure.

NOTE: Adjust the hood alignment.

SHIM

Use shims as required to make

the hood fit flush with the front

bumper at the front edge.ProCarManuals.com

Sending Uni t Tes t
Do no t smok e whil e workin g o n th e fue l
system . Kee p ope n flam e awa y fro m wor k area .
1 . Remov e th e rea r bulkhea d pane l behin d th e driver' s
seat , the n remov e th e acces s panel .
2 . Wit h th e ignitio n switc h OFF , disconnec t th e 3 P con -
necto r fro m th e fue l gaug e sendin g unit .
3 . Remov e th e fiv e nuts , the n tak e th e fue l gaug e send -
in g uni t assembl y ou t o f th e fue l tank .
FUEL GAUG E SENDIN GUNIT ASSEMBL Y
4. Measur e th e resistanc e betwee n th e A an d B termi -
nal s b y movin g th e floa t t o th e height s liste d fo r E
(EMPTY) , 1/ 2 (HAL F FULL ) an d F (FULL) .
Floa t Positio n
Resistanc e
E
105-110
1/2
25.5-39. 5
F
2-5
(Botto m o f th e fue l tank )
Distanc e fro m floa t t o tan k botto m
E
1.16 in
(29. 5 mm )
1/2
5.5 5 in
(14 1 mm )
F
10.4 in
(26 3 mm )
5. I f unabl e t o obtai n th e abov e readings , replac e th e
fue l gaug e sendin g unit .
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