Rear Suspension Acura MDX I

Scheme 1

Special Tools Required

1. Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
2. Hub dis/assembly tool, 42 mm 07GAF-SD40100
3. Attachment, 62 x 68 mm 07746-0010500
4. Driver 07749-0010000
5. Support base 07965-SD90100

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1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ).
2. Remove the wheel nuts and rear wheels.
3. Remove the brake hose bracket mounting bolts (A) from the trailing arm.
4. Remove the brake hose bracket mounting bolts (A) from the knuckle.
5. Remove the caliper mounting bolts (B), and hang the caliper assembly (C) to one side. To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper from the undercarriage.
6. Remove the wheel sensor (A) and sensor harness from the knuckle (B). Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.
7. Raise the stake (A) of the spindle nut (B), then remove and discard the nut.
8. Remove the brake disc retaining flat screws (A).
9. Screw two 8 x 1.25 mm bolts (B) into the brake disc/drum to push it away from the hub. Turn each bolt two turns at a time to prevent cocking the disc excessively.
10. Remove the brake disc/drum and rear hub. Check the rear hub for damage and cracks.
11. Remove the parking brake shoes (see «PARKING BRAKE SHOE REPLACEMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/mechanical-hydraulic/#conventional-brake-components__parking-brake-shoe-replacement) ) and parking brake cable (see «PARKING BRAKE CABLE REPLACEMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/mechanical-hydraulic/#conventional-brake-components) ).
12. Remove the lock pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then loosen the nut (B). NOTE: During installation, install the new lock pin after tightening the nut.
13. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the special tool (see «BALL JOINT REMOVAL»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__ball-joint-removal) ).
14. Remove the flange nut (B), washer, and flange bolt (C), then remove the lower arm A.
15. Remove the flange bolts (A), and separate the knuckle from the trailing arm (B). NOTE: During installation, install the new flange bolts.
16. Place a floor jack under lower arm B. Remove the self-locking nut (A), washer, and flange bolt (C). NOTE: During installation, install the new self-looking nut and new flange nut.
17. Remove the knuckle while pushing in the driveshaft and holding the driveshaft outboard joint. NOTE: Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The inner driveshaft joint may come apart.
18. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the special tool and a hydraulic press. Hold the knuckle with the attachment (C) of the hydraulic press or equivalent tool. Be careful not to deform the splash guard. Hold onto the hub to keep it from falling when pressed clear.
19. Remove the flange nuts (A), backing plate (B), and snap ring (C).
20. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the special tools and a press.
21. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) from the hub (B) using the special tool, commercially available bearing separator (C), and a press.
22. Wash the knuckle and hub thoroughly in high flash point solvent before reassembly.
23. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the special tool, and a press. Be careful not to damage the sleeve of the pack seal.
24. Install the snap ring (A), backing plate (B), and flange nuts (C). Tighten the flange nuts to the specified torque.
25. Install the hub (A) on the knuckle (B) using the special tools and a hydraulic press. Be careful not to deform the splash guard (C).
26. Install the knuckle in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the knuckle. First install all the components and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values. Tighten all mounting hardware to the specified torque values. Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it. Install a new lock pin on the castle nut after torquing. Use a new spindle nut on reassembly. Before installing the new spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the driveshaft. Before installing the brake disc/drum, clean the mating surfaces of the rear hub and the inside of the brake disc/drum. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel. Check the rear wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__wheel-alignment) ).

Ball Joint Boot Replacement

Special Tools Required

Ball joint boot clip guide 07974-SA50700

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1. Remove the boot clip and the boot.
2. Pack the interior and lip (A) of a new boot with grease. Do not contaminate the lower collar of the boot (B) with grease.
3. Wipe the grease off the tapered section (C) of the pin, and pack fresh grease into the base (D). Do not let dirt or other foreign materials get into the boot.
4. Install the boot onto the ball joint, then squeeze it gently to force out any air.
5. Adjust the special tool with the adjusting bolt (A) until its base is just above the groove around the bottom of the boot. Then slide the clip (B) over the tool and into position on the boot.
6. After installing a boot, wipe any grease off the exposed portion of the ball joint pin.

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Scheme 23

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ). Remove the rear wheels.
2. Remove the flange nuts (A) while holding the respective joint pin (B) with a hex wrench (C), and remove the stabilizer link (D).
3. Install the stabilizer link (A) on the stabilizer bar (B) and stabilizer link bracket (C) with the joint pins (D) set at the center of each moving range.
4. Install the new flange nuts, and lightly tighten them.
5. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle, and raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight.
6. Tighten the flange nuts (A) to the specified torque values while holding the respective joint pin (B) with a hex wrench (C).

Upper Arm Removal/Installation

Special Tools Required

Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202

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Scheme 26

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ). Remove the rear wheels.
2. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle.
3. Remove the lock pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint castle nut (B), and remove the nut. NOTE: During installation, install the new lock pin after tightening the nut.
4. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the special tool (see «BALL JOINT REMOVAL»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__ball-joint-removal) ).
5. Remove the upper arm bolt (A). Remove the upper arm (B) from the vehicle. NOTE: During installation, install the new mounting bolt.
6. Install the upper arm in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the upper arm to the knuckle. First install all the components and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values. Tighten all mounting hardware to the specified torque values. Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it. Install a new lock pin on the castle nut after torquing. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel. Check the rear wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__wheel-alignment) ).

Scheme 27

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ). Remove the rear wheels.
2. Remove lower arm A mounting bolt (B).
3. Remove lower arm A mounting nut (C). NOTE: During installation, install the new mounting bolt.
4. Remove lower arm A from the vehicle.
5. Install lower arm A in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: First install all the components and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values. Tighten all mounting hardware to the specified torque values. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel. Check the rear wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__wheel-alignment) ).

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1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ). Remove the rear wheels.
2. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle.
3. Remove the flange nut (A) while holding the joint pin (C) with a hex wrench (D), and disconnect the stabilizer link (E) from lower arm B.
4. Remove the three flange bolts (A) and the wheel sensor harness (C) from lower arm B. Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.
5. Remove the flange bolt (D) that connects lower arm B and the knuckle.
6. Lower the floor jack gradually.
7. Remove the spring (A), upper spring seat (C), and lower spring seat (D).
8. Remove the self-locking nut (E), adjusting collar (F), and adjusting bolt (G), then remove lower arm B.

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1. Position lower arm B, install the adjusting bolt (A), adjusting collar (C), and loosely install the new self-locking nut (D).
2. Install the spring (E), and upper spring seat (F). Align the bottom of the spring and the lower spring seat (G) with lower arm B as shown.
3. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle.
4. Raise the jack slowly until you can align the bolt holes of lower arm B and the knuckle, then loosely install the new flange bolt (A).
5. Connect the stabilizer link to the lower arm B, then loosely install the flange nut.
6. Raise the rear suspension with a floor jack to load it with the vehicle's weight.
7. Tighten the flange bolt and self-locking nut on the adjusting bolt to the specified torque values.
8. Install the wheel sensor harness (C).
9. Tighten the new flange nut (A) to the specified torque values while holding the joint pin (B) with a hex wrench (C).
10. Install the rear wheels.
11. Check the rear wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__wheel-alignment) ).

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Scheme 35

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ). Remove the rear wheels.
2. Remove the brake disc/drum (see step 4 ).
3. Remove the parking brake cable (A) from the trailing arm (B).
4. Remove the brake hose bracket (C) from the trailing arm.
5. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle.
6. Remove the flange bolts (A) and trailing arm mounting bolts (B) from the trailing arm, then remove the trailing arm.
7. Install the trailing arm in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Install the trailing arm with new mounting bolts. First install all the components and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values. Tighten all mounting hardware to the specified torque values. Check the brake hose and line joint for leaks, and tighten if necessary. Check the brake hose for interference and twisting. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel. Check the rear wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__wheel-alignment) ).

Scheme 36

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ). Remove the rear wheels.
2. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle.
3. Remove the flange bolt (A) from the body.
4. Remove the self-locking nut (B) and washer from the knuckle.
5. Compress the damper (C) by hand, and remove it from the vehicle.

Scheme 37

1. Push on the damper by hand as shown.
2. Compress the damper assembly by hand, and check for smooth operation through a full stroke, both compression and extension. The damper should extend in a smooth, continuous motion when the compression is released. If it does not (no compression or no extension), the gas is leaking, and the damper should be replaced.
3. Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, or binding during these tests.

Scheme 38

1. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle.
2. Compress the damper (A) by hand, and move it into position. Loosely install the new flange bolt (B), washer, and new self-locking nut (C).
3. Raise the rear suspension with a floor jack to load it with the vehicle's weight.
4. Tighten the flange bolt and self-locking nut to the specified torque values.
5. Install the rear wheels.
6. Check the rear wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__wheel-alignment) ).

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Scheme 42

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ). Remove the rear wheels.
2. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle.
3. Remove the flange nut (A) while holding the joint pin (C) with a hex wrench (D), and disconnect the stabilizer link (E) from lower arm B.
4. Remove the three flange bolts (A) and the wheel sensor harness (C) from lower arm B. Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.
5. Remove the flange bolt (D) that connects lower arm Band the knuckle.
6. Lower the floor jack gradually.
7. Remove the spring (A), upper spring seat (B), and lower spring seat (C).
8. Remove the flange bolt (D) and bump stop (E).

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1. Install the bump stop (A), and tighten the flange bolt (C) to the specified torque value.
2. Install the upper spring seat (D) and spring (E). Align the bottom of the spring and the lower spring seat (F) with lower arm B as shown.
3. Place a floor jack at the connecting point of lower arm B and the knuckle.
4. Raise the jack slowly until you can align the bolt holes of lower arm B and the knuckle, then install the new flange bolt (A).
5. Connect the stabilizer link to the lower arm B, then loosely install the flange nut.
6. Raise the rear suspension with a floor jack to load it with the vehicle's weight.
7. Tighten the flange bolt to the specified torque value.
8. Install the wheel sensor harness (C).
9. Tighten the new flange nut (A) to the specified torque values while holding the joint pin (B) with a hex wrench (C).
10. Install the rear wheels.
11. Check the rear wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__wheel-alignment) ).

See also:
• LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS
• PARKING BRAKE SHOE REPLACEMENT
• PARKING BRAKE CABLE REPLACEMENT
• BALL JOINT REMOVAL
• WHEEL ALIGNMENT