Front Suspension and Rear Suspension Acura MDX I

Scheme 6

Scheme 7

The illustration in (Scheme 7) shows '04-06 models. For '03 model, the installation directions of the damper pinch bolts are reversed.

Scheme 8

Wheel Alignment

The suspension can be adjusted for front camber, front toe, and rear toe. However, each of these adjustments are related to each other. For example, when you adjust camber, the toe will change. Therefore, you must adjust the front wheel alignment whenever you adjust camber or toe.

Pre-Alignment Checks

For proper inspection and adjustment of the wheel alignment, do these checks

Scheme 9

1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.
2. Make sure the suspension is not modified.
3. Check the tire size and tire pressure. Tire size: P235/65R17 103T Tire pressure: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm 2 ,32 psi)
4. Check the runout of the wheels and tires.
5. 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.)
6. Bounce the vehicle up and down several times to stabilize the suspension.

Caster Inspection

Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Check the caster angle.

Caster angle: 1°53'+/-1°

1. If the measurement is within specifications, measure the camber angle.
2. If the measurement is not within specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Camber Inspection

Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Check the camber angle.

Camber angle

1. Front: -0° 30'+/-1°
2. Rear: -0° 30'+/-45'

1. If the measurement for the front camber is outside the specification, go to «FRONT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension) .
2. If the measurement for the rear camber is outside the specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Scheme 10

1. Raise the front 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 front wheels.
2. Loosen the flange nuts (A) and bolts, and adjust the camber by moving the bottom of the damper within the range of the damper pinch bolt free play. Tighten the flange nuts to the specified torque.
3. Reinstall the front wheels. Lower the front of the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the front of the vehicle up and down several times to stabilize the suspension.
4. Measure the camber angle. If the measurement is within specification, measure the toe-in. If the measurement is not within specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Front Toe Inspection/Adjustment

Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Note. After setting the front toe always perform the VSA sensors neutral position memorization (see YAW RATE-LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR REPLACEMENT ).

Scheme 11

1. Center the steering wheel spokes and install a steering wheel holder tool.
2. Check the toe. The left and right side should be equal. Front toe-in: 0+/-2 mm (0+/-1/16 in.) If no adjustment is required, remove the alignment equipment. If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
3. Loosen the tie-rod locknuts (A) when holding the flat surface sections (B) of the tie-rod end with a wrench, and turn both rack ends (C) until the front toe is within specifications.
4. After adjusting, tighten the tie-rod locknuts. Reposition the rack-rod boot if it is twisted or displaced
5. Go to «REAR TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT.»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__rear-toe-inspectionadjustment) NOTE: After adjusting the front toe always perform the VSA sensors neutral position memorization (see «YAW RATE-LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR REPLACEMENT»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/anti-locktraction-control/#vsa-vehicle-stability-assist-system-components__yaw-rate-lateral-acceleration-sensor-replacement) ).

Rear Toe Inspection/Adjustment

Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Scheme 12

1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.
2. Check the toe. Rear toe-in: 0+/-2 mm (0+/-1/16 in.) If no adjustment is required, remove the alignment equipment. If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
3. Hold the adjusting bolt (A) on the rear lower arm B, and loosen the self-locking nut (C).
4. Replace the self-locking nut with a new one, and lightly tighten it. NOTE: Always use a new self-locking nut whenever it has been loosened. Assemble the adjust bolt and cam-plate with the eccentric facing up.
5. Adjust the rear toe by turning the adjusting bolt until the toe is correct.
6. Tighten the self-locking nut to the specified torque while holding the adjusting bolt.

Turning Angle Inspection

Use commercially available computerized four wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel alignment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions.

Scheme 13

1. Turn the wheel right and left while applying the brake, and measure the turning angle of both wheels. Turning angle: Inward: 38° 08' Outward: 30° 19' (reference)
2. If the turning angle is not within the specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Scheme 14

Scheme 15

1. Raise 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 wheels, then reinstall the wheel nuts, and torque to the specified torque.
3. Attach the dial gauge. Place the dial gauge against the hub flange. Front/Rear: Standard: 0-0.05 mm (0-0.002 in.)
4. Measure the bearing end play moving the brake disc inward or outward.
5. If the bearing end play measurement is more than the standard, replace the wheel bearing.

Wheel Runout Inspection

Note. When measuring the front wheel runout, turn the other side of the wheel slowly by hand.

Scheme 16

Scheme 17

1. Raise 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. Check for bent or deformed wheels.
3. Set up the dial gauge as shown, and measure axial runout by turning the wheel. Front and rear wheel axial runout: Standard: Aluminum wheel: 0-0.7 mm (0-0.03 in.) Service limit: 2.0 mm (0.08 in.)
4. Readjust the dial gauge to the position (Scheme 17), and measure radial runout. Front and rear wheel radial runout: Standard: Aluminum wheel: 0-0.7 mm (0-0.03 in.) Service limit: 1.5 mm (0.06 in.)
5. If the wheel runout is not within the specification, check the wheel bearing end play (see «WHEEL BEARING END PLAY INSPECTION»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension) ), and make sure the mating surfaces on the brake disc or brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel are clean.
6. If the bearing end play is within the specification but the wheel runout is more than the service limit, replace the wheel. NOTE: The wheel of '04-06 models must be replaced with exclusive wheel(s) for TPMS (see «Tire Pressure Sensor»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/reset-procedures/#tire-pressure-monitor-systems__tire-pressure-sensor) ).

Ball Joint Removal

Special Tools Required

Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202

Ball joint striker tool 071AD-S3VA000

Ball joint thread protector 071AF-S3VA000

Note. The front lower arm ball joint is not replaceable separately. If the ball joint is worn or damaged, replace the lower arm and ball joint as an assembly.

Scheme 18

Scheme 19

Scheme 20

Scheme 21

Scheme 22

1. Screw the ball joint thread protector all the way onto the ball joint stud.
2. Apply grease to the special tool on the areas shown (A) in (Scheme 19). This will ease installation of the tool and prevent damage to the pressure bolt (B) threads.
3. Loosen the pressure bolt (A), and install the special tool (Scheme 20) Insert the jaws carefully, making sure not to damage the ball joint boot. Adjust the jaw spacing by turning the adjusting bolt.
4. Once the special tool is in place, turn the adjusting bolt (A) as necessary to make the jaws parallel. Then hand-tighten the pressure bolt (B), and recheck the jaws to make sure they are still parallel.
5. After making the adjustment to the adjusting bolt, make sure the head of the adjusting bolt is in this position to allow the jaw (C) to pivot.
6. Tighten the pressure bolt (A) to 133 N.m (13.5 kgf.m, 97.6 lbf.ft). If the ball joint does not pop loose, strike the side of the knuckle with a hammer and the special tool to dislodge the ball joint.
7. Remove the tools. Then remove the thread protector from the end of the ball joint, and pull the ball joint out of the steering/suspension arm. Inspect the ball joint boot, and replace it if damaged.

See also:
• LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS
• YAW RATE-LATERAL ACCELERATION SENSOR REPLACEMENT
• Tire Pressure Sensor
• FRONT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT
• REAR TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT.