Wheel Alignment Specifications & Adjustment Procedures Acura MDX I

JACKING & HOISTING

Note. Prior to performing wheel alignment, perform preliminary visual and mechanical inspection of wheels, tires and suspension components. See PRE-ALIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS in WHEEL ALIGNMENT THEORY & OPERATION article in STEERING in GENERAL INFORMATION.

FLOOR JACK

Set parking brake. Block wheels not being lifted. When lifting rear of vehicle, set manual transmission into Reverse, or automatic transmission into Park. Lift vehicle at indicated points. (Scheme 1)

Scheme 1

HOIST

Position lift blocks as shown. (Scheme 2) Raise hoist a few inches. Rock vehicle to ensure it is firmly supported. Raise hoist to full height. Inspect lift points for solid support.

Scheme 2

WHEEL ALIGNMENT PROCEDURES

Note. On all models, manufacturer recommends using commercially-available computerized 4-wheel alignment equipment to measure vehicle alignment.

CAMBER INSPECTION

1. Ensure suspension has not been modified. Ensure tire size and pressures are correct. Check wheel and tire runout. Check suspension ball joints for looseness or wobbling.
2. Read camber according to manufacturer instructions. If camber is not within specification on all models except RSX, check for bent or damaged suspension components. On RSX, see «FRONT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT (RSX)»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures__camber-adjustment-rsx) . See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures) .

CAMBER ADJUSTMENT (RSX)

Note. The front camber can be adjusted by exchanging one or both of the strut pinch bolts with the smaller diameter adjusting bolt(s). The difference between the adjusting bolt diameter and the pinch bolt hole diameter allows a small range of adjustment. (Scheme 3)

1. Raise vehicle, support, and remove front wheels. Loosen the strut pinch nuts and bolts, and adjust the camber by moving the bottom of the strut with in range of the strut pinch bolt free play. (Scheme 4)
2. Tighten the bolts to specified torque. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures__torque-specifications). Reinstall the front wheels, lower the front of the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the vehicle several times to stabilize the suspension. Check the camber angle. If it is within the specification, check the front toe-in. If it is NOT within specification, go to next step.
3. Raise vehicle, support, and re-remove the front wheels. Replace the strut pinch bolts with the adjusting bolts, and adjust the camber angle. The camber angle can be adjusted to between, - 15 to 15' (center tolerance) by replacing one strut pinch bolt with the adjusting bolt. The camber angle can be adjusted to between, - 30 to 30' by replacing both upper and lower strut pinch bolts with the adjusting bolts. (Scheme 4)
4. Tighten the bolts to specified torque. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures__torque-specifications). Reinstall the front wheels. Lower the front of the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the vehicle several times to stabilize the suspension. Recheck the camber angle. If it is within the specification, check the front toe-in, and adjust it if necessary. If it is NOT within the specification, readjust, and recheck. If the camber angle cannot be adjusted to correct specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

CASTER INSPECTION

1. Ensure suspension has not been modified. Ensure tire size and pressures are correct. Check wheel and tire runout. Check suspension ball joints for looseness or wobbling. Check the steering wheel angle. If steering wheel is significantly off center, it may be necessary to remove the steering wheel and reposition it on the spline. See «STEERING COLUMNS - MDX, RSX, 3.2CL, 3.2TL & 3.5RL»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/steering-column/#steering-columns) article in STEERING.
2. Read caster according to manufacturer instructions. If caster is not within specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures) .

MDX, RSX & 3.5RL

Check steering wheel position. If steering wheel is not centered, check toe-in adjustment. See TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT . If toe-in adjustment is okay, remove and reinstall steering wheel on steering shaft splines in a straight ahead position. See STEERING COLUMNS - MDX, RSX, 3.2CL, 3.2TL & 3.5RL article in STEERING. If caster is not within specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS .

3.2CL & 3.2TL

Note. Caster angle can be adjusted by increasing/decreasing the number if the adjusting shims. Remove and install the radius rod each time the caster angle is adjusted.

1. Raise and support front of vehicle. Remove the self locking nut on the end of the radius rod. Remove the flange bolts at the radius rod on the lower arm, and remove the radius rod. Adjust the caster angle by increasing/decreasing the adjusting shims.
2. Do not use more than 2 adjusting shims. One adjusting shim changes the caster angle by 35' and the caster angle can be adjusted by 1°10' maximum. One adjusting shim is .13" (3.2 mm) in thickness. After adjusting, install the radius rod onto the lower arm. Tighten radius rod flange bolts and self locking nut to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures__torque-specifications) . Ensure caster adjustment is within specification. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures) .

TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT

Note. Measure toe-in with wheels facing straight ahead.

Front

1. Center steering wheel. Measure toe-in. Adjust toe-in if not within specification. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures) . If adjustment is necessary, go to next step.
2. Loosen tie rod lock nuts. Adjust both the right and left wheels at the same time, by the same amount in opposite directions to obtain the correct toe-in and to keep the steering wheel straight. Tighten tie rod lock nuts while holding the tie-rod arm. Make sure the toe-in setting does not change. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures__torque-specifications) . Re-position tie rod boot if twisted or moved out of place.

Rear

Release parking brake. If parking brake is engaged, toe-in measurement may be incorrect. Hold adjuster bolt on lower control arm, and loosen lock nut. (Scheme 5) Turn adjuster bolt until toe-in is as specified. See WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS. Install NEW lock nut, and tighten to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS.

Scheme 5

TURNING ANGLE INSPECTION

1. Turn the steering wheel fully to the right and left while applying the brake, and check the turning angles of both front wheels. If the turning angle is not within the specification or the inward turning angles differ between the right and left side, go to next step. See «WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/mdx/i-2000-2006/remont/wheel-alignment/#wheel-alignment-specifications-adjustment-procedures) .
2. Check the toe-in. If it is correct, but the turning angle is not within specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

RIDING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT

Note. Riding height specification is not available from manufacturer. Ensure riding height between left and right side of vehicle does not differ by more than 1" (25 mm).

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS

See also:
• STEERING COLUMNS - MDX, RSX, 3.2CL, 3.2TL & 3.5RL
• FRONT CAMBER ADJUSTMENT (RSX)
• WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS
• TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS
• TOE-IN ADJUSTMENT