Front Suspension Acura RDX I

Scheme 1

Special Tools Required

1. Hub dis/assembly tool 07GAF-SD40100
2. Ball joint remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102
3. Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202
4. Ball joint thread protector, 14 mm 071AF-S3VA000
5. Attachment, 72 x75 mm 07746-0010600
6. Driver 07749-0010000
7. Attachment, 96 mm 07948-SB00101
8. Support base 07965-SD90100

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1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «SAFETY STANDS»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/paintcoatings/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
2. Remove the wheel nuts (A) and the front wheel.
3. Remove the brake hose mounting bolt (A).
4. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (B), then remove the caliper assembly (C) from the knuckle. To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper assembly from the undercarriage. Do not twist the brake hose excessively.
5. Remove the wheel sensor (A) from the knuckle (B). Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.
6. Raise the stake (A), then remove the spindle nut (B).
7. Remove the brake disc (see «FRONT BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/mechanical-hydraulic/#conventional-brake-components) ).
8. Check the front hub for damage and cracks.
9. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball joint, then remove the nut (B). NOTE: During installation, install a new cotter pin after tightening the nut, and bend its ends as shown.
10. Disconnect the tie-rod ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover (see «BALL JOINT REMOVAL»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__ball-joint-removal) ).
11. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower ball joint (B) then remove the castle nut (C). NOTE: During installation, install a new lock pin after tightening the new castle nut.
12. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the knuckle.
13. Remove the damper pinch bolts (A) and the self-locking nuts (B) from the damper. NOTE: During installation, install the new damper pinch bolts and the new self-locking nuts.
14. Remove the driveshaft outboard joint (C) from the knuckle (D) by tapping the driveshaft end (E) with a plastic hammer while drawing the hub outward, then remove the knuckle. NOTE: Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The inner driveshaft joint may come apart. During installation, apply grease to the mating surface of the wheel bearing and the driveshaft outboard joint (see «FRONT DRIVESHAFT INSTALLATION»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/axle-shafts/#drivelineaxle__front-driveshaft-installation) ).
15. Install the knuckle/hub 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. Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the knuckle. Before connecting the lower ball joint to the knuckle, degrease the threaded section and tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the knuckle connecting hole, the threaded section, and mating surface of the castle nut. 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. Use a new spindle nut during reassembly. Before installing the 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, clean the mating surface of the front hub and the inside of the brake disc. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__wheel-alignment) ).

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1. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool and a hydraulic press. Support the knuckle with press blocks (C) from 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.
2. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) off of the hub (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool, a commercially available bearing separator (C), and a press.
3. Remove the splash guard (A) and the snap ring (B) from the knuckle (C).
4. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the driver, the 72 x 75 mm attachment, and a press.
5. Wash the knuckle and hub thoroughly in high flash point solvent before reassembly.
6. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the 96 mm attachment, the support base, and a press. NOTE: Install the wheel bearing with the wheel sensor magnetic encoder (E) (brown color), toward the inside of the knuckle. Remove any oil, grease, dust, metal debris, and other foreign material from the encoder surface. Keep all magnetic tools away from the encoder surface. Be careful not to damage the encoder surface when you insert the wheel bearing.
7. Install the snap ring (A) securely in the knuckle (B).
8. Install the splash guard (C), and tighten the screws (D) to the specified torque value.
9. Install the hub (A) onto the knuckle (B) using the driver, the 72 x 75 mm attachment, the support base, and a hydraulic press. Be careful not to distort the splash guard (C).

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Lower Ball Joint Replacement

Special Tools Required

1. Ball joint remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102
2. Ball joint thread protector, 14 mm 071AF-S3VA000

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1. Remove the front wheel (see «KNUCKLE/HUB/WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-hubs/#front-suspension) ).
2. Remove the flange bolt and flange nuts from the lower arm (A). NOTE: During installation, loosely install the new flange bolt and new flange nuts. Then tighten them in the following order; the nut on the front (B), the nut on the rear (C), then the bolt (D).
3. Disconnect the lower ball joint (E) from the lower arm.
4. Remove the lock pin (A) from the lower ball joint (B) them remove the castle nut (C). NOTE: During installation, install the lock pin after tightening the new castle nut.
5. Install the ball joint thread protector (D).
6. Disconnect the lower ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover (see «BALL JOINT REMOVAL»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__ball-joint-removal) ), then remove the lower ball joint.
7. Install the lower ball joint in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: First install all the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then tighten the lower ball joint to the lower arm to the specified torque. Raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening the lower ball joint to the knuckle 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. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__wheel-alignment) ).

Ball Joint Boot Replacement

Special Tools Required

Attachment, 40 mm 07GAF-SE00200

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1. Remove lower ball joint (see «LOWER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-hubs/#front-suspension__lower-ball-joint-replacement) ).
2. Remove the boot.
3. Pack the interior and lip (A) of a new boot with grease. Keep the grease off of the boot-to-lower ball housing mating surfaces (B).
4. Wipe the grease off the tapered portion of the pin (C), and pack fresh grease into the base (D). Do not let dirt or other foreign materials get into the boot.
5. Install the boot on the ball joint, then squeeze it gently to force out any air.
6. Press the boot with the attachment (40 mm) until the bottom seats on the lower ball housing all the way around.
7. After installing the boot, wipe any grease off the exposed portion of the ball joint pin.
8. Install lower ball joint (see «LOWER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-hubs/#front-suspension__lower-ball-joint-replacement) ).

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1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «SAFETY STANDS»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/paintcoatings/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Remove the flange bolts (A) and the bushing holder (B).
4. Remove the flange bolt and flange nuts from the lower arm (A). NOTE: During installation, loosely install the new flange bolt and new flange nuts. Then tighten them in the following order; the nut on the front (B), the nut on the rear (C), then the bolt (D).
5. Disconnect the lower ball joint (E) from the lower arm.
6. Remove the lower arm mounting bolt (A). NOTE: During installation, install a new mounting bolt.
7. Remove the lower arm mounting bolts (B), then remove the lower arm (C) from the front suspension subframe. NOTE: During installation, install new mounting bolts.
8. Install the lower arm 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. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__wheel-alignment) ).

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1. Press out the lower arm (A) with the suitable socket wrench and a hydraulic press, and remove the lower arm from the bushing (B).
2. Apply a mild solution of soap and water to the new bushing surface.
3. Align the angle of the lower arm (A) and the tab portion (B) of the bushing (C). Press in the bushing by hand first. NOTE: The installed bushing's tab portion points upward and downward to the installed lower arm.
4. Press in the bushing with a suitable socket wrench and a hydraulic press.
5. Adjust the distance between the top of the lower arm and the bushing surface to the dimension shown.

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1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «SAFETY STANDS»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/paintcoatings/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Remove the flange nuts while holding the respective joint pin (A) with a hex wrench (B), then remove the stabilizer link (C).
4. Install the stabilizer link on the stabilizer bar (D) and the damper (E) with the joint pins set at the center of their range of movement. NOTE: The stabilizer link has a paint mark (H). Align the paint mark on the stabilizer link facing inward.
5. Install the new flange nuts, and lightly tighten them.
6. Clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheel.
7. Tighten the flange nuts to the specified torque value while holding the respective joint pin with a hex wrench.
8. Test-drive the vehicle.

Scheme 27

1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «SAFETY STANDS»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/paintcoatings/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Disconnect both stabilizer links from the stabilizer bar (see «STABILIZER LINK REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-hubs/#front-suspension) ).
4. Remove the flange bolts (A) and the bushing holders (B), then remove the bushings (C). NOTE: During installation, align the point marks (D) on the stabilizer bar with the sides of the bushings.
5. Disconnect both tie-rod ball joints from the knuckle (see step 10 under "Knuckle/Hub Replacement" ).
6. Remove the stabilizer bar (E) through the wheel well opening on the passenger's side.
7. Install the stabilizer bar in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: Note the right and left direction of the stabilizer bar. Align the paint marks on the stabilizer bar with the sides of the bushings. Note the fore/aft direction of the bushing. Refer to stabilizer link removal/installation to connect the stabilizer bar to the links (see «STABILIZER LINK REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-hubs/#front-suspension) ). Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheels. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__wheel-alignment) ).

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1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «SAFETY STANDS»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/paintcoatings/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Remove the wheel sensor harness clip (A), the wire guide (B), and the brake hose bracket (C) from the damper (D). Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.
4. Disconnect the stabilizer link from the damper (see «STABILIZER LINK REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-hubs/#front-suspension) ).
5. Remove the damper pinch bolts (A) and self-locking nuts (B) from the damper.
6. Remove the lid (A) from the cowl cover.
7. Remove the flange nuts (B) from the top of the damper. NOTE: Damper springs are different, left and right. Mark the springs L and R before you continue.
8. Remove the damper assembly (A).

Note. Be careful not to damage the body.

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1. Install the damper assembly (A) onto the frame. NOTE: Be careful not to damage the body.
2. Loosely install the new flange nuts. NOTE: Install the lid (C) to the cowl cover after tightening the nuts to the specified torque value, beginning with flange nut A and flange nut B.
3. Loosely install the new damper pinch bolts (A) and new self-locking nuts (B) to the damper (C).
4. Connect the stabilizer link to the damper (see «STABILIZER LINK REMOVAL/INSTALLATION»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-hubs/#front-suspension) ).
5. Install the wheel sensor harness clip (A), the wire guide (B), and the brake hose bracket (C) to the damper (D).
6. Raise the front suspension with a floor jack to load the suspension with the vehicle's weight.
7. Tighten the damper pinch bolts and the self-locking nuts to the specified torque value.
8. Tighten the flange nuts on top of the damper to the specified torque value, beginning with flange nut A and flange nut B.
9. Install the lid to the cowl cover.
10. Clean the mating surface of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheel.
11. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__wheel-alignment) ).

Scheme 38

Special Tools Required

Strut nut adapter 07AAA-SVAA100

Note. When compressing the damper spring, use a commercially available strut spring compressor (Branick MST-580A or Model 7200, or equivalent) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

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1. Remove the cap (A) from the top of the damper.
2. Compress the damper spring, then remove the self-locking nut with the strut nut adapter (A) and 17 mm deep socket (B), while holding the damper shaft with a hex wrench (C). Do not compress the spring more than necessary to remove the nut.
3. Release the pressure from the strut spring compressor, then disassemble the damper as shown in the Exploded View.

Scheme 41

1. Reassemble all the parts, except for the upper spring mounting cushion, the bump stop, and the damper spring.
2. Compress the damper assembly by hand, and check for smooth operation through a full stroke, both compression and extension. The damper should extend smoothly and constantly when compression is released. If it does not, the gas is leaking and the damper should be replaced.
3. Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, or binding during these tests.

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1. Install the damper spring (A) on the upper spring mounting cushion (B), then align the upper end (C) of the damper spring with the cushion stop (D).
2. Compress the damper spring.
3. Install all parts, except the damper mounting washer and self-locking nut, onto the damper unit (A). Refer to the «EXPLODED VIEW»(/acura/rdx/i-2006-2009/remont/wheel-hubs/#front-suspension) .
4. Align the bottom of the damper spring (A) with the stepped part (B) of the lower spring seat.
5. Align the damper bracket (A) and the damper mounting base (B) so the "A" stamp (C) points toward outside.
6. Align the angle of the stud bolt (D) on the damper bracket as shown.
7. Install a new self-locking nut (A).
8. While holding the damper shaft with a hex wrench (B), tighten the new self-locking nut using the strut nut adapter (C) and 17 mm deep socket (D) to the specified torque value.
9. Install the cap.

See also:
• SAFETY STANDS
• FRONT BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT
• BALL JOINT REMOVAL
• FRONT DRIVESHAFT INSTALLATION
• WHEEL ALIGNMENT
• KNUCKLE/HUB/WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT
• LOWER BALL JOINT REPLACEMENT