Front Suspension and Rear Suspension (alignment) Acura RL II

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Wheel Alignment

The suspension can be adjusted for front and rear toe.

Pre-Alignment Checks

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

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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: Without PAX model: Front/Rear: P245/50R17 98 V With PAX model: Front/Rear: 245-680R460A 102 V Tire pressure: Front: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm 2 , 32 psi), cold Rear: 210 kPa (2.1 kgf/cm 2 , 30 psi), cold
4. Check the runout of the wheels and tires (see «WHEEL RUNOUT INSPECTION»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__wheel-runout-inspection) ).
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.

1. Check the caster angle. Caster angle: 2° 10'± 30' (Maximum difference between the right and left side: 0° 45')
2. If out of specification, 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.

1. Check the camber angle. Camber angle: Front:-0° 08' ± 30' Rear: -1° 15' ± 30' (Maximum difference between the right and left side: 0° 30')
2. If out of 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 do the VSA sensor neutral position memorization (see VSA SENSOR NEUTRAL POSITION MEMORIZATION ) and SH-AWD steering neutral position memorization procedure (see STEERING ANGLE NEUTRAL POSITION MEMORIZATION ).

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1. Center the steering wheel spokes.
2. Check the toe with the wheels pointed straight ahead. Front toe-in: 0 ± 2 mm (0+0.08 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) while 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-end boots if it is twisted or displaced.
5. Go to «REAR TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__rear-toe-inspectionadjustment) .

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.

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1. Release the parking brake to avoid an incorrect measurement.
2. Check the toe. Rear toe-in: 2 ± 2 mm (0.08 ± 0.08 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 control 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 adjusting 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 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.

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1. Turn the wheel right and left while applying the brake, and measure the turning angle of both wheels. Turning angle: Inward: 37° 11' ± 2° Outward: 30° 00'(reference)
2. If the turning angle is not within the specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

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1. Raise the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/paintcoatings/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ).
2. Remove the wheels.
3. Install suitable flat washers (A) and wheel nuts, and tighten the nuts to the specified torque to hold the brake disc securely against the hub. Front Rear
4. Attach the dial gauge. Place the dial gauge against the hub flange or hub cap. Front/Rear: Standard: 0-0.05 mm (0-0.002 in.)
5. Measure the bearing end play by moving the brake disc inward and outward.
6. If the bearing end play measurement is more than the standard, replace the hub bearing unit.

Wheel Runout Inspection

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

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1. Raise the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/paintcoatings/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ).
2. Check for a bent or deformed wheel.
3. Set up the dial gauge as shown, and measure the axial runout by turning the wheel. Front and rear wheel axial runout: Standard: 0-0.7 mm (0-0.03 in.) Service limit: 2.0 mm (0.08 in.)
4. Reset the dial gauge to the position shown, and measure the radial runout. Front and rear wheel radial runout: Standard: 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/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment) ), and make sure the mating surfaces on the brake disc 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.

Wheel Bolt Replacement

Special Tools Required

Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL00201

Note. Do not use a hammer or air or electric impact tools to remove and install the wheel bolts. Be careful not to damage the threads of the wheel bolts.

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1. Raise the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/paintcoatings/#general-information__lift-and-support-points) ).
2. Remove the brake disc or disc/drum: front (see «HUB BEARING UNIT REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension) ), rear (see «HUB BEARING UNIT REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/wheel-hubs/#rear-suspension) ).
3. Separate the wheel bolt (A) from the hub (B) using the ball joint remover (C), and keep the jaw (D) of ball joint remover vertical against the wheel bolt (see «BALL JOINT REMOVAL»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__ball-joint-removal) ). NOTE: Adjust the jaws of the ball joint remover so that they are parallel to each other when applying pressure to the wheel bolt. With each adjustment, return the head (E) of the adjusting bolt (F) to the position shown before applying pressure. Before installing the new wheel bolt, clean the mating surface on the bolt and the hub.
4. Insert the new wheel bolt (A) into the hub (B) while aligning the splined surfaces (C) on the hub hole with the wheel bolt. Adjust the measurement (D) with washers (P/N 94101-14800 or equivalent) (E), then install a nut (P/N 90304-SHJ-A91 or equivalent) (F) hand-tight. NOTE: Degrease all around the wheel bolt and the threaded section of the nut. Make sure the wheel bolt is installed vertically in relation to the hub disc surface. Do not install the nut and washers that have been used as tools on a vehicle.
5. Tighten the nut until the wheel bolt is drawn fully into the hub. Do not exceed the maximum torque limit. Make sure there is no gap (G) between the bolt and the hub. Limited torque: 127 N.m (13.0 kgf.m, 94.0 lbf.ft) max.
6. Install the brake disc or disc/drum: front (see «HUB BEARING UNIT REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension) ), rear (see «HUB BEARING UNIT REPLACEMENT»(/acura/rl/ii-2004-2008/remont/wheel-hubs/#rear-suspension) ). NOTE: If you cannot tighten the wheel nut to the specified torque value when installing the wheel, replace the hub bearing unit as an assembly. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.

Ball Joint Removal

Special Tools Required

Ball joint remover, 32 mm 07MAC-SL0A102

Note. Always use a ball joint remover to disconnect a ball joint. Do not strike the housing or any other part of the ball joint connection to disconnect it.

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1. Install a hex nut (A) onto the threads of the ball joint (B). Make sure the nut is flush with the ball joint pin end to prevent damage to the threaded end of the ball joint pin.
2. Apply grease to the ball joint remover on the areas shown (A). 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 ball joint remover as shown. Insert the jaws carefully, making sure not to damage the ball joint boot. Adjust the jaw spacing by turning the adjusting bolt (B).
4. After adjusting the adjusting bolt, make sure the head (C) of the adjusting bolt is in the position shown to allow the jaw to pivot.
5. With a wrench, tighten the pressure bolt until the ball joint pin pops loose from the ball joint pin hole. If necessary, apply penetrating type lubricant to loosen the ball joint pin. NOTE: Do not use pneumatic or electric tools on the pressure bolt. Do not scratch the aluminum parts.
6. Remove the ball joint remover, then remove the nut from the end of the ball joint pin, and pull the ball joint out of the ball joint pin hole. Inspect the ball joint boot, and replace it if damaged.

See also:
• VSA SENSOR NEUTRAL POSITION MEMORIZATION
• STEERING ANGLE NEUTRAL POSITION MEMORIZATION
• LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS
• HUB BEARING UNIT REPLACEMENT
• HUB BEARING UNIT REPLACEMENT
• WHEEL RUNOUT INSPECTION
• REAR TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT
• WHEEL BEARING END PLAY INSPECTION
• BALL JOINT REMOVAL