Front Suspension and Rear Suspension Acura RSX I

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Wheel Alignment

The suspension can be adjusted for front camber, front toe, and rear toe. However, each of these adjustments are interrelated 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: Front/Rear: '02-04 models: Canadian RSX model: P195/65R15 89H All other models: P205/55R16 89V '05-06 models: Canadian RSX model: P195/65R15 89H All other models, except Type S model: P205/55R16 89V Type S model: P215/45R17 87V Tire pressure: '02-04 models: Front: 230 kPa (2.3 kgf/cm 2 , 33 psi) Rear: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm 2 , 31 psi) '05-06 models: Front/Rear: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm 2 , 31 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. Move 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. If the caster angle is not within the specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Caster angle

'02-04 models: 1°30'+/-1°

'05-06 models: 2°53'+/-1°

Front 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. If the camber angle is not within the specification, adjust the camber.

Front camber angle

'02-04 models: 0+/-00'+/-45'

'05-06 models: -0+/-30'+/-45'

Front Camber Adjustment

The front camber can be adjusted by exchanging one or both of the damper 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.

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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/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Loosen the damper pinch nuts and bolts (A), and adjust the camber by moving the bottom of the damper within the range of the damper pinch bolt free play.
4. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque values.
5. Reinstall the front wheels. Lower the front of the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the vehicle several times to stabilize the suspension.
6. Check the camber angle. If it is within the specification, check the front toe. If it is not within the specification, go to step 7.
7. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «SAFETY STANDS»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
8. Remove the front wheels.
9. Replace the damper pinch bolts with the adjusting bolts (A), and adjust the camber angle. NOTE: The camber angle can be adjusted up to +/-15' (center of tolerance) by replacing one damper pinch bolt with the adjusting bolt. The camber angle can be adjusted up to +/-30' by replacing both upper and lower damper pinch bolts with the adjusting bolts.
10. Tighten the bolts to the specified torque values.
11. Reinstall the front wheels. Lower the front of the vehicle to the ground, and bounce the vehicle several times to stabilize the suspension.
12. Check the camber angle. If it is within the specification, check the front toe, and adjust it if necessary. If it is not within the specification, readjust, and recheck. If the camber angle cannot be adjusted to the specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Rear 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. If the camber angle is not within the specification, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Rear camber angle

'02-04 models: -0°45'+/-45'

'05-06 models: -1°00'+/-45'

Note. Do not loosen the special bolts on the trailing arm.

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.

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1. Check the tire pressure.
2. Center the steering wheel spokes and install a commercially available steering wheel holder tool.
3. Check the toe. If it is not within the specification, go to step 4. Front toe-in: 0+/-3 mm (0+/-0.12 in.)
4. Loosen the locknut (A) while holding the tie-rod end (B).
5. Turn the tie-rod (C) until the toe is correct. NOTE: Adjust both the right and left wheels at the same time by the same amount in opposite directions to obtain the correct toe and to keep the steering wheel straight.
6. After adjusting, tighten the locknut while holding the tie-rod arm. Make sure the toe setting does not change.

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.
2. Check the toe. If it is not within the specification, go to step 3. Rear toe-in: 2 +2 -1 mm (0.08 +0 08 -0 04 in.)
3. Loosen the self-locking nut (A) while holding the adjusting bolt (B). NOTE: Do not loosen the special bolts (C) on the trailing arm.
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.
5. Adjust the adjusting bolt until the toe is correct.
6. Tighten the self-locking nut to the specified torque value 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 15

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 step 2. Turning angle: Inward: 35°00'+/-2° Outward: 28°00' (reference)
2. Check the toe. If it is correct, but the turning angle is not within the specification, 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 «SAFETY STANDS»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
2. Remove the wheel.
3. Install suitable flat washers (A) and wheel nuts, and tighten the nuts to the specified torque value to hold the brake disc securely against the hub. Front: Rear
4. Set up the dial gauge against the hub flange as shown, and measure the bearing end play by moving the brake disc inward and outward. Bearing end play: Standard: Front/Rear: 0-0.05 mm (0-0.002 in.)
5. If the bearing end play is more than the standard, replace the wheel bearing.

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1. Raise the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see «SAFETY STANDS»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/hoistjack/#general-information__safety-stands) ).
2. Check for a bent or deformed wheels.
3. Set up the dial gauge as shown, and measure axial runout by turning the wheel.
4. Reset the dial gauge to the position shown, and measure the radial runout.
5. If the wheel runout is not within the specification, check the wheel bearing end play (see «TURNING ANGLE INSPECTION»(/acura/rsx/i-2001-2004/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension__turning-angle-inspection) ), 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.

Ball Joint Removal

Special Tools Required

Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202

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 thread end of the ball joint pin.
2. Apply grease to the special tool on the areas shown (A). This will ease installation of the tool and prevent damage to the pressure bolt (B) threads.
3. Install the special tool as shown. Insert the jaws carefully, making sure not to damage the ball joint boot. Adjust the jaw spacing by turning the pressure bolt (A). NOTE: Fasten the safety chain (B) securely to a suspension arm or the subframe (C). Do not fasten it to a brake line or wire harness.
4. After adjusting the adjusting bolt, make sure the head of the adjusting bolt (D) is in the position shown to allow the jaw (E) 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.
6. Remove the tool, 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:
• SAFETY STANDS
• TURNING ANGLE INSPECTION