Front Suspension Acura SLX I

DESCRIPTION

All models use an independent front suspension, consisting of coil springs (Hombre 2WD), torsion bars (Amigo, Hombre 4WD, Rodeo and Trooper), upper and lower control arms, steering knuckle and stabilizer bar. Steering knuckle connects to control arms at ball joints. A stabilizer bar and strut bar may be used between frame and lower control arm. (Scheme 1)and (Scheme 2).

Scheme 1

Scheme 2

WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES

Note. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

WHEEL BEARING PRELOAD

Note. See WHEEL BEARING PRELOAD under ADJUSTMENTS in BRAKE SYSTEM article.

RIDING HEIGHT

Note. Ensure tire size and pressure are within specifications before checking or adjusting riding height.

Hombre

1. To check front riding height, lift front bumper up about 1.5" (38 mm), gently release and let vehicle settle on its own. Repeat 2 more times. Measure front riding height dimension "Z" between center of front lower control arm bolt and lower inboard corner of lower ball joint. (Scheme 3) Record measurement.
2. Push front bumper down about 1.5" (38 mm), gently release and let vehicle rise on its own. Repeat 2 more times. Measure dimension "Z" once more. Average of high and low measurements is true "Z" measurement. Ensure front riding height is within specification. See «RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS (HOMBRE)»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension) table.
3. To check rear riding height, jounce rear of vehicle at least 3 times and let settle. Measure rear riding height dimension "D" between rubber bumper bracket and top of rear axle housing tube. (Scheme 4) Ensure rear riding height is within specification. See «RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS (HOMBRE)»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension) table.
4. Riding height is not adjustable. If out of specifications, inspect suspension components for damage or wear. Replace components as necessary and recheck.

RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS (HOMBRE)

Scheme 3

Scheme 4

Note. Rear riding height specifications for Amigo, Rodeo and Trooper are not available from manufacturer.

1. Raise and support front of vehicle with jack stands under lower control arms. Check upper and lower ball joints for boot damage and grease leaks. If a boot is damaged, ball joint must be replaced.
2. Ensure upper control arm bumper does not contact frame. Adjust wheel bearings. See WHEEL BEARING PRELOAD under ADJUSTMENTS in BRAKE SYSTEM article.
3. Position dial indicator against lowest outer point of front wheel (rim). Rock wheel in and out to measure horizontal play. If play is greater than .125" (3.18 mm), check lower ball joint for vertical looseness.
4. Inspect lower ball joint wear indicator. Wear indicator is housing (female threaded part) which grease fitting threads into. If housing is flush with or recessed into surface of ball joint, ball joint is worn and must be replaced. If lower ball joint checks okay, but horizontal play is still present, replace upper ball joint.

Amigo, Rodeo (Passport) & Trooper (SLX)

1. Check upper and lower ball joints for boot damage and grease leaks. With ball joints disconnected from steering knuckle, install nut on ball joint stud. Move stud side to side several times.
2. Using an INCH-lb. torque wrench, check starting torque required to rotate ball joint stud. See «BALL JOINT STARTING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension) table. Replace ball joint(s) if starting torque exceeds specification.

BALL JOINT STARTING TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS

AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB

See AUTOMATIC LOCKING HUB (SHIFT-ON-THE-FLY SYSTEM) under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in BRAKE SYSTEM article.

COIL SPRING (HOMBRE)

See LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALL JOINT.

Removal (Hombre 2WD)

1. Raise and support vehicle, ensuring control arms hang free. Remove wheels. Disconnect shock absorber from lower control arm. Push shock absorber up through lower control arm, into coil spring.
2. Using Support Fixture (J 23028-01) and floor jack, cradle lower control arm bushings. Disconnect stabilizer bar from lower control arm. Raise jack to relieve tension on lower control arm pivot bolts.
3. Using a chain, secure coil spring to lower control arm. Remove rear lower control arm pivot bolt, then front pivot bolt. (Scheme 1) Lower control arm and remove chain once coil spring tension is removed. Remove coil spring.
4. Support lower control arm with floor jack. Remove brake caliper and position aside. Remove cotter pin and nut from lower ball joint. Separate ball joint from steering knuckle and remove lower control arm.

Inspection (Hombre 2WD)

Inspect lower control arm and pivot bolts for cracks, distortion and thread damage. Check pivot bushings for wear and damage. Replace bushings as necessary.

Installation (Hombre 2WD)

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten lower control arm pivot bolts with suspension loaded. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Removal (Amigo, Rodeo (Passport) & Trooper (SLX))

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Disconnect outer tie rod end from steering knuckle. On 4WD models, remove retaining ring from end of front drive axle to release axle from front hub. On all models, support lower control arm with floor jack.
2. Remove nuts from lower control arm pivot bolts. Remove torsion bar. See TORSION BAR (AMIGO, RODEO & TROOPER). Remove torsion bar arm bracket. Disconnect stabilizer link and shock absorber from lower control arm. Disconnect ball joint from lower control arm. Remove lower control arm pivot bolts. Lower control arm from vehicle.

Inspection (Amigo, Rodeo (Passport) & Trooper (SLX))

Inspect lower control arm and pivot bolts for cracks, distortion and thread damage. Check pivot bushings for wear and damage. Replace bushings as necessary.

Installation (Amigo, Rodeo (Passport) & Trooper (SLX))

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

MANUAL LOCKING HUB

See FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in BRAKE SYSTEM article.

Removal & Installation

Raise and support vehicle. Remove shock absorber dust cover (if equipped). Remove nut, bushing and washer from shock absorber shaft. Remove shock absorber-to-lower control arm bolt. Remove shock absorber. To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Removal

Raise and support vehicle. Remove stabilizer bar-to-bracket bolts. Remove stabilizer bar-to-lower control arm bolt. Remove stabilizer bar and brackets.

Installation

To install, reverse removal procedure. Inspect grommets and bushings for wear and damage. Replace grommets or bushings as necessary. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Remove disc brake caliper and position aside. Remove hub and rotor assembly. See FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in BRAKE SYSTEM article. Remove tie rod end from knuckle arm.
2. Remove backing plate from steering knuckle. Support lower control arm. Remove cotter pin and nut from upper and lower ball joints. (Scheme 1)or (Scheme 2). Separate ball joints from steering knuckle. Remove steering knuckle.

To install, reverse removal procedure. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Adjust wheel bearings. See WHEEL BEARING PRELOAD under ADJUSTMENTS in BRAKE SYSTEM article.

Scheme 5

1. Raise and support vehicle. Note mounting locations for installation reference. Remove transmission shield. Install Unloading tool (J-36202) on torsion bars and count number of turns tool makes when removing adjusting bolt. (Scheme 5)
2. Remove lower link mount nut from one side, remove torsion bar(s). Note exact direction of forward end and vehicle side of torsion bar when removed. Remove lower link mount nut from opposite side. Remove lower link mount. Remove upper link mount. remove torsion bar support.

Installation (Hombre)

To install, reverse removal procedure. Use Loading tool (J-36202) to adjust torsion bar, using same number of turns recorded in removal procedure. Check riding height. See RIDING HEIGHT under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .

Note. Torsion bar ends are marked "L" (Left) or "R" (Right) for location reference. Torsion bar must be installed in correct location.

1. Raise and support vehicle. For installation reference, scribe alignment marks between adjusting bolt and height control arm, torsion bar and height control arm, and torsion bar and lower control arm. (Scheme 2)
2. Remove adjusting bolt, seat and lock plate (2WD models). On all models, remove height control arm. Remove torsion bar from lower control arm.

1. Apply grease to splined areas of torsion bar. Install torsion bar in lower control arm. Ensure torsion bar is installed in proper location by aligning marks made during removal.
2. Apply grease to height control arm-to-bracket contact areas. Install height control arm on torsion bar. Ensure alignment marks made during removal align. Install adjusting bolt.
3. Rotate adjusting bolt until alignment marks (made during removal) on adjusting bolt and height control arm align. Check riding height. See «RIDING HEIGHT»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension__riding-height) under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. On 2WD models, install lock plate. On all models, tighten fasteners to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension) .

1. Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheels. Using a floor jack, support lower control arm. Remove disc brake caliper and position aside. Remove wheel speed sensor cable (if equipped). Remove upper ball joint cotter pin and nut. Separate upper ball joint from steering knuckle.
2. Note number and placement of shims (if equipped) between upper control arm pivot shaft and frame. Remove pivot shaft bolts. Remove shock absorber from upper support (if necessary). Remove upper control arm.

Inspection

1. Inspect upper control arm and pivot shaft for cracks, distortion and thread damage. Check pivot shaft bushings for wear and damage. Replace as necessary.
2. If bushing needs replacing, remove nuts from ends of pivot shaft. Remove lock washer, flat washer and plate. Using Bushing Remover/Installer (J-22269-01 or J-29755), press out pivot shaft and bushings. Reverse removal procedure to install bushings. Tighten pivot shaft bolts to specification. See «TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS»(/acura/slx/i-1995-1999/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension) .

To install, reverse removal procedure. On Hombre, install pivot shaft so depression faces inward. On Amigo, Rodeo and Trooper, ensure pivot shaft is installed in direction shown. (Scheme 6) On all model, ensure shim(s) are installed in original location. Tighten fasteners to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS. Check wheel alignment. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article in WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Scheme 6

WHEEL BEARING

See FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTOR under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in BRAKE SYSTEM article.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (AMIGO, RODEO (PASSPORT) & TROOPER (SLX))

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS (HOMBRE)

See also:
• RIDING HEIGHT SPECIFICATIONS (HOMBRE)
• RIDING HEIGHT