Driveline/axle Acura TSX I

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1. Check the inboard boot (A) and the outboard boot (B) on the driveshaft (C) for cracks, damage, leaking grease, and loose boot bands (D). If any damage is found, replace the boot and boot bands.
2. Check the driveshaft for cracks and damage. If any damage is found, replace the driveshaft.
3. Check the inboard joint (E) and the outboard joint (F) for cracks and damage. If any damage is found, replace the inboard joint or the outboard joint as an assembly.
4. Hold the inboard joint and turn the front wheel by hand, then make sure the joint is not excessively loose. If necessary, replace the inboard joint or the outboard joint as an assembly.

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1. Raise the vehicle on the lift.
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Lift up the locking tab (A) on the spindle nut (B), then remove the nut.
4. Drain the transmission fluid. Reinstall the drain plug with a new washer: Manual transmission (see «MANUAL TRANSMISSION»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/manual-trans/#manual-transmission) ) Automatic transmission (see step 3 on «ATF REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission) )
5. Hold the stabilizer ball joint pin (A) with a hex wrench (B), and remove the flange nut (C). Separate the front stabilizer link (D) from the lower arm.
6. Remove self-locking nut (A), 12 mm damper fork mounting bolt (B), and 10 mm damper pinch bolt (C), then remove the damper fork (D).
7. Remove the cotter pin from the lower arm ball joint castle nut, and remove the nut, then separate the ball joint from the lower arm using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover (see step 11 on «KNUCKLE/HUB/WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/suspension-front/#front-suspension) ). NOTE: To avoid damaging the ball joint, install the ball joint thread protector onto the threads of the ball joint. Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the remover. Do not force or hammer on the lower arm, or pry between the lower arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.
8. Pull the knuckle outward, and remove the outboard joint from the front hub using a plastic hammer.
9. Right driveshaft: Drive the inboard joint (A) off of the intermediate shaft using a drift and hammer. Remove the driveshaft as an assembly. NOTE: Do not pull on the driveshaft (B) or the inboard joint may come apart.
10. Left driveshaft: Pry the inboard joint (A) from the transmission housing using a prybar. Remove the driveshaft as an assembly. NOTE: Do not pull on the driveshaft (B) or the inboard joint may come apart. Pull the driveshaft straight out to avoid damaging the oil seal.

Driveshaft Disassembly

Special Tools Required

1. Threaded adapter, 24 x 1.5 mm 07XAC-001020A
2. Slide hammer, 5/8"-18 UNF, commercially available

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1. Remove the set ring from the inboard joint (left driveshaft).
2. Remove the boot bands. Be careful not to damage the boot. If the boot band is a welded type (A), cut the boot band. If the boot band is a double loop type (B), lift up the band end (C), and push it into the clip (D). If the boot band is a low profile type (E), pinch the boot band using commercially available boot band pliers (F). Welded type Double loop type Low profile type
3. Make a marks (A) on each rollers (B) and inboard joint (C) to identify the locations of rollers and grooves in the inboard joint. Then remove the inboard joint on the shop towel (D). Be careful not to drop the rollers when separating them from the inboard joint. NOTE: Do not engrave or scribe marks on the rolling surface. C
4. Make a marks (A) on the rollers (B) and spider (C) to identify the locations of the rollers on the spider, then remove the rollers. NOTE: Do not engrave or scribe marks on the rolling surface.
5. Remove the circlip (D).
6. Mark the spider and driveshaft (E) to identify the position of the spider on the shaft.
7. Remove the spider.
8. Wrap the splines on the driveshaft with vinyl tape (A) to prevent damage to the boot.
9. Remove the inboard boot. Be careful not to damage the boot.
10. Remove the vinyl tape.

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1. Remove the boot bands (A). Lift up the three tabs (B) with a screwdriver. Be careful not to damage the boot.
2. Slide the outboard boot (A) partially to the inboard joint side. Be careful not to damage the boot.
3. Wipe off the grease to expose the driveshaft and the outboard joint inner race.
4. Make a mark (A) on the driveshaft (B) at the same level as the outboard joint rim (C).
5. Securely clamp the driveshaft in a bench vise with a shop towel.
6. Remove the outboard joint (A) using the 24 x 1.5 mm threaded adapter (B) and a commercially available 5/8"-18 UNF, slide hammer (C).
7. Remove the driveshaft from the bench vise.
8. Remove the stop ring from the driveshaft.
9. Wrap the splines on the driveshaft with vinyl tape (A) to prevent damaging the boot.
10. Remove the outboard boot. Be careful not to damage the boot.
11. Remove the vinyl tape.

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1. Remove the inboard joint (see «INBOARD JOINT SIDE»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/axle-shafts/#drivelineaxle) ).
2. Remove the dynamic damper bands (see step 2 ). If the band is a welded type, cut the band. If the band is a double loop type, lift up the band end, and push it into the clip. If the band is a low profile type, pinch the band using commercially available boot band pliers.
3. Remove the dynamic damper. Right driveshaft Left driveshaft
4. Adjust the position of the new dynamic damper to these measurements. NOTE: Be careful not to swap the dynamic dampers. The right and left dynamic dampers are different. Right driveshaft: 268-272 mm (10.55-10.71 in.) Left driveshaft: 288-292 mm (11.34-11.50 in.)
5. Install the double loop band (see step 14 ).
6. Install the inboard joint (see «INBOARD JOINT SIDE»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/axle-shafts/#drivelineaxle) ).

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Special Tools Required

1. Boot band tool, KD-3191 or equivalent, commercially available
2. Boot band pliers, Kent-Moore J-35910 or equivalent, commercially available

Note. Refer to the EXPLODED VIEW , as needed, during this procedure.

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1. Wrap the splines with vinyl tape (A) to prevent damage to the inboard boot.
2. Install the inboard boot onto the driveshaft, then remove the vinyl tape. Be careful not to damage the inboard boot.
3. Install the spider (A) onto the driveshaft by aligning the marks (B) you mode on the spider and the end of the driveshaft.
4. Install the circlip (C) into the driveshaft groove. Rotate the circlip in its groove to make sure it is fully seated.
5. Fit the rollers (A) onto the spider (B) with their high shoulders facing outward, and note these items: Reinstall the rollers in their original positions on the spider by aligning the marks (C) you mode. Hold the driveshaft pointed up to prevent the rollers from falling off.
6. Pack the inboard joint with the joint grease included in the new inboard boot set. Grease quantity Inboard joint: 150-160 g (5.3-5.6 oz)
7. Fit the inboard joint onto the driveshaft and note these items: Reinstall the inboard joint onto the driveshaft by aligning the marks (A) you mode on the inboard joint and the rollers. Hold the driveshaft so the inboard joint is pointing up to prevent it from falling off.
8. Fit the boot (A) ends onto the driveshaft (B) and the inboard joint (C).
9. Adjust the length of the driveshafts to the figure as shown, then adjust the boots to halfway between full compression and full extension. Doing this prevents a vacuum or too much air in the boot, preventing it from compressing or extending properly. Right driveshaft Left driveshaft
10. Install new boot bands. For the low profile type, go to step 11. For the double loop type, go to step 14 . (Boot band replacement only)
11. Install the new low profile band (A) onto the boot (B), then hook the tabs (C) of the band.
12. Close the hook portion of the band with commercially available boot band pliers (A), then hook the tabs (B) of the band.
13. Install the boot band on the other end of the boot, and repeat steps 11 and 12 .
14. Fit the boot ends onto the driveshaft and the inboard joint, then install the new double loop band (A) onto the boot (B). NOTE: Pass the end of the new double loop band through the clip (C) twice in the direction of the forward rotation of the driveshaft.
15. Pull up the slack in the band by hand.
16. Mark a position (A) on the band 10-14 mm (0.4-0.6 in.) from the clip (B).
17. Thread the free end of the band through the nose section of the commercially available boot band tool KD-3191 or equivalent (A), and into the slot on the winding mandrel (B).
18. Using a wrench on the winding mandrel of the boot band tool, tighten the band until the marked spot (C) on the band meets the edge of the clip.
19. Lift up the boot band tool to bend the free end of the band 90 degrees to the clip. Center-punch the clip, then fold over the remaining tail onto the clip.
20. Unwind the boot band tool, and cut off the excess free end of the band to leave a 5-10 mm (0.2-0.4 in.) tail protruding from the clip.
21. Bend the band end (A) by tapping it down with a hammer. NOTE: Make sure the band and clip do not interfere with anything on the vehicle and the band does not move. Clean any grease remaining on the surrounding surfaces.
22. Repeat steps 14 through 21 for the band on the other end of the boot.

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1. Wrap the splines with vinyl tape (A) to prevent damaging the outboard boot.
2. Install the new ear clamp bands (B) and the outboard boot, then remove the vinyl tape. Be careful not to damage the outboard boot.
3. Install a new stop ring into the driveshaft groove (A).
4. Pack about 35 g (1.2 oz) grease included in the new outboard boot set into the driveshaft hole in the outboard joint.
5. Insert the driveshaft (A) into the outboard joint (B) until the stop ring (C) is closed.
6. To completely seat the outboard joint, pick up the driveshaft and joint, and tap or hit them from a height of about 10 cm (4 in.) onto a hard surface. Do not use a hammer as excessive force may damage the driveshaft. Be careful not to damage the threaded section (A) of the outboard joint.
7. Check the alignment of the paint mark (A) you made with the outboard joint rim (B).
8. Pack the outboard joint (A) with the remaining grease included in the new outboard boot set. Total grease quantity Outboard joint: 140-150 g (4.9-5.3 oz)
9. Fit the boot (A) ends onto the driveshaft (B) and the outboard joint (C).
10. Close the ear portion (A) of the band with commercially available boot band pliers Kent-Moore J-35910 or equivalent (B).
11. Check the clearance between the closed ear portion of the band. If the clearance is not within the standard, close the ear portion of the band tighter.
12. Repeat steps 10 and 11 for the band on the other end of the boot.

Driveshaft Installation

Note. Before starting installation, make sure the mating surfaces of the joint and the splined section are not dusty or dirty.

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1. Apply grease to the contact area (A) of the outboard joint and the front wheel bearing. NOTE: Failure to apply grease may cause excessive noise and vibration.
2. Install a new set ring onto the set ring groove of the driveshaft (left driveshaft).
3. Apply 0.5-1.0 g (0.02-0.04 oz) of grease to the whole splined surface (A) of the right driveshaft. After applying grease, remove the grease from the splined grooves at intervals of 2-3 splines and from the set ring groove (B) so that air can bleed from the intermediate shaft.
4. Clean the areas where the driveshaft contacts the differential thoroughly with solvent or brake cleaner, and dry with compressed air. NOTE: Do not wash the rubber parts with solvent.
5. Install the inboard end (A) of the driveshaft into the differential (B) or intermediate shaft (C) until the set ring (D) locks in the groove (E). NOTE: Insert the driveshaft horizontally to prevent damaging the differential oil seal.
6. Install the outboard joint (A) into the front hub (B).
7. Wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads, then install the knuckle (A) onto the lower arm (B). Torque the new castle nut (C) 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 nut by loosening it. NOTE: Make sure the ball joint boot is not damaged or cracked.
8. Install the new cotter pin (D) into the ball joint pin hole, and bend the cotter pin as shown.
9. Install the damper fork (A) over the driveshaft and onto the lower arm. Install the damper in the damper fork so the aligning tab (B) is aligned with the slot in the damper fork. Loosely install the damper pinch bolt (C).
10. Loosely install a new damper fork mounting bolt (D) and a new self-locking nut (E).
11. Connect the front stabilizer link (A) to the lower arm. Hold the stabilizer link ball joint pin (B) with a hex wrench (C), and tighten the new flange nut (D).
12. Apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the new spindle nut (A).
13. Install a new spindle nut, then tighten the nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder (B) against the driveshaft.
14. Place a jack under the lower arm, and raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight.
15. Clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the front wheel, then install the front wheel.
16. Turn the front wheel by hand, and make sure there is no interference between the driveshaft and surrounding parts.
17. Tighten the damper pinch bolt and damper fork mounting bolt with the vehicle's weight on the damper.
18. Lower the vehicle on the lift.
19. Refill the transmission with the recommended transmission fluid: Manual transmission (see «MANUAL TRANSMISSION»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/manual-trans/#manual-transmission) ) Automatic transmission (see step 4 on «ATF REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission) )
20. Check the front wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see «WHEEL ALIGNMENT»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/wheel-alignment/#front-suspension-and-rear-suspension-alignment__wheel-alignment) ).
21. Test-drive the vehicle.

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1. Drain the transmission fluid. Reinstall the drain plug with a new washer: Manual transmission (see «MANUAL TRANSMISSION»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/manual-trans/#manual-transmission) ) Automatic transmission (see step 3 on «ATF REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission) )
2. Remove the right driveshaft (see «DRIVESHAFT REMOVAL»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/axle-shafts/#drivelineaxle) ).
3. Remove the flange bolt (A) and two dowel bolts (B).
4. Remove the intermediate shaft (A) from the differential. Hold the intermediate shaft horizontally until it is clear of the differential to prevent damaging the differential oil seal (B).

Intermediate Shaft Disassembly

Special Tools Required

1. Half shaft base 07NAF-SR30101
2. Oil seal driver 07947-SB00100

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1. Remove the set ring (A), outer seal (B), and external snap ring (C).
2. Press the intermediate shaft (A) out of the intermediate shaft bearing (B) using a press. Be careful not to damage the bearing support ring (C) on the intermediate shaft during disassembly.
3. Remove the internal snap ring.
4. Press the intermediate shaft bearing (A) out of the bearing support (B) using the half shaft base (C), oil seal driver (D), and a press.

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Special Tools Required

1. Oil seal driver 07GAD-PH70201
2. Attachment, 52 x 55 mm 07746-0010400
3. Attachment, 35 mm I.D. 07746-0030400
4. Driver 07749-0010000

Note. Refer to the Exploded View , as needed, during this procedure.

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1. Clean the disassembled parts with solvent, and dry them with compressed air. Do not wash the rubber parts with solvent.
2. Press the intermediate shaft bearing (A) into the bearing support (B) using the 52 x 55 mm attachment (C), driver (D), and a press.
3. Seat the internal snap ring into the groove of the bearing support.
4. Press the intermediate shaft (A) into the new shaft bearing (B) using the 35 mm I.D. attachment (C) and a press.
5. Seat the external snap ring (A) into the groove of the intermediate shaft (B).
6. Install the new outer seal (A) into the bearing support (B) using the oil seal driver (C) and a press.

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1. Install the new set ring.
2. Clean the areas where the intermediate shaft contacts the differential thoroughly with solvent or brake cleaner, and dry with compressed air. NOTE: Do not wash the rubber parts with solvent.
3. Insert the intermediate shaft assembly (A) into the differential until the set ring locks in the groove. NOTE: Insert the intermediate shaft horizontally to prevent damaging the differential oil seal (B).
4. Install the flange bolt (A) and two dowel bolts (B). B
5. Install the right driveshaft (see «DRIVESHAFT INSTALLATION»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/axle-shafts/#drivelineaxle__driveshaft-installation) ).
6. Refill the transmission with the recommended transmission fluid: Manual transmission (see «MANUAL TRANSMISSION»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/manual-trans/#manual-transmission) ) Automatic transmission (see step 4 on «ATF REPLACEMENT»(/acura/tsx/i-2003-2008/remont/automatic-trans/#automatic-transmission) )
7. Test-drive the vehicle.

See also:
• MANUAL TRANSMISSION
• ATF REPLACEMENT
• KNUCKLE/HUB/WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT
• WHEEL ALIGNMENT
• INBOARD JOINT SIDE
• DRIVESHAFT INSTALLATION