• HEADINGS
  • Special Tools
  • Component Location Index
    • Front Suspension
    • Rear Suspension
  • Wheel Alignment
    • Pre-Alignment Checks
    • Caster Inspection
    • Camber Inspection
    • Front Toe Inspection/Adjustment
    • Rear Toe Inspection/Adjustment
    • Turning Angle Inspection
  • Wheel Bearing End Play Inspection
  • Wheel Runout Inspection
  • Wheel Bolt Replacement
  • Ball Joint Removal
  • Ball Joint Boot Replacement
• FIGURES
  • Fig. 1: Identifying Special Tools
  • Fig. 2: Identifying Front Suspension Components Location
  • Fig. 3: Identifying Rear Suspension Components Location
  • Fig. 4: Checking Suspension Ball Joints
  • Fig. 5: Identifying Tie-Rod Locknuts W/Torque Specification
  • Fig. 6: Identifying Self-Locking Nut With Torque Specification
  • Fig. 7: Measuring Turning Angle Of Both Wheels
  • Fig. 8: Identifying Suitable Flat Washers And Wheel Nuts With Torque Specification
  • Fig. 9: Identifying Suitable Flat Washers And Wheel Nuts With Torque Specification
  • Fig. 10: Measuring Axial Runout
  • Fig. 11: Measuring Radial Runout
  • Fig. 12: Separating Wheel Bolt From Hub
  • Fig. 13: Identifying Hex Nut Onto Threads Of Ball Joint
  • Fig. 14: Applying Grease To Ball Joint
  • Fig. 15: Identifying Pressure Bolt
  • Fig. 16: Packing Interior And Lip With Grease
  • Fig. 17: Adjusting Ball Joint Boot Clip Guide With Adjusting Bolt
• TABLES

2004-08 SUSPENSION

Front and Rear Suspension - TSX

Special Tools

Fig. 1: Identifying Special Tools
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Component Location Index

Front Suspension

Fig. 2: Identifying Front Suspension Components Location
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Rear Suspension

Fig. 3: Identifying Rear Suspension Components Location
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

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:

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: P215/50R17 93V

   Tire pressure (at cold):

   • Front: 220 kPa (2.2 kgf/cm² , 32 psi)
   • Rear: 210 kPa (2.1 kgf/cm² , 30 psi)
4. Check the runout of the wheels and tires (see WHEEL RUNOUT INSPECTION ).
5. Check the suspension ball joints. (Hold a tire with your hands, and move it up and down and right and left to check for wobbling.)

   Fig. 4: Checking Suspension Ball Joints
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

6. Bounce the vehicle up and down several times to stabilize the suspension.
7. Check that the steering column is set at the center tilt and telescopic position.

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: 3° 13' ± 45'

   (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°00' ± 45'

   Rear: -1°00' ± 30'

   (Maximum difference between the right and left side: 0°45')

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.

1. Center the steering wheel spokes, and install a steering wheel holder tool.
2. Check the toe with the wheels pointed straight ahead.

   Front toe-in: 0 ± 2 mm (0 ± 0.08 in.)

   • If adjustment is required, go to step 3.
   • If no adjustment is required, go to REAR TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT.
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.

   Fig. 5: Identifying Tie-Rod Locknuts W/Torque Specification
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. After adjusting, tighten the tie-rod locknuts. Reposition the rack-rod boot if it is twisted or displaced.
5. Go to REAR TOE INSPECTION/ADJUSTMENT.

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.

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 adjustment is required, go to step 3.
   • If no adjustment is required, remove the alignment equipment.
3. Hold the adjusting bolt (A) on the rear control arm (B), and loosen the self-locking nut (C).

   Fig. 6: Identifying Self-Locking Nut With Torque Specification
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

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 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.

1. Turn the wheel right and left while applying the brake, and measure the turning angle of both wheels.

   Turning angle:

   Inward: 35°15' ± 2°

   Outward (reference): 29°38'

   Fig. 7: Measuring Turning Angle Of Both Wheels
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2. If the turning angle is not within the specifications, check for bent or damaged suspension components.

Wheel Bearing End Play Inspection

1. Raise the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the wheels.
3. Install suitable flat washers (A) and the wheel nuts, and torque to the specified torque.

   Front

   Fig. 8: Identifying Suitable Flat Washers And Wheel Nuts With Torque Specification
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

   Rear

   Fig. 9: Identifying Suitable Flat Washers And Wheel Nuts With Torque Specification
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Attach the dial gauge. Place the dial gauge against the hub flange.
5. Measure the bearing end play moving the brake disc inward and outward.

   Front/Rear:

   Standard: 0-0.05 mm (0-0.002 in.)

6. If the bearing end play measurement is more than the standard, replace the wheel bearing or the hub bearing unit.

Wheel Runout Inspection

1. Raise the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see 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.)

   Fig. 10: Measuring Axial Runout
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

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.)

   Fig. 11: Measuring Radial Runout
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. If the wheel runout is not within the specification, check the wheel bearing end play (see WHEEL BEARING END PLAY 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.

Wheel Bolt Replacement

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.

1. Remove the front hub or rear hub bearing unit: front (see KNUCKLE/HUB REPLACEMENT ), rear (see HUB BEARING UNIT REPLACEMENT ).
2. Separate the wheel bolt (A) from the hub (B) using a hydraulic press. Support the hub with hydraulic press attachments (C) or equivalent tools.

   NOTE:

   Before installing the new wheel bolt, clean the mating surfaces on the bolt and the hub. The illustration shows a front hub. Fig. 12: Separating Wheel Bolt From Hub Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

3. Insert the new wheel bolt into the hub while aligning the splined surfaces on the hub hole with the wheel bolt.

   NOTE:

   Degrease all around the wheel bolt. Make sure the wheel bolt is installed vertically in relation to the hub disc surface.

4. Install the wheel bolt using a hydraulic press until the wheel bolt shoulder is fully seated.
5. Install the front hub or rear hub bearing unit: front (see KNUCKLE/HUB REPLACEMENT ), rear (see HUB BEARING UNIT REPLACEMENT ).

   NOTE:

   If you cannot tighten the wheel nut to the specified torque value when installing the wheel, replace the front hub or rear hub bearing unit as an assembly.

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.

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.

   Fig. 13: Identifying Hex Nut Onto Threads Of Ball Joint
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

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.

   Fig. 14: Applying Grease To Ball Joint
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

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).

   NOTE:

   Fasten the safety chain (C) securely to a suspension arm or the subframe (D). Do not fasten it to a brake line or wire harness.

   Fig. 15: Identifying Pressure Bolt
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. After adjusting the adjusting bolt, make sure the head of the adjusting bolt 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 connecting 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 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 connecting hole. Inspect the ball joint boot, and replace it if damaged.

Ball Joint Boot Replacement

Special Tools Required

Ball joint boot clip guide 07GAG-SD40700

1. Remove the boot clip and the boot.
2. Pack the interior and lip (A) of a new boot with grease. Keep the grease off of the boot-to-knuckle mating surface (B).

   Fig. 16: Packing Interior And Lip With Grease
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

3. Wipe the grease off the tapered portion of the ball joint pin (C), and pack fresh grease into the base (D). Do not let dirt, or other foreign materials get into the boot.
4. Install the boot on the ball joint, then squeeze it gently to force out any air.
5. Adjust the ball joint boot clip guide with the adjusting bolt (A) until its base is just above the groove around the bottom of the boot. Then slide the clip (B) over the ball joint boot clip guide and into position on the boot.

   Fig. 17: Adjusting Ball Joint Boot Clip Guide With Adjusting Bolt
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

6. After installing a boot, wipe any grease off the exposed portion of the ball joint pin.