• HEADINGS
  • Knuckle/Hub Bearing Unit Replacement
    • Exploded View
    • Hub Bearing Unit Replacement
    • Knuckle Replacement
  • Upper Arm Removal/Installation
  • Lower Arm Replacement
  • Control Arm Replacement
  • Trailing Arm Removal/Installation
  • Leading Arm Replacement
  • Stabilizer Link Removal/Installation
  • Stabilizer Bar Replacement
  • Damper/Spring Removal and Installation
    • Removal
    • Installation
  • Damper/Spring Disassembly, Inspection, and Reassembly
    • Exploded View
    • Disassembly
    • Inspection
    • Reassembly
• FIGURES
  • Fig. 1: Exploded View Of Knuckle/Hub Bearing Unit w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 2: Identifying Wheel Nuts And Rear Wheel w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 3: Identifying Brake Hose Mounting Bracket w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 4: Identifying Washers
  • Fig. 5: Identifying Hub Bearing Unit And O-Ring w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 6: Identifying Splash Guard w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 7: Identifying Lock Pin From Upper Arm Ball Joint w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 8: Identifying Stabilizer Link And Stabilizer Link Bracket w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 9: Identifying Wheel Sensor And Stabilizer Link Bracket w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 10: Identifying Leading Arm Mounting Bolt w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 11: Identifying Control Arm Mounting Nut And Washer w/Torque Spec
  • Fig. 12: Identifying Trailing Arm Mounting Bolt w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 13: Identifying Lower Arm Mounting Bolt And Knuckle w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 14: Identifying Lock Pin From Upper Arm Ball Joint w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 15: Identifying Brake Hose Mounting Bracket w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 16: Identifying Mounting Bolt And Upper Arm w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 17: Identifying Lower Arm Mounting Nut And Mounting Bolt With Lower Arm w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 18: Identifying Control Arm Mounting Nut And Washer w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 19: Identifying Parking Brake Cable Bracket And Trailing Arm w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 20: Identifying Leading Arm And Mounting Bolt w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 21: Holding Respective Joint Pin With Hex Wrench w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 22: Identifying Stabilizer Link On Stabilizer Bar And Stabilizer Link Bracket
  • Fig. 23: Tightening Self-Locking Nut And Flange Nut With Specified Torque
  • Fig. 24: Identifying Flange Bolts And Bushing Holders
  • Fig. 25: Aligning Paint Marks On Stabilizer Bar With Bushings w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 26: Identifying Flange Nuts
  • Fig. 27: Holding Joint Pin With Hex Wrench
  • Fig. 28: Identifying Damper Nuts w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 29: Identifying Stabilizer Link And Bracket w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 30: Exploded View Of Damper/Spring w/Torque Specifications
  • Fig. 31: Compressing Damper Spring
  • Fig. 32: Compressing Damper Assembly By Hand
  • Fig. 33: Aligning Bottom Of Damper Spring
  • Fig. 34: Holding Damper Shaft With Hex Wrench w/Torque Specifications
• TABLES

2004-08 SUSPENSION

Rear Suspension - TSX

Knuckle/Hub Bearing Unit Replacement

Exploded View

Fig. 1: Exploded View Of Knuckle/Hub Bearing Unit w/Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Special Tools Required

Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202

Hub Bearing Unit Replacement

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the wheel nuts, and rear wheel.

   Fig. 2: Identifying Wheel Nuts And Rear Wheel w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

3. Remove the brake hose mounting bracket (A).

   Fig. 3: Identifying Brake Hose Mounting Bracket w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (B), then remove the caliper assembly (C) from the knuckle. To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the caliper assembly from the undercarriage. Do not twist the brake hose excessively.
5. Remove the two washers (A).

   Fig. 4: Identifying Washers
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

6. Remove the brake disc (see REAR BRAKE DISC REPLACEMENT ).
7. Remove the hub bearing unit (A) and O-ring (B).

   Fig. 5: Identifying Hub Bearing Unit And O-Ring w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

8. Check the hub bearing unit for damage and cracks.
9. Install the hub bearing unit in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
   • Use a new O-ring on reassembly.
   • Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surfaces of the hub bearing unit and brake disc.
   • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
   • Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

Knuckle Replacement

1. Remove the hub bearing unit.
2. Remove the splash guard (A).

   Fig. 6: Identifying Splash Guard w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

3. Remove the lock pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).

   NOTE:

   During installation, install the lock pin as shown after tightening the new nut.

   Fig. 7: Identifying Lock Pin From Upper Arm Ball Joint w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover (see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).
5. Remove the flange nut (A) while holding the joint pin (B) with a hex wrench (C), and disconnect the stabilizer link (D) from the stabilizer link bracket (E).

   NOTE:

   Use a new flange nut on reassembly.

   Fig. 8: Identifying Stabilizer Link And Stabilizer Link Bracket w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

6. Remove the damper lower mounting bolt (F), and disconnect the damper from the knuckle.

   NOTE:

   Use a new mounting bolt on reassembly.

7. Remove the wheel sensor (A) from the knuckle. Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector.

   Fig. 9: Identifying Wheel Sensor And Stabilizer Link Bracket w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

8. Remove the stabilizer link bracket (B) from the knuckle.

   NOTE:

   Use a new bolt on reassembly.

9. Remove the leading arm mounting bolt (A) from the knuckle.

   NOTE:

   Use a new mounting bolt on reassembly.

   Fig. 10: Identifying Leading Arm Mounting Bolt w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

10. Remove the control arm mounting nut (A) and washer (B).

    NOTE:

    Use a new mounting nut on reassembly.

    Fig. 11: Identifying Control Arm Mounting Nut And Washer w/Torque Spec
    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

11. Remove the trailing arm mounting bolt (A) from the knuckle.

    NOTE:

    Use a new mounting bolt on reassembly.

    Fig. 12: Identifying Trailing Arm Mounting Bolt w/Torque Specifications
    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

12. Remove the lower arm mounting bolt (A), and remove the knuckle (B).

    NOTE:

    Use a new mounting bolt and a new nut on reassembly.

    Fig. 13: Identifying Lower Arm Mounting Bolt And Knuckle w/Torque Specifications
    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

13. Install the knuckle in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
    • First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values.
    • Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
    • Torque the castle nut 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 castle nut by loosening it.
    • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces on the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
    • Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

Upper Arm Removal/Installation

Special Tools Required

Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the lock pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).

   NOTE:

   During installation, install the lock pin as shown after tightening the new nut.

   Fig. 14: Identifying Lock Pin From Upper Arm Ball Joint w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover (see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).
5. Remove the brake hose mounting bracket (A). Do not disconnect the brake line.

   Fig. 15: Identifying Brake Hose Mounting Bracket w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

6. Remove the wheel sensor harness mounting bracket (B).
7. Remove the mounting bolt (A), and remove the upper arm (B).

   NOTE:

   Use a new mounting bolt on reassembly.

   Fig. 16: Identifying Mounting Bolt And Upper Arm w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

8. Install the upper arm in the reverse order of removal, and note these items;
   • First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values.
   • Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
   • Torque the castle nut 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 castle nut by loosening it.
   • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces on the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
   • Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

Lower Arm Replacement

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the lower arm mounting nut (A) and mounting bolt (B) from the knuckle side.

   Fig. 17: Identifying Lower Arm Mounting Nut And Mounting Bolt With Lower Arm w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Remove the flange bolt (C), and remove the lower arm (D).
5. Install the lower arm in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
   • First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values.
   • Use new mounting bolts and new mounting nut on reassembly.
   • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces on the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
   • Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

Control Arm Replacement

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the control arm mounting nut (A) and washer (B) from the knuckle side.

   Fig. 18: Identifying Control Arm Mounting Nut And Washer w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Mark the cam positions of the adjusting bolt (C) and adjusting cam plate (D), then remove the self-locking nut (E), adjusting cam plate, and adjusting bolt. Discard the self-locking nut and control arm mounting nut.
5. Remove the control arm (F).
6. Install the control arm in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
   • First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values.
   • Align the cam positions of the adjusting bolt and the adjusting cam plate with the marked positions when tightening.
   • Use a new self-locking nut, new adjusting bolt, and new mounting nut on reassembly.
   • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces on the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
   • Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

Trailing Arm Removal/Installation

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the parking brake cable bracket (A) from the trailing arm (B).

   Fig. 19: Identifying Parking Brake Cable Bracket And Trailing Arm w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Remove the mounting bolts (C), and remove the trailing arm.
5. Install the trailing arm in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
   • First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values.
   • Use new trailing arm mounting bolts on reassembly.
   • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces on the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
   • Cheek the wheel alignment, and adjusting it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

Leading Arm Replacement

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the mounting bolts, and remove the leading arm (A).

   Fig. 20: Identifying Leading Arm And Mounting Bolt w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Install the leading arm in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
   • First install all of the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values.
   • Use new mounting bolts on reassembly.
   • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces on the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
   • Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

Stabilizer Link Removal/Installation

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the self-locking nut (A) and flange nut (B) while holding the respective joint pin (C) with a hex wrench (D), and remove the stabilizer link (E).

   Fig. 21: Holding Respective Joint Pin With Hex Wrench w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Install the stabilizer link (A) on the stabilizer bar (B) and stabilizer link bracket (C) with the joint pins set at the center of their range of the movement.

   NOTE:

   The left stabilizer link has a white paint mark (D), while the right stabilizer link has a yellow paint mark.

   Fig. 22: Identifying Stabilizer Link On Stabilizer Bar And Stabilizer Link Bracket
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. Install a new self-locking nut and a new flange nut, and lightly tighten them.
6. Place a jack under the knuckle, and raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight.
7. Tighten the self-locking nut (A) and flange nut (B) to the specified torque values while holding the respective joint pin (C) with a hex wrench (D).

   Fig. 23: Tightening Self-Locking Nut And Flange Nut With Specified Torque
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

8. Clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the rear wheel, and test-drive the vehicle.
9. After 5 minutes of driving, tighten the self-locking nut again to the specified torque value.

Stabilizer Bar Replacement

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the rear wheels.
3. Disconnect the stabilizer links from the stabilizer bar (A) on the right and left (see STABILIZER LINK REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).

   Fig. 24: Identifying Flange Bolts And Bushing Holders
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Remove the flange bolts and the bushing holders (B), then remove the bushings (C) and the stabilizer bar.
5. Install the stabilizer bar in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:
   • Make sure the right and left ends of the stabilizer bar are installed on their respective sides of the vehicle.
   • Align the ends of the paint marks (A) on the stabilizer bar with the bushings (B).
   • Note the direction of the bushings.
   • Refer to stabilizer link replacement to connect the stabilizer to the links (see STABILIZER LINK REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
   • Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.
   • Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

     Fig. 25: Aligning Paint Marks On Stabilizer Bar With Bushings w/Torque Specifications
     Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Damper/Spring Removal and Installation

Removal

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Remove the rear shelf (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - REAR SHELF AREA ).
4. Remove the seat side bolster (see REAR SEAT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION step 2, fig. 49).
5. Remove the two flange nuts (A) from the top of the damper.

   Fig. 26: Identifying Flange Nuts
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

6. Remove the flange nut (A) while holding the joint pin (B) with a hex wrench (C), and disconnect the stabilizer link (D) from the stabilizer link bracket (E).

   Fig. 27: Holding Joint Pin With Hex Wrench
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

7. Remove the damper lower mounting bolt (F), and disconnect the damper from the knuckle.
8. Lower the rear suspension, and remove the damper (G) from the vehicle. Mark the damper springs left and right before you continue.

Installation

1. Lower the rear suspension, and position the damper (A) in the body.

   Fig. 28: Identifying Damper Nuts w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2. Loosely install the new flange nuts (B) onto the top of the damper.
3. Loosely install a new damper lower mounting bolt (A) on the bottom of the damper. Connect the stabilizer link (B) on the bracket (C), and loosely install a new flange nut (D).

   Fig. 29: Identifying Stabilizer Link And Bracket w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

4. Raise the rear suspension with a jack to load the vehicle's weight, and tighten the damper lower mounting bolt to the specified torque value.
5. Tighten the flange nut while holding the joint pin (E) with a hex wrench (F).
6. Tighten the two flange nuts on top of the damper to the specified torque value.
7. Install the seat side bolster (see step 2 of REAR SEAT REMOVAL/INSTALLATION ).
8. Install the rear shelf (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - REAR SHELF AREA ).
9. Clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the rear wheel.
10. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).

Damper/Spring Disassembly, Inspection, and Reassembly

Exploded View

Fig. 30: Exploded View Of Damper/Spring w/Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

NOTE:

When compressing the damper spring, use a commercially available strut spring compressor (Branick MST-580A or Model 7200, or equivalent) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Disassembly

1. Compress the damper spring, then remove the self-locking nut (A) while holding the damper shaft with a hex wrench (B). Do not compress the spring more than necessary to remove the self-locking nut.

   Fig. 31: Compressing Damper Spring
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2. Release the pressure from the strut spring compressor, then disassemble the damper as shown in the Exploded View.

Inspection

1. Reassemble all parts, except the damper spring.
2. Compress the damper assembly by hand, and check for smooth operation through a full stroke, both compression and extension. The damper should extend smoothly and constantly when compression is released. If it does not, the gas is leaking and the damper should be replaced.

   Fig. 32: Compressing Damper Assembly By Hand
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

3. Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, and binding during these tests.

Reassembly

1. Install all parts except the self-locking nut and washer onto the damper unit by referring to the EXPLODED VIEW. Align the bottom of the damper spring (A) and the stepped part of the lower spring seat (B), and align the damper mounting base (C) as shown.

   Fig. 33: Aligning Bottom Of Damper Spring
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

2. Install the damper assembly on a commercially available strut spring compressor (D).
3. Compress the damper spring with the spring compressor. Do not compress the spring excessively.
4. Install the washer (A), and loosely install a new self-locking nut (B).

   Fig. 34: Holding Damper Shaft With Hex Wrench w/Torque Specifications
   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

5. Hold the damper shaft with a hex wrench (C), and tighten the self-locking nut to the specified torque value.
6. Remove the damper assembly from the strut spring compressor.