ACURA NSX 1991 Service Repair Manual

Component Location
Index

NOTE:
If an intact airbag assembly has been removed from a scrapped car or has been found defective or damaged during
transit, storage or service, it should be deployed (see section 23). Before removing the gearbox, remove the ignition key to lock the steering shaft from turning.
After installing the gearbox, check the wheel alignment and adjust if necessary.
STEERING WHEEL/AIRBAG ASSEMBLY

Removal, page 17-8

Disassembly, page 17-9

Installation, page 17-10

STEERING COLUMN
Removal, page 17-12
Inspection, page 17-14 Installation, page 17-15
STEERING GEARBOX
Removal/Installation, page 17-19 Disassembly, page 17-22

Inspection, page 17-21

Reassembly, page 17-25ProCarManuals.com

Manual Steering
Gearbox Removal/Installation
NOTE: Before removing the steering gearbox, make
sure the front wheels are straight ahead.
1. Remove the steering joint cover.

STEERING JOINT COVER

CLAMP

CLIP

2. Remove the steering joint bolts, and disconnect the steering joint by moving the joint toward the

column.

STEERING JOINT

STEERING JOINT BOLTS
22 N .
m (2.2 kg-m, 16 Ib-ft)

3. Lock the steering shaft with ignition key to keep the steering shaft position.

4. Raise the car and place safety stands in the proper
locations (see section 1).
5. Remove the front wheels.
8 x
1.25
mm

BOLT WASHERS

25 N .
m (2.5 kg-m, 18 Ib-ft)

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut
FLOOR UNDER

COVER

9. Remove the folding spare tire and spare tire holder
plate.
10. Disconnect the battery negative terminal, then disconnect the positive terminal and remove the
battery.
11. Remove the spare tire holder and floor under cover.
10 N·
m

(1.0 kg-m, 7 Ib-ft)

SPARE TIRE
HOLDER

(cont'd)

COTTER PIN

Replace.

On reassembly, bend
the cotter pin as shown.

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

CASTLE NUT

44 N
·
m

(4.4 kg-m, 32 Ib-ft)

10 mm HEX NUT

NOTE: If necessary, apply penetrating type lubricant
to loosen the ball joint.

BALL JOINT REMOVER. 28 mm

07MAC-SL00200

6. Remove the cotter pin from the castel nut and
remove the nut.
7. Install the 10 mm hex nut on the ball joint. Be sure that the 10 mm hex nut is flush with the ball joint
pin end, or the threaded section of the ball joint pin
might be damaged by the ball joint remover.
NOTE: Remove the ball joint using the Ball Joint

Remover, 28 mm (07MAC-SL00200). Refer to

page 18-21('93-'96), 18-21('91-'92) for how to use
8. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the special tool.
CAUTION: Avoid damaging the ball joint boot.

TOOTHED LOCK

WASHERSProCarManuals.com

Manual Steering
Gearbox Removal/Installation (Cont'd)
12. Remove the flange bolts and nuts from the gearbox and front crossbeam.
10 mm FLANGE NUTS

60 N ·
m

(6.0 kg-m, 43 Ib-ft)

FRONT CROSSBEAM

10 x 97 mm

FLANGE BOLT

FLANGE BOLT

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut
13. Remove the steering gearbox from the front cross- beam by removing the flange bolts.

FLANGE BOLTS

60 N.
m (6.0 kg-m, 43 Ib-ft)

FRONT CROSSBEAM

Front
GEARBOX

ASSEMBLY

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut
14. Install the gearbox in the reverse order of removal.

CAUTION: Torque the castle nut of the tie-rod end

to the lower torque specification, then tighten it on-

ly far enough to align the slot with the pin hole. Do

not align the nut by loosening.

NOTE: When connecting the steering joint, make
sure that the cable reel of SRS is centered.
15. Set the steering rack in the center of its strokes.
16. Center the cable reel as follows: Turn the steering wheel left approx. 150
degrees, to check the cable reel position with
indicator.

If the cable reel is centered, the yellow gear
tooth lines up with the alignment mark on the
cover.
Return the steering wheel right approx. 150
degrees to position the steering wheel in the
straight ahead position.

YELLOW GEAR TOOTH

ALIGNMENT MARK
17. Slip the lower of the steering joint onto the pinion shaft (line up the bolt hole with the groove around
the shaft) and loosely install the lower bolt.
NOTE:
Be sure that the lower steering joint bolt is
securely in the groove in the steering gearbox

pinion.

If the steering wheel and rack are not aligned
centered, reposition the serrations at lower side

of the steering joint.

18. Adjust the front toe after installing the gearbox (see section 18).ProCarManuals.com

Illustrated Index

CAUTION:
Before disassembling the gearbox, wash it off with solvent and a brush.

Thoroughly clean all disassembled parts.
Replace parts with damaged sliding surfaces.

SET SCREW LOCKNUT
FLANGE BOLT PINION DUST SEAL
Check for damage.STEERING
GROMMET A
Check for damage.

STEERING

GROMMET B
Check for damage.

PINION

SET SCREW

PINION

BEARING
Check for damage.
FLANGE BOLTS

Corrosion resistant bolt/nut

CYLINDER HOUSING
Inspect for damage to
inner surface.
STEERING
GEARBOX BRACKET

CUSHION B
Check for damage.

FLANGE BOLT

60 N ·
m

(6.0 kg-m, 43 Ib-ft)
10 mm FLANGE NUT

60 N ·
m

(6.0 kg-m, 43 Ib-ft) MOUNT BASE
10 mm FLANGE NUT

60 N ·
m

(6.0 kg-m, 43 Ib-ft) LOWER BEARINGS
Check for damage.
STEERING PINION
LOCK NUT
RACK GUIDE SCREW
PRESSURE SPRING
PRESSURE PLATE
RACK GUIDE

GEARBOX

Inspect for damage to

inner surface.

MOUNT COLLER

MOUNTING BUSHING

Check for damage.
STEERING RACKInspect surface for damage.
BOOT BAND
Replace.
STOP WASHER
LOCK WASHERReplace.

RACK END

55 N ·
m (5.5 kg-m, 40 Ib-ft)

BOOT
Check for damage.
STEERING GREASE
(Honda P/N 08733-B070E)

Coat the inside of the boot. SILICONE GREASE

Coat the sliding

surface of the rack end. TIE-ROD
LOCKNUT
44 N .
m

(4.4 kg-m,
32 Ib-ft) TIE-ROD END BOOT
Replace.
SET RING
TUBE CLAMP COTTER PIN
Replace.
CASTLE NUT
44 N ·
m (4.4 kg-m, 32 Ib-ft)ProCarManuals.com

Manual Steering

Overhaul

1. Carefully clamp the gearbox in a vise with soft jaws.
2. Remove the boot band.

BOOT BAND
Replace.

3. Pull the boots away from the ends of the gearbox, and unbend the tie-rod lock washers.
4. Hold the rack with a wrench, and unscrew the tie-
rods with another wrench.

LOCK WASHERReplace.
4. Before disassembly, install the special tool on the pin-
ion shaft and check the preload.
If the preload is out of the specification, adjust the
rack guide (page 17-27).
If the preload is still out of the specification, disas-
semble the gearbox and check each part.
NOTE: Slide the steering rack in the cylinder until
the end of the rack projects 60 mm (2.4 in) from
the cylinder end. Inspection is made near this rack

position.

5. Check the pinion preload with a spring scale.
Preload 7-17
N
(0.7-1.7
kg,
1.5-3.8
Ibs)

10 cm
(0.4
in)

STEERING INSPECTION ARM

07974-SD90000

PRESSURE
PLATERACK GUIDE

SCREW

LOCKNUT

PRESSURE
SPRING
RACK GUIDE

60 mm
(2.4
in)

6. Loosen the locknut, and remove the rack guide
screw.ProCarManuals.com

7. Remove the set screw locknut.
CROW FOOT WRENCH,
SET SCREW
LOCKNUT
8. Remove the pinion set screw using the special tool. Check the dust seal for damage and remove it if
it must be replaced. Refer to page 17-25 for in-

stallation.
PINION
SET SCREW
LOCKNUT WRENCH

07908-ME90000
9. Move the rack toward the gearbox side (i.e. in the
direction of the arrow) as far as it goes, then pull
the steering pinion out when the pinion gear clears
the cutout in the rack.
NOTE: The rack cannot be removed from the
cylinder side.

STEERING

PINION

GEARBOX

Arrow direction. Check the pinion bearing movement while pull-
ing the bearing outer race as shown.
NOTE: This type of the bearing has play. The play
should not be excessive.
UPPER BALL

BEARING

OUTER RACE
(cont'd)
DUST SEALProCarManuals.com

Manual Steering
Overhaul (Cont'd)
If the pinion bearing is noisy or has excessive

play, replace the bearing using the special tools

and a press.
NOTE: Hold the outer race with the tool securely.

Press

HUB DIS/ASSEMBLY BASE

07GAF-SD40700

BEARING

Press the steering pinion into the new pinion
bearing.

NOTE:
Install the pinion bearing with the wider side of

the inner race toward the gear.
Hold the inner race with the tool securely.

Press
Bearing mark

BEARING

HUB DIS/ASSEMBLY BASE

07GAF-SD40700
10. Remove the steering rack from the cylinder

housing.

NOTE: The steering rack cannot be removed from
the cylinder side.
STEERING RACK
CYLINDER

HOUSING

Check the lower bearing and replace it if it is
damaged. Remove the lower bearing by lightly tapping
with a plastic hammer as shown. If the lower
bearing is hard to remove by tapping, heat the
gearbox by soaking it in 212°F (100°C) water.
CAUTION: To avoid burns, use heavy gloves when
handling the heated gearbox.

LOWER BEARING

Tap with a plastic hammer to
remove the bearing.ProCarManuals.com

Press the new lower bearing into the gearbox
housing until it seats using a press and special

tool.

NOTE:
Install the lower bearing with the wider side of

the outer race toward the bottom of the

gearbox. Hold the outer race with the tool securely.
Do not allow dust and other foreign materials to
enter the lower bearing.

Press

LOWER

BEARING

P/S ADJUSTMENT GUIDE

07973-6920001

11. Insert the steering rack into the cylinder housing, being careful not to damage the steering rack
sliding surface.
STEERING RACK
CYLINDER

HOUSING
12. Install the steering pinion into the gearbox.
NOTE: Do not engage the steering pinion with the
steering rack this time.

STEERING PINION

GEARBOX
13. If the pinion dust seal was removed, drive in the
new dust seal until it bottoms on the step on the pi-

nion set screw.
14. Grease the sealing lip of the pinion dust seal.
PINION

SET SCREW
PINION

DUST SEAL

Bottom here.
Bottom here.

(cont'd)ProCarManuals.com

Manual Steering

Overhaul (Cont'd)
1 5. Wrap the splined area of the steering pinion with vinyl tape and grease the surface of the tape.
16. Slide the pinion set screw over the steering pinion, being careful not to damage the sealing lip of the
dust seal, then remove the vinyl tape.

PINION

SET SCREW
VINYL TAPE
17. Tighten the pinion set screw to a torque wrench reading (indicated) of 9.4—10.4 N.m (94-104kg-
cm, 84—93 Ib-in).
NOTE: The above specification is the torque wrench
reading (indicated) when the set screw is tightened

using a torque wrench 25 cm (10 inches) long. If you

tighten the set screw using a torque wrench of the different length, obtain the torque value using the
following formulas.
A/(A
+ B) = Y

Y x Actual torque = XX = Torque wrench reading.
Indicated: 9.4—10.4 N .
m

(94-104
kg-cm,
84-93
Ib-in)
Actual:
8.0-10
N.m
(80-100
kg-cm,
82-87
Ib-in)

LOCKNUT WRENCH

07908-ME90000
18. Turn the pinion shaft right and left several times to
set it, then loosen the pinion set screw.
NOTE: Be sure that the pinion gear and rack gear
are not engaged.

PINION

SHAFT

PINION

SET SCREW
19. Install the special tool onto the pinion shaft. Attach a spring scale to the tool and pull the scale. Adjust

the
pinion
set
screw
until
the
gauge
reads
1.5—2.5

N (0.15-0.25 kg, 0.33-0.55 Ib).

STEERING INSPECTION ARM

07974-SD90000

PINION SHAFT

SPRING
SCALE
LOCKNUT WRENCH

07908-ME90000ProCarManuals.com

20. Install the set screw locknut, then hold the pinion
set screw and tighten the set screw locknut.

SET SCREW
LOCKNUT

70-90
N .
m

(7.0-9.0
kg-m,
50-65
Ib-ft)
LOCKNUT WRENCH

07908-ME90000

CROW FOOT

21. Turn the pinion shaft slowly, then insert the rack and engage the rack and pinion gears.
PINION SHAFT 22. The system is in neutral when the rack end projects
60 mm (2.4 in) from the cylinder end.
23. Install the rack guide, pressure plate, pressure spring and rack guide screw.

60 mm
(2.4
in)

PRESSURE

SPRING

PRESSURE

PLATE

RACK GUIDE

SCREW

LOCKNUT

24. Tighten, loosen and retighten the rack guide screw two times to 5 N ·
m (0.5 kg-m, 3.6 Ib-ft), then back

it off
15°. RACK GUIDE

(cont'd)

WRENCH.ProCarManuals.com