Acura TSX / Honda Accord CL. Manual - part 749

of the boot. See Fig. 7 . Then slide the clip (B) over the tool and into position on the boot. 

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

Fig. 6: Inspecting Ball Joint Boot 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 SUSPENSION Front - TSX

  

 

Fig. 7: Installing Ball Joint Boot 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

KNUCKLE/HUB/WHEEL BEARING 

NOTE:

For component locations and exploded view of Knuckle & Hub, see Fig. 8 .

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 SUSPENSION Front - TSX

  

 

Fig. 8: Exploded View Of Knuckle & Hub 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Knuckle Hub (Removal & Installation) 

1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper locations.  

2. Remove the wheel nuts and front wheel. See Fig. 9 .  

3. Remove the brake hose mounting bracket (A). See Fig. 10  

4. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts (B), and 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 with force.  

5. Remove the wheel sensor (A) from the knuckle. Do not disconnect the wheel sensor connector. See Fig. 

11  

6. Raise the stake (A), and remove the spindle nut (B). See Fig. 12 .  

7. Remove the 6 mm brake disc retaining screws (A). See Fig. 13 .  

8. Screw two 8 x 1.25 mm bolts (B) into the disc to push it away from the hub. Turn each bolt two turns at a 

time to prevent cocking the disc excessively. 

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 SUSPENSION Front - TSX

  

 

9. Remove the brake disc (C) from the knuckle. 

10. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball joint, and loosen the nut (B). See Fig. 14 .  

11. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover. 

12. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the lower arm ball joint, and loosen the nut (B). See Fig. 15 .  

13. Disconnect the lower arm ball joint from the lower arm using the ball joint remover. 

14. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, and loosen the nut (B). See Fig. 16 .  

15. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint remover. 

16. Remove the axle shaft outboard joint (A) from the knuckle (B) by tapping the axle shaft end (C) with a 

plastic hammer while drawing the hub outward, then remove the knuckle. See Fig. 17 .  

17. Install the knuckle/hub in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: 

z

Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the knuckle.  

z

Tighten all mounting hardware to the specified torque values.  

z

Before connecting the lower arm ball joint to the lower arm, degrease the threaded section and 
tapered portion of the ball joint pin, and the lower arm connecting hole, and the threaded section 
and mating surface of the castle nut.  

z

First install all 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. See 
TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Do not place the jack against the ball joint pin of the knuckle.  

z

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.  

z

Install a new cotter pin on the castle nut after tightening.  

z

Use a new spindle nut on reassembly.  

z

Before installing the spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the 
nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the axle shaft. 

NOTE:

During installation, install the new cotter pin after tightening the nut, and 
bend its end as shown.

NOTE:

z

Do not force or hammer on the lower arm, or pry between the lower 
arm and the knuckle. You could damage the ball joint.  

z

Insert the new cotter pin in to the ball joint pin from the front to the 
rear of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown.  

NOTE:

During installation, insert the new cotter pin into the ball joint pin from the 
front to the rear of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown.

NOTE:

Do not pull the axle shaft end outward. The inner axle shaft joint may come 
apart.

 

2004 Acura TSX 

2004 SUSPENSION Front - TSX