Acura 2002 RSX Service Manual page 909

Rear Suspension
Damper/Spring Replacement (cont'd)
Disassembly/lnspeetion
1. Compress the damper spring with a commerciallV
available strut compressor (A) according to the
manufacturer's instructions, then remove the self-
locking nut (B) while hotding the damper shaft (C)
with a hex wrench (D). Do not compress the spring
more than necessary to remove the nut,
2. Release the pressure from the strut spring
compressor, then disassemble the damDer as
shown in the Exploded View.
3, Reassemble all the parts. except for the spring.
4. Compress the damper assembly by hand, and
check for smooth operation through a full stroke,
both compression and extension, The damoer
should enend smoothly and constantly when
compression is released. lf it does not, the gas is
leaking and the damper should be replaced.
Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, or bindinq
during these tests.
18-34
Reassembly
1, Install allthe parts exceptthe damper mounting
washer and self-locking nut onto the damper unit
by referring to the Exploded View. Align the bottom
of the spring (A) and the stepped part of the lower
spring seat (B), and align the damper mounting
Dase as shown.
Installthe damper assembly on a commercially
available strut spring compressor (C).
Compress the damper spring with the spring
compressor.
Install the washer (A) and a new self-locking nut (B)
on the damper shaft.
2 .
10 x 1.25 mm
2 9 N m
(3.0 kgf.m,22 lbf.ftl
'irtt'\
Hold the damper shaft wjth a hex wrench (C), and
taghten the self-locking nut to the specified torque.