Acura 3.5 RL Manual page 765

Front Suspension
Knuckle/Hub Replacement (cont'd)
8. Remove the 6 mm brake disc retaining screws.
9.8 N-m
(1.0 kgf-m, 7.2 Ibf-ft)
8 x 12 mm
BRAKE DISC
BOLT
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot.
9. Screw two 8 x 12 mm bolts into the disc to push it
away from the hub.
NOTE: Turn each bolt two turns at a time to prevent
cocking the disc excessively.
10. Clean any dirt or grease off the ball joint.
11. Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut,
and remove the nut.
12. Install a 12 mm hex nut on the ball joint. Make sure
the 12 mm hex nut is flush with the ball joint pin end
to prevent damage to the threaded end of the ball
joint.
13. Apply grease to the special tool on the areas
shown. This will ease installation of the tool and
prevent damage to the pressure bolt threads.
Apply grease here.
14. Install the special tool as shown. Insert the jaws
carefully, making sure you do not damage the ball
joint boot. Adjust the jaw spacing by turning the
pressure bolt.
NOTE: If necessary, apply penetrating type lubricant
to loosen the ball joint.
HEX NUT
COTTER
HEX NUT
PIN
('99 - 01 models)
Replace.
54 N-m (5.5 kgf-m,
On reassembly,
40 Ibf-ft)
bend the cotter pin as shown.
PRESSURE BOLT
NOTE: After making the adjustment to the adjusting
bolt, make sure the head of the adjusting bolt is in
this position to allow the jaw to pivot.
16. With a wrench, tighten the pressure bolt until the
ball joint shaft pops loose from the steering arm.
Wear eye protection. The ball joint can
break loose suddenly and scatter dirt or other debris
in your eyes.
17 Remove the tool, then remove the nut from the end
of the ball joint, and pull the ball joint out of the
steering/suspension arm. Inspect the ball joint boot,
and replace it if damaged.
BALL JOINT
REMOVER, 28 mm
07MAC - SL00200
CASTLE NUT
('96 - 98 models)
49 - 59 N-m
(5.0 - 6.0 kgf-m,
36-43 Ibf-ft)
ADJUSTING BOLT