Damper Replacement: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Acura MDX, 2012 Acura MDX, 2011 Acura MDX, and 2010 Acura MDX. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Position the damper (A) between the body and the lower arm B.
NOTE: With active damper system: Position the damper coil connector on the damper facing rearward.

Fig 1: Damper, Lower Arm And Flange Bolt With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Loosely install a new flange bolt (C) to the top of the damper.
Raise the floor jack until the hole in the lower arm B aligns with the hole in the damper, then loosely install the new flange bolt (A) to the bottom of the damper.

Fig 2: Lower Arm And Flange Bolt With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Loosely install the new flange bolt (C) to the knuckle.
Connect the stabilizer link (A) to lower arm B, and install the flange nut (C), and tighten the flange nut to the specified torque, while holding the joint pin (D) with the hex wrench (E).

Fig 3: Holding Joint Pin Using Hex Wrench With Torque Specifications
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Raise the rear suspension with the floor jack to load the suspension with the vehicle's weight.
Tighten the flange bolts on top and bottom of the damper to the specified torque.
With active damper system: Connect the damper coil connector (A).
NOTE: Be careful not to damage or contaminate the damper coil connector.

Fig 4: Identifying Damper Coil 2P Connector And Harness Clip
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc/drum and the inside of the wheel, then install the rear wheel.
With active damper system: Do the memorizing rear suspension full rebound position (see MEMORIZING REAR SUSPENSION FULL REBOUND POSITION ).
With active damper system: Start the engine, then make sure there are no active damper system DTCs with the HDS (see INTERMITTENT FAILURES ).
With active damper system: Do the DAMPER FORCE OPERATION TEST in the FUNCTIONAL TESTS MENU with the HDS, then make sure the all four damper units function normally.
Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).