Honda S2000 Rear Suspension: control arm, ball joints, strut assembly and more

Honda S2000

CONTROL ARM REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove self-locking nut, cam plate and adjusting bolt from frame. Disconnect control arm from frame. Remove cotter pin and nut from lower ball joint stud. Using Ball Joint Remover (07MAC-SL00200), separate ball joint from knuckle. Remove control arm. To install, reverse removal procedures. Tighten fasteners to specifications. Check rear wheel alignment and adjust as necessary.

---

HUB AND BEARING ASSEMBLY

REMOVAL

1. Loosen wheel lug nuts slightly. Raise and support vehicle. Remove lug nuts and wheel assembly. Remove hub cap, pry the spindle nut lock tab away from the spindle and remove nut. Remove 2 disc retaining screws. Remove 3 splash guard attaching bolts. See Fig. 10 .
2. Remove brake hose mounting bolt. Remove caliper assembly, and wire aside. DO NOT put weight on flexible brake line. Install two 8 x 1.25 mm bolts in brake disc, and tighten bolts to force brake disc from hub. Alternate tightening of bolts to prevent brake disc from binding on hub. Pry the spindle nut lock tab away from the spindle and remove spindle nut. Remove hub bearing unit from knuckle.

INSTALLATION

Install backing plate/hub bearing unit onto trailing arm. To complete installation, reverse removal procedure. Tighten bolts to specification. Use NEW spindle nut, and stake after tightening to specification.

---

LOWER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT: REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove lower control arm flange nut while holding stabilizer link pin with Allen wrench. Disconnect stabilizer link from lower control arm. Remove strut bolt and move strut away from control arm. Remove cotter pin and nut from lower control arm ball joint. Using Ball Joint Remover (07MAC-SL00200), separate lower control arm from ball joint. Remove self-locking nut, cam plate, adjusting bolt, mounting bolt and lower control arm. To install, reverse removal procedures. Tighten fasteners to specifications. Check rear wheel alignment and adjust as necessary.

STRUT ASSEMBLY

REMOVAL

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Remove spare tire from trunk. Remove 2 upper strut mounting base nuts. Remove lower strut mounting bolt. Lower rear suspension, and remove strut from vehicle.

DISASSEMBLY

Left and right coil springs may be different. Mark springs before disassembling struts. Note position of strut upper mounting studs for reassembly reference. Using spring compressor, compress coil spring. DO NOT compress more than required to remove strut shaft nut. Remove strut shaft nut. Slowly release spring compressor. Disassemble strut assembly, noting location of components for reassembly reference.

INSPECTION AND REASSEMBLY

Check for weak spring tension. Inspect components for deterioration and damage. Strut assembly must be replaced if rod does not move smoothly through full travel or signs of oil leakage exist. Replace worn or damaged components. To assemble, reverse disassembly procedure. Install NEW strut shaft nut. Tighten nut to specification.

INSTALLATION

Ensure vehicle weight is supported on strut assembly before tightening lower strut mounting bolt to specification.

1. Lower rear suspension, and place strut assembly in its original position. Loosely install lower strut mounting bolt. Loosely install upper strut mounting nuts.
2. Raise rear suspension so strut assembly supports vehicle weight. Loosely install strut mounting. Reverse removal procedure for remaining components. Raise rear suspension until weight of car is on strut. Tighten fasteners to specification. Install strut cap (if equipped). Check rear wheel alignment and adjust as necessary.

---

UPPER CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINT: REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION

Raise and support vehicle. Remove wheel assembly. Position hydraulic jack under connecting point for lower control arm and knuckle, to support suspension. Remove ABS wheel sensor mounting bolts. DO NOT disconnect wheel sensor connector. Remove cotter pin and nut from upper control arm ball joint stud. Using Ball Joint Remover (07MAC-SL00200), separate knuckle from ball joint. Remove upper control arm bushing mounting bolts. Remove upper control arm. See Fig. 3. To install, reverse removal procedures. Tighten fasteners to specifications. Check rear wheel alignment, adjust as necessary.

TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS Ft. Lbs. (N.m)

• Ball Joint Nut
  • Upper: 29-35 (39-47)
  • Lower: 43-51 (59-69)
• Brake Caliper Mounting Bolt: 81 (110)
• Lower Ball Joint Nut: 51-58 (69-78) (REAR SUSPENSION)
• Lower Control Arm Pivot Bolt: 58 (78)
• Spindle Nut
  • FRONT: 242 (329)
  • REAR: 220
• Stabilizer Bar Mounting Bolts:
  • FRONT: 29 (39)
  • REAR: 40 (54)
• Stabilizer Link Nut 22 (29) (REAR SUSPENSION)
• Strut Assembly Shaft Nut: 22 (29)
• Strut Fork Pinch Bolt: 32 (43)
• Strut Fork-To-Control Arm Nut: 47 (64)
• Strut-To-Lower "A" Arm Bolt: 47 (64) (REAR SUSPENSION)
• Strut Mount Base: (2) 36 (49)
• Strut Shaft Nut: 22 (29) (REAR SUSPENSION0
• Tie Rod Lock Nut: 40 (54)
• Upper Arm-To-Body Bolt 97.6 (132) (REAR SUSPENSION)
• Upper Ball Joint Nut: 36-43 (49-59) (REAR SUSPENSION)
• Upper Control Arm Anchor Bolt Nut: 47 (64)
• Upper Control Arm Bushing Bolt: 97.6 (132)
• Upper Strut Mounting Nut: 36 (49)
• Wheel Lug Nut 80 (108)
• Brake Line Clamp Bolt 62 INCH Lbs. (7.0 N.m.)

Honda S2000 AP1

---