DIY Page
I am not responsible for your safety when working on your car. I am not responsible for the orderly running of your car. Use this for informative purposes only. If you question your abilities, take your vehicle to a mechanic. If you break your car, someone else's car, your property, your self, someone else, your tools, I am not responsible. If you forget to tighten your lug nuts and your wheel falls off on the highway, It would be your fault! DIY at YOUR OWN RISK!

2005-2006 RSX Taillight Conversion on 2002-2004 Model.

TOOLS NEEDED
10mm Socket
8mm Deep Socket
Phillips Screw Driver
Wire Cutters
Dremel or Drill
Butt Connectors or Solder
Electrical Tape

PARTS NEEDED
New or used, these are the parts you will need to do the conversion. Acuraautomotiveparts.org has diagrams, part numbers and good pricing.

Taillight Brackets
71541-S6M-010 BEAM, R. RR. BUMPER (UPPER) - $15.62
71591-S6M-010 BEAM, L. FR. BUMPER (UPPER) - $15.62

Reverse Sockets
33513-S2A-003 SOCKET (T10) (x2) - $4.92
Note: You will also need the plugs that plug into the sockets, as the 02-04 plugs are different. Using the part number for the sockets listed above, call your Honda/Acura dealer and tell them you need the plugs for these sockets. You can purchase them with wire for an additional charge.

Taillights
33501-S6M-A51 LAMP UNIT, R. TAIL - $183.14
33551-S6M-A51 LAMP UNIT, L. TAIL - $183.14

Mud Flap Base Cover (Different than 02-04.)
74551-S6M-J00 COVER, R. RR. FENDER - $12.61
74591-S6M-J00 COVER, L. RR. FENDER - $12.61

Rear Bumper from 2005-2006

Impact Absorber from 2005-2006

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Remove your stock bumper.
- Remove the screws holding the bumper to the quarter panel
- Remove Mud guards
- Remove plastic clips on underside of bumper cover.
- Remove bumper by unsnapping the sides from the body. Unplug license plate light. Pull bumper off.

2. Remove Taillights
- Unplug all wiring
- Remove 4 8mm nuts on each taillght.
- Remove 10mm nuts securing taillight brackets.
- Remove taillights.

3. 05-06 Lights
There are two options when installing the lights. You can saw off one of the mounting posts on the taillight. Or, you can drill a hole for the mounting post. The 05-06 lights mount differently.
- Place the taillight up to the car and mark where hole needs to be drilled. See the picture for details. I used toothpaste on the end of the mounting post to show me where I needed to drill. See photo where pen is pointing.

4. Install Taillights
- Secure taillights with 4 8mm nuts.
- Secure 10mm nuts on bracket

5. Wiring
- Disconnect taillight wiring harness on passenger side. Find your turn signal plug (see photo) and cut the plug off, leaving enough wire. Use approximately 6-8 inches of wire and lengthen wiring to the signal plug.
- Using new plug for reverse sockets, attach plug. No extra wire should be needed.
- Electrical tape wires and re-secure to vehicle.
Note: The drives side plugs are long enough to reach all sockets.

6. Sockets/Bulbs
- Install all sockets in appropriate places. Plug in wiring.
- You will have one extra plug. The 05-06 only required 1 running/brake light whereas the 02-04 had 2.
- Turn on running lights and emergency flashers to ensure all bulbs are working properly.
- Troubleshoot any problems. You should not have any.

7. Mud guard base cover
- Install this cover on both sides, with the one innermost screw.
Note: After completing the conversion and having fitment issues with the mud guards and bumper, I researched part numbers. This cover was changed in 05-06. It in not a mandatory piece if you choose not to use it.

8. Bumper Install
- Install your new freshly painted rear bumper. Snap it in and install screws. Check for fitment issues.

Additional Parts/Instructions - Some people have opted to use the brake/running light socket off the 05-06. With slight mofification to the 05-06 Taillight, the 02-04 Socket will fit. Simply shave off the tabs.

Be sure to check for leaks. After driving the car for a month in the Washington rain, I found about a half gallon of water in my trunk. It may help to use new taillight gaskets. I opted to re-use the 02-04 gaskets, as they fit better against the body of the car. I also used some taillight sealer around the gasket to ensure a proper seal.

JDM DC5 Steering Wheel and Airbag Install

The JDM DC5 and USDM DC5 airbags are different. First, the USDM airbag has a dual stage airbag, 4 wires running into the airbag. Whereas the JDM one has a single stage airbag, only 2 wires going into the airbag. To install the JDM Airbag, here is what you need to do:

Make sure your negative battery terminal is disconnected.

1. Remove your stock steering wheel and airbag by removing the two plastic covers on the sides. Use a 30 Tork bit to remove the two screws. Pull out airbag.

2. Disconnect your airbag wiring and horn, set airbag aside.

3. Use a 19mm socket and remove the steering wheel bolt. Remove the steering wheel.

4. You will see that the JDM wheel did not come with a "cruise control wiring holder", remove the two screws from your US one and put them on the JDM wheel.

5. Use a dremel or x-acto knife and trim out the portion on the JDM plastic cover so your CC will fit. Remove bracket from US wheel and transfer it to the JDM wheel.

6. Use some vice grips and remove the 4 triangular tamper proof nuts which secure the airbag detonator. See picture

7. Swap detonating units. And tighten nuts.

8. Reinstall airbag and wheel. Connect all harnesses. Reconnect Negative battery terminal.

If your SRS light remains on after the install, follow this procedure to RESET YOUR SRS LIGHT:
1. Remove fuse panel cover and unplug YELLOW plug located in fuse box.
2. Use a paperclip, bend it into a 'U' shape and insert into plug completing the circuit.
3. Turn ignition on to Accessory and SRS light should remain on for a few seconds then shut off. Remove Paperclip and SRS light will come back on.
4. Reconnect the paperclip, and the SRS light will go off again.
5. Disconnect the paper clip and the light will blink twice showing your done.
This may take a few tries but it will work!

Good luck...

2002-2006 RSX Suspension Removal and Installation.
I am not an expert, I am not responsible for your safety or vehicle operation.

Front Strut and Spring Assembly Removal and Installation.

1. Place vehicle on appropriate jack stands and remove wheels.
2. Remove the 12mm and 10mm bolts which fasten the ABS and Brake line to the suspension.
3. Remove cotter pin and loosen 17mm nut connecting steering rod.

4. Remove the two 19mm nuts/bolts which fasten the strut to the hub.

5. Use a 4lb sledge hammer or similar tool and break the steering rod free from the strut arm. See photo. By leaving the nut on, you minimize the chances of damaging the threads. A few good strikes will free the steering rod.

6. Remove the 14mm nuts from the strut tower.

7. You can use a jack or similar set up to support the hub, suspension can be removed at this point.

To install. Repeat the process in the reverse order. See photos for details. Ensure all nuts and bolts are secure prior to driving

Rear Strut and Spring Assembly, Removal and Installation.

1. Remove plastic/carpet interior panels which cover the rear struts. All panels are snap in. Ultimately, rear seats should be removed but can be done without removal.
2. Place rear of vehicle on appropriate jack stands and remove rear wheels.
3. Remove 19mm bolt which secures lower portion of rear strut.
4. Remove 19mm bolt which connects tie rod to hub.
5, Remove two 14mm nuts from the strut tower.
6. Remove strut/spring assembly.

To install, Repeat the process in the reverse order. See photos for details. Ensure all nuts and bolts are secure prior to driving. Note: Use of a car jack will be needed to raise the hub, aligning the tie rod with the hub.

DIY Headlight Restoration - RSX

I discovered this How To on Clubrsx.com. I decided to add this write up after successfully doing the restoration on my RSX.  Below are photos of the before and after.

                Before                                                       After

Materials Required:
800 Grit Sandpaper
1000 Grit Sandpaper
1500 Grit Sandpaper
2000 Grit Sandpaper
Spray bottle with water
Sanding Block
Meguiars Fine Cut Cleaner or Similar Compound
Meguiars Plast X

Step 1.
Mask off areas surrounding headlights.

Step 2.
Start with 800 Grit Sandpaper. Wet Sand headlight thoroughly and evenly. Ensure sanding surface stays wet.

Step 3.
Repeat step 2 with 1000 Grit, 1500 Grit, 2000 Grit.

Step 4.
Use Meguiars Plast X and work into headlight. Haze will begin to disappear. Continue this process 3 to 4 times.

Step 5.
Apply Meguiars Fine Cut cleaner to remove all remaining scratches. Wipe excess with micro-fiber cloth. Repeat process until desired results are met.

Note: Depending on the condition, how bad or good your headlights are will determine the amount of effort needed. You may skip the 800 and 1000 grit if your headlights are not very bad. Use your judgement on how much/how little is needed in each of the steps.

RSX - K20 Spark Plug Installation

Remove 10mm bolt which secures the throttle cable to the bracket. Remove power steering line from bracket and push aside.

Remove 10mm nuts/bolts from spark plug cover. (total of 4)

Remove 10mm bolts securing coils to valve cover. Disconnect Plugs and Remove coils. Set aside.
 
Using a 5/8 Spark Plug Socket, remove spark plugs.

Apply a small amount of Anti-Seeze or a small drop of oil to new spark plug threads prior to installing.

Install new spark plugs, hand tightened. Then use a torque wrench to torque to approximately 13 foot pounds.

Re-Install Coils, Spark Plug Cover, and Throttle cable bracket.