1996 HONDA CIVIC head

Steering Gearbox
Removal(cont'd)
Remove the cotter pin from the castle nut ('96 - '97
models) or nut ('98 - '00 models) and remove the nut.
Installthe 10 mm hex nut on the ball joint.
Be sure that the 10 mm hex nut is flush with the balljoint pin end, or the threaded section of the ball joint
pin might be damaged by the balljoint remover.
NOTE: Remove the ball joint using the special tool,
Refer to section 18 for how to use tho ball joint
remover.
Separate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the
specialtool.
CAUTION: Avoid damaging the ball ioint boot.
Remove the left tie-rod end, then slide the rack all
the way to the right.
Separate the exhaust pipe A or TWC (see section g).
Disconnect the shift linkage (see section 13 or sec-
tion 14).
Remove the stiffener plate.
7.
'10.
11.
12.
Replace.
17-6
13. Remove the mounting bracket,
Pull the steering gearbox all the way down to clear
th€ pinion shaft from the bulkhead, then remove thepinion shaft grommet,
Move the steering gearbox to right so the left rack
end clears the rear beam, then tilt the left side down
to remove it from the car.
t5.
STEENING GEARBOX
PINION SHAFT GROMMET

It
12.
13.
lnstall the new lock washer in the groove in the
steering rack.
Installthe steering rack end into the rack
LOCK WASHER RACK END 54 N m ts.s kgf'm, 40 lbtft)
Replace.
TAB
(l*v
14.
15.
RACK END
Hold the steering rack with a wrench and tighten
the rack end with another.
CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the tack sur-
fac€ with the wrench.
After tightening the rack ends, stake the four sec-
tions of the lock washer with a roll pin drift and a
mallet.
. Place the wood block on the press table. then set
the lock washer section of the rack end on the
wood block securelY.
. Be sure the tool is aligned with the flat sections
of the steering rack end before pressing
. Stake the lock washer in the center of the flat
section of the steering rack end.
ROLL PIN DnlFTl(Commorci.lly .Yril.blolSnap-On No. PPRS or oquival.nt
NOTE: This drift has a flat
tip, to prevent puncturing
of metal washer.
srEEatruG nlCr/rl,WOODEN BLOCK
TIE.ROO CLIP
16. Apply grease around the outside ot the rack end
housing.
Apply a light coat of silicone grease to the boot
grooves on the rack ends.
lnstall the boots in the rack end with the tie-rod
clips.
NOTE: Install the boot band with the rack in the
straight ahead position (right and left tie-rods are
equal in length).
=-..r=-q!q!!.n
SILICONE GREASE
17.
(cont'd)
17-11
NOTE| WiPe grease off
the thread sectlon

)
lnstallation
Slide the rack all the way to the righl
Install the pinion shaft grommet, and insert the pin
ion shaft up through the bulkhead.
NOTE| Align the notch in the pinion shaft grommet
with the tab on the gear housing.
1.
2.
J3. Install the mounting brackets with the two gearbox
mounting bolts on the cushion.
NOTE: The arrow on the bracketpoint toward the front.
STEEBING GEARBOX
{4.0 kgt.m,29 lbf.ftl
J
4. Install the stiffener plate with the two gearbox
mounting bolts and stiffener plate attaching bolts.
NOTEr Install the bolts loosely first. then tighten
them securely.
GEARBOX MOUNTING EOLTS43 N.m {4.4 kgf.m, 32 lbf'ftl
5. Center the steering rack within its stroke
6. Slip the lower end ot the steering joint onto the pin
ion shaft (line up the bolt hole with the groove
around the shaft), and tighten the lower bolt.
NOTE:
. Connect the steering shaft and pinion with the
steering wheel and steering rack centered
Be sure that the lower steering joint bolt is
securely in the groove in the steering gearbox
pin ion.
lf the steering wheel and rack are not centered,
reposition the serrations at lower end of the
steering ioint.
STEERING JOINT
STEERING JOINTLOWER BOLT22 N.m{2.2 kgf.m, 16lbf'ft}(cont'd)
I t- t5
STIFFENER PLATE
ATTACHING BOLTS38 N.m (3.9 kgf.m.28lbf.ftl

Pressure Control
Low assist at higher speeds:
WhensteeringresistanceIsIow,suchaswhendrivingathighspeeds,orwhendrivingstraightahead,theinputshaftis
near or in the neutral position, so there is little or no fiow ro any of the power cylinder orifices. Most oI the feed pressure
fromthepumpisbypassedtothereservoir.Becauseofthis,thepressurestaysthesameinbothsidesofthepowercy||n-
der, resulting in low or no asslst
VALVE From PUMP
SECTION A-A
RETURN PASSAGElTo RESERVOIRI
POWER CYLINDER
STEERING GEARBOX
High assist at lower speeds:
When steering resistance is high. such as when driving at low speeds' or when turning the wheel wirh the vehicle
stopped,thedifference|nang|ecreatedbetweentheinputshaftandtheVa|veopensthef|uidpassageononeside,and
c|osesthefluidpassageontheotherside,ateachpairoforifices'Thef|uidpressureincreasesinthesideo|thepower
cy|inder|edbythe|argerf|uidpassage'Thisincreasedpressurepushesontherackpiston,a|lowingthesteeringwhee|to
be turned with light effort. on the other side of the power cylinder, the return passage opens allowing the steering tluid to
returnthroUghtheinputshafttothereservoir'Thef|uidpassagestothepowercy|inderautomatica||ychangeins|ze,
increasing as the steering resrstance increases. In other words, the passages become larger and power assist increases
when the steering effort would normally be high, (for example' when parking or making low speed turns)' and the pas-
sagesbecomesma||erandpowerassistdecreaseswhenthesteeringeffortwou|dnorma||ybe|ow,(forexamp|e,when
driving at high speeds or straight ahead).
FLUIO PASSAGE TO
POWER CYLINDER
/t=\\a!-4,))
=YjJ
RESERVOIR
SECTION A-A
l'
{High fluid Pressure}

Inspection and Adjustment
Steering Operation
Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position,
and measure the distance the steering wheel can beturned without moving the front wheels.
ROTATIONAL PLAY: 0 - 10 mm l0 - 0.39 inl
lf the play exceeds the service limit. perform rack guide
adjustment (see page 17-33).
lf the play is still excessive after rack guide adjustment.inspect the steering linkage and gearbox as describedon the nel(t pag€.
ROTATIONAL PLAY
17-30
Power Assist Gheck with
Vehicle Parked
1. Check the power steering fluid level (see page 17-33) and pump belt tension (see page 17-32).
2. Start the engine, allow it to idle. and turn the steer-ing wheel from lock-tolock several times to warm
up the fluid.
3. Attach a spring scale to the steering wheel. With theengine idling and the vehicle on a clean, dry floor,pull the scale as shown and read it as soon as thetires begin to turn.
The scale should read no more than 29 N (3.0 kgf.
6.6 lbf). lf it reads more, check the gearbox andpump,
D0

IRack Guide Adjustment
NOTE: Perform rack guide adjustment with the wheels
in the straight ahead Position.
1. Loosen the rack guide screw locknut with the
cialtool.
'96 - '97 models:
Loosen the rack guide screw
'98 - '00 models:
Remove the rack guide screw and remove the old
sealant off of the threaded section.
Apply new sealant all around the threads. Loosely
installthe rack guide screw
Tighten the rack guide screw to 25 N'm (2.5 kgf'm.
18 lbf.ft), then loosen it.
Retighten the rack guide screw to 3 9 N'm (0.4 kgim,
2.9 lbf.ft), then back it off to specified angle.
Specified Return Angle: 20" max.
Tighten the locknut while holding the rack guide
screw.
Check for tight or loose steering through the com-
plete turning travel.
Perform following insPections:
. Steering operation (see page 17-30).
. Power assist with vehicle parked.
4.
LOCKNUT WRENCH, 40 mm
lr
17-33
Fluid Replacement
Check the reservoir at regular intervals, and add fluid as
necessary.
CAUTION: Always us€ Genuine Honda Power Stearing
Fluid-V or S. Using any other type of power sto€ring
tluid or automatic transmission lluid can cause
increased wear and poor steering in cold weathor.
SYSTEM CAPACITY:
0.85 liter 10.90 US' qt,0.75 lmp'qt)
at disassembly
RESERVOIR CAPACITY:
0.4 liter (0.42 US. qt, 0.35 lmP.qt)
LEVEL LINE
LOWER LEVEL LINE
1. Raise the reservoir, then disconnect the return nose.
2. Connect a hose of suitable diameter to the discon-
nected return hose, and put the hose end in a suit-
able container.
CAUTION: Take care not to spill tho fluid on the
body and parts. Wipe off any spill€d fluid at oncs'
3. Start the engine, let it run at idle, and turn the steer-
ing wheel from lock-to-lock several times When
fluid stops running out of the hose, shut off the
engine, Discard the fluid.
4. Reinstall the return hose on the reservoir'
5. Fill the reservoir to the upper level line.
6. Start the engine and run it at fast idle, then turn the
steering trom lock-to-lock several times to bleed air
trom the system.
7. Recheck the fluid level and add some it necessary.
CAUTION: Do not fill the reservoir beYond the
upper l€vel line.
HOSE

Steering Wheel
l,/
Removal
SRS components are located in this area Review the
SRS component locations, precautions, and procedures
in the SRS section (24) before performing repairs or ser-
vice.
NOTE: Before removing the steering wheel. align the
front wheels straight ahead.
1. Remove the driver's airbag assembly from the
steering wheel (see section 24)
2. Disconnect the horn connector and cruise control
switches connector.
CRUISESWITCHES CONNECTOR
3. Remove the steering wheel nut
STEERING WHEEL NUT
Replace.
Remove the steering wheel by rocking it slightly from
side-to-side as you pull steadily with both hands.
ag N.m {5.0 kgt rn, 36lbfft)
1.,
17-35
lnstallation
CAUTION: Do not tap on the steering wheel or steering
column shaft when installing the stsering wheel.
NOTE: Before installing the steering wheel, align the
front wheels straight ahead.
1. Before installing the steering wheel, center the
cable reel, Do this by first rotating the cable reel
clockwise until it stops. Then rotate it counterclock-
wise approximately two turns The arrow mark on
the cable reel label should points straight up.
Install the steering wheel with the steering wheel
nut.
NOTE: Be sure the steering wheel shaft engages
the cable reel and canceling sleeve.
Attach the cruise control switches connector io the
steering wheel cliP,
Connect the horn connector.
Install the driver's airbag assembly, and confirm
proper system operation (see section 24).
Check the horn and cruise control switches for
proper operatrons.
CAELE REEL

Steering Gearbox
Removal {cont'dl
Loosen the 14 mm flare nut and disconnect the feed
line.
Loosen the adjustable hose clamp and disconnect
the return hose.
Loosen the 16 mm flare nut and remove the return
hose joint trom the valve body unit.
CAUTION: After disconnecting lhe hos6 and lin6.
plug or seal the hose and line with a pioca ol tapa
or equivalent to prevenl foreign matorials trom
entsring the valve body unit.
NOTE: Do not loosen the cvlinder line A and
between the valve body unit and cylinder.
ADJUSTABLE HOSECLAMP
Remove the stiffener Dlate.
NOTE: Some stiffener plate attaching bolts are also
used as gearbox mounting bolts. The gearbox will
tilt to side when these bolts are removed.
13.
14.
t9.
16.
17-48,
17. Remove the mounting brackets.
Pull the steering gearbox all the way down to clear
the pinion shaft from the bulkhead. then remove the
pinion shaft grommet.
Move the steering gesrbox to right so the left rack
end clears the rear beam, then tilt the left side down
to remove it from the vehicle,
CAUTION: Be careful not io bend or damage the
fagd ling and cylindsr lin99 whgn rgmoving thg
ggarbox,
18.
STEERING GEANEOX