1996 HONDA CIVIC Can

Troubleshooting
Fluid Leaks
Check the gearbox assembly for oil leaks carefully. Oil can leak out of various points. depending on location of thefaulty oil seals/seal rings. Check the following before removing the gearbox from the frame_
Steering GearboxLeaking from the oil seal on thetop of the valve housing.Replace the valve oil seal fromthe valve housing.
Leaking from cylinder end intoleft tie rod boot.Replace the valve oil seal tromthe pinion shaft.
Replace the cylinder end seal onthe gear housing side.
Leaking lrom cylinder end intoright tie-rod boot.Replace the cylinder end seal onthe cylinder end side.
Leaking lrom the shaft upper endsectron or pin engagement sec,tion ol the pinion shaft.Replace the valve body unit.
Tighten the connector. lf it's stillleakinO, replace the Iine, cylinderor valve housing unit.
Leaking from cylinder line A or Bconnections {at tlare nut}.
Leaking caused by a damagedcylinde.line A or B.Replace cvljnder line A or B.
Leaking from feed line and returnline ioint fitting on the valve bodyunit (at flare nut).
Tighten the connector. ll it's stillleaking, replace the line,,oint fit,ting or valv6 housing.
17-2a

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

Front Suspension
Knuckle/Hub Replacement (cont'dl
NOTE: Use the special tool to separate the ball joints
from the suspension or steering arm,
CAUTION: 86 careful not lo damage the ballioint boot.
12. Clean any din or grease off the ball joint.
13. Remove the cotter pin from the steering arm, and
remove the nut.
14. Apply grease to the special tool on the areas shown,
This will ease installation of the tool and prevsnt
damage to the pressure bolt threads.
PRESSURE AOLT
Install a 10 mm hex nut onto the ball joint. Be sure
that the hex nut is flush with the ball joint pin end toprevent damage to the threaded end of the balljoint.
Install the special tool as shown. Insert the jaws
carefully, making sure you do not damage the balljoint boot. Adiust the iaw spacing by turning th6pressure bolt.
NOTE: lf necessary, apply penetrating type lubri-
cant to loosen the ball joint.
COTTER.PINReplace.On reassembly,bend the cofter pin
15.
16.
CASTI.T NUT10 x 1,25 mm39 - 47 N.m14.0 - 4.8 kgf.m,29 - 3s tbl.fttCASTLE NUT10 r 1.2s mn--]*-
corrcn nn .\
18-12
Replace-
17. Once the special tool is in place, turn ths adjusting
bolt as necessary to make the jaws parallel. Then
hand-tighten the pressure bolt, and recheck thejaws to make sure they are still parallel.
AI\IUSTING BOLT
NOTE: After making the adiustment to the adiust-
ing bolt, be sure the head of the adjusting bolt is in
this position to the allow the jaw to pivot.
With a wrsnch, tighten the pressure bolt until the
ball joint shaft pops loose from the steering arm.
E@ we.r cye plotection. Thc brtt iointcln brcrk loose suddenly and sclt'tol dirt or other
d.brb inio youl .ye..
Rsmov€ the tool, then remove th€ nut from the end
of the ball ioint and pull the ball joint out of the
stoering/suspension arm. Insp€ct the ball joint boot
and replace it if damaged.
18.
10

)
20, Remove the cotter pin from the lower arm ball joint
castle nut. and remove the nut.
COTTER.PINReplace.On reassembly,bend the cotter Pan
lr
CASTLE NUT12 x 1.25 mm49 - 59 N.m (5.0 - 6.0 kgl m,36-,13 lbf'ft|
BALL JOINT REMOVER, 28 mm
07MAC - SL00200
21. lnstall a 12 mm hex nut onto the ball joint. Be sure
that the hex nut is flush with the ball joint pin end'
or the threaded section of the ball joint pin might be
damaged by the ball joint remover.
22. Use the special tool as shown on page l8-12 to sep-
arate the ball ioint and lower arm.
NOTE; lf necessary, apply penetrating type lubri-
cant to loosen the ball joint.
lJ
18-13
25.
26.
Remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint cas-
tle nut, and remove the nut.
12 mm HEX NUT 07MAC - SL00200
lnstall the 12 mm hex nut onto the ball joint
Be sure that the hex nut is flush with the ball joint
pin end, or the threaded section of the ball joint pin
mlght be damaged by the ball joint remover'
Use the special tool as shown on page l8-12 to sep-
arate the ball joint and knuckle.
NOTE: lf necessary, apply penetrating type lubri
cant to loosen the ball joint.
Putl the knuckte outward and remove the driveshaft
outboard joint from the knuckle by tapping the drive-
shaft end with a plastic hammer, then remove the
knuckle.KNUCKLE
'12 x 1.25 mm39 - 47 N.m
14.0 - 4.8 kgf m,29 - 35 tbf.ft)
Check for damage.

Component Locations
I
lndex
ERAKE PEDALInspectron andAdjustment, page 19 5
BRAKE HOSES LINESInspection/Torque specif ications, page 1 9-39Hose Replacement, page 19-40
MASTER CYLINDER/BRAKE BOOSTERRemoval/lnstallation, page 19 21Pushrod Clearance Adjustment, page 19_22
Brake Booster Inspection, page 19-23
lJ
PARKING BRAKE CASLEinspection and Replacement,page 19 41
FRONT BRAKESNOTE: There are two types offront brake calipers:The caliper types can be identitied by the "5410"
or "2056" stamped on the caliper body. Check thetype ot the brake caliper betore servicing.Front Brake Pads5410 Type: page 19-82056 Typer page 19 10Front Brake Disc, page 19-12Front Brake Caliper5410 Type: page 19-132056 Type: page 19-14
BBAKEAdiustment, page 19-6REAR ORUM BRAKESInspection, page 19-36
Brake Shoe Beplacement, page 19'37
REAR DISC BRAKESRear Brake Pads, page 19 24Rear Brake Disc, page 19 26Rear Brake Caliper, page 19'27
lJ
19-3

I
Bleeding
CAUTION:
. Always use Genuine Honda DOT 3 Brake Fluid. Using 8
non-Honda brak€ fluid can cause corrosion and
docrea3e the life of the system.
. Make surs ||o dirt or other foteign matter is allowed
to contaminate the brake fluid,
. Do not spill brake lluid on the vehicle, it may damago
the paint; if brake lluid doos contac{ the paint, wash
it ofl imm€diately with water.
NOTE: The reservoir on the master cylinder must be at
the MAX (upper) level mark at the start of the bleeding
procedure and checked after bleeding each brake
caliper. Add fluid as required.
1. Make sure the brake fluid level in the reservoir is at
the MAX lupper) level line.
MAX {UPPER) LEVEL
CYLINDER
Have someone slowly pump the brake pedsl several
times, then apply steady Pressure.
Loosen the brake bleed screw to allow air to escape
from the system. Then tighten the bleed screw
securely.
Repeat the procedure for each wheel in the sequence
shown below until air bubbles no longer appear in
the fluid.
Refill the master cylinder reservoir to the MAX (up-
per) level line.
ELEEDING SEOUENCE:
O Front Right(D Bo.r Right
O Front LeftO Rear Left1,,
19-7
FRONTT
REAR lDrum Brakel:
REAR (Disc Brake):
AIEED SCREW9 N.m (0.9 ksf m, 6.5 lbf'ft)