1997 HONDA CIVIC Front

)
Suspension
Special Tools ............. 18-2
Component Locations
lndex ,,.............. ...... f8-3
Wheel Alignment
Caster .............. ....... 18-4
Camber .................. l8-4
Front Toe Inspection/
Adiustment ........ 18-5
Rear Toe lnspection/
Adiustment ........ 18-5
Turning Angle Inspection ................ 18-6
Wheel/Hub Inspection
Bearing End P|ay .............................. l8-7
Wheel Runout ....... 18-7
Front Suspension
Suspension Arms Replacement
('96 - 99 modelsl .......................... 18-8
Suspension Arms Replacement
('99 2D Si and Si-R models) ........ 18-9
Knuckle/Hub Replacement ............. 18-10
Lower Ball Joint Replacement ....... 18-16
Ball Joint Boot Replacement .......... 18-17
Front Damper
Removal ................. 18-17
Disassembly/1nspection .................. 18-18
Reassembly ........... 18-19
lnstallation ............. 18-19
Rear Suspension
Suspension Arms Replacement
('96 - 99 models) ....................,..... 18-21
Suspension Arms Replacement
('99 2D Si and Si-R models) ........ 1A-22
Hub Bearing Unit Replacement ...... 18-23
Upper Arm Eushing
Replacement .....18-25
Rear Damper
Removal ................. 18-26
Disassembly/|nspection ............. ..... 1A-27
Reassembly ........... 18-28
lnstallation ............. 18-29
lr

Component Locations
)
lndex
Wheel Alignment, page l8 4
FBONT DAMPER. Removal, page 18-17. Disassembly/lnspection, page 18-18. Reassembly, page 18'19. Installation, page 18-19
KNUCKLE/HUB. Replacement, page 18'10
Front Suspension:
Rear Suspsnsion:
UPPER ARM' Replscement, page 18-8
. Wheel Bearing Replacement, page 18-14. Lower EallJoint Replacement, page 18-16STABILIZER BAR' Replacement, page 18-8
LOWER ARM. Replacement, Page 18-8
UPPER ARM' Replacement, page 18 20
LOWER ARM. Replacement, page 18-20
REAR DAMPEB. Removai. page 18-26. Disassembly/lnspection, page 18-27. Feassembly, page lS-28. Installation, page 18-29
ARMTRAILING ARM' Replacement, page 18-20l-,. Feplacement, page 18 20
18-3

Wheel Alignment
,f,
Caster
NOTE: For proper inspection/adjustment of the wheel
alignment check and adjust the following before check-
ing the alignment.
. Check that the suspension is not modified.
. Check the tire size and tire pressure.
. Check the runout of the wheels and tires.
. Check the suspension ball ioints. {Hold a wheel with
your hands and move it up and down and right and
left to check for wobbling.)
Inspection
NOTE: Use commercia lly-available computerized four
wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel align-
ment {caster. camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow
the equiDment manufacturer's instructions.
Check the caster angle.
Caster angle: 1',10' I 1'
lf out of specification, check for bent or damaged
suspensron components.
2.
1.
18-4
Camber
lnspection
NOTE: Use commercially-available computerized four
wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel align-
ment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow
the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Check the camber angle.
Camber angle:
Front: 0'00' j 1"
Rear:-1"11"
2. lf out ol specification, check for bent or damaged
suspensron components.

?
Front Toe Inspection/Adiustment
NOTE: Use commercially-available computerized four
wheel alignment equipment to measure wheel align-
ment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow
the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Check the tire pressure.
Center steering wheel spokes.
Check the toe with the wheels pointed straight
a head.
Front toe: lN 1 1 2 mm llN l/16 r 1/16 inl
- lf adjustment is required, go on to step 4.
- lf no adjustment is required, remove alignment
equrpmenr.
Loosen the tie-rod locknuts, and turn both tie-rods
in the same direction until the front wheels are in
straight ahead position.
TIE.ROD LOCKNUT'14 x 1.5 mm
4.
tJ
6.
Turn both tie-rods equally until the toe readang on
the turning radius gauge is correct.
After adjusting, tighten the tie-rod locknuts.
NOTE: Reposition the tie-rod boot if it is twisted or
displaced.
4,1 N.m {4.5 kgf.m, 33 lb{.ft)
2.
Rear Toe Inspection/Adiustment
NOTE: Use commercially-available computerjzed Iour
wheel alignment equjpment to measure wheel align-
ment (caster, camber, toe, and turning angle). Follow
the equipment manufacturer's instructions.
1. Release parking brake.
NOTE:
a Measure difference in toe measurements wlth
the wheels pointed straight ahead.
. if the parking brake is engaged, you may get an
incorrect readang,
Rear toe-in: 2 11 mm ttltollllS int
- lf adjustment is required, go to step 2.
- lf no adjustment is required, remove alignment
equipment.
Before adjustment, note the locations of adiusting
bolts on the right and left compensator arms
Loosen the adjusting bolts, and slide the compen
sator arm in or out. as shown, to adjust the toe
ADJUSTING BOLT10 x 1.25 mm
In CoMPENSAToR ARM
4. Tighten the adiusting bolts
. Example:
After the rear toe inspection, the wheel is 2 mm
(0.08 in) out of the specification.- Move the arm so the adjusfing bolt moves 2 mm
(0.08 in) inward trom the position recorded before the
adjustment.- The distance the adjusting bolt is moved should be
equal to the amount out-of-specification.
64 N.m 16.5 ksf m, 47 lbtft)
18-5

Wheel/Hub Inspection
\
Bearing End Play
1. Raise the vehicle off the ground, and suppon it wjth
safety stands in the proper locations (see section 1).
2. Remove the wheels, then reinstallthe wheel nuts
3. Attach the dial gauge as shown.
4. N4easure the bearing end play by moving the disc in
or outward.
Front/R€ar:
Standard: 0 - 0.05 mm l0 - 0.002 inl
Measure end play athub flange.
t./
Bear:
Measure end PlaY at center ofthe hub cap.
lf the bearing end play measurement is
the standard, replace the wheel bearing.lJmore than
1A-7
Wheel Runout
1. Raise the vehicle off the ground, and support it with
safety stands in the proper locations (see section I I
2. Check for bent or deformed wheels.
3. Attach the dial gauge as shown.
4. Measure the wheel runout by turning the wheel.
Front and Rear Wheel Axisl Runout:
Standard:
Steel Whoel: 0 - 1.0 mm (0 - 0.0,1 inl
Aluminum Wheel: 0 - 0.7 mm (o - 0.03 in)
Servica Limit:2.0 mm (0.08 inl
Front and Rear Wheel Radill Runout:
Standard:
Steol Wheel: 0 - 1.0 mm (0 - 0.04 in)
Aluminum Wheol: 0 - 0.7 mm (0 - 0.03 in)
Service Limit:1.5 mm {0.06 in}
lf the wheel runout is more than the service limit,
replace the wheel.

Front Suspension
Suspension Arms Replacement ('96 - 99 models)
CAUTION:
. Replace the selt-locking nuts after removal.
. The vehicle should be on the ground betore any bolts or nuts connected to rubber mounts or bushings are tightened.
NOTE:
. Wipe off any dirt, oil or grease on the threads before tightening the fasteners.. The right and left damper forks are not interchangeable. The left damper fork is marked with "AL" while the rightdamper fork is marked with "AR'
. The right and left upper arms are not interchangeable. The left upper arm is marked with "SO1-L" while the right upperarm is marked with "SOl-R".
. Before tightening the upper and lower mounting nuts on the stabilizer link, adjust the location of the link with the sus-pension under vehicle load.
. When installing the radius arm washers, the "FR" mark faces the front ofthe vehicle.. After installing the suspension arm, ch eck the front wheel alignment, and adjust if necessary (see page 18-4).
FLANGE BOLTS10 x 1.25 mm54 N.m 15.5 kgl.m,40 tbf.ftl
STAEILIZER ENDRUBBER BUSHING
BALL JOINT BOOT. Check for deterioration and damage.. See page 18-16 for boot replacement.
STABILIZER BARCheck for bending and damage.
Check for deterioration - ---\--
and damage, -\
FLANGE BOLT14 x 1.5 mm/)l103 N.m {10.5 kg{.m,. t, ,/4,76lb{.ft) t,,"-iV
v:\FLANGE BOLT-
;iffillr-"- ilHitffi*::,"*"
and damaoe,
o.'-----------14 x 1.5 mmReplace.83 N.m {8.5 kgf.m, 61 lbf.ftl
LOWER ARMCheck for
c
JlTTda
1{ x 1.5 mm89 N.m {9.1 kgt m. 66 lbtft)
-6;SILICONE GREASERUBBER BUSHING
DAMPER FORKCheck for damage.
SELF-LOCKING NUT I x 1.2522 N.m (2.2 kg{.m, 16lbf.ftlReplace.
FLANGE BOLT10 x 1.25 mm€ N.m {4.6 kgt m.32 tbf.ft)
SELF-LOCKING NUT12x 1.25 mmReplace.6it N m {6.5 kgf.m, 47 lbf.ftl
RUEBER BUSHING. Check for deterioration and damage.
.6t",.,"o".c"KeSTAAIL|zER END RUBBER EUSHINGSNote the directionof the bushings.
18-8

I
Suspension Arms Replacement ('99 2D Si and Si-R models)
CAUTION:
. Replace the selt-locking nuts after removal.
. The vehicle should be on the ground belore any bolts or nuts connected to rubber mounts or bushings are tightened.
NOTE:
. Wipe off any dirt, oil or grease on the threads before tightening the fasteners
. The right and ieft damper forks are not interchangeable. The left damper fork is marked with "AL" while the right
damper fork is marked with "AR"
. The right and left upper arms are not interchangeable. The left upper arm is marked with "SOl-L" while the right upper
arm is marked with "SO1-R".
. Before tightening the upper and lower mounting nuts on the stabilizer link, adiust the location of the link with the sus-
pension under vehicle load.
. When installing the radius arm washers, the "FR" mark faces the front of the vehicle.
. After installing the suspension arm, check the front wheel alignment, and adjust if necessary (see page 18-4).
FLANGE BOLTS10 x 1.25 mmsit N.m 15.5 kgf.m,40 tbtftl
UPPER ARM' Check the ball joint boot fordeterioration and damage.. Check the bushing for deteriorationano oamage,. Check the ball ioint fo. faultymovement and clamage.STABILIZER BUSHINGAlign the stabilizer markwith the end of stabilizer bushing
FLANGE BOLT14 x 1.5 mm
l./
103 N.m (10.5 kgf.m,76 tbr.ftl
STABILIZER LINK. Check the ballioint bootfordeterioration and damage.. Checkthe ballioint tor faultymovement and damage.
STABILIZER BARCheck for bending and damage.
FLANGE BOLT 8 x 1.25 mm22 N.m (2.2 kgf.m, 16lbf.ft)
SELF-LOCKING NUT14 x 1.5 mmReplace.83 N.m 18.5 kgf m, 61 lbf.ft)
-.6r srr-,co", hSHrtlrT.[*"u
6g619g Check for deteriorationano oamage.
SELF.LOCKING NUT10 x 1.25 mm 29 N m 13.0 kgf m, 22 lbf ftl
Replace.Hold the ball ioint pin using a hex wrench,
and taghten the self'locking nut.
LOWER ARMCheck fordamage.
FLANGE NUT l0 x 1.25 mm
29 N.m 13.0 kgI m,2.2 lbf ft)
Before tightening the {lange nut,position the ball joint Pinin the middle of its range of travel,
with the suspension under vehicle load
FLANGE BOLT14 x 1.5 mm89 N.m 19.1 kgf.m, 66 lbf.ft)
FLANGE BOLT10 x '1.25 mm43 N.m {4.4 kgf.m,32 tbtft)
DAMP€R FORKCheck lor damage.
DAMPER FORKRU88ER BUSHINGCheck for deterioration and damage.
4@lsrlrcoNE GREASE
SELF.LOCKING NUT12 x 1.25 mmReplace.64 N m 16.5 kgl.m, 47 lblft)
J
RANGE
18-9

Front Suspension
Knuckle/Hub Replacement
CAUTION:
. Replaco tho salf-locking nuts after romoval.
. The vehiclo should be on tho ground bsfore any bohs or nuls connected to rubber mounb or bushings are tightened.. Torqu€ th€ castle nut to the lowor torque specification, ihen tighton it only far enough to align th€ slot whh the pin
hole. Do not align the nut by loosening.
NOTE:
. Use only genuine Honda wheel weights for aluminum wheels. Non-genuine wheel weights may corrode and damagethe aluminum wheels.
. On the aluminum wheels, remove the center cap from the inside of the wheel after removing the wheel,. Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surfaces of the front hub and brake disc,. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and wheel.o Wipe off the grease before tightening the nut at the ball joint.
CALIPER MOUNTING BOLT12 x 1.25 mm108 N.m {11.0 kgl.m, 80lbf.ft)
LOWER BALL JOINTInspect for faultymovement and wear.
CASTLE NUT10 r 1.25 mm39 - ia7 N.m (4.0 - 4.8 kgf.m, 29 - 35 lbf,ftl
COTTER PINReplace.
WHEEL BEARINGReplace.Replacement, page 18-14
CIRCLIP
SCREW5x0.8mm5 N.m {0.5 ksl.m, 4 lbf.ftlReplacement, page 18-16
SET RING
BALL JOINT BOOT
FRONT HUBCheck for damage andcracks.Replacement,page 18-10Check for deteriorationand damage.
CASTLE NUT12 x 1.25 mm49 - 59 N.m l5.O - 6.0 kg{.m. 36 - /(} lbf,ftl
SPINDI.T ]{UT22 r 1.5 mmlEl N.m {18.5 kgf.rn, 13{ lbl.ttlReplace.NOTE:. Before instelling the spindle nut. apply6n9ine oilto th6 seating surface ofthe nut.. Atter tightening, uso a drift to stake thespindle nut should6r against the driveshaft.
BRAKE DISCCheck for wear andrust.Replacement, page 18-11lnspection, section 19.
WHEEL NUT12 x 1.5 mm'108 N.m1r1.0 kgf.m, 8lt lbf.ft)
6 mm BRAKE DISC RETAINING SCREW9.8 N.m 11.0 kgf.m, 7 lbtft)
18-10