1997 HONDA CIVIC steering gearbox

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

ISteering Linkage and Gearbox
TIE-ROD END BALL JOINT
Inspect for faulty movement
and damage.
STEERING COLUMN
Inspect for loose column
mounting bolts and nuts
BOOTInspectdamage and deteriorataon
STEERING GEARBOXlnspect for loose mounting bolts.
GEARBOX MOUNTING CUSHIONS
Inspect f or deterioration
STEERING JOINTSCheck for loose joint bolts.
l./
TIE-ROD LOCKNUTfor loose locknut
BALL JOINT BOOT
Inspect for damage and deteriorataon'
See page 17-68lor replacement.
SHAFT GROMMETInspect for damage and deteriorataon.
lrz
17-31

lnspection and Adjustment
Pump Pressure Check
Check the fluid pressure as follows to determine
whether the trouble is in the pump or gearbox.
NOTE: First check the power steering fluid level andpump belt tension.
CAUTION: Disconnect the high pr$sure hos€ with care
so as not lo spill the power sieering tluid on tha frame
and other parts.
1. Disconnect the outlet line from the Dumo outlet fit-
ting, then installthe P/S joint adaptor (pump) on the
Dumo outlet.
2. Connect the P/S joint adaptor (hose) to the power
steering pressure gauge, then connect the outlet
hose to the adaptor.
3. Install the power steering pressure gauge to the P/Sjoint adaptor (pump) as shown.
ourlEr HosE FnrNo ,t"ll lrilu"ott
P/S JOINT ADAPTOB IHOSEI07RAK - S0i10l2rol07RAK- 50{{)120
P/S PRESSURE GAUGE07406 - 001000Aor07406 - 0010001
4. Open the shut-off valve fully.
5. Open the pressure control valve fully.
17-34
(Pa.t of tooll11 N.m11.1 kgt m, 8 lbf.ftl
PRESSURECONTROL VALVE
SHUT.OFFVALVE
PUMP OUTLETFITTING
6 x 1.0 mm BOLTlPart of tool)11 N.m11.1 kgf m, 8 lbtftl
7.
Start the engine and let it idle.
Turn the steering wheel from lock-to-lock several
times to warm the fluid to operating temperature.
Measure steady-state fluid pressure while idling. If
the pump is in good condition, the gauge should
read less than 1500 kPa (15 kgf/cmr, 213 psi).
lf it reads high, check the outlet line or valve body
unit (see General Troubleshooting 17-22).
Close the pressure control valve, then close the
shut-off valve gradually until the pressure gauge
needle is stable. Read the oressure.
lmmediately open the pressure control valve fully.
GAUTION: Do not keep lhe prossure control valve
clos€d more then 5 soconds or the pump could be
damagod by over-heating.
lf the pump is in good condition, the gauge should
read at least 6,400 - 7,400 kPa (65 - 75 kgflcm,, 920 -
1,070 psi). A low reading means pump output is too
low for full assist. Repair or replace the pump,
9.
P/S PBESSURE GAUGE07{16 -@1@OA
oi
SI{UT.OFF VALVE

Steering Gearbox
)
Removal
NOTE: Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt
off the valve body unit its lines. and the end if the gear-
box. Blow dry with comPressed air.
1. Drain the power steering fluid as described on page
2. Raise the front of vehicle, and support it on safety
stands in the proper locations (see section 11.
3, Remove the front wheels.
4. Remove the driver's airbag assembly, and steering
wheel (see page 17-35)
5. Bemove the steering joint cover.
6. Remove the steering joint lower bolt, and loosen
the steering joint upper bolt. Disconnect the steer-
ing joint by moving the ioint toward the column
tJ
17-47
TIE.ROD END
7. Remove the cotter pin from the castle nut {'96 -'97
models) or nut ('98 - '00 modslsl and remove the nut.
BALL JOINT REMOVER.28 mm07MAC - SLqI2|X)
'98 - '00 mod.b:NUT
8.
COTTER PINSRepl6ce.
lnstall the t0 mm hex nut on the ball joint.
Be sure that the 10 mm hex nut is flush with the ball
joint pin end, or the threaded section of the ball
joint pin might be damaged by the special tool.
NOTE: Remove the ball joint using the special tool.
Refer to section 18 for how to use ths ball joint
remover.
Seoarate the tie-rod ball joint and knuckle using the
specialtool.
CAUnON: Avoid damaging tho 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 9).
Disconnect the shift linkage (see section 13 or section
14).
(cont'd)
9.
10.
11.
12.

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

)
Disassembly
t)
Steering Rack DisassemblY
NOTE:
r Before disassemble the gearbox, wash it off with sol
vent and a brush.
. Do not dip seals and O-rings in solvent.
1. Remove the steering gearbox (see page 17-47]..
2. Remove the tie-rod end and locknut.
3. Remove air tube and cliPs.
Remove the boot bands and tie-rod clips Pull the
boots away from the ends of the gearbox.
BOOT
(|-,TIE.ROD CLIP
Hold the steering rack with a wrench ('98 -'00 mod-
els: left end only), and unscrew the rack end with
another wrench.
CAUTION: Be caroful not to damage the rack 3ur-
faco whh the wrench.
NOTE: '96 -'97 models is shown.
STEERING RACK END
STEERING RACK
Loosen the locknut, then remove the rack guide
screw and O-ring ('96 -'97 models only)
Remove the spring and the rack guide from the gear
housing.
7.
{cont'd}
17 -49
LOCK WASHER

Steering Gearbox
Disassembly (cont'd)
8. Remove cylinder lines A and B from the gearbox.
CYLINDER LINE gCYLINOCR LINE A
Drain the fluid from the cylinder fittings by slowly
moving the steering rack back and forth,
Remove the two flange bolts, then remove the valve
body unit from the gearbox. (See page 17-52 forvalve body unit disassembly.)
VALVE BOOY UNITFLANGE BOLT
10.
'96 - '97 mod.ls:32 mm SHIMS98 - '00 modok:WAVE WASHER
17-50
13. Loosen and remove the cvlinder end.
11. Drill a 3 mm (0.12 in) diameter hole approximatety
2.5 - 3.0 mm (0.10 - 0.12 in) in depth in the stakedpoint on the cylinder.
cAunoN:
o Do nol allow metal shavings to onter the cylin.
der housing.
. After romoying iha cylinder end, remova any
bur6 at the staksd point.
Dcpthi 2,5 - 3.0 mm {0.10 - 0.12 in}
CYUNDER
12. Hold the steering
snown.
gearbox using a C-clamp as

t
t5.
16.
14. Assemble a 12 x 1.25 mm flange nut onto a 12 x 175
mm grade 10 flange bolt as shown.
NOTE: Wrap the tlange portion of the bolt with
vinyl tape to protect the cylinder.
12,mm FLANGE
BOLT12 mm FLANGE NUTVINYL TAPG {p/N 90i77 - SLo - 000}
Install the flange bolt into the end of the steering
rack until it bottoms in the hole, then back the
flange bolt out 'll4 turn. Hold the flange bolt, and
tighten the flange nut against the rack by hand.
Install the bearing separator on the gearbox housing
a5 snown.
FLANGE BOLT
BEARING SEPARATOR0 - 1112" I
lCommercially availablo)
STEERING RACK
CYLINDER END SEAL
Set the gearbox in a press so the gear housing point
upward, then press the cylinder end seal and steer-
ing rack out of the gearbox
NOTE: Hold the steering rack to keep it from falling
when pressed clear.
CAUTION:
. Be carsful not damage to inn6l surface ot the
cylinder housing with the flange bolt.
. Do not place your lingers under th€ ste€ring
rack.
t./
17.
12 x 175 mm Ptess
1.,
the spe-
srcle.
securely
Replace. J__--'- ,----)t'| ,-----'" ,-,-'-'| fiN ----'
| .Wl'----
I
t
-'4a
| ^--.'--4
A ooY----- \
Q) * srerhtnc nact
20. lnsert a 24" long,3E" drive extension and
cial tool into the cylinder from the gearbox
NOTE: Make sure that the special tool is
positioned on the backup ring edges'
18, Remove the 12 mm bolt and nut from the steering
rack,
19. Remove the cylinder end seal from the steering
racK.
CYLINDER HOUSING
CAUTION: Be caroful not damago to inner surfaco
of the cylinder housing with the specisl tool'
21. Set the gearbox in a press, then press out the cYlin-
der end seal and backup ring from the gearbox,
GAUTION:
. Keep the tool sttaight to avoid damaging the cylin'
der wall. Check th€ tool angls, and corr€st it if nec-
€ssary, whon rsmoving the cylinder snd seal.
. Uss a pross to removs tho cylinder end seal. Do
not try to removo ths seal by striking the tool h
will br€ak the backup ring. and the cylinder snd
s€al will lemain in tho gearbox.
BACKUP RING
CYLINDER END SEAL
CYLINDER END SEALREMOVER ATTACHMENT07NAD - SR3020A
(cont'd)
17-51
Pross