1997 HONDA CIVIC rear

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

Steering Gearbox
Installation (cont'dl
5. Install the stiffener plate with the two gearbox
mounting bolts and stiffener plate aftaching bolts.
CAUTION: Be sure the air tube is not caught orpinched by stiffener plate,
NOTE: Install the bolts loosely first, then tighten
them securely.
7.
8.
6.Install the return hose joint by tightening the l6 mm
flare nut.
Connect the relurn hose securely, and tighten the
adjustable hose clamp from the engine compart-ment.
Connect the feed line and tighten the 14 mm flare
nut.
NOTE: Make sure that there is no interference
between the fluid lines, the rear beam or any otherparts.
ADJUSTABLE HOSECLAMP(see page 17-39)
16 mm FLARE NUT28 N.m {2.9 ksl.m. 20 lbf.ft)
RETURN
1a mm FLARE NUT37 N.m (3.8 kg{.m, 27 lbt.ftl
ATTACHING AOLTS38 N.m 13.9 kgf.m, 28 lbf.ftl
MOUNTING BOLTS(} N.m (4.a kgt m, 32 lbf.ftl
17-66
9.Center the steering rack within its stroke.
Slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the pin-
ion shaft (line up the bolt hole with the groove
around the shaft), and tighten the upper and lower
steering joint bolt.
NOTE:
. Connect the steering shaft and pinion with the
cable reel and steering rack centered.. Be sure that the lower steering joint bolt is securely
in the groove in the steering gearbox pinion.
. lf the steering wheel and rack are not centered,
reposition the serrations at lower end of the
steering joint.
10.
STEERING JOINTUPPER BOLT22 N.m (2.2 kgf.m,16 tbt.ftl
PINION SHAFT
Groove,
STEERING JOINTLOWER BOLT22 N.m (2.2 kgt.m, 16lbtttl
11.Center the cable reel by first rotating it clockwise
until it stops. Then rotate it counterclockwise(approximately two turns) until the arrow mark onthe label points straight up. Reinstall the steeringwheel (see page 17 35).

)
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.

Rear Suspension
ISuspension Arms Replacement ('96 - 99 modelsl
tffi Whsn ths suspension arms ar6 to be removed. place additionsl weight in the trunk bafore hoisting' Wh€n
-substantial weight is removed ftom th6 teal of ths vehicl6, the center of gravity may change causing ths cat to tip tor'
ward.
CAUTION:
. Replace the selt-locking nuts after removal.
.Thgvehic|eshouldb€onthggroundboforeanybohsornutsconnectodtorubbelmountso]bughingsaretighton.
NOTE:
. Make sure the toe adjusting bolts on the compensator arm are installed in the same direction'
. ,,t UP 1,, or ,,t UP LH G,. or ,.t UP LK,, or "t UP LS'. is stamped on the |eft upper arm and ,,t UP R" or "t UP RH G., or
"t UP RK" or "t UP RS" on the right upper arm'
. The rightand left "ornp"n""to, uitt rre symmetrical lnstall sothe "t UP" stamped side faces forward'
.Afterinsta||ingthesuspens|onarm,checktherearwhee|alignment,andadjustifnecessary(seepagelS-4).
FLANGE BOLT10 x 1.25 mm54 N.m
ADJUSTING BOLT(FLANGE BOLTI10 x 1.25 mm
BUSHINGCheck for deteriorationand oamage.
(5.5 kgf'm, 40 lbf'ftl
UPPER ARM INNER
47 tbf.ftl
tJ
l0 mm FLANGE BOLT
N.m t4.0 kst m, 29lblftl
DAMPER MOUNTING BOLT(FLANGE BOLT}
10 x 1.25 mm
54Nm(5.5 kgd.m, iro lbf'ft)
FI.ANGE BOLT10 x 1,25 mm54 N.m(5,5 ksrf.m, 4{} lbf'ft}
UPPER ARMCheck for bendangdamage-
TRAILING ARM
COMPENSATOR ARM
Check for bendingano oamage,
COMPENSATOR ARM
INNER BUSHING
.- SILICONE.@] GREASE
Check tor deteriorataonand damage.
FLANGE BOLT10 x 1.25 mm64 N.m {6.5 kgt'm,47 lbf.ft)
LOWER ARMCheck for cracksano damage.
LOWEN ARM BUSHING
.,- SILICONE..i@l GREASECheck for deteriorationand oamage,FLANGE AOLT12 x 1.25 mm64 N.m {6.5 kgf m,47 tbf.ftt
FLANGE BOL10 x 1.25 mm
I 54 N.m

(5.5 ksrm, ao lbf'ftl
1A-21