1997 HONDA CIVIC For

Inspection and Adjustment
Steering Operation
Steering Wheel Rotational Play
Place the front wheels in a straight ahead position andmeasure the distance the steering wheel can be turnedwithout moving the front wheels.
ROTATIONAL PLAY: 0 - 10 mm (0 - 0.4 in)
lf the play exceeds the service limit, perform rack guide
adjustment (see page lT-5).
lf the play is still excessive after rack guide adjustment,inspect the steering linkage and gearbox as descrjbed
Detow.
Steering Linkage and Gearbox
TIE.ROO LOCKNUTCheck for loose locknut.
BOOTInspect for damage and deterioration.
STEERING JOINTSCheck for loose joint
END BALL JOINTInspect for faulty movementano oamage.
GEABBOX MOUNTINGInspect f or deterioration.GEABBOX ASSEMBLY
Ste€ring Effort Check
Raise the front wheels off the ground.
Turn the steering wheel with a spring scale and check itsreaorng,
Standard: 15 N (1.5 kgf, 3.3 lbll maximum
lf it reads more. perform rack guide adjustment (see
page 17-5).
COLUMNInspect for loose columnmounting bolts and nuts.
PINION SHAFT GROMMETfor damage and deterioration.
BALL JOINT BOOTInspect for damage and deterioration.See pago 17-68 tor replacement.
ao-\---------U
17-4
Inspect for loose mounting bolts.

Steering Gearbox
l.r
Rack Guide Adjustment
NOTE: Perform the rack guide adjustment with the
wheels in the straight ahead position.
1. Loosen the rack guide screw locknut with the spe-
cial tool, then loosen the rack guide screw.
LOCKNUT WRENCH, 40 mm07916 - SA5000r
Tighten the rack guide screw until it compresses the
spring and seats against the rack guide, then loosen
rt.
Retighten the rack guide screw to 4 N'm (0.4 kgf m,
2.9 lbf.ft), then back it off to specified angle.
Specilied Return Angle: 30' max.
Tighten the locknut while holding the rack guide
Check for tight or loose steering through the com-
plete turning travel.
Recheck steering effort (see page 17-4).
4.
RACK GUIDE SCREW
l,z
Removal
NOTE: Using solvent and a brush, to wash any oil and
dirt off the gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
1. Raise the front of vehicle, and support it on satety
stands in the proper locations (see section I ).
2. Remove the front wheels.
3. Remove the steering wheel (see page 17-35).
4. Remove the steering loint cover
Remove the steering joint lower bolt, and discon-
nect the steering joint by moving the joint toward
the column.
(cont'd)
17-5
STEERING JOINT COVER
LOWER BOLT
STEERING JOINT

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

Reassembly
NOTE:
. Clean the disassembled parts with solvent, and dry them with compressed air. Do not dip the rubber parts in solvent.
. Alwavs replace the non reuseable parts with new ones before assembly
. Do not allow dust, dirt, or other foreign materials to enter the steering gearbox.
-6,1
PINION OUST SEALReplace.RACK ENO BUSHING
\
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r@
-6i
GEARBOX MOUNTING CUSHIONS
V."^pR,NG,3smm
tr
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")*o''o"'"'*
DISC WASHER
RACK GUIDE
(cont'd)
17-9
tJ

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

Steering Gearbox
Reassembly (cont'd)
21.
'19.
20.
Install the boot band so that the locking tabs of the
band (stake points) are in the range shown below.
{Tabs should face up and slightly forwaro.,
Bend both sets of locking tabs.
Lightly tap on the doubled-over portions to reduce
their height.
CAUTION: Stake the band locking tabs firmly.
22. Slide the rack right and left to be certain that the
boots are not detormed or twisted.
Stake points
+ Fronr
Lett Boot Band(Viewed from the left side)Right Boot Bend(Viewed from the right side)
17-12

Steering Gearbox
Installation (cont'dl
Center the cable reel by first rotating it clockwise
until it stops. Then rotate it counterclockwise(approximately two turns) until the arrow mark on
the label points straight up. Reinstall the steering
wheel (see page 17-35).
Install the steering joint cov€r with the clamps and
clrps.
7.
STEERING JOINI COVER
17-14
9. Reconnsct the ti€-rod ends to the steering knuckles,
thon tightsn th€ castle nut ('96 -'97 models) or nut('98 -'00 models) to the specified torque, and install
new cotter pins.
NOTE: Before connecting the tie-rod ends, wipe off
any grease contamination from the ball joint
tapered section and threads.
CAUTION: Torque lhe ct3tle nut to thr lowsr torque
spocification, th€n tighton it only tar anough to
align the 3lot with tho pin hob. Do not align the
nut by loosening ('96 - '97 modcls onlyl.
TIE.ROD
COTTER PINSR6plac6.On rgassombly, b6nd
'96 - 37 model3:
cotter prn as shown.'98 - '00 modol3:
NUT4a N.m(4.5 kgf.m,33 lbr.ftl
CAST1T NUT,O - ilt N'm{4,0 - 4.8 kgf.m.29 - 35 tbtftl
10.Installthe exhaust pipe A or TWC (see section 9).
Connect the shift linkage (see section 13 or section
14).
Install the front wheels.
After installation, perform the following checks.
. Adjust the front toe (see section 18).. Check the steering wheel spoke angle. Adjust by
turning the right and left tie-rods, if necessary.
NOTE: Turn the right and left tie-rods equally.
ll.

Component Locations
I
lndex
Power Steering:
NOTE:
. li an intact airbag assembly has been removed trom a scrapped vehicle or has been found defective or damaged dur-
ing transit. storage or service, it should be deployed (see section 24).
. Before removing the gearbox, remove the driver's airbag assembly and steering wheel.
. After installing the gearbox, checkthewheel alignmentand adjust if necessary.
SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations. precautions, and procedures in the SRS
section {24} before performing repairs or service.
STEERING WHEELRemoval/lnstallation, page 17-35
Disassembly/Feassembly, page 17-36
DRIVER'S AIRBAG ASSEMBLYRemoval/lnstallation, see section 24
STEERING GEAREOXRack Guide Adiustment, page 17'33
/
Removal, page 17 47Disassembly, page 17-49Reassembly, page 17-55Installation, page 17-65VALVE EODY UNITOverhaul, page 17 52
COLUMNFemoval/lnstallation, page 17-37Inspection, page 17-38CASLE REELRemoval/lnstallation, see section 24
IGNITION SWITCHSee section 23
POWEF STEERING PUMPPump Belt Inspection, page 11-32Pump Belt Adiustmenl, page 11'32Pump Pressure Check, page 17 34Removal/lnstallation, page 17'40Disassembly/Reassembly, page 17-41
TIE.ROD END BALL JOINTBallJoint Boot Replacement, page 17-68
1,,
17-15