1997 HONDA CIVIC For

Front Suspension
L
Lower Ball Joint Replacement
Remove the knuckle (see page 18-11).
Remove the boot by prying the set ring off.
Check the boot for deterioration and damage.
replace if necessary.
Install the special tools onto the ball joint and tight-
en the casfle nut.
Position the special tools over
shown. then set the assembly in
ball joint out of the knuckle,
BALL JOINT REMOVER/INSTALLER07965 - SB00r00
CASTLE NUT
the ball joint as
a vise. Press the
lf
7.
BALL JOINT REMOVER BASE07JAF - SH20200
Place the ball joint in position by hand.
Install the special tools over the ball joint as shown,
then press the ball joint in.
BALL JOINT INSTALLEB BASE07965 - 5800200
BALL JOINT HOUSING SURFACE
18-16
8. Install the ball joint boot and set ring using the spe-
cial tool (see page 18-16).
ADJUSTING BOLTAdjust rhe depth byturning the bolt.
Install the knuckle in the reverse order of removal,
and pay particular attention to the following items:
. Be careful not to damage the ball joint boots
when installing the knuckle,
. Torque all mounting hardware to the specified
torque values.
. Torque the castle nuts to the lower torque speci-
fications. then tighten them only far enough to
align the slot with the pin hole. Do not align the
castle nut by loosening.
. Install new cotter pins into the castle nuts after
torquang.
. Avoid twisting the sensor wires when installing
the wheel sensor.
. Before installing the brake disc. clean the mating
surfaces of the front hub and the inside of the
brake disc.
. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating sur-
face of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel.. Check the front wheel alignment, and adjust it if
necessary {see page 18-4).

Front Damper
!Ball Joint Boot RePlacement
1.Remove the set ring and the boot.
CAUTION: Do not contaminate the boot installa-
tion section with grease.
Pack the interior of the boot and lip with grease
EALL PIN TAPERED SECTION
EOOT INSTALLATION SECTION
Wipe off the grease.BOOT INSTALLATION SECTION
Wipe off the grease.
lJ
3. Wipe the grease off the sliding surface of the ball
pin and pack with fresh grease.
CAUTION:
. Keep grease off the boot installation section and
the tapeled section of the ball pin.
5.
. Do not allow dust, dirt, or other toreign materi-
als to enter the boot.
Install the boot into the groove of the boot installa-
tion section securely, then bleed the atr.
Install the upper and lower ball joint boot set rings
using the special tools as follows:
Lower ball joint: Adiust the special tool with the
adjusting bolt until the end of the tool aligns with
the groove on the boot. Slide the set ring over the
tool and into Position.
BALL JOINTAOJUSTING BOLTAdjust the depth by
turning the bolt.BOOT CLIPGUIDE
4.
UPPER EALLJOINT EOOT:07GAG - SD40700LOWER BALLJOINT BOOT:07974 - SA50700
CAUTION: After installing the boot, check the ball
pin tapsrod section fol grease contamination and
wipe it if necessary.lt
18-17
Removal
l. Remove the front wheels (see page 18-11).
2, Remove the damper pinch bolt trom the top of
damper fork.
DAMPER FORK
OAMPERFORKBOLT
OAMPERPINCHAOLT10 x 1.25 mm
SELF-LOCKING NUT12 x 1.25 mmReplace.
Remove the damper fork bolt and self-locking nut
from the bottom of the damper fork, then remove
damper fork.
Remove the damper by removing the two nuts
DAMPER

Front Damper
Disassembly/lnspection
Disassembly'1. Compress the damper spring with the spring com-pressor according to the manufacturer,s instruc-
tions, then remove the self-lockino nut.
CAUTION: Do not compress the spring more thann€cessary to remove the nut.
10 mm SELF-LOCKING NUTReplace.
STRUT SPRINGCOMPRESSOR:(Commerci.lly availabl.lBRANICKO T/N MST.s8I}A, T/N 7200,or eouivalent
Release the pressure from thg spring compressor,
then disassemble the damper as shown in the next
column.
Inspostion
1. Reassemble all parts, except the spring.
2. Push on th€ damper assembly as shown.
Check for smooth operation through a full stroke,
both compression and extension,
NOTE: The damper should move smoothlv. lf itdoes not (no compression or no extension), the gas
is leaking, and the damper should be replaced.Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, or binding dur-ing these tests.
18-18
DAMPER UNIT
Replace.
DAMPER MOUNTING WASHER
BASE
DAMPER MOUNTINGBUBBERCheck for deteriorationand damage.
DAMP€R SPf,INGCheck tor weakened compressionand damage.
SPBING MOUNTING RUBBERCheck for deteriorationand damage,
BUMP STOPCheck fordamage.
DUST COVERPLATE
and
BUMP STOP PLATE
OUST COVERCheck for bending and damage.

Front Damper
Installation (cont'd)
2. Install the damper fork over the driveshaft and onto
the lower arm. Install the front damper into the
damper fork so the aligning tab is aligned with the
slot in the damper fork.
ALIGNING TAB
DAMPERPINCHEOLT10 x 1.25 mm43 N.m 14.4 kgf.m, 32 lbtftl12 x 1.25 mm64 N.m 16.5 kgl.m, 47 lbtftlReplace.
Loosely install the damper pinch bolt into the top ofthe damper fork.
Loosely install the damper fork bolt and a new self-locking nut into the bottom of the damper fork.
Raise the knuckle with a floor jack until the vehiclejust lifts off the safety stand.
@E The ftoor ilck must be sscuroty posi-
lionsd or personal iniury may r€€uh.
Tighten the damper pinch bolt.
Tighten the damper fork bolt and self-locking nut.
Tighten the flange nuts on top of the damper.
Install the brake hose mounts with the brake hose
mounting bolts.
Install the front wheel.
7.
8.
9.
10.
1a-20

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

Rear Suspension
Suspension Arms Replacement ('gg 2D Si and Si-R models)
CAUTION:
. Roplace the self-locking nut after removal.' The vehicle should be on the gtound before any bohs or nuls connected to rubber mounts or bushing are tightened.
NOTE:
' Make sure the toe adjusting borts on the compensator arm are insta|ed in the same direction.. "t UP L" or "t UP LH G" or "t Up LK" or "l Up LS,, is stamped on the left upper arm and ,,t Up R,, or "t Up RH G,,"i UP RK" or "t UP RS" on the right upper arm.. The right and left compensator arm are symmeticar. Install sothe"upr"markpointstothefront.. After installing the suspension arm, check the wheel atignment and adiust if necessary,
FLANGE BOLT'10 x 1.25 mm54Nm155kgl.m,,rc lbf.ftl
8 rhm BOLTS22 N.m {2.2 kgf.m, 16 tbtfrlSTABILIZER BUSHTNG
FLANGE BOLT10 x 1.25 rnm54 N.m {5.5 kgt m, iro lbf.ft)
STAEILIZER BARCheck for bending or damage.
FLANGE BOLT10 x 1 .25 mm64 N m {5.5 kgf.m,47 lbtftl
FLANGE BOLT10 x 1.25 mm54 N.m 15.5 *gf.m,
and
UPPER ARM BUSHINGCheck for deteriorationAlign the stabitizer markwith the end ot the stabilizer bushing.
FLANGE BOLT'10 x 1.25 mm54 N.m 15.5 kgt.m, a0 lbtftl
stLrcoNEUPPER ARM BUSHINGiO lbf.ftl
TRAILING ARMCheck for bending and
EOLTS10 x 1.25 mm39 N m ll kgf.m, 29 lbf.ft)
UPPER ARMCheck for b€nding or damage.#@lstLtcoNECOMPENSATOR ARM BUSHING
COMPENSATORARM BUSHINGCheck for deteriorationand damage.
FLANGE NUTr '1.25 mm29 N.m {3.0 ksl.m,22 lbtft}Belore tightening the flange nut,position the ball joint pinin the middle ol its range oftravel, with the suspension undervehicle load.
LOWER ARMCheck for damage-
BUSHING
FLANGE BOLTl0 x 1.25 mm6l N.m 16.5 kg{.m, a7 lbt.ftl
FLANGE BOLTS10 x 1,25 mm64 N.m {6.5 kgf.m, 47 lbf.ftl
SELF.LOCKNG NUT
LOWER ARM
-GrstltcoNE10 x 1.25 mm 29 N.m (3.0 ksl.m, 22 tbtfrlReplace.Hold the ball ioinl pin using a hex w.enct.and tighten the selfjocking nut.
STABILIZEB LINK
LOWER ARM BUSHING. Check for deterioration and damaoe.' See page 18 25 for bushing replaciement.
' Check for bending and damage.. Check the bushing for deterioration ano oamage.
18-22

IHub Bearing Unit RePlacement
For vehicles with drum brakes.'99 2D Si and Si-B models
NOTE:
o Use only genuine Honda wheel weights for aluminum wheels Non-genuine wheel weights may corrode and damage
the aluminum wheels.
.onthea|uminumwhee|s,removethecentercapfromtheinsideoftheWhee|afterremovingthewhee|'
. Before insta||ing the brake disc (or brake drum), c|ean the mating surfaces of the rear hub and the brake disc (or brake
orum,.
. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces ofthe brake disc(or brake drum) andwheel'
*1:
*2'.
12 6 mm FLANGE BOLT
9.8 N.m {1.0 kgf m, 7 lbf'ft|
*2 SPLASH GUAROCheck for crackingand damage.
SPINDLE WASTIER
SPINDLE NUT
22 x 1.5 mm181 N,m (18.5 kgt'm. 134lbfft)
Replace.NOTE:' Before installing the spindle nut, apply
engine oil to the seating surface of the
nut,' After tightening, use a drift Punchto lock the spindle nut shoulder into
TRAILING ARMCheck for crackingand oamage,
lr
the spindle.
HUB CAPBeplace.12 BRAKE DISCCheck for wear and
rust,'2 6 mm BRAKE DISC RETAINING SCREW
9.8 N'm 11.0 kgt m, 7 lbf'ft|
)
*1 BACKING PLATE
/\*1 BRAKE SHOE
r1 FLANGE BOLT10 x 1.25 mm6,0 N.m (6.5 ksl.m,47 lbl'ftl
REAB
'1 BRAKE ORUM
HUB UNIT BEARING
Check for crackingand damage.
WHEEL NUT12 x 1.5 mm108 N.m {11.0 kgt'm.80lbt'ft)
(cont'd)
1A-23
l-t

Rear Suspension
Hub Bearing Unit Replacement (cont'dl
NOTE: Disc type {'99 2D Si and Si-R modets)
1. Loosen the wheel nuts slightly.
2. Raise the rear of vehicle, and support it with safetystands in the proper locations {see section 1).
3. Remove the wheel nuts and rear wheel.
4. Pull the parking brake lever up.
5. Remove the hub cap.
6. Raise the locking tab on the spindle nut, thenremove the nut. SPINDLE NUT22 x 1.5 mrn181 N.m (18.5 kgf'm, 134lbf.fi)Replace.NOT€:. Eefore installing the spindle nut,apply engine oil to the seatingsurface of the nut.. After tightening, use a drift tostake the spindle nut shoulderagainst the spindle.
lFor vehictes \\with drum brakes;/
WHEEL NUT12 x 1.5 mm108 N.m
I I 1 kgt m, 80 lbf.ftl
HUB CAPReplace-NOTE: Take care not to damage the hub untton disassembly.
Remove the 6 mm brake disc retaining screws.7.
6 mm BRAKE DISCRETAINING SCBEWS9.8 N.m 11.0 kgl.m, 7 lbf.frl
1A-24
8.
9.
Release the parking brake lever.
Remove the brake drum, hub unit bearing, andspindle washer lfor vehicles with drum brakes).
BRAKE DRUM
SPINDI-E WASHER
10. Remove the 6 mm flange bolts and caliper shield.
CALIPER SHIELOCheck for bending and damage.
6 mm FLANGE BOLTS9.8 N.m {1.0 kgf.m, 7 lbf,ft)