1997 HONDA CIVIC Front

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.

Troubleshooting
General Troubleshooting (cont'd)
Assist (excessively light steering) athigh speed.
Shock or vibration when wheel isturned to {ull lock.
Steering wheelwill not returnsmoothly.
lf the problem is not corrected byadiusting the rack guide, adjustthe front wheel alignment lseesection 181.
Check the rack guide for properadiustment (see page 17 33).
Check the rack guide for properadjustment (see page 17-33).
Rack guide is adjusted properly.
lfthe problem is not corrected byadjusting the rack guide, replacethe gearbox.Check the belt for slippage andaolust as necessary {see page11 32).
A and B cylinder lines are nor-mal, check wheel alignment (seesection 18).
Wheel alignment is abnormal,adjust as needed.
Wheel alignment is normal.Check the steering wheel opera-tion and power assist check {seepage lT-30).
It the measurements are out ofspecifications, adjust the ra ckguide.
lf the problem is not corrected byadjusting the rack guide, replacethe gearbox.
17-24

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

Steering Wheel
l,/
Removal
SRS components are located in this area Review the
SRS component locations, precautions, and procedures
in the SRS section (24) before performing repairs or ser-
vice.
NOTE: Before removing the steering wheel. align the
front wheels straight ahead.
1. Remove the driver's airbag assembly from the
steering wheel (see section 24)
2. Disconnect the horn connector and cruise control
switches connector.
CRUISESWITCHES CONNECTOR
3. Remove the steering wheel nut
STEERING WHEEL NUT
Replace.
Remove the steering wheel by rocking it slightly from
side-to-side as you pull steadily with both hands.
ag N.m {5.0 kgt rn, 36lbfft)
1.,
17-35
lnstallation
CAUTION: Do not tap on the steering wheel or steering
column shaft when installing the stsering wheel.
NOTE: Before installing the steering wheel, align the
front wheels straight ahead.
1. Before installing the steering wheel, center the
cable reel, Do this by first rotating the cable reel
clockwise until it stops. Then rotate it counterclock-
wise approximately two turns The arrow mark on
the cable reel label should points straight up.
Install the steering wheel with the steering wheel
nut.
NOTE: Be sure the steering wheel shaft engages
the cable reel and canceling sleeve.
Attach the cruise control switches connector io the
steering wheel cliP,
Connect the horn connector.
Install the driver's airbag assembly, and confirm
proper system operation (see section 24).
Check the horn and cruise control switches for
proper operatrons.
CAELE REEL

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.

71.Connect the air tube between the right and left
boot.
lnstall the clips on the cylinder lines' then clamp the
air tube with the cliPs.
l./
CYLINDER LINE A
CLIP
l-,
lnstallation
CAUTION: Be carelul not to bend or damage the feed
line and cylinder lines when installing the gearbox'
1, Before installing the gearbox, slide the rack all the
way to right.
2. Install the mounting cushion on the steering gear-
DOX.
Install the pinion shaft grommet, then insert the pin-
ion shaft up through the bulkhead.
NOTE: Align the notch in the pinion shaft grommet
with the tab on the valve housing.
Install the mounting bracket over the mounttng
cushion, then installtwo gearbox mounting bolts'
MOUNTING BRACKET
cusHroN
39 N.m(4.0 kgj m, 29 lbtftlNOTE: Install the bracket
with the arrow Pornllngtoward the front.(cont'd)
17-65

)
1?
12, Install the steering joint cover with the clamps and a
clrp.
Reconnect the tie-rod ends to the steering knuckles,
tighten the castle nut ('96 -'97 models) or nut ('98 -
'OO models) to the specified torque, and install new
cotter plns.
NOTE: Before connecting the tie-rod ends, wipe off
any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered
section and threads.
CAUTION: Torquo the castle nut to the lower torque
sp€cification, then tighten it only tar enough to align
the slot with the pin hole. Do not align the nut by
loosening {,96 -'97 models only).
COTTER PINSReplace.On reassembly, bend
the cotter Pin 6s shown.'96 -'97 models:'98 -'00 mod€ls:
tr
CASTLE NUT40 - a8 N'm(4.0 - 4.8 kgf'm,29 - 35 lbf.ftl
NUT&l N.m{a.5 kgf'm, 33 lbl'ftl
NE-ROD END
(l-,
17-67
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Install the exhaust pipe A or TWC (see section 9).
Connect the shift linkage (see section 13 or section
14).
lnstall the front wheels
Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed
air from the system (see page 17-331
After installation, perform the following checks
. Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the
steering wheel from lock-tolock several times to
warm up the fluid. Check the gearbox for leaks
(see page 17-39).
. 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 equallv

Ball joint Boot Replacement
'96 - '97 models:
1. Remove the boot set ring and the boot.
CAUTION: Do not contaminate the boot installa.tion section with grsase.
2. Pack the interior of the boot and lip with grease.
3. Wipe the grease off the sliding surface of the ballpin, then pack the lower area with fresh grease.
CAUTION:
. Keep grease off the boot installation seciion andthe tapered s€ction ot the ball pin.
. Do not allow dust, dirt, or oth6r foreign materi-
als to 6nt8r the boot.
LIPEALL PIN TAPEREDSECTIONWipe off the grease.
INSTALLATION
SECTIONWipe off the grease.
Install the boot in the groove of the boot installation
section securely, then bleed the air from the boot.
-6lrBOOTSECTIONWipe off the grease
4.
ADJUSTING BOLTAdjust the depthby turning the bolt.
SET RING
Adjust the special tool with the adjusting bolt untilthe end of the tool aligns with the groove on theboot. Slide the set ring over the tool and into posi-
UOn.
CAUTION: After installing the boot, qhsck the ballpin tapered section for grease contamination andwipe it it necGsary.
17-68
'98 - '00 models:
CAUTION: Do not contaminato the boot installation sec-tion with grease.
1. Remove the boot from the tie-rod end, and wiDe theold grease off the ball pin.
2. Pack the lower area ofthe ball pin with fresh grease.
3. Pack the interior of the new boot and liD with freshgrease.
CAUTION:
. Keop groasc ott tho boot installalion sestion andth. iapored s.ction if th€ ball pin.
. Do not allow dust. dirt, or other foreign materials
to entor tho boot.
BOOT INSTALLASECTIONWipe off the gr€ase,
Install the new boot using the special tool as shownbelow.
NOTE: The boot must not be a gap atthe boot installation sections.
LtP .6r
J_/
ru
CAUTION: Aftor installing the boot, chock the batlpin tapgred section tor grgase cortamination. andwipe it it n€ces3ary.
FRONT HUBDIS/ASSEMBLY TOOL07965 - SA5o500