1998 HONDA CIVIC Suspension

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.

Wheel Alignment
Turning Angle Inspection
NOTEr 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. Turn the wheel right and left while applying the
brake, and measure the turning angle of both
wneets.
Turning angle:
lnward wheel: 39'50'
Outwald wheel (ref erencel: 33'10'
2.lf the turning angle
check for bent or
nents,
is not within the specifications,
da m aged suspension compo-
18-6

Front Suspension
Suspension Arms Replacement ('96 - 99 models)
CAUTION:
. Replace the selt-locking nuts after removal.
. The vehicle should be on the ground betore any bolts or nuts connected to rubber mounts or bushings are tightened.
NOTE:
. Wipe off any dirt, oil or grease on the threads before tightening the fasteners.. The right and left damper forks are not interchangeable. The left damper fork is marked with "AL" while the rightdamper fork is marked with "AR'
. The right and left upper arms are not interchangeable. The left upper arm is marked with "SO1-L" while the right upperarm is marked with "SOl-R".
. Before tightening the upper and lower mounting nuts on the stabilizer link, adjust the location of the link with the sus-pension under vehicle load.
. When installing the radius arm washers, the "FR" mark faces the front ofthe vehicle.. After installing the suspension arm, ch eck the front wheel alignment, and adjust if necessary (see page 18-4).
FLANGE BOLTS10 x 1.25 mm54 N.m 15.5 kgl.m,40 tbf.ftl
STAEILIZER ENDRUBBER BUSHING
BALL JOINT BOOT. Check for deterioration and damage.. See page 18-16 for boot replacement.
STABILIZER BARCheck for bending and damage.
Check for deterioration - ---\--
and damage, -\
FLANGE BOLT14 x 1.5 mm/)l103 N.m {10.5 kg{.m,. t, ,/4,76lb{.ft) t,,"-iV
v:\FLANGE BOLT-
;iffillr-"- ilHitffi*::,"*"
and damaoe,
o.'-----------14 x 1.5 mmReplace.83 N.m {8.5 kgf.m, 61 lbf.ftl
LOWER ARMCheck for
c
JlTTda
1{ x 1.5 mm89 N.m {9.1 kgt m. 66 lbtft)
-6;SILICONE GREASERUBBER BUSHING
DAMPER FORKCheck for damage.
SELF-LOCKING NUT I x 1.2522 N.m (2.2 kg{.m, 16lbf.ftlReplace.
FLANGE BOLT10 x 1.25 mm€ N.m {4.6 kgt m.32 tbf.ft)
SELF-LOCKING NUT12x 1.25 mmReplace.6it N m {6.5 kgf.m, 47 lbf.ftl
RUEBER BUSHING. Check for deterioration and damage.
.6t",.,"o".c"KeSTAAIL|zER END RUBBER EUSHINGSNote the directionof the bushings.
18-8

I
Suspension Arms Replacement ('99 2D Si and Si-R models)
CAUTION:
. Replace the selt-locking nuts after removal.
. The vehicle should be on the ground belore any bolts or nuts connected to rubber mounts or bushings are tightened.
NOTE:
. Wipe off any dirt, oil or grease on the threads before tightening the fasteners
. The right and ieft damper forks are not interchangeable. The left damper fork is marked with "AL" while the right
damper fork is marked with "AR"
. The right and left upper arms are not interchangeable. The left upper arm is marked with "SOl-L" while the right upper
arm is marked with "SO1-R".
. Before tightening the upper and lower mounting nuts on the stabilizer link, adiust the location of the link with the sus-
pension under vehicle load.
. When installing the radius arm washers, the "FR" mark faces the front of the vehicle.
. After installing the suspension arm, check the front wheel alignment, and adjust if necessary (see page 18-4).
FLANGE BOLTS10 x 1.25 mmsit N.m 15.5 kgf.m,40 tbtftl
UPPER ARM' Check the ball joint boot fordeterioration and damage.. Check the bushing for deteriorationano oamage,. Check the ball ioint fo. faultymovement and clamage.STABILIZER BUSHINGAlign the stabilizer markwith the end of stabilizer bushing
FLANGE BOLT14 x 1.5 mm
l./
103 N.m (10.5 kgf.m,76 tbr.ftl
STABILIZER LINK. Check the ballioint bootfordeterioration and damage.. Checkthe ballioint tor faultymovement and damage.
STABILIZER BARCheck for bending and damage.
FLANGE BOLT 8 x 1.25 mm22 N.m (2.2 kgf.m, 16lbf.ft)
SELF-LOCKING NUT14 x 1.5 mmReplace.83 N.m 18.5 kgf m, 61 lbf.ft)
-.6r srr-,co", hSHrtlrT.[*"u
6g619g Check for deteriorationano oamage.
SELF.LOCKING NUT10 x 1.25 mm 29 N m 13.0 kgf m, 22 lbf ftl
Replace.Hold the ball ioint pin using a hex wrench,
and taghten the self'locking nut.
LOWER ARMCheck fordamage.
FLANGE NUT l0 x 1.25 mm
29 N.m 13.0 kgI m,2.2 lbf ft)
Before tightening the {lange nut,position the ball joint Pinin the middle of its range of travel,
with the suspension under vehicle load
FLANGE BOLT14 x 1.5 mm89 N.m 19.1 kgf.m, 66 lbf.ft)
FLANGE BOLT10 x '1.25 mm43 N.m {4.4 kgf.m,32 tbtft)
DAMP€R FORKCheck lor damage.
DAMPER FORKRU88ER BUSHINGCheck for deterioration and damage.
4@lsrlrcoNE GREASE
SELF.LOCKING NUT12 x 1.25 mmReplace.64 N m 16.5 kgl.m, 47 lblft)
J
RANGE
18-9

Front Suspension
Knuckle/Hub Replacement
CAUTION:
. Replaco tho salf-locking nuts after romoval.
. The vehiclo should be on tho ground bsfore any bohs or nuls connected to rubber mounb or bushings are tightened.. Torqu€ th€ castle nut to the lowor torque specification, ihen tighton it only far enough to align th€ slot whh the pin
hole. Do not align the nut by loosening.
NOTE:
. Use only genuine Honda wheel weights for aluminum wheels. Non-genuine wheel weights may corrode and damagethe aluminum wheels.
. On the aluminum wheels, remove the center cap from the inside of the wheel after removing the wheel,. Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surfaces of the front hub and brake disc,. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and wheel.o Wipe off the grease before tightening the nut at the ball joint.
CALIPER MOUNTING BOLT12 x 1.25 mm108 N.m {11.0 kgl.m, 80lbf.ft)
LOWER BALL JOINTInspect for faultymovement and wear.
CASTLE NUT10 r 1.25 mm39 - ia7 N.m (4.0 - 4.8 kgf.m, 29 - 35 lbf,ftl
COTTER PINReplace.
WHEEL BEARINGReplace.Replacement, page 18-14
CIRCLIP
SCREW5x0.8mm5 N.m {0.5 ksl.m, 4 lbf.ftlReplacement, page 18-16
SET RING
BALL JOINT BOOT
FRONT HUBCheck for damage andcracks.Replacement,page 18-10Check for deteriorationand damage.
CASTLE NUT12 x 1.25 mm49 - 59 N.m l5.O - 6.0 kg{.m. 36 - /(} lbf,ftl
SPINDI.T ]{UT22 r 1.5 mmlEl N.m {18.5 kgf.rn, 13{ lbl.ttlReplace.NOTE:. Before instelling the spindle nut. apply6n9ine oilto th6 seating surface ofthe nut.. Atter tightening, uso a drift to stake thespindle nut should6r against the driveshaft.
BRAKE DISCCheck for wear andrust.Replacement, page 18-11lnspection, section 19.
WHEEL NUT12 x 1.5 mm'108 N.m1r1.0 kgf.m, 8lt lbf.ft)
6 mm BRAKE DISC RETAINING SCREW9.8 N.m 11.0 kgf.m, 7 lbtft)
18-10

Front Suspension
Knuckle/Hub Replacement (cont'dl
NOTE: Use the special tool to separate the ball joints
from the suspension or steering arm,
CAUTION: 86 careful not lo damage the ballioint boot.
12. Clean any din or grease off the ball joint.
13. Remove the cotter pin from the steering arm, and
remove the nut.
14. Apply grease to the special tool on the areas shown,
This will ease installation of the tool and prevsnt
damage to the pressure bolt threads.
PRESSURE AOLT
Install a 10 mm hex nut onto the ball joint. Be sure
that the hex nut is flush with the ball joint pin end toprevent damage to the threaded end of the balljoint.
Install the special tool as shown. Insert the jaws
carefully, making sure you do not damage the balljoint boot. Adiust the iaw spacing by turning th6pressure bolt.
NOTE: lf necessary, apply penetrating type lubri-
cant to loosen the ball joint.
COTTER.PINReplace.On reassembly,bend the cofter pin
15.
16.
CASTI.T NUT10 x 1,25 mm39 - 47 N.m14.0 - 4.8 kgf.m,29 - 3s tbl.fttCASTLE NUT10 r 1.2s mn--]*-
corrcn nn .\
18-12
Replace-
17. Once the special tool is in place, turn ths adjusting
bolt as necessary to make the jaws parallel. Then
hand-tighten the pressure bolt, and recheck thejaws to make sure they are still parallel.
AI\IUSTING BOLT
NOTE: After making the adiustment to the adiust-
ing bolt, be sure the head of the adjusting bolt is in
this position to the allow the jaw to pivot.
With a wrsnch, tighten the pressure bolt until the
ball joint shaft pops loose from the steering arm.
E@ we.r cye plotection. Thc brtt iointcln brcrk loose suddenly and sclt'tol dirt or other
d.brb inio youl .ye..
Rsmov€ the tool, then remove th€ nut from the end
of the ball ioint and pull the ball joint out of the
stoering/suspension arm. Insp€ct the ball joint boot
and replace it if damaged.
18.
10

Front Suspension
Knuckle/Hub Replacement (cont'dl
NOTE: Replace the bearing with a new one after removal.
27. Separate the hub from the knuckle using the special
tools and a hydraulic press.
CAUTION:
o Take cale not to distort the splash guard.
. Hold onto the hub to keep it from falling whon
pr$sed clear,
. To prevenl damage to the tool. mak€ sure the
threads are fully engaged belore pressing.
HUB DIS/ASSEMBLYPILOT,38 mm07JAF - SH20110
HUB DIS/ASSEMALYSHAFT.22.{ x 25.4 mm07JAF - SH20120
28. Remove the circlip and the splash guard from the
knuckle.
Press
BEARTNG tSEPARATOR -O - 1112 in.(Commercially available)
Check tor bending and damage.
18-14
29. Press the wheel bearing out ofthe knuckle using the
special tools and a Dress as shown,
DRIVER07749 - (X)l 0000
Pross
t
KNUCKLE
ATTACHMENT,62x68mm07746 - 0010500
HUB DIS/ASSEMBLY BASE07GAF - SEoo4Ol
Press the wheel bearing
using the special tools, a
press as shown.
WHEEL BEARINGReplace.
inner race from the hub
bearing separator, and a
HUB DIS,/ASSSMBLYPILOT, 38 mm07JAF - SH20110
KNUCKLE
FRONT I{U8
HUB DIS/ASSEMBLYSHAFT,22.4 x 25.4 mm07JAF - SH20120

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).