1998 HONDA CIVIC Wheels

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
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.

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

IRack Guide Adjustment
NOTE: Perform rack guide adjustment with the wheels
in the straight ahead Position.
1. Loosen the rack guide screw locknut with the
cialtool.
'96 - '97 models:
Loosen the rack guide screw
'98 - '00 models:
Remove the rack guide screw and remove the old
sealant off of the threaded section.
Apply new sealant all around the threads. Loosely
installthe rack guide screw
Tighten the rack guide screw to 25 N'm (2.5 kgf'm.
18 lbf.ft), then loosen it.
Retighten the rack guide screw to 3 9 N'm (0.4 kgim,
2.9 lbf.ft), then back it off to specified angle.
Specified Return Angle: 20" max.
Tighten the locknut while holding the rack guide
screw.
Check for tight or loose steering through the com-
plete turning travel.
Perform following insPections:
. Steering operation (see page 17-30).
. Power assist with vehicle parked.
4.
LOCKNUT WRENCH, 40 mm
lr
17-33
Fluid Replacement
Check the reservoir at regular intervals, and add fluid as
necessary.
CAUTION: Always us€ Genuine Honda Power Stearing
Fluid-V or S. Using any other type of power sto€ring
tluid or automatic transmission lluid can cause
increased wear and poor steering in cold weathor.
SYSTEM CAPACITY:
0.85 liter 10.90 US' qt,0.75 lmp'qt)
at disassembly
RESERVOIR CAPACITY:
0.4 liter (0.42 US. qt, 0.35 lmP.qt)
LEVEL LINE
LOWER LEVEL LINE
1. Raise the reservoir, then disconnect the return nose.
2. Connect a hose of suitable diameter to the discon-
nected return hose, and put the hose end in a suit-
able container.
CAUTION: Take care not to spill tho fluid on the
body and parts. Wipe off any spill€d fluid at oncs'
3. Start the engine, let it run at idle, and turn the steer-
ing wheel from lock-to-lock several times When
fluid stops running out of the hose, shut off the
engine, Discard the fluid.
4. Reinstall the return hose on the reservoir'
5. Fill the reservoir to the upper level line.
6. Start the engine and run it at fast idle, then turn the
steering trom lock-to-lock several times to bleed air
trom the system.
7. Recheck the fluid level and add some it necessary.
CAUTION: Do not fill the reservoir beYond the
upper l€vel line.
HOSE

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.

)
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

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.