2002 HONDA CIVIC Suspension parts

Towing
lf the vehicle needs to be towed, call a professional
towing service. Never tow the vehicle behind another
vehicle with just a rope or chain. lt is very dangerous.
Emergency Towing
There are three popular methods of towing a vehicle.
Flat-bed Equipment The operator loads the vehicle
on the back of a truck. This is the best way of
transporting the vehicle.
To accommodate flat-bed equipment. the vehicle is
equipped with towing hooks (A)and tie down hooks {B).
The towing hook can be used with a winch to pull the
vehicle onto the truck, and the tie down hooks slots can
be used to secure the vehicle to truck.
1-9
Wheel Lift Equipment The tow truck uses two
pivoting arms that go under the tires (front or rear) and
lifts them off the ground. The other two wheels remain
on the ground. This is an acceptable way of towing the
vehicle.
Sling-type Equipment The tow truck uses metal
cables with hooks on the ends. These hooks go around
parts of the frame or suspension and the cables lift that
end of the vehicle off the ground. The vehicle's
suspension and body can be seriously damaged if this
method of towing is attemPted.
lf the vehicle cannot be transported by flat-bed, it
should be towed with the front wheels off the ground lf
due to damage, the vehicle must be towed with the
front wheels on the ground, do the following:
. Release the parking brake.. shift the transmission in Neutral.
It is best to tow the vehicle no farther than 50 miles (80
km), and keep the speed below 35 mph (55 km/h).
. lmproper towing preparation will damage the
transmission. Follow the above procedure exactly. lf
you cannot shift the transmission, the vehicle must
be transDorted on a flat-bed.. Trying to lift or tow the vehicle by the bumpers will
cause serious damage, The bumpers are not
designed to support the vehicle's weight.

Do the items in parts A, B, C, D, and E as required for mileage/time interval listed.
AReplace engine oillsee page 8-5i. Capacity without lilter change: 4.0 S (4.2 US qt, 3.5 lmp qt)Rotate tires. Follow the pattern shown in the Owner's Manual Checktire information and condition.
BReplace engine oil filter lsee page 8-6). Capacity with filter change: 4.20 (4.4 US qt, 3.7 lmp qt)Inspect front and rear brakes (see page 19 3i.. Check pads and djscs for wear (thickness), damage, and cracks.' Check calipers tor damage, leaks, and tjghtness ot mount bolts.Check parking brake adjustment. Should be Iully applied within 7 to I clicks.Inspect tie rod ends, steering gearbox, and boots {see page 17 5).. Check rack grease and steering linkage.. Check boots for damage and leaking grease. Chack fluid line {or damage and leaks.lnspect suspension components.. Chock bolts fo r tig htness.. Check condition of ball ioint boots lor deterioration and damage.Inspect driveshaft boots. Check boots for cracks and boot bands for tightness (see page 16-3).Insp€ct brake hoses and lines {including ABS). Checkthe mastercylinder, proponioning control valve, and ABS modulator{or damageand leakage.Check all fluid levels and condition ot tluids; check for leaks. lf necessary, add MTF lsee page 13'3), engioe coolant, brake fluid, and
Lwindshield washer fluid.lnspectexhaust system*. Check catalytic converter heatshield, exhaust pipe and mufflerfordamage,leaks, and tightness {soe page 9,8).lnspect {uel lines and connections*. Check for loose connections, cracks and deterioration; retighten loose connoctions and replacedamaged parts (s€e page 11 146).
InsDect and adiust drive belt.. Look for cracks and damage, and inspect auto tensioner (needs no adjustment).Replace the dust and pollen lilter (see page 21 39).. Replacethe dustand pollen filter whenever airf low lrom the heating and cooling system is lessthan normal.
Replace air cleaner element every 30,000 miles (48,000 km) (independent of time).
l
D
Ei I Replace brake fluid every 3 years (independent oI mileage).
According to state and federal regulations, failure to do the maintenance items marked with asterisk( * ) will not void customer's emissionswarranties. However, Honda recommends that all maintsnance service be done at the recommended interval to ensure long term reliability.
Y
3-5

Rear Suspension
Damper/Spring Replacement (cont'dl
Disassembly/lnspection
1. Compress the damper spring with a commercially
available strut compressor (A) according to the
manufacturer's instructions. then remove the self-
locking nut (B)while holding the damper shaft (C)
with a hex wrench (D). Do not compress the spring
more than necessarv to remove the nut.
Release the pressure from the strut spring
compressor, then disassemble the damper as
shown ln the Exploded View.
Reassemble all the pans, except for the spring.
Compress the damper assembly by hand, and
check for smooth operation through a full stroke,
both compression and extension. The damper
should extend smoothly and constantly when
compression is released. lf it does not, the gas is
leaking and the damper should be replaced.
?
4.
Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, or binding
during these tests.
18-36
Reassembly
1. Install allthe partsexceptthe self-locking nutonto
the damper unit by referring to the Exploded View.
Align the bottom of the spring {A} and the stepped
part of the lower spring seat (B), and align the
damper mounting base as shown,
,, '161 7fi)1,, "
\3P qY/
Installthe damper assembly on a commercially
available strut spring compressor (C).
Compress the damper spring with the spring
compressor.
Installthe new self'locking nut (A) on the damper
shaft.
10 x 1.25 mm29Nm(3.0 kgt m,22 lbt.ft)
5. Hold the damper shaft {B) with a hex wrench (C),
and tighten the self-locking nut to the specified
torque.