2003 HONDA CIVIC Front

Front Suspension
Damper/Spring Replacement
Exploded View
DAMPER MOUNTINGBEARING
UPPER SPRING MOUNTINGCUSHIONCheck for deteriorationano oamage,
DAMPER SPRINGCheck for lree length.
./ SELF-LOCK|NG NUT/.' 12 x 1.25inm
,,/ 44 N.m {4.5 kgt.m, 33lbf.ftl,/ neDtace.^atae9
-€.- - DAMPER MOUNTING BASE
1, @-:'\--""' check for delormation
lF \-:-./ - ,
E9-
DAMPER UNITCheck for oil leaks,gas leaks, and smoothoperatron.
\
18-20

Special Tools Required
Ball joint remover,28 mm 07MAC-S100200
Removal
1. Raise the front of the vehicle, and support it with
safety stands in the proper location (see page 1-8).
Remove the front wheels.
Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod end ball
ioint, and remove the nut (B).
10 mm HEX NUT
07MAC-S1002000
Disconnectthe tie-rod end from the steering arm
on the damper using the specialtool (see page 18-
10 ).
Remove the bolts, and remove the wheel sensor
harness bracket {A) and brake hose bracket (B)
from the damper. Do not disconnect the wheel
4.
sensor connector.
A6x1.0mm
/.8
x 1.25 nm
q
5. Remove the damper pinch bolts (A)while holding
the nuts (B).
6. Remove the flange nuts (A)from the top ofthe
damper,
A10 x 'l.25 mm
7. Lower the lower arm, and remove the damper
assembly (B).
(cont'd)
18-21

Front Suspension
Damper/Spring Replacement (cont'd)
Disassembly/lnspection
1. Compress the damper spring with a commercially
available strut spring 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 necessary to remove the nut,
Release the pressure from the strut spring
compressor, then disassemble the damper as
shown in the Exploded View.
18-22
4.
Reassemble all the pans, except for the upper
spring seat and 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.
Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, and binding
during these tests.
\

Front Suspension
Damper/Spring Replacement (cont'dl
Right side:
9.
Hold the bottom of the damper with your hand, and
compress the spring. Do not compress the spring
excessively.
Installthe 12 mm nut (A) on the damper shaft (B).
Hold the damper shaft with a hex wrench (C), and
tighten the 12 mm nut to the specified torq ue.
(4.5 kgt.m, 33 lbf ft)
Remove the damper assembly from the strut spring
compressor.
10.
18-24
Installation
1. Lower the lower arm, and position the damper
assembly in the body, Turn the damper mounting
base so the "AL" or "AR" mark (A) faces toward
the outside of the vehicle.
B10 x 1.25 mm,14 N.m{4.5 kgt.m,33 lbf.ft)
,1,6
Loosely install the flange nuts (A) onto the top of
the damper.L

3. Position the damper on the knuckle, and installthe
new damper pinch bolts (A) and nuts (B), and
lightly tighten the nuts.
B16x 1,5 mm157 N.m(16.0 kgt m,116 tbt.ftl
4. Place the floor jack under the lower arm balljoint,
and raise the suspension to load it with the vehicle's
weight.
Do not place the jack against the lower arm
balljoint.
Tighten the flange nuts on the top of the damper to
the specified torque.
Tighten the damper pinch nuts to the specified
torque.
Install the brake hose bracket (A) and the wheel
sensor harness bracket (B) onto the damper, and
tighten the bolt to the specified torque.
5.
1.
9.8 N.m11.0 kgf.m, 7.2lbf.ftl22N|rl.12.2 kgI m,16 rbr,ftl
q
8. Connect the tie-rod end to the steering arm, and
tighten the nut (A) to the specified torque. Install
the cotter pin (B) after tightening, and bend lts end
as shown.
9. Clean the mating surface ofthe brake disc and the
inside of the wheel, then install the front wheels.
10. Check the wheel alignment, and adjustitif
necessary {see page 18-4).
18-25

3.
Trailing Arm Removal/lnstallation
1.Raise the rear of the vehicle, and suppon it with
safety stands in the proper location (see page 1,8).
Remove the rear wheels.
Remove the knuckle (see page 18-28).
Place the floor jack under the trailing arm (A) to
support it.
B10 x 1.25 mm38Nm(3.9 kgl.m,28 tbf.ftl
12 x 1.25 mm61 N m (6.2 kgt m.
A 4s tbf,ft)
Remove the flange nut (B), and disconnect the
stabilizer link (C) from the trailing arm.
Remove the flange bolt {D), and disconnect the
damper (E) from the trailing arm.
Remove the trailing arm front mounting bolts (A).
A12 x 1.25 Jnm108 N.m {11.0 kgt.m,80 tbf.ft)
,'a':r -
7. Remove the trailing arm rear mounting bolt (A).
Do not loosen the special bolts (B) on the
trailing arm.
A12 x 1.25 mm59 N.m
-----\':,'.ttg
'.,--1..-r.':1
Lower the jack, and remove the trailing arm.
Install the trailing arm in the reverse order of
removal, and note these items:
. First install allthe suspension components and
lightly tlghten the bolts and nuts, then place ajack under the trailing arm, and raise the
suspension to load it with the vehicle's weight
before fully tightening the bolts and nuts to the
specified torque values.. Tighten allthe mounting hardware to the
specif ied torque values.. Before installing the wheel, clean the mating
surface of the brake disc and the inside of the
wneei.. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if
necessary (see page'18-4).
8.
9.
18-33

D
Installation
1. Position the damper assembly in the body. Note
the direction of the damper mounting base so that
the small hole dot on it is toward the front and
inside of the vehicle.
Loosely install the flange nuts (A) onto the top of
the damper,
A10 x 1.25 mm59 N.m16.0 kgt.m, ia lbt ft)
3. Loosely installthe flange bolt (A) on the bottom of
the damper.
12x 1.25 mm61 N m {6.2 kgf.m. 45 lbf.ft)
Raise the suspension with a floor jack to load the
vehicle weight, and tighten the nuts and bolt to the
specified torque values.
Clean the mating surface ofthe brake disc and the
inside of the wheel, then install the rear wheel.
Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if
necessary (see page 18-4).
18-37

Brakes
Conventional Brake Components
Special Tools ... ..... ... l9-2
Component Location Index ......................................... 19-3
Brake System Inspection and
Tests ............... .......... 19-4
Brake Pedal and Brake Pedal Position Switch
Adjustment .............. 19-6
Parking Brake Check and
Adjustment .............. 19-7
Brake System Bleeding ...................... 19-8
Brake System Indicator Circuit
Diagram ................... 19-9
Parking Brake Switch Test ................. 19-10
Brake Fluid Level Switch Test ...................................... 19-10
Front Brake Pads lnsoection and
Replacement ........... 19-11
Front Brake Disc Inspection ............... 19-13
Front Brake Calioer Overhaul ...................................... 19-14
Master Cylinder Replacement ........... 19-15
Master Cylinder Inspection ................ 19-16
Brake Booster
Pushrod Clearance Adjustment ................................ 19-16
Brake BoosterTest ................... .......... 19-18
Brake Booster Reolacement .............. 19-19
Rear Brake Pads Inspection and
Reolacement ........... 19-20
Rear Brake Disc Inspection ................ 19-22
Rear Brake Caliper Overhaul ....................................... 19-23
Brake Hoses and Lines Insoection .... 19-24
Brake Hose Reolacement ................... 19-25
Parking Brake Cable Replacement .............................. 19-26
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Gomponents ... 19-29