2003 HONDA CIVIC Front

Steering
Steering Wheel Installation
1. Before installing the steering wheel, make sure the
front wheels are aligned straight ahead, then center
the cable reel (A). Do this by first rotating the cable
reel clockwise until it stops. Then rotate it
counterclockwise about two and a half turns. The
arrow mark (B) on the cable reel label should point
straight up.
Position the two tabs (A) of the turn signal
canceling sleeve (B) as shown. Installthe steering
wheel onto the steering column shaft, making sure
the steerlng wheel hub (C) engages the pins (D) of
the cable reel and tabs of the canceling sleeve. Do
not tap on the steering wheel or steering column
shaft when installing the steering wheel.
17-8
3. Install the steering wheel nut (A), and tighten it to
the specified torgue.
A_B39 N.m (4.0 kgf m.29lbt ftl
Connect the cruise control set/resume switch
connector (B). fvlake sure the wire harness is routed
and fastened properly.
Install the driver's airbag, and confirm that the
system is operating properly {see page 23-113).
Check the horn, turn signal canceling and cruise
control switches for proper operation.
Reconnect the battery and do the following:. Do the engine control module (ECM) idle learn
procedure (see page 1l-139),. Power window control unit resetting procedure
\see page 22-1281.. Enter the anti-theft cord for the radio, then enter
the custmer's radio station presets.. Set the clock.
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7.
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EPS Components
General Troubleshooting Information (cont'dl
5. The blinking frequency indicates the DTC. DTCS are
indicated by a series of long and short blinks. One
long blink equals 10 short blinks. Add the long and
short blinks together to determine the DTC. After
determining the DTC, refer to the DTC
Troubleshooting Index.
The system will not indicate the DTC unless these
conditions are met:. Set the front wheels in the straight ahead drivingposition.. The ignition switch is turned ON (ll).. The engine is stopped.. The SCS circuit is shorted to body ground before
the ignition switch is turned ON (ll).
Example of DTC 23
Long blinks Short blinks(two times) (three timesl
6.
7.
Turn the ignition switch OFF.
Disconnect the Honda PGM Tester from the DLC.
17-20
How to Clear EPS DTCs
Honda PGM Tesler Method:
1. With the ignition switch OFF, connect the Honda
PGM Tester (A) to the 16P data link connector (DLC)
(B) located under the dash on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
Turn the ignition switch ON (ll), and clear the
DTC{s) by following the screen prompts on the
PGM Tester.
NOTE: See the Honda PGM Tester user's manual
for specific instructions.

Service Check Signal Circuit Method:
NOTE: Use this procedure when the PGM Tester
software does not match the yearlmodel vehicle you
are working on.
1. With the ignition switch OFF, connect the Honda
PGM Tester (A) to the 16P data link connector {DLC)(B) located under the dash on the driver's side of
the vehicle.
With the vehicle on the ground, set the front wheels
in the straight ahead driving position.
Short the SCS circuit to body ground using the
Honda PGM Tester.
Turn the ignition switch ON (ll). The EPS indicator
comes on for about 6 seconds. Within 4 seconds of
turning the switch ON, while the EPS indicator is on,
turn the steering wheel 45 degrees to the left from
the straight ahead driving position, and hold the
steering wheel in that position until the EPS
indicator goes off.
Within 4 seconds afterthe EPS indicator goes off,
return the steering wheel to the straight ahead
driving position and release the steering wheel.
The EPS indicator comes on again 4 seconds after
releasing the steering wheel,
Within 4 seconds after the EPS indicator comes on,
turn the steering wheel 45 degrees to the left again
and hold it in that position.
The EPS indicator goes off after 4 seconds.
4.
1.Within 4 seconds after the EPS indicator goes off,
return the steering wheel to the straight ahead
driving position again and release the steering
wheel. The EPS indicator blinks twice 4 seconds
after releasing the steering wheel, indicating that
the DTC was erased.
NOTE: If the EPS indicator does not blink twice, an
error was made in the procedure and the DTC was
not erased. Turn the ignition switch OFF, and
repeat the operation from step 3.
Turn the ignition switch OFF afterthe EPS indicator
blinks twice.
9. Disconnect the Honda PGM Tester from the DLC.
10. Perform the DTC code output operation, and be
sure that the code has been erased.
17-21

DTC 22: Vehicle Speed Sensor Signal
DTC 23: Engine Speed Signal
NOTE:. lf the MIL indicator is ON, troubleshoot the PGIVI-Fl
system first.. Even though the system is operating normally, the
EPS indicator will come on under the following
conditions.
- Condition 1:. The vehicle was traveling at least '12.4 mph(20 km/h), then. A rapld change in vehicle speed was detected,
then. The vehicle (or the vehicle speed sensor signal)
stopped for at least 5 seconds, and. The engine speed was still 1,640 rpm or higher for
at least 5 seconds- Condition 2:
After the vehicle (or the vehicle speed sensor
signal) has stopped for at least 10 seconds, yetthe
engine speed was still 1,640 rpm or higher for at
least 20 seconds.- Condition 3:
When the vehicle speed is 10 km/h (6.2 mph) or
above and the engine is running at 280 rpm or
below for 3 seconds.
1. Start the engine and check the tachometer.
ls the tachometer working correctly?
YES- Go to step 2.
NO-Go to step 9.
2. Test-drive the vehicle above 15 km/h {9.3 mph).
ls the speedometer working correctly?
YES Go to step 3.
NO-Perform the speedometer system
troubleshooting {see page 22-651.a
3.Block the rear wheels and raise the vehicle, and
make sure it is securely supported.
Turn the ignition switch ON (ll).
Block the right front wheel, and slowly rotate the
left front wheel, and measure the voltage between
EPS control unit connector C (20P)terminal No.7
and body ground.
EPS CONTROL UNIT CONNECTOR C {2OP)
Does the voltage pulse 0 V and 5 V?
YES Go to step 6.
NO Repair open in the wire between the EPS
control unit and the VSS. lf the wire is OK,check for
a loose or poor connections at the EPS control unit.
lf necessary, substitute a known-good EPS control
unit, and recheck.l
(conr'd)
4.
5.
Wire side of female terminals
17-33

Steering Gearbox Removal
Special Tool Required
Ball ioint remover,2S mm 0TlvlAC-S100200
1. Raise the front of vehicle, and make sure it is
securely supponed.
2. Remove the front wheels.
Remove the driver's airbag (seepage23-113).
Remove the steering wheel (see page 17-6).
Remove the motor on the steering gearbox (see
page l T-49).
Remove the driver's dashboard lower cover (see
page 20-59) and under cover {see page20-60).
Remove the steering joint bolts (A), and disconnect
the steering joint by moving the steering joint (B)
toward the column.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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8. Remove the cotter pin (A)from the tie-rod balljoint
nut {B), and loosen the nut.
r0 mm HEX NUT07MAC-S100200
Separate the tie-rod balljoint and damper steering
arm using the special tool (see page 18-10). Repeat
on the other side of the vehicle.
Grasp the right side tie-rod, and pull the rack all the
way to the passenger's side,
Remove the heat shield (A) mounting bolts from
the body stiffener, and let the heat shield lay
against the exhaust.
11.
9.
10.
(cont'd)
17-51

EPS Components
4
17.
18.
Steering Gearbox Installation (cont'dl
Install the motor on the steering gearbox (see page
17-49).
lnstall the steering joint (A). and reconnect the
steering shaft (B) and pinion shaft (C). Make sure
the steering joint is connected as follows:
. Insertthe upperend of thesteering jointontothe
steering shaft (line up the bolt hole (D) with the
flat portion (E) on the shaft).. Slip the lower end of the steering joint onto thepinion shaft (line up the bolt hole with the groove
(F) around the shaft), and loosely installthe lowerjoint bolt. Be sure that the lower joint bolt is
securely in the groove in the pinion shaft.. Pull on the steering joint to make sure that the
steering joint is fully seated. Then install the
upper joint bolt, and tighten it to the specified
torque. Tighten the lower joint bolt to the
specified torque.
8 x '1.25 mm28 N.m{2.9 kgf.m,21 tbt.ft)
19.
20.
Installthe driver's dashboard lower cover (see
page 20-59) and under cover (see page 20-60).
lf the steering wheel was turned, center the cable
reel by first rotating it clockwise until it stops. Then
rotate it counterclockwise (about two and half
turns) untilthe arrow mark on the label points
straight up. Reinstall the steering wheel (see page
17 -8).
Install the front wheels.)1
17-66
22. After installation, perform the following checks.
. Perform the front toe inspection.. Check the steering wheel spokeangle. lfsteering
spoke angles to the right and left are not equal(steering wheel and rack are not centered),
correct the engagement of the joinvpinion shaft
serrations, then adjust the front toe by turning
the tie-rods, if necessarv.
\

Suspension
Front and Rear Suspension
SpecialTools ............. 18-2
Component Location Index ......................................... 18-3
Wheel Alignment ..................... ........... 18-4
Wheel Bearing End Play Inspection ............................ 18-8
Wheel Runout Inspection .................. 18-9
Ball Joint Removal ... 18-10
Front Suspension
Kn uckle/H u bAVheel Bearing Replacement
Ball Joint Boot Reolacement ..................
Stabilizer Bar Rep|acement ....................
Stabilizer Link Removal/lnstallation
LowerArm Removal/lnstallation ...............
Damper/Spring Replacement
Rear Suspension
Hub Bearing Unit Replacement .....................
Knuckle Reolacement
Stabilizer Bar Replacement ....................
Stabilizer Link Removal/lnstallation ..........................
Upper Arm Removal/lnstallation ...............
Trailing Arm Removal/lnstallation
Damper/Spring Replacement
18-1 1
18-16
18-17
18-18
18-19
18-20
18-26
18-28
18-30
18-31
18-32
18-33
18-34

Front and Rear Suspension
SpecialTools
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Ref.No.Tool NumberDescriptionotv
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07GAF-SE00100
07MAC-S100200
07746-0010500
07749-0010000
07965-SA50500
07965-SD90100
Hub Dis/Assembly Tool
Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm
Attachment, 62 x 68 mm
Driver
Front Hub Dis/Assembly Tool
Support Base
18-2