2003 HONDA CIVIC Rear

Rear Suspension
IDamper/Spring Replacement
Exploded View
DAMPER SPRINGCheck for weakenedcompression and damage.
9-----.---.-.I€tI -= SELF-LoCK|NG NUTt=J 10 x 1.25 mm29 N m {3.0 kgf.m,22 lbf.ft}Replace.
DAMPER MOUNlINGCOLLAR
DUST COVER
-t-
9...
r€) \qnJ/ \EZ\\
n BUMP sroP PLArE
lt \
/t \BUMP STOPCheck tor weaknessand damage.
OAMPER UNITCheck for oil leaks,gas leaks, and smoothoperation,
18-34

Removal
1. Raise the rear of the vehicle. and support it with
safety stands in the proper location (see page 1-8).
Remove the rear wheels.
2. Remove the flange bolt {A) from the bottom of the
damper.
Remove the rear bulkhead cover (see page 20-51).
Remove the flange nuts (A) from the top of the
damper in the trunk.
3.
5. Remove the damper assembly from the body.
i
(cont d)
18-35

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.

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

Component Location Index
FRONT BRAKESFront Brake Pads, Inspection andReplacement, page 19-1 1Front Brake DiscInspection, page 19'13Front Brake CaliperOverhaul, page 19-14
INDICATORBrake System Indicator CircuitDiagram, page 19-9Parking Brake SwitchTest, page 19 10Brake Fluid Level SwitchTest, page 19-10
BRAKE CABLE
BRAKE BOOSTERBrake BoosterTest, page 19-18Brake EoosterReplacement, page 19 19
Parking Brake CableReplacement, page 19 26
REAR DISC BRAKERear Brake Pads Inspection andReplacement, page l9-20Rear Brake DiscInspection, page 19'22Rear Brake Caliper Overhaul,page 19'23
PARKING BRAKE LEVERParkino BrakeCheck and Adjustment, page 19-7
BRAKE PEDALBrake Pedal and Erake Pedal Position SwitchAdjustment, page l9-6
BRAKE HOSES and LINESBrake Hoses and LinesInspection, page 19 24Brake HosesReplacement, page 19 25
MASTER CYLINDERMaster CylinderFl6^1.^6m6nr ^2^o 1O-18Master Cylinder Inspection, page 19-16Brake Booster Pushrod ClearanceAdjustment, page'19-16Brake System Bleeding, page 19-8
19-3

Parking Brake Check and Adiustment
Check
1. Pull the parking brake lever {A) with 196 N (20 kgf,
44 lbf) of force to fully apply the parking brake. The
parking brake lever should be locked within the
specified number of clicks (B).
Lever locked clicks: 7-8
- l2okqf, a4lbl)
2. Adjust the parking brake if the lever clicks are not
within the specification.
Adjustment
1. Release the parking brake lever fully.
Loosen the parking brake adjusting nut, start the
engine, and press the brake pedal several times to
set the self-adjusting brake before adjusting the
parking brake.
Block the front wheels, then raise the rear of the
vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the
proper location (see page 1-8).
Make sure the parking brake arm (A) on the rear
brake caliper contacts the brake caliper pin (B),
NOTE: The parking brake arm will only contact the
brake caliper pin when the parking brake adjusting
nut is loosened.
Remove the rear console {see page 20-57).
Pull the parking brake lever up one click,
7, Tighten the adjusting nut {A} until the parking
brakes drag slightly when the rear wheels are
tu rned.
A/
Release the parking brake lever fully, and check
that the parking brakes do not drag when the rear
wheels are turned. Readjust if necessary.
Make sure the parking brakes are fully applied
when the parking brake lever is pulled up fully.
Reinstall the rear console.
8.
9.
10.
19-7

Conventional Brake Components
Brake System Bleeding
NOTE:. Do not spill brake fluid on the vehicle; it may damage
the painU if brake fluid does contact the paint. wash it
off immediately with water.. The reservoir on the master cylinder must be at the
MAX (upper) level mark at the start of the bleeding
procedure and checked after bleeding each brake
caliper. Add fluid as required.. Do not reuse the drained fluid.. Always use Honda DOT 3 brake fluid. Non-Honda
brake fluid can cause corrosion and shorten the life of
the system.. Make sure no din or other foreign matter is allowed
to contaminate the brake fluid.
1. Make sure the brake fluid level in the reservoir is at
the MAX (upper) level line (A).
Slide a piece of clear plastic hose over the flrst
bleed screw, and submerge the other end in a
container of new brake fluid.
Have someone slowly pump the brake pedal
severaltimes, then apply steady pressure.
Starting at the left-front, loosen the brake bleed
screw to allow air to escape from the system. Then
tighten the bleed screw securely.
2.
19-8
5. ReDeatthe procedure for each wheel in the
sequence shown below until air bubbles no longer
appear in the fluid.
BLEEDING SEOUENCE:
OFront RightORe.r Right
O Front LeftORoar Loft
Refill the master cylinder reservoir to the MAX
{upper) level line.
FRONT BRAKE:
9 N.m 10.9 kgf.m,7 lbl.ft)
t-
REAR BRAKE:
9 N m 10.9 kgf.m, 7 lbf ft)