2002 Honda Civic LX Sedan L4-1668cc 1.

7L SOHC MFI

Copyright 2013, ALLDATA

10.52SS

Page 1

Steering Gear: Service and Repair

Removal and Installation
Steering Gearbox Removal
Special Tools Required
Ball joint remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL00200
Note these items during removal:
^ Using solvent and a brush, wash any oil and dirt off the valve body unit, its lines, and the end of the gearbox. Blow dry with compressed air.
^ Be sure to remove the steering wheel before disconnecting the steering joint. Damage to the cable reel can occur.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Raise the front of vehicle, and make sure it is securely supported.

Remove the front wheels.
Remove the driver's airbag and the steering wheel.
Remove the driver's dashboard lower covers.

5. Remove the steering joint bolts, and disconnect the steering joint by moving the steering joint (A) toward the column.

6. Remove the air cleaner (A) and resonator (B).

7. Open the heater valve cable clamp, and disconnect the heater valve cable. Remove the heater valve (A) from the bulkhead, and move it aside.

2002 Honda Civic LX Sedan L4-1668cc 1.7L SOHC MFI

Copyright 2013, ALLDATA

8. Above the steering gearbox, remove the feed line clamp (A).

9. Disconnect the feed line (A) and return line (B) from the valve body unit.

10. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the tie-rod ball joint nut (B), and loosen the nut.
11. Separate the tie-rod ball joint and damper steering arm using the special tool.

12. Under the steering gearbox, remove the return hose clamp.

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2002 Honda Civic LX Sedan L4-1668cc 1.7L SOHC MFI

Copyright 2013, ALLDATA

10.52SS

13. Remove the engine wire harness (A) from the harness bracket (B).
14. Remove the steering rack guard (C) by removing the three clips.

15. Remove the steering gearbox attaching nut and washer on the right gearbox mounting bracket.

16. Remove the steering gearbox attaching bolts and washers on the left gearbox mounting bracket.

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2002 Honda Civic LX Sedan L4-1668cc 1.7L SOHC MFI

Copyright 2013, ALLDATA

10.52SS

Page 4

17. Pull on the steering gearbox to free it from the mounting stud (A) on the right gearbox mounting bracket (B). Remove the three mounting bolts
and bracket.
18. Lower the steering gearbox, and rotate it so the pinion shaft points upward.

19. Carefully move the steering gearbox (A) and tie-rods (B) as an assembly toward the passenger's side until the pinion shaft clears the heater hoses.
Remove the steering gearbox through the wheel well opening on the passenger's side.
20. Remove the pinion shaft grommet (C) from the top of the valve body unit.

Steering Gearbox Installation

1. Install the pinion shaft grommet (A).

2. Pass the valve body unit side of the steering gearbox (B) together with the tie-rods (C) through the wheel well opening on the passenger's side.
3. Carefully move the steering gearbox toward the driver's side until the pinion shaft clears the heater hoses. Continue moving the gearbox toward
the driver's side until the steering gearbox is in position.

2002 Honda Civic LX Sedan L4-1668cc 1.7L SOHC MFI

Copyright 2013, ALLDATA

10.52SS

Page 5

4. Install the right gearbox mounting bracket (A) on the frame.

5. Slip the right side of the steering gearbox over the mounting stud (A) on the right gearbox mounting bracket. Install the washer (B) and the
gearbox mounting nut (C) and lightly tighten.

6. Insert the pinion shaft up through the bulkhead, and install the left gearbox mounting bolts (A) anal washer (B), and tighten them to the specified
torque. Then tighten the right side of the gearbox mounting nut to the specified torque value.

2002 Honda Civic LX Sedan L4-1668cc 1.7L SOHC MFI

Copyright 2013, ALLDATA

10.52SS

7. Install the steering rack guard (A).

8. Install the engine wire harness (B) on the harness bracket (C).

9. Under the steering gearbox, install the return hose clamp (A) on the gearbox.

10. Above the steering gearbox, connect the feed line (A) securely, and tighten the 14 mm flare nut (B).
11. Connect the return line (C) securely, and tighten the 16 mm flare nut (D).

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2002 Honda Civic LX Sedan L4-1668cc 1.7L SOHC MFI

Copyright 2013, ALLDATA

10.52SS

Page 7

12. Install the feed line clamp (A) on the gearbox. Make sure that there is no interference between the feed and return lines any other parts.

13. Wipe off any grease contamination from the ball joint tapered section and threads. Then reconnect the tie-rod end (A) to the damper steering
arms. Install the 10 mm nut (B) and tighten it.
14. Install the new cotter pin (C), and bend it as shown.

15. Reinstall the heater valve (A) in its original position, and connect the heater valve cable to the valve arm. Install the heater hoses on the hose
clamps securely.

16. Install the air cleaner (A) and resonator (B).

2002 Honda Civic LX Sedan L4-1668cc 1.7L SOHC MFI

Copyright 2013, ALLDATA

10.52SS

Page 8

17. Install the steering joint (A), and reconnect the steering shaft (B) and pinion shaft (C). Make sure the steering joint is connected as follows:
^ Insert the upper end of the steering joint onto the 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 the pinion shaft (line up the bolt hole (F) with the groove (G) around the shaft), and loosely install
the lower joint 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.
18. Install the driver's dashboard lower covers.
19. Center the cable reel by first rotating it clockwise until it stops. Then rotate it counterclockwise (approximately two and half turns) until the arrow
mark on the label points straight up. Reinstall the steering wheel.
20. Install the front wheels.
21. Fill the system with power steering fluid, and bleed air from the system.
22. After installation, perform the following checks:
^ Start the engine, allow it to idle, and turn the steering wheel from lock-to-lock several times to warm up the fluid. Check the gearbox for
leaks.
^ Perform the front toe inspection.
^ Check the steering wheel spoke angle. Adjust by turning the right and left tie-rods equally, if necessary.