How to Repair a Strut on a Honda Civic

The strut assembly on a Honda Civic, like any vehicle, is made up of multiple components. Any one of these components can affect the struts ability to absorb the shocks of the road. Replacing the entire strut is often a preferred method of repair, but it is possible to replace individual components. You must use caution, as these parts are under extreme pressure. Check both struts to see if both are in need of repair.

Instructions

Removal

1

Raise the front end of the Civic and support it on jack stands, making sure the parking brake is on. Remove the wheel.

2

Unbolt and remove the speed-sensor wiring and the brake-hose bracket from the strut, using a wrench. Disconnect the tie-rod end from the strut's steering arm and the stabilizer bar link.

3

Paint markings to show the steering knuckle's relationship to the strut, using a thin paintbrush or whiteout. Remove the nuts with your wrench and knock out the camber bolts with a punch and hammer. Separate the knuckle from the strut.

4

Remove the three nuts surrounding the center nut at the top of the strut tower and remove the strut from the fender well. It will help to have a second person support the strut while you remove the nuts

Components

5

Insert the strut assembly in a bench vise. Cover the vise jaws with rags and close the jaws just enough to securely hold the strut.

6

Compress the strut's coil spring, following the exact instructions of your particular spring compressor. Wiggle the spring to confirm there is no pressure in the upper spring seat.

7

Unscrew the damper rod nut with a box-end wrench while holding the rod with an Allen wrench. Remove the nut and upper mount and replace the mount if it won't turn smoothly or the rubber is cracked or deteriorated.

8

Pull the upper spring seat and insulator off the damper rod. Replace the seat if it has become cracked or hard.

9

Lift the compressed spring off the damper rod, making sure the spring ends point away from you, and store it some place safe.

10

Remove the dust cover and its plate and then remove the rubber bump stop at the bottom. Replace this bump stop if it is cracking or deteriorated.

11

Raise and extend the damper rod to its full length and reassemble the components of the strut in the exact order of removal. Seat the lower spring end in the lowest portion of the lower seat and line up the upper seat with the spring's upper end.

12

Release the spring compressor from the spring, using the compressor's exact instructions. Remove the strut from the vise.

Installation

13

Guide the strut into the fender well and see that the three studs go into the holes in the Civic's strut tower. Install the nuts by hand; you will tighten them later.

14

Insert the steering knuckle into the strut flange and install the nuts and bolts, following your own handmade alignment marks.

15

Reconnect the tie-rod end, stabilizer bar link, speed sensor wiring and brake hose bracket with their bolts.

16

Reconnect the wheel and lower the car.

17

Tighten the strut's upper mounting nuts with your wrench.