steering rack HONDA CIVIC 1997 6.G Owner's Manual

System Description
Steering Gearbox
The rack-and-pinion type steering gearbox has a valve body unit incorporated with the pinion to control the steering fluidpressure. Steering fluid from the pump is regulated by a rotary valve in the valve body unit and is sent through the cylin,der line to the power cylinder, where hydraulic pressure is applied. The steering fluid in the other side of the power cylin,der returns through the cylinder line and valve body unit to the reservoii.
VALVE EODY UNIT
CYLINDER LINE
To RESERVOm +-From PUMP -;
POWER CYLINDER
Valve Body Unit
Inside the valve body unit is the valve, which is coaxial with the pinion shaft, and controls the steering fluid pressure. Thevalve housing is connected with the fluid line from the pump, the return line to the reservoir, and the two cylinder linesfrom the respective power cylinder. The pinion shaft is double - structured with the input shaft connected to the piniongear, both of which are interconnected with the torsion bar.
The pin inserted in the valve and the pinion shaft groove engage; this allows the pinion shaft to rotate together with thevalve. Because of this construction, the difference in angle in the circumferential direction between the input shaft and thevalve becomes larger according to the torsional strength of the pinion or steering resistance. However, maximum torsionbetween the shafts is regulated by the engaged splines of the shafts at the pin engagement section to hold the torsion barwithin the set value,
This allows the steering system to function as an ordinary rack-and-pinion type steering if the steering fluid is not pressur-
ized because of a faulty pump,
VALVE
Difforence in angle botwoon theinput shaft and pinion shsft
PINION SHAFT
lo
INPUT SHAFT
-l
a
17-20
INPUT SHAFT

Pressure Control
Low assist at higher speeds:
WhensteeringresistanceIsIow,suchaswhendrivingathighspeeds,orwhendrivingstraightahead,theinputshaftis
near or in the neutral position, so there is little or no fiow ro any of the power cylinder orifices. Most oI the feed pressure
fromthepumpisbypassedtothereservoir.Becauseofthis,thepressurestaysthesameinbothsidesofthepowercy||n-
der, resulting in low or no asslst
VALVE From PUMP
SECTION A-A
RETURN PASSAGElTo RESERVOIRI
POWER CYLINDER
STEERING GEARBOX
High assist at lower speeds:
When steering resistance is high. such as when driving at low speeds' or when turning the wheel wirh the vehicle
stopped,thedifference|nang|ecreatedbetweentheinputshaftandtheVa|veopensthef|uidpassageononeside,and
c|osesthefluidpassageontheotherside,ateachpairoforifices'Thef|uidpressureincreasesinthesideo|thepower
cy|inder|edbythe|argerf|uidpassage'Thisincreasedpressurepushesontherackpiston,a|lowingthesteeringwhee|to
be turned with light effort. on the other side of the power cylinder, the return passage opens allowing the steering tluid to
returnthroUghtheinputshafttothereservoir'Thef|uidpassagestothepowercy|inderautomatica||ychangeins|ze,
increasing as the steering resrstance increases. In other words, the passages become larger and power assist increases
when the steering effort would normally be high, (for example' when parking or making low speed turns)' and the pas-
sagesbecomesma||erandpowerassistdecreaseswhenthesteeringeffortwou|dnorma||ybe|ow,(forexamp|e,when
driving at high speeds or straight ahead).
FLUIO PASSAGE TO
POWER CYLINDER
/t=\\a!-4,))
=YjJ
RESERVOIR
SECTION A-A
l'
{High fluid Pressure}

I
AbnormalDeformed
Faulty cylinder lines
Adiustment OK
Faulty valve body unit
Normal
IICompair the steering to another alike
vehicle.
/
Check the force required to turn
the wheel (see Page 17 30i
Start the engine and measure the
force required to turn the wheel
to the right and left. Difference of
the lorce required to turn the
wheel to the right and to the Ieft
should be 2.9 N 10 3 kgf, 0.7 lbf)
or below.
Check for bent rack shaft
Check rack guide adiustment (see
page 17-33).
(cont'd)
17 -23
1,,

Troubleshooting
General Troubleshooting (cont'd)
Assist (excessively light steering) athigh speed.
Shock or vibration when wheel isturned to {ull lock.
Steering wheelwill not returnsmoothly.
lf the problem is not corrected byadiusting the rack guide, adjustthe front wheel alignment lseesection 181.
Check the rack guide for properadiustment (see page 17 33).
Check the rack guide for properadjustment (see page 17-33).
Rack guide is adjusted properly.
lfthe problem is not corrected byadjusting the rack guide, replacethe gearbox.Check the belt for slippage andaolust as necessary {see page11 32).
A and B cylinder lines are nor-mal, check wheel alignment (seesection 18).
Wheel alignment is abnormal,adjust as needed.
Wheel alignment is normal.Check the steering wheel opera-tion and power assist check {seepage lT-30).
It the measurements are out ofspecifications, adjust the ra ckguide.
lf the problem is not corrected byadjusting the rack guide, replacethe gearbox.
17-24

/
Uneven or rough steering
Steering wheel kicks back
during wide t!rns.
ll,
)
Adjust the rac* guide (see page 17-3).
lf the problem is not corrected bY
adjusting the rack guide, replace
the gearbox.
Adiust the belt tension. Feplace the
belt, il necessary (see Page 17 32).
lfthe engine stalls when the wheel
is turned while car is stopped or
moving at low speed, adjust the
idle spe€d (see section 11)
ldle speed low or erratic.
Check power sleering fluid level lf
the level is excessively low, check
lor leaks in the system. Add lluid
to the specified level.
Air in reservoir, or check Powersteering Iluid level.
lf ltuid level is OK, check O-rings
and seals on both ends of thepump inlet hose, and the P/Spump housing mating surfaces
and the pumP shaft oil seal for
suction leaks. RePlace Parts as
nocessary.
Adjust the belt tension (see Page17 32)or replace belt.Pump belt sliPPing on PLrlleY(pump stops momentarilY)
Check if pump press{rre is normal
and the gauge needle travel is 500
kPa (5 kgl/cm?, 7l Psi) or less.
Chock the flow control valve if the
needle travel exceeds 500 kPa (5
kgflcm', 71 Psi). l{ the flow control
valve is normal, replace the PumPas an assemoly.
Install the power steering pressure
gauge, Close the Pressure contrcl
valve fully and m6ssure the PumPpressure {s€e page 17-34}.
17 -25,

Troubleshooting
Noise and Vibration
NOTE; Pump noise in first 2 - 3 minutes after starting in cold weather is normal.
Humming
Rattle or chattering
Humming due to pulsation of fluid is normal, particularlv when the wheel isturned with the vehicle stooDed.
lf equipped with automatic trans-mission, the hum could be thetorque conveater or pump noise.
Confirm by temporarily removingthe pump belt.
High-pressure line touching theframe.Reposition the line.
Loose steering shaft connector,tie-rod. or balljoint.Check and tighten, or replacepaats as necessary.
Column shaft wobbling.Replace the column assembly.
Check the rack guide tor properadjustment (see page 17,33).Adiusi, if necess€ry.
Rattling sound and feeling when turning the steering wheel raght and left with theengine OFF is normal.
Pump noise, though not loud. trom the valve body unit can be heard whon turn-ing the steering wheel right or left. This is normat.
CAUTION: When imp€sting, do not hold the steering wheet a[ the way tothe right or the left.
17-26

Inspection and Adjustment
Steering Operation
Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position,
and measure the distance the steering wheel can beturned without moving the front wheels.
ROTATIONAL PLAY: 0 - 10 mm l0 - 0.39 inl
lf the play exceeds the service limit. perform rack guide
adjustment (see page 17-33).
lf the play is still excessive after rack guide adjustment.inspect the steering linkage and gearbox as describedon the nel(t pag€.
ROTATIONAL PLAY
17-30
Power Assist Gheck with
Vehicle Parked
1. Check the power steering fluid level (see page 17-33) and pump belt tension (see page 17-32).
2. Start the engine, allow it to idle. and turn the steer-ing wheel from lock-tolock several times to warm
up the fluid.
3. Attach a spring scale to the steering wheel. With theengine idling and the vehicle on a clean, dry floor,pull the scale as shown and read it as soon as thetires begin to turn.
The scale should read no more than 29 N (3.0 kgf.
6.6 lbf). lf it reads more, check the gearbox andpump,
D0

Inspection and Adjustment
Pump Belt
NOTE: When using a new belt, first adjust the deflection
or tension to the values for the new belt, then readjust
the deflection or tension to the values for the used beltafter running engine for five minutes.
Inspection
Attach the special tool to the belt and measure the ten-sion of the belt.
Tension:'99 -'00 mod€ls: B1642 Engin. Type onlyUsed Bsh: 390 - 540 N lao - 55 kgt.88 - 120 tbf)New Belt:740 - 880 N {75 - 90 kgf, 170 - 200 tbt}'96 - '00 models: Other Engine Types
Used Beh: 340 - 490 N (35 - 50 kgf, 77 - ilO tbflNew Belt:640 - 780 N 165 - 80 ksf, 1& - 176 tbf)NOTE:
. lf there are cracks or any damage evident on the belt,reDlace it with a new one.. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the tensiongauge.
BELT TENSION GAUGE07JGG _ 001010A
Inspect the pump belt for cracks or any damage.Replace the belt with a new one if necessary.
Measuremont without Beh Tension Gauga:
Apply a force of 98 N (10 kgt,22 lbfl and measure thedeflection between the power steering pump and thecrankshaft pulleys.
Dsflectior:'99 -'00 model3: 816A2 Engine Typ€ ontyUsed Beh: 7.5 - 11.0 mm t0.30 - 0.43 inlNew Beh:5.0 - 7.0 mm (0.20 - 0.28 in)'96 - '00 models: Othor Engine Typos
Used Behi 10.5 - 14.0 mm (0.ial - 0.59 inlNow Beh:7.5 - 10.0 mm (0.30 - 0.39 inl
POWER STEERING PULUY
CRANKSHAFT PULLEY
17-32
Adiustment
1. Loosen the power steering pump mounting bolts.
2. Adjust the belt tension.
'99 - '00 mod€ls: 816A2 Engin€ Typo only
. Turn the adjusting bolt by hand to get the proper belttension, then retighten the mounting bolts,
ADJUSNNG BOLT
PUMP MOUNNNG BOLTS24 N.m (2.4 kgf'm, 17 tbtftlPOWER STEERINGPUMP
'96 -'00 modek: Othcr Engins Typos
. Pry power steering pump away from the engine witha wrench to get the proper belt tension, then retight-en the mounting bolts.
PUMP MOUNTING BOLT24 N.m (2,4 kgf.m, 17 lbl.ftl
PUMP MOUNTING BOLT24 N.m {2.a kgt m, 17 tbtftl
Start the engine and turn the steering wheel fromlock-to-lock several times, then stop the engine andrecheck the deflection of the belt,

IRack Guide Adjustment
NOTE: Perform rack guide adjustment with the wheels
in the straight ahead Position.
1. Loosen the rack guide screw locknut with the
cialtool.
'96 - '97 models:
Loosen the rack guide screw
'98 - '00 models:
Remove the rack guide screw and remove the old
sealant off of the threaded section.
Apply new sealant all around the threads. Loosely
installthe rack guide screw
Tighten the rack guide screw to 25 N'm (2.5 kgf'm.
18 lbf.ft), then loosen it.
Retighten the rack guide screw to 3 9 N'm (0.4 kgim,
2.9 lbf.ft), then back it off to specified angle.
Specified Return Angle: 20" max.
Tighten the locknut while holding the rack guide
screw.
Check for tight or loose steering through the com-
plete turning travel.
Perform following insPections:
. Steering operation (see page 17-30).
. Power assist with vehicle parked.
4.
LOCKNUT WRENCH, 40 mm
lr
17-33
Fluid Replacement
Check the reservoir at regular intervals, and add fluid as
necessary.
CAUTION: Always us€ Genuine Honda Power Stearing
Fluid-V or S. Using any other type of power sto€ring
tluid or automatic transmission lluid can cause
increased wear and poor steering in cold weathor.
SYSTEM CAPACITY:
0.85 liter 10.90 US' qt,0.75 lmp'qt)
at disassembly
RESERVOIR CAPACITY:
0.4 liter (0.42 US. qt, 0.35 lmP.qt)
LEVEL LINE
LOWER LEVEL LINE
1. Raise the reservoir, then disconnect the return nose.
2. Connect a hose of suitable diameter to the discon-
nected return hose, and put the hose end in a suit-
able container.
CAUTION: Take care not to spill tho fluid on the
body and parts. Wipe off any spill€d fluid at oncs'
3. Start the engine, let it run at idle, and turn the steer-
ing wheel from lock-to-lock several times When
fluid stops running out of the hose, shut off the
engine, Discard the fluid.
4. Reinstall the return hose on the reservoir'
5. Fill the reservoir to the upper level line.
6. Start the engine and run it at fast idle, then turn the
steering trom lock-to-lock several times to bleed air
trom the system.
7. Recheck the fluid level and add some it necessary.
CAUTION: Do not fill the reservoir beYond the
upper l€vel line.
HOSE

Steering Column
Inspection
NOTE: The tilt steering column type is shown; the con-
ventional steering column is similar except for the tilt
mechantsm.
Check the steering column ball bearing and the steer-ing joint bearings for play and proper movement. lf
there is noise or if there is excessive play, replace the
steering column as an assembly.
Check the retaining collar for damage. lf it is dam-
aged, replace the retaining collar.
Check the absorbing plates, absorbing plate
and sliding capsules for distonion or breakage.
Replace the steering column as an assembly
are distorted or broken.
COLUMN BALL
ABSORBING PLATE GUIDES
guides
if they
SLIDING
BEARINGS
TILT LOCK BOLTTighten the lock bolt withthe tilt lever raised.
This part is attachodto the column bracketwith the plastic injections.
1.Move the tilt lever from the loose position to lockposition 3 to 5 times; then measure the tilt leverpreload l0 mm {0.4 in) from the end ofthe tilt lever.
Preload: 70 - 90 N (7 - 9 kgf. 15 - 20 lbf)
lf the measurement is out of the specification,
adjust the pfeload using the following procedures.
a. Loosen the tilt lever, and set the steering column
in the neutral position.
b. Remove the 6 mm lock bolt and remove the stop.
c. Adjust the preload by turning the tilt lock bolt left
or flgnr.
d. Pull up the tilt lever to the uppermost position and
install the stop. Check the preload again. lf the
measurement is still out of specification, repeat
the above procedures "a" through "c" to adjust.
CAUTION: Be caretul not to loosen tho tilt lever
when installing the stop or tightening the 6 mm
lock bolt.
17 3a
10 mm (0.4 inl
9.8 N.m (1.0 kgl.m,7 lbf.ft)