83' civic wagon front suspension issue
#1
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83' civic wagon front suspension issue
I recently replaced both lower control arms and outer tierod ends while I had the car apart for a new clutch.
Now everything is back together and torqued to specs from my crummy Haynes manual, but when I back up, the driver side wheel rubs. It did not do this before I changed any parts.
Do I not have the sway/strut rod adjusted properly or something?
There does not seem to be a whole lot of things to go wrong on this suspension but this is the first strut car I have done much work on.
I have not carried it for an alignment yet. Wanted to make sure everything was safe before taking it.
Any suggestions or links to similar issues I can research? I have looked at 1stgencivic but not found anything similar.
Thanks
Now everything is back together and torqued to specs from my crummy Haynes manual, but when I back up, the driver side wheel rubs. It did not do this before I changed any parts.
Do I not have the sway/strut rod adjusted properly or something?
There does not seem to be a whole lot of things to go wrong on this suspension but this is the first strut car I have done much work on.
I have not carried it for an alignment yet. Wanted to make sure everything was safe before taking it.
Any suggestions or links to similar issues I can research? I have looked at 1stgencivic but not found anything similar.
Thanks
#2
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Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Did you try to do a basoc alignment with the tie rods by matchonf the nimber of exposed threads from the old one? If everything is torqued down right there should be no issues. If you don't trust the torque ratings from your manual I can give you the ones from the factory service manual.
Doug
Doug
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Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
If it isn't too much trouble, that would be great.
I call it crummy, because Haynes manuals always seem to be lacking to me.
They have more pictures than say a chilton's manual, but the descriptions are often less useful.
I marked the threads when I unscrewed the factory tie rods, the new ones shouldn't be too far off.
I had my neighbor watch while I let off the clutch in reverse. He said the wheel was moving rearward( in relation to the center line of the wheel arch ) when the car initially started to move.
I haven't done any alignment beyond trying to keep everything close to where it sat before dis-assembly.
I call it crummy, because Haynes manuals always seem to be lacking to me.
They have more pictures than say a chilton's manual, but the descriptions are often less useful.
I marked the threads when I unscrewed the factory tie rods, the new ones shouldn't be too far off.
I had my neighbor watch while I let off the clutch in reverse. He said the wheel was moving rearward( in relation to the center line of the wheel arch ) when the car initially started to move.
I haven't done any alignment beyond trying to keep everything close to where it sat before dis-assembly.
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Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Thanks for the post.
When time allows I will go over everything again.
Much appreciated.
When time allows I will go over everything again.
Much appreciated.
#6
Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
If you replace the control arms with new replacements, most likely you will require a front end alignment. I've done this twice and the front end was definitely amiss. It seems that the dimensions of the control arms between different manufacturers are not exactly the same...
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Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Thanks.
I will tow it to a shop, if I do not find anything amiss with the install.
Luckily it lived its life towed behind an rv, and still has the tow bar installed.
I will tow it to a shop, if I do not find anything amiss with the install.
Luckily it lived its life towed behind an rv, and still has the tow bar installed.
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Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Got an alignment, seems to have fixed the issue. The Toe was way out.
Now I have a howling noise, can't tell if it is the trans or belts, or possibly brake related.
Looks like I am off to my next project.
Now I have a howling noise, can't tell if it is the trans or belts, or possibly brake related.
Looks like I am off to my next project.
#9
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Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Always something! Best of luck on the next one lol. Mine had a slight whining / weird sound and then a week later (of continuous barely noticeable noise) the accessory belt popped a cord. haha so check on that cause it's not too bad to replace but would be way better to get done before it breaks!
Doug
Doug
#10
Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
"Howling" noises could be a bad alternator or waterpump or bad belt tension or AC compressor or???.... Track it down or it's likely to fail at the most inopportune time.
#11
Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Always something! Best of luck on the next one lol. Mine had a slight whining / weird sound and then a week later (of continuous barely noticeable noise) the accessory belt popped a cord. haha so check on that cause it's not too bad to replace but would be way better to get done before it breaks!
Doug
Doug
I always carry at least one extra distributor, waterpump, and alternator, small length of fuel hose as these items can turn a good day into a bummer.
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Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Woohoo, squealing noise was just the dust shield rubbing the inside of the rotor.
Must have gotten bent while I was working on the front end and I didn't catch it.
Couldn't straighten the part of dust shield out, so I bent it back and forth until it broke off. No rub, no whine, no odd metallic noise. I am a happy camper.
Next time I have the wheel off, I will go ahead and pull the rotor and trim the shield with a cut off wheel.
Must have gotten bent while I was working on the front end and I didn't catch it.
Couldn't straighten the part of dust shield out, so I bent it back and forth until it broke off. No rub, no whine, no odd metallic noise. I am a happy camper.
Next time I have the wheel off, I will go ahead and pull the rotor and trim the shield with a cut off wheel.
#13
Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Yep, sheet metal components can drive you nutz in short order.
Another item that can "squeal" is the dust cover thingie at the rear of the oil pan.
As an aside, I've had similar occurrences with my mid 1950's Studebakers both of which suffered from stretched belts where either the generator/alternator was actually resting on the fender apron. What sounded like a catastrophic howl was fixed by slightly shorter belt replacements...
Another item that can "squeal" is the dust cover thingie at the rear of the oil pan.
As an aside, I've had similar occurrences with my mid 1950's Studebakers both of which suffered from stretched belts where either the generator/alternator was actually resting on the fender apron. What sounded like a catastrophic howl was fixed by slightly shorter belt replacements...
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Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Did find the passenger side axle seal was leaking though.
Guess I have one more time of taking the front apart to replace it. Can't believe I didn't think to change them while the trans was out.
Dammit!
Guess I have one more time of taking the front apart to replace it. Can't believe I didn't think to change them while the trans was out.
Dammit!
#15
Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Was it the inner or outer seal? If the inner, I believe that all you have to do is separate the lower control arm ball joint and tie rod, remove the axel nut of course and then pull the spindle assembly out.
Be careful to make sure that the axel does not come out of the tranny as the inner C/V may pull apart which in turn will require you to pull the axel, remove the boot and reseat the ball bearings back into the seats. Don't ask me how I know this! (g)
Once you have the spindle assy hanging, you can see and I believe that seal can be removed/replaced without further disassembly. One trick I use is remove the seal, replace as much as is possible of the grease with new stuff. I use a sticky synthetic bearing grease which is much better than the original lubricant from Honda.
If the front seal is leaking, you'll have to remove the bearing to get to it and it's a good idea to replace the bearing as well at that point...
Be careful to make sure that the axel does not come out of the tranny as the inner C/V may pull apart which in turn will require you to pull the axel, remove the boot and reseat the ball bearings back into the seats. Don't ask me how I know this! (g)
Once you have the spindle assy hanging, you can see and I believe that seal can be removed/replaced without further disassembly. One trick I use is remove the seal, replace as much as is possible of the grease with new stuff. I use a sticky synthetic bearing grease which is much better than the original lubricant from Honda.
If the front seal is leaking, you'll have to remove the bearing to get to it and it's a good idea to replace the bearing as well at that point...
#17
Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
Did you try to do a basoc alignment with the tie rods by matchonf the nimber of exposed threads from the old one? If everything is torqued down right there should be no issues. If you don't trust the torque ratings from your manual I can give you the ones from the factory service manual.
Doug
Doug
#18
Re: 83' civic wagon front suspension issue
DO YOU HAVE A SCHEMATIC FOR THE REAR AXLE?
I recently replaced both lower control arms and outer tierod ends while I had the car apart for a new clutch.
Now everything is back together and torqued to specs from my crummy Haynes manual, but when I back up, the driver side wheel rubs. It did not do this before I changed any parts.
Do I not have the sway/strut rod adjusted properly or something?
There does not seem to be a whole lot of things to go wrong on this suspension but this is the first strut car I have done much work on.
I have not carried it for an alignment yet. Wanted to make sure everything was safe before taking it.
Any suggestions or links to similar issues I can research? I have looked at 1stgencivic but not found anything similar.
Thanks
Now everything is back together and torqued to specs from my crummy Haynes manual, but when I back up, the driver side wheel rubs. It did not do this before I changed any parts.
Do I not have the sway/strut rod adjusted properly or something?
There does not seem to be a whole lot of things to go wrong on this suspension but this is the first strut car I have done much work on.
I have not carried it for an alignment yet. Wanted to make sure everything was safe before taking it.
Any suggestions or links to similar issues I can research? I have looked at 1stgencivic but not found anything similar.
Thanks
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