Removal and installation drive shafts (Honda Civic 6)

Removal

1. Remove the wheel hub cap. If the hub nut is pinned, bend back the locking flange/tongue using a punch or chisel (see accompanying illustration).



2. Loosen the hub nut using a socket wrench equipped with a long drive collar (see accompanying illustration).

3. Loosen the nuts of the corresponding front wheel, jack up the vehicle and support it. Remove the wheel. Drain the transmission fluid/ATF (see Chapter Routine maintenance).

4. Disconnect the damper fork from the shock absorber assembly and the lower control arm of the suspension (see Chapter Suspension and steering).

5. Release the lower control arm of the suspension from the steering knuckle (see Chapter Suspension and steering). Now finally loosen the hub nut.





6. Tilt the hub assembly outward, releasing the drive shaft journal from it (see accompanying illustration).

Note: If the drive shaft is "stuck" and cannot be removed from the hub, tap its end with a soft-faced hammer. Tie the outer end of the drive shaft with wire to one of the suspension components, thereby eliminating unnecessary loads on the inner CV joint assembly.

7a. Using a gentle lever, release the inner end of the drive shaft from the final drive of the transmission, or (integra models) from the intermediate shaft assembly. A crowbar is ideal as a lever, which should be inserted into the gap between the inner CV joint housing and the transmission housing/intermediate shaft bearing support (see accompanying illustrations).





7b. Using the CV joints as support, carefully remove the drive shaft assembly from underneath the vehicle. To avoid damaging the intermediate shaft/differential seal, try to keep the inner CV joint horizontal until the shaft journal is completely free of its seat.

Installation

1a. Remove the snap ring from the inner end of the drive shaft and replace it with a new one (see accompanying illustrations).



1b. Lubricate the lips of the intermediate shaft/differential seal with multi-purpose grease, then carefully move the drive shaft into its normal position, holding it by the CV joints.



2. Carefully insert the splined journal of the inner CV joint into the mounting socket in the transmission housing or intermediate shaft (integra models). Make sure the snap ring snaps securely into the groove.

3. Lightly lubricate the splines of the outer CV joint journal with multi-purpose grease, pull the hub assembly outward and carefully tuck the end of the shaft into it.

4. Insert the lower control arm ball joint stud into the steering knuckle and tighten the nut to the required torque (see Specifications to the Chapter Suspension and steering). Do not forget to replace the cotter pin. Install the damper fork in place (see Chapter Suspension and steering).

5. Screw on the hub nut (if necessary, do not forget to replace the lock washer) and tighten it securely.

Note: The final tightening of the hub nut to the required force is performed after the vehicle has been lowered to the ground.

6. Grasp the inner CV joint housing (not the shaft) and pull it outward, checking the reliability of the journal fixation in the transmission.

7. Replace the wheel, secure it with nuts and lower the car to the ground.

8. Tighten the wheel nuts to the required torque (see Specifications to the Chapter Routine maintenance) and the hub nut. Using a center punch, countersink the hub nut. Install the wheel hub cap.

9. Fill the transmission with the required amount of oil of the required grade (see Chapter Routine maintenance).