Honda Civic. Manual — part 319

Warped clutch disc or pressure plate

Replace damaged

components

Binding release levers or clutch pedal

Lubricate and/or replace

release components

Squeaking

Worn or damaged release

Replace release bearing

Dry or worn pilot or release bearing

Lubricate or replace

assembly

Pilot bearing turning in crankshaft

Replace pilot bearing

and/or crankshaft

Worn input shaft bearing

Replace bearing and seal

Incorrect transmission alignment

Realign transmission

Dry release fork between pivot

Lubricate release fork

and pivot

Heavy and/or Stiff Pedal

Sticking release bearing sleeve

Replace release bearing

and/or sleeve

Dry or binding clutch pedal hub

Lubricate and align

components

Floor mat interference with pedal

Lay mat flat in proper

area

Dry or binding ball/fork pivots

Lubricate and align

components

Faulty clutch cable

Replace clutch cable

Noisy Clutch Pedal

Faulty interlock switch

Replace interlock switch

Self-adjuster ratchet noise

Lubricate or replace self-

adjuster

Speed control interlock switch

Lubricate or replace

interlock switch

Clutch Pedal Sticks Down

Binding clutch cable

See CLUTCH article

Springs weak in pressure plate

Replace pressure plate

2008 Honda Civic EX

GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures

DRIVE AXLE - NOISE DIAGNOSIS

Unrelated Noises

Some driveline trouble symptoms are also common to the engine, transmission,
wheel bearings, tires, and other parts of the vehicle. Ensure cause of trouble actually
is in the drive axle before adjusting, repairing, or replacing any of its parts.

Non-Drive Axle Noises

A few conditions can sound just like drive axle noise and have to be considered in
pre-diagnosis. The 4 most common noises are exhaust, tires, CV/universal joints
and wheel trim rings.

In certain conditions, the pitch of the exhaust gases may e gear whine. At other
times, it may be mistaken for a wheel bearing rumble.

Tires, especially radial and snow, can have a high-pitched tread whine or roar,
similar to gear noise. Also, some non-standard tires with an unusual tread
construction may emit a roar or whine.

Binding in clutch linkage

Lubricate and free

linkage

Noisy

Dry release bearing

Lubricate or replace

release bearing

Dry or worn pilot bearing

Lubricate or replace

bearing

Worn input shaft bearing

Replace bearing

Transmission Click

Weak springs in pressure

Replace pressure plate

plate

Release fork loose on ball stud

Replace release fork

and/or ball stud

Oil on clutch disc damper

Replace clutch disc

Broken spring in slave cylinder

Replace slave cylinder

2008 Honda Civic EX

GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures

Defective CV/universal joints may cause clicking noises or excessive driveline play
that can be improperly diagnosed as drive axle problems.

Trim and moldings also can cause a whistling or whining noise. Ensure none of
these components are causing the noise before disassembling the drive axle.

Gear Noise

A "howling" or "whining" noise from the ring and pinion gear can be caused by an
improper gear pattern, gear damage, or improper bearing preload. It can occur at
various speeds and driving conditions, or it can be continuous.

Before disassembling axle to diagnose and correct gear ke sure that tires, exhaust,
and vehicle trim have been checked as possible causes.

Chuckle

This is a particular rattling noise that sounds like a stick against the spokes of a
spinning bicycle wheel. It occurs while decelerating from 40 MPH and usually can
be heard until vehicle comes to a complete stop. The frequency varies with the
speed of the vehicle.

A chuckle that occurs on the driving phase is usually caused ive clearance due to
differential gear wear, or by a damaged tooth on the coast side of the pinion or ring
gear. Even a very small tooth nick or a ridge on the edge of a gear tooth is enough
the cause the noise.

This condition can be corrected simply by cleaning the gear tooth nick or ridge with
a small grinding wheel. If either gear is damaged or scored badly, the gear set must
be replaced. If metal has broken loose, the carrier and housing must be cleaned to
remove particles that could cause damage.

Knock

This is very similar to a chuckle, though it may be louder, and occur on acceleration
or deceleration. Knock can be caused by a gear tooth that is damaged on the drive
side of the ring and pinion gears. Ring gear bolts that are hitting the carrier casting
can cause knock. Knock can also be due to excessive end play in the axle shafts.

2008 Honda Civic EX

GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures

Clunk

Clunk is a metallic noise heard when an automatic transmission is engaged in
Reverse or Drive, or when throttle is applied or released. It is caused by backlash
somewhere in the driveline, but not necessarily in the axle. To determine whether
driveline clunk is caused by the axle, check the total axle backlash as follows:

1. Raise vehicle on a frame or twinpost hoist so that drive wheels are free. Clamp

a bar between axle companion flange and a part of the frame or body so that
flange cannot move.

2. On conventional drive axles, lock the left wheel to keep it from turning. On all

models, turn the right wheel slowly until it is felt to be in Drive condition. Hold
a chalk marker on side of tire about 12" from center of wheel. Turn wheel in
the opposite direction until it is again felt to be in Drive condition.

3. Measure the length of the chalk mark, which is the total axle backlash. If

backlash is one inch or less, drive axle is not the source of clunk noise.

Bearing Whine

Bearing whine is a high-pitched sound similar to a whistle. It is usually caused by
malfunctioning pinion bearings. Pinion bearings operate at drive shaft speed. Roller
wheel bearings may whine in a similar manner if they run completely dry of
lubricant. Bearing noise will occur at all driving speeds. This distinguishes it from
gear whine, which usually comes and goes as speed changes.

Bearing Rumble

Bearing rumble sounds like marbles being tumbled. It is usually caused by a
malfunctioning wheel bearing. The lower pitch is because the wheel bearing turns at
only about 1/3 of drive shaft speed.

Chatter On Turns

This is a condition where the entire front or rear of vehicle vibrates when vehicle is
moving. The vibration is plainly felt as well as heard. Extra differential thrust
washers installed during axle repair can cause a condition of partial lock-up that
creates this chatter.

Axle Shaft Noise

2008 Honda Civic EX

GENERAL INFORMATION Trouble Shooting - Basic Procedures