Honda Civic. Manual — part 985

Fig. 28: Exploded View Of Damper Components (With Torque Specifications)

REMOVAL

1. Raise the rear of the vehicle, and support it with safety stands in the proper

locations (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 SUSPENSION Rear Suspension - Civic (All Except Hybrid)

2. Remove the rear wheel.
3. Position a floor jack at the connecting point of the trailing arm (A) and the

knuckle (B). Raise the floor jack until the suspension begins to compress.

Fig. 29: Identifying Flange Bolt

4. Remove the flange bolt (C) from the bottom of the damper.
5. Remove the trunk side trim panel, 2-door (see TRIM

REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - TRUNK AREA ), 4-door (see 4-DOOR ).

6. Remove the self-locking nut (A) while holding the damper shaft (B) with a hex

wrench (C).

Fig. 30: Identifying Self-Locking Nut

7. Compress the damper unit (A) by hand, and remove it from the vehicle.

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 SUSPENSION Rear Suspension - Civic (All Except Hybrid)

Fig. 31: Identifying Compress Damper Unit By Hand

INSPECTION

1. Push on the damper as shown.

Fig. 32: Pushing On Damper

2. Compress the damper assembly by hand, and check for smooth operation

through a full stroke, both compression and extension. The damper should
extend smoothly and constantly when compression is released. If it does not,
the gas is leaking and the damper should be replaced.

3. Check for oil leaks, abnormal noises, or binding during these tests.

INSTALLATION

1. Install the damper mounting bushing (A) onto the damper unit. Position the

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 SUSPENSION Rear Suspension - Civic (All Except Hybrid)

damper assembly (B) between the body and trailing arm. Be careful not to
damage the body.

Fig. 33: Identifying Damper Mounting Bushing Onto Damper Unit

2. Position a jack under the trailing arm to support the suspension, then install a

new damper mounting bolt (A).

Fig. 34: Identifying Damper Mounting Bolt (With Torque Specifications)

3. Loosely tighten the damper mounting bolt.
4. Raise the rear suspension with the jack until the vehicle just lifts off the safety

stands, then tighten the damper mounting bolt to the specified torque value.

5. Install the damper mounting bushing (A), the damper mounting washer (B),

and a new self-locking nut (C) on the damper shaft.

2008 Honda Civic GX

2006-08 SUSPENSION Rear Suspension - Civic (All Except Hybrid)