Suspension - Noise When Driving Over Bumps
Bulletin No.95-052
Issue Date
DEC 18, 1995
Model
1996 CIVIC
4-DOOR
Applicable To
See VEHICLES
AFFECTED
File Under
SUSPENSION
Clunk Noise From Front Suspension
SYMPTOM
A clunk noise from the front suspension while driving over bumps.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Improper torque on the upper arm flange bolts causes the upper arms to contact their mounting points in the wheel well.
VEHICLES AFFECTED
4-door - Thru VIN TL01589O
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the upper arm flange bolts with the ones listed under PARTS INFORMATION. The threads on the new bolts are coated with a dry lubricant that allows them to be torqued more accurately than the old bolts.
1. Record the customer's radio station presets, then disconnect and remove the battery.
2. Raise the car on a hoist, just enough to lift the wheels off the ground.
3. Remove the following components to access the right flange bolts.
^ EX models: Remove the air cleaner housing.
^ DX and LX models: Remove the resonator with intake air duct.
4. Loosen the right flange bolts. Before you remove the bolts, support the tire with your hand. After the bolts are removed, ease the wheel assembly away from the upper arm mount. Repeat this step on the left side.
5. Discard the old flange bolts.
6. Raise the car about four feet off the ground.
7. From inside the left front wheelwell, look for body sealer in the upper arm mounting areas. If sealer is found, remove it with a gasket scraper. Repeat this step on the right side.
NOTE:
Be careful not to scratch the body finish. If you do, repair the area with touch-up paint.
8. Reinstall the left upper arm, and attach the two new flange bolts finger tight. Repeat this step on the right side.
NOTE:
When installing the new bolts, you may need to move the tire slightly with your hand to align the bolt holes.
9. Lower the car to the ground, then tighten the left and right flange bolts to 54 Nm (40 lb-ft).
10. Reinstall the air intake components.
^ EX models: Reinstall the air cleaner housing, and tighten its two mounting bolts to 9.8 Nm (7.2 lb-ft).
^ DX and LX models: Reinstall the resonator with intake air duct, and tighten its mounting bolt to 9.8 Nm (7.2 lb-ft).
11. Reinstall the battery, reset the radio station presets, and set the clock.
12. Test drive the car on a bumpy road to make sure the clunk noise is gone.
PARTS INFORMATION
Flange bolt (4 required):
P/N 90172-504-003, H/C 4803912
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
In warranty:
The normal warranty applies.
Out of warranty:
Any repair performed after warranty expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by the District Service Manager or your Zone Office. You must request consideration, and get a decision, before starting work.
Operation number: 415102
Flat rate time: 0.9 hour
Failed part: P/N 51450-501-003
H/C 4799987
Defect code: 042
Contention code: B07
Template ID: 95-052A