Honda Civic Front Strut (Damper) Replacement 2003 (2001-2005 Similar)
Вставка
- Опубліковано 1 січ 2025
- In this video I show you how to replace the front struts on a 2003 Honda Civic (7th generation), or at least how I do it. The exact vehicle in this video is a 2003 Honda Civic EX with a manual transmission. Other Honda Civics should be similar.
TORQUE WARNING: The lower damper bolts and pinch nuts have different torque specs depending on the model year. The 2001-2002 model Civics have a torque spec of 76 ft lbs. The 2003-2005 models (like in this video) have a torque spec of 116 ft lbs. Be sure to use to correct torque specs for the lower damper bolts and pinch nuts for your application or damage to the fasteners can occur.
Thankfully this is the last video I filmed in low definition!
Be sure to subscribe for more tool and car repair videos!
/ bigdog50001
/ bigdog50001
/ bigdog50001
Disclosure: This channel earns a small commission using some of these links - at no additional cost to you.
The Big Dog 50001 Automotive Channel Store can be found here: www.amazon.com...
Want a free Big Dog50001 sticker? Send an email to bigdog50001@gmail.com requesting a sticker. Sorry, no international addresses.
Have something you would like to send to Big Dog50001?
Send it here:
Big Dog50001 Automotive Channel
P.O. Box 726
Cortaro, AZ 85652
2016 Epidemic Entertainment. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of the Big Dog50001 Automotive Channel, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. The Big Dog50001 Automotive Channel assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video.
The Big Dog50001 Automotive Channel recommends safe practices when working with power tools, in on or around automobiles or other vehicles, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, automotive modules and systems, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.
Due to factors beyond the control of the Big Dog50001 Automotive Channel, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not the Big Dog50001 Automotive Channel.
This is the best and cleanest video from a mechanic I’ve seen in a long time. Thank you
Wow, thanks! And this was one of my very first videos, I hope I have gotten better lol.
My life partner and I have NEVER worked on ANY vehicle in our lives, lol. While pushing play and pause.... we were a success at changing our struts!!! Bars off to you my friend and thank you for understanding that SOMEONE😅 LIKE ME needs these types of videos. Thank you so very much! You're a wonderful instructor by the way
Thank you very much for the comment, I really appreciate it!
Watching your video saved me 400$ .. I’m so proud of myself. Great video. I was able to get done in couple of hours.. a couple of bolts were stuck on pretty tight.. after that smooth sailing. Thanks a ton. 👏🏾👏🏾
👍
Thanks for the video. I followed it and it was an easy job, up until I over torqued the tie rod ends and stripped one of the nuts. Was completely my fault. Nothing your video would have saved me from doing. I used my impact to tighten and should have used a standard ratchet. I learned a lesson! Great videos you produce here. Thanks again.
Tim Stuthers Thank you for the comment and sharing your experience!
Man, that civic must have been garage kept all of it's life! Wish mine looked like that! On the other hand mine does have 200,000 miles on it ('04) but it runs great. *_Thanks_* for the very instructional video! I have to replace front and rear struts sometime in 2017, wait for warmer weather.
Thank you. I really appreciated you guys making this video. I followed your instructions to a "T" and thank god I used some bungy cords and another jack to hold up the rotor because just like you said it wanted to fall forward. You are a life saver. Also, banging the joint with a hammer worked like a charm. At first it would not go so I had a huge flat head screw driver but it didn't feel like it would work good and I thought about what you said about damaging that joint so I just whacked it with my hammer a few more times and waited and whacked it again and GOT IT! Very cool. Much appreciated.
Just finished changing both front struts (complete strut assembly) on my Honda Civic 2001.
After researching many different struts (and some I think are junk/cheap) I went with these: DTA 50112. They seem to have good reviews and the price of $159 seemed accurate. I just tested my car thanks to this VIDEO and it runs great!!! By the way, I did exactly like you guys suggested in the video and applied pressure to the struts before snugging them tight. I can thank you guys enough!
Glad it helped, thanks for the comment!
Good video, as an avid DIY'er myself, I appreciate videos like your in pointing out the specifics for this model. It saves a ton of time when doing it. Thanks for taking the time.
You did not mention anything about replacing the top mount or bearing. These should be inspected and if you have over 100k miles, you might as well replace them.
Good point. Out here those parts don't fail too often so I didn't remember to mention it (and it was one of my first videos, luckily I have gotten better!). I am sure other parts of the strut assembly fail much more often for those that live in other areas of the country, especially in the rust belt.
Best auto video I've seen! You included so many things to watch out for that typically bite the first-time DIYer. Thanks!
Thank you! This was a very early video of mine, hopefully I have gotten better lol.
Thanks for video! You saved me some serious cash. The Rear Lower shock mount bolt was a bear to get out. 3/4" breaker bar did the trick eventually. Thanks again!
Thanks for the comment! Glad it helped!
Best video ever! Good photography, sound and detailed explanations. You’re awesome!
Thanks! This was one of my fist videos, it wasn't even shot in HD.
Excellent video. One thing you can add in your procedure is to use ball joint remover from harbor freight. This is the right tool remove ball joint and does not damage the rubber seal.
excellent, man, you ought t be a professor at tech school-nice simple-straightforward
subscribed
Thank you for the comment and welcome!
THX Big Dog, very well done professional video, out of all videos that I checked out yours is definitely the best
Thanks!
Very informative, amazing video. Explaines every details. I appreciate the effort you have put into creating this video.
This was one of my first videos too, thanks for the comment!
Great video. Since I"ll be doing it by myself on my 05 civic si, I'll leave the top support (3) nuts of the strut assembly connected and remove them last when I remove the strut assemblies. That is about the only thing I can think of that I must do differently than what you did.
Thumbs up number 15, done.
Thank you! Let us know how the job turns out!
excellent video bigdogg!!!
Your videos are so very informative. Really very well presented. Thanks
Thank you for the comment!
Awesome video and excellent detailed instructions. Your very best. Keep up the good work !!!
Thank you! I appreciate the comment!
Thank you for this! You saved me a lot of time and frustration.
Glad it helped!
talks my lingo,except 4 torque stick.very helpful vid
I briefly tried using the torque sticks I showed in this video. I have not used them in a long time (only use a torque wrench now). Thanks for the comment!
Thats man real informative, Good angle viewings, Good tips!!! U made it too easy for when i did my car...Thanks!!!
Thank you!
Love that design in that generation of Honda !
👍
Buddy your awesome explaining everything thank you
Sir great video, I have a question! New to Hondas I pickup a 2007 Honda Civic coupe 2007 and the front strut boots are shredded with 81,000 mile on car one owner , I bought. Oem Honda boots to replace , was wonder if you had a good tip on how to replace with out taking strut out of car, thks
I forgot to mention we watched the video for the tea ones also and changed those as well thanks to you😆✌💪🤘
Nice job!
Excellent video very clear instructions and very helpful. Thank you!
Thanks!
I put Oxgard struts on my 2002 honda civic lx front end 2 years ago.... Unfortunatly the rubber broke on the drivers side upper mount. I bought some KYB sm 5402 front strut mounts.... but dont know if they will mate up to the oxgard quick struts.... Any idea if the kyb's will work, before I take the whole assembly apart???????
Great instructional video
Thanks!
Great instructions
Very helpful DIY
Thanks . Like it
Thanks!
Do you have video on replacement of the 2006-2010 civics front and back struts
I do have videos on the front struts and rear shocks on a 2006-2001 Civic.
Great videos! Thank you. I have a 2000 honda accord lx automatic. Just checked brakes and play. Found minor play front right wheel assembly. Boots and cv seemed in decent shape. No tears etc. Just did suspension, tie rods and sway links last year Problem is a whirring and vibration (felt through floor and pedals coming from the same front right. It gets pretty high pitched and loud with increased speed I suspect a bearing, shop told wife upper lower ball joints. Mind you this is a beater with a heater in Alaska, coastal. It needs a lot, but I do regular maintenance and such just to keep on road. I tested it today changing lanes somewhat aggressive at about 60 and sound is worse when turning left. No pops or snapping sounds at lower speeds. Thoughts would be greatly appreciated! A quick question also, manual says that if I remove the wheel assembly from the spindle I have to replace the bearing. Is this a fact? I do not have a 12 ton press as manual says i would need but could take parts in to have new bearing pressed.
If separating the front hub from the knuckle, it requires a press (and yes a new wheel bearing would be required). Thanks for the comment!
@@BigDog50001, thx for the feed back
I find your videos extremely helpful, A’s backyard mechanic wannabe. Can I ask, what are the chances of documenting a full break and rotor job for a 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee (Limited)?
If I get one in I will try and film it. Thanks for the comment!
TORQUE WARNING: The lower damper bolts and pinch nuts have different torque specs depending on the model year. The 2001-2002 model Civics have a torque spec of 76 ft lbs. The 2003-2005 models (like in this video) have a torque spec of 116 ft lbs. Be sure to use to correct torque specs for the lower damper bolts and pinch nuts for your application or damage to the fasteners can occur.
Good video very well explained
Thanks!
hi, what about the camber angle??? has always bugged me! regards alan.
The front camber angle is not really adjustable with the standard pinch bolts and struts (at least not much), replacing one (or both) of the standard pinch bolts with smaller adjusting pinch bolts (designed for that car) can be used to make a decent amount of camber adjustment though.
I’m having a lot of trouble on the bolt with the cotter pin. I have the pin out and the bolt off, but it seems seized. I sprayed penetrating fluid but it’s still stuck. I banged the hell out of it too. Any tips PLEASE?
Sometimes they can be tough to separate, a heavier hammer can help just be careful not to damage anything. Really stubborn ones may need a joint separator tool similar to those found in this kit: amzn.to/2ZHIbZr . Sometimes if I am having trouble on one side I will go to the other side (in this case the other strut) and work on it and then come back to the side that is giving me trouble.
That black cover is the bump stop?
Kelvo Amador Yes, on this design the dust cover and bump stop are 1 unit.
Big Dog50001 ohh!! I see. So the rear strut use other bump stop diferent right?
Awesome job , thank you.
Thanks!
Do you still need to get the car an alignment after the install??
I recommend getting one.
OK, That's what I thought too.. And the rear struts too, Right?
If you don't mind my asking what brand torque wrench are you using or do you have a preference. Thanks
I believe the one I used in this video was from Harbor Freight.
Where would I find the original Honda struts? So I Don't have to get aftermarket struts
Isaac Hernandez Probably only at a Honda dealer, try online dealers. If you can't find any, KYB is a good alternative for Hondas.
Big Dog50001 yes, kyb is awesome.
Big Dog50001 At 8:59 those bolts are on there really tight, I don't have air tools. I am currently trying to remove them any tips?
They are usually on there pretty tight. Use lots of penetrating oil and let it sit for a while to allow it to work. Then its just a matter of using leverage by using a longer ratchet or breaker bar.
Why didn't you just replace the spring too?
There was nothing wrong with the springs and the owner did not want to pay to replace an item that was in good working condition. Cost is a major factor for most people when fixing a vehicle. If they were bad I would have recommended they be replaced.
What size is that impact wrench 1/2"?
The impact I used in the video is an older pneumatic 1/2 inch Harbor Freight Earthquake. I now find myself using my 3/8 inch Milwaukee Fuel cordless impact wrench for most things because of the convenience of battery power.
I may have to purchase the 1/2 inch one because I cannot get the bolt out at 8:49. My wrench broke trying to get that guy out lol
Try a long 1/2 inch breaker bar from Harbor Freight, they are cheap and it should help you out.
I'll have to get one of those, I'll see how it goes. Thanks for your help man, hopefully the bar works so I don't have to purchase these air tools. If I don't have to spend money on more tools the better
Also, I tried putting a long piece of pipe on my socket wrench and then tried to remove it, but it didnt work. Is the breaker bar not similar to this method?
The strut mount/ bearing is a prominent wear item, and it doesn’t make sense to me to go through this job without replacing them....even if they don’t need it....yet. It’s like doing a timing belt on a 01-05 civic, and not replacing the water pump while it’s all apart. I get that they are pricey, but not even close to the expense of doing the job again, in 10-30,000 miles.
Just saying. Have a Happy Thanksgiving sir !
Yes they can fail and of course if you want to replace them and have the money to purchase new ones then you should do it. This car did not need new ones at the time and new ones were not in the budget for the owner of this car. Out here in the desert they do not fail as often as other areas. Just saying.
I would never go though this much trouble and not replace the mount, better yet buy a complete strut assembly.
Then that is what you should do on your car.
Be careful in Civic 01 y 02 both bolts down the Torque its 80lbs pié vs 118 lbs in 03 04 y 05 are diferent !!!
Thankfully this was the last video filmed in low definition!
Be sure to subscribe for more tool and car repair videos!
ua-cam.com/users/BigDog50001
twitter.com/BigDog50001
instagram.com/bigdog50001/
Disclosure: This channel earns a small commission using some of these links - at no additional cost to you.
The Big Dog 50001 Automotive Channel Store can be found here: www.amazon.com/shop/bigdog50001automotive
Two other videos I watched...one guy loosened the axle nut...another guy loosened the tie rod jam nut....and another guy takes the brake calipers off.....why?!?!? No reason....at all. At least you didnt do all that unnecessary crapola. 😝
👍
like.....!
👍
O you