How to Replace the CV Axles on a 1985 Honda Civic

The 1985 Honda Civic, like all front-wheel drive vehicles, uses constant velocity (CV) axles as the drive shafts. CV axles are used to transfer the power from the transaxle to the front wheels. When CV axles wear out, they will emit a clicking noise when the car is turned to the right or left. The most common cause of CV failure is a broken CV boot, which is a rubber boot that covers the bearings, allowing the joint to swivel in a turn. It also contains the grease for these bearings, and when it breaks, the grease is lost and the joint fails.

Tools Used: Set of 3/8-inch drive sockets, Ratchet, ½-inch drive air gun, 36mm socket, Ball joint separator, Hammer, Prybar, Set of metric wrenches

Replace CV Axles

Jack the vehicle up and support it on jack stands. Remove the both front wheels. Using the 36 mm socket, remove the center axle nut. Remove the though-bolt on the bottom of the strut where it attaches to the spindle. Separate the bottom ball joint from the spindle using the ball joint separator.

Pry the lower control arm down with the pry bar to pull the separated ball joint out of the spindle. Push the spindle out of the way toward the rear of the car. Use the pry bar to pry the CV axle out of the transaxle. Put the pry bar between the transaxle case and the CV axle, and push out.

Remove the CV axle and put it in the box the new axle came in--when you return the old part, you will get a refund on the core charge. Install the new CV axle by inserting it into the transaxle up to the snap ring clip where it will stop. With both hands, pull it back about an inch and slam it in with a fast push. You will feel it snap into the locked position.

Grab the brake rotor, pull it outward and insert the outer end of the CV axle into the hub in the rotor. Rotate the rotor back and forth to line up the splines and push the axle in as far as possible. Install the axle nut loosely.

Pull the lower control arm down with the pry bar and line the ball joint up with the hole in the spindle. Insert the ball joint. Install the nut on top of the ball joint and tighten it down. Put the bolt in the bottom of the strut where it attaches to the spindle, and tighten.

Torque the axle nut to 180 foot pounds. Reinstall the wheel and do the other side in the same manner.