Read it.
Its a problem that the manufacturer (Honda) should fix as a safety problem. Some laws exists; and the manufacturer have obligation to fix/replace parts that represents safety and malfunction risks.

As everybody know and can see in this and other forums the 7th generation civic (01-05) have a really bad steering and suspension system. Everybody are having problems with those systems components. But apparently, the 01 civic have a the most problem on it.

On the 01 civic the strut bearing (shock upper bearing, not the wheel bearing) is a plastic component and not a ball bearing as on the 02 and up civics. By common sense, a plastic bearing have more friction than a ball bearing. That more friction result in you have to apply more force on the steering wheel and even in all the steering components causing fast wear on the parts.

Another fact is when the wheel (and tire) hit on a hole the plastic bearing doesn't "resist" the impact (as a metal ball bearing can do). This result in fast wear and deformation to the part. By common sense a plastic bearing that you can easily bend with your hands (and isn't well engineered) can't support a 2500 pounds car hitting a hole at 60mph (120 mph speed limit).


When the bearing fails the wheels can't be turned as well and some times the spring seats hit (or scuff) the strut tower resulting in a non well steering at all (I am not saying it stick to the strut tower).



REAL PROOF AND FACTS:

As I mention, from the 2002, Honda "correct" that problem. The civics manufactured by Honda from the 2002 (all models) have different strut bearings. Instead of the plastic strut bearing they use a metal ball bearing, and therefore different strut parts (shock upper mount, rubber spring mount, spring seat, etc.).


ABOUT SECURITY:
Because of the problem described the 01 civic are having serious problem that involves security.
(I am having these problems, I know people who are having these problems, and in this and other forums a lot of people are having these problems with their cars):
-the steering wheel doesn't return to the center position when turn in any direction (not an alignment problem)
-fast wheels disalignment
-vibrations on the steering wheels
-sounds and clicks
-wear on bushings, rack & pinion and other components

Those problems can result in serious injuries and car accidents. (Everybody knows a faulty and defective steering system is a high risk of accident beacuse it affect the driveability of the vehicle.).


SOMETHING ABOUT LAWS
There are some laws that obligates a manufacturer (no matter of what is) to replace or repair a defective part (or thing), even more when if SAFETY is about.

I know posting this can have some controversy and some people will not be agree with me. But after make a lot of reasearch, see the part, open and disassemble it and analyze it I conclude this bearing, as well as some other parts have to be reviewed and replaced by the manufacturer, Honda.

"By common sense a plastic bearing that you can bend easily with your hands (and isn't well engineered) can't support a 2500 pounds car hitting a hole at 60mph (around 120 mph speed limit)."


NO MATTER YOU AGREED OR NOT, PLEASE REPLY WITH REAL FACTS OR COMMENTS. PLEASE DO NOT REPLY WITH STUPID OPINIONS. (for the paople who just know do that)

AND IF YOU ARE A HONDA SELLER, CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN, RELATED PEOPLE (of car bussiness), OR KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT LAWS DO YOUR OWN INVESTIGATION AND REPLY ABOUT WHAT CAR OWNERS CAN DO.

And about my credibility, I am a mechanical engineering student (4th year of 5). So I am not an expert, but know how to analyze and test a part, from the material involved up to its funtions and safety factors.

So whats your point? How do you know that if you went to the dealer today and got the so called bearing it wouldn't already be updated to a steel bearing.

The wheel is not going to fall off if it faisl and i would assume that if it was in the proccess of failing you as a driver would know something was wrong and have enough common sense not to drive the car or at least have it looked at immediately. I have been a Honda Tech for 12 years now and i can tell you we had enough 01 Civic come through and not one of them has had a failed "bearing' on the upper part of the strut as you have described.

So whats your point? How do you know that if you went to the dealer today and got the so called bearing it wouldn't already be updated to a steel bearing.

The wheel is not going to fall off if it faisl and i would assume that if it was in the proccess of failing you as a driver would know something was wrong and have enough common sense not to drive the car or at least have it looked at immediately. I have been a Honda Tech for 12 years now and i can tell you we had enough 01 Civic come through and not one of them has had a failed "bearing' on the upper part of the strut as you have described.

"So whats your point? How do you know that if you went to the dealer today and got the so called bearing it wouldn't already be updated to a steel bearing."

Because I have a 01 civic and it haven't the steel bearing (or any metal), the parts that are listed for the 01 civic aren't for a steel bearing, the complete assembly aren't for a steel bearing, my counsin have 02 bearing and it have the steel bearing, the 02 part number is for the steel bearing...

Did you see one of them (01 bearing)? Did you have the oportunity to compare them (01 vs 02 bearing)? Do you, or the manufacturer, know how you can test them?

And, as a 12 years Honda Tech:
-How you can explain all the steering and suspension problems that the people are discribing in this and other forums?
-How you can explain Honda use this bearing only one time, they use it only on 01 civic, and the 02+ have a different one? If this a fully functional part, what they don't continued intalling this on later models?

You will not see that bearing broken away.

Just take both bearings on your hand, 01 and 02, move it and you will notice the difference.

Other bearing = other strut mount, other spring seat, other part to be manufactured, it involves a lot of money...

Use your general knoeledge, more friction = more wear...

P.S.
In the past days I got to buy new bearings for my 01 civic (don't have the money to upgrade the whole assembly) and the new bearing aren't the same than the bearing it have. Even it have grey top, when you rotate it with the hands, you can notice the new bearing heve lesser friction than the old bearing.
Both bearing that I compare were brand new, never used. The shop have one "old" in stock and order the otherone.

Your retarded and sound like a complete moron. Your english is terrible and i can't follow a word you wrote.

Part numbers don't mean shit. Sounds to me that you just answered your question in your "P.S."

Your retarded and sound like a complete moron. Your english is terrible and i can't follow a word you wrote.

Part numbers don't mean shit. Sounds to me that you just answered your question in your "P.S."


"Your retarded and sound like a complete moron." (You are...)
"Part numbers don't mean shit."

Different part number is a different part, at least most of the time, STUPID. If my english "is terrible" you must at least have been able to understand something...

About the "P.S."
This bearing is a shit, just like the other. Go to a shop to see the parts (01 and 02), so you can compare, analyze, then talk. Of course if you have the ability and knowledge to do that.

Your retarded and sound like a complete moron. Your english is terrible and i can't follow a word you wrote.

Part numbers don't mean shit. Sounds to me that you just answered your question in your "P.S."

As you can't understand more than few words, just two questions:

-How you can explain all the steering and suspension problems that the people are discribing in this and other forums?

-How you can explain Honda use this bearing only one time, they use it only on 01 civic, and the 02+ have a different one? If this is a fully functional part, what they don't continued installing this on later models?

Go to: www.7thgencivic.com


Sorry if I write an English that you are not able to understand and learn.

Maybe you should drop your mechanical engineer studies amd take up English because it really does suck.

In some instances a different part number does mean a different part but that doesn't mean that they arent interchangeable. Also a different part number simply means that there are 2 manufacturers being used for the same part even though they are exactly the same.

Basically your case doesn't hold water. You just like to hear yourself talk because mommy and daddy neglected you as a child.

i think the real problem is the language barrier. Because your not native to this country you can't really anolize and rationalize like an American.

So take your claim to Honda and when they laugh at you then come back and complain about something else.