2021 HONDA CIVIC

1.5L I4 TurboFWDCVTgasturbo
4 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
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transmission

Transmission Input Shaft Bearing

for 2021 Honda Civic 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD
Difficulty
Expert
Time
8.0 h
Tools
16
Steps
15
🤖AI-generated, not yet human-verified. This walkthrough was produced by AI and may contain errors. Treat it as a guide, cross-check every step and torque value against the manufacturer's service manual, and stop if anything looks unsafe. This is a moderate-risk job — take extra care.

This procedure covers the replacement of the transmission input shaft bearing, which requires full transmission removal from the vehicle and partial disassembly of the transmission case.

Warnings

⚠️The transmission weighs approximately 115 lbs. Ensure proper support before removal to prevent serious injury or vehicle damage.
⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.
Transmission fluid will be hot if vehicle was recently operated. Allow minimum 2 hours cooling time.
The input shaft bearing is a precision component. Contamination or improper installation will cause premature failure.
ℹ️This procedure assumes manual transmission. CVT transmission input shaft bearing replacement requires different procedures.
Document all electrical connector orientations and take photos before disconnection for accurate reassembly.

Tools required

Transmission jack or suitable supportEssential
Engine support bar or hoistEssential
Torque wrench (10-100 Nm range)Essential
Hydraulic floor jack and jack standsEssential
Metric socket set (8mm-19mm)Essential
Bearing puller setEssential
Bearing driver set or appropriately sized socketEssential
Plastic dead blow hammer
Pry bars
Drain pan (minimum 10 quart capacity)Essential
Breaker barEssential
Pick set or seal removal tools
Dial indicator with magnetic base
Micrometer for bearing inspection
Snap ring pliers (internal and external)Essential
Plastic scraper for gasket removal

Parts

  • Transmission input shaft bearing × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Transmission front case gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Transmission pan gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • Drain plug crush washer × 1 — 94109-20000 or equivalent
  • Input shaft seal × 1 — Use OEM specification
  • RTV silicone gasket maker × 1 — Honda Bond or equivalent

Fluids

  • Honda DW-1 ATF — 8 qt

Preparation

  1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
  2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 3 minutes for SRS system discharge
  3. Raise vehicle and secure on jack stands at all four corners at manufacturer lift points
  4. Remove engine under cover and splash shields
  5. Remove both front wheels
  6. Install engine support bar across engine bay to support engine weight during transmission removal

Procedure

  1. 1
    Drain transmission fluid
    Place drain pan under transmission drain plug. Remove drain plug and allow fluid to drain completely (approximately 15-20 minutes). Inspect drained fluid for metal particles indicating bearing failure. Clean drain plug and install with new crush washer.
    Torque spec
    Transmission Drain Plug30 Nm (22 lb-ft)
  2. 2
    Disconnect drivetrain components
    Remove both front axle shaft nuts (32mm). Disconnect both lower ball joints from steering knuckles. Remove axle shafts from transmission by prying carefully with pry bar - support axles with wire to prevent CV joint damage. Plug transmission axle openings with clean rags to prevent contamination.
    Do not allow axle shafts to hang unsupported as this will damage CV joint boots and internal components.
  3. 3
    Remove shifter linkage and electrical connections
    Disconnect shift cable from transmission selector lever and remove cable bracket. Disconnect all electrical connectors from transmission including vehicle speed sensor, reverse light switch, and solenoid harnesses. Label or photograph each connection for reassembly reference.
    Torque spec
    Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
  4. 4
    Disconnect starter motor
    Remove starter motor mounting bolts and disconnect electrical connections. Remove starter motor and set aside. This provides access to lower bellhousing bolts.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
  5. 5
    Support and remove transmission mounts
    Position transmission jack under transmission pan with wood block to distribute load. Remove transmission mount bracket bolts from both left and right side mounts. Remove rear transmission mount bracket.
    ⚠️Ensure transmission jack is centered and secure before removing mount bolts. Transmission will shift when mounts are removed.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
  6. 6
    Separate transmission from engine
    Remove all bellhousing bolts securing transmission to engine block (typically 4 upper bolts and 3-4 lower bolts accessible from underneath). Carefully pull transmission straight back away from engine using transmission jack. Ensure input shaft clears clutch assembly without binding.
    Do not allow transmission to hang on input shaft as this can damage clutch disc or pilot bearing.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
  7. 7
    Lower and remove transmission
    Carefully lower transmission jack while guiding transmission clear of vehicle chassis and subframe. May need to tilt transmission slightly for clearance. Once clear, transport transmission to clean workbench for disassembly.
    ⚠️Maintain control of transmission at all times during removal. Have assistant guide if possible.
  8. 8
    Disassemble transmission case
    With transmission on clean work surface, remove clutch release bearing and fork assembly. Remove transmission pan bolts in criss-cross pattern and remove pan. Remove case cover screws and separate transmission case halves carefully using plastic pry points (never pry on mating surfaces). Document internal component positions with photos.
    Keep work area absolutely clean. Even small debris can cause bearing failure upon reassembly.
    Torque spec
    Pan Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
    Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
  9. 9
    Remove input shaft assembly
    Remove snap rings retaining input shaft in position. Carefully extract input shaft assembly from case noting position of all shims and spacers. Mark orientation and measure all shim thicknesses for reassembly reference. Place all components in organized manner.
    ℹ️Input shaft end play must be within specification (typically 0.05-0.15mm). Shim selection may be required during reassembly.
  10. 10
    Remove and inspect input shaft bearing
    Using appropriate bearing puller, remove input shaft bearing from shaft or case (depending on bearing location). Inspect bearing bore and shaft journal for scoring, discoloration, or damage. Measure shaft journal diameter with micrometer. Clean bearing bore thoroughly with solvent and lint-free cloth.
    Never reuse removed bearing even if it appears undamaged. Always install new bearing.
  11. 11
    Install new input shaft bearing
    Verify new bearing matches original part number and dimensions. Apply thin coat of clean ATF to bearing outer race. Using bearing driver or appropriately sized socket that contacts only outer race, drive bearing squarely into bore until fully seated. Verify bearing is flush and seated completely by checking with feeler gauge around perimeter.
    Never strike inner race during installation as this will damage bearing. Apply force only to outer race.
    Bearing must be driven in straight. Cocked bearing will damage bore and cause immediate failure.
  12. 12
    Reassemble input shaft assembly
    Install input shaft seal using seal driver. Reinstall input shaft into case with original shims in correct positions. Install snap rings ensuring they are fully seated in grooves. Check input shaft end play with dial indicator - adjust shims if necessary to achieve specification. Rotate shaft to verify smooth rotation without binding.
    ℹ️Input shaft should rotate smoothly with slight resistance. Rough rotation or excessive play indicates problem.
  13. 13
    Reassemble transmission case
    Clean all gasket surfaces thoroughly with plastic scraper. Apply thin bead of RTV silicone to case mating surface per service manual pattern. Carefully align and install case halves ensuring all dowel pins engage properly. Install cover screws in criss-cross pattern. Install new transmission pan gasket and pan.
    Allow RTV silicone to cure for minimum 30 minutes before filling with fluid if specified by sealant manufacturer.
    Torque spec
    Cover Screws10 Nm (8 lb-ft)
    Pan Bolts15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
  14. 14
    Reinstall transmission to vehicle
    Apply thin coat of high-temperature grease to input shaft splines. Position transmission on transmission jack and raise into position. Align input shaft with clutch disc and pilot bearing, then push transmission forward until bellhousing contacts engine block. Install all bellhousing bolts and tighten in star pattern.
    If transmission does not slide into place easily, do not force. Lower and check clutch disc alignment.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
  15. 15
    Reinstall mounts and accessories
    Install transmission mount brackets and tighten all mounting bolts to specification. Reinstall starter motor with electrical connections. Reconnect all transmission electrical connectors, shift linkage, and axle shafts. Install new axle shaft nuts but do not torque until vehicle is on ground.
    Torque spec
    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
    Sensor Bolts10 Nm (8 lb-ft)

Reassembly

  1. Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts to 108 Nm (80 lb-ft) in star pattern
  2. Lower vehicle to ground and torque axle shaft nuts to 242 Nm (181 lb-ft)
  3. Remove engine support bar
  4. Reconnect negative battery terminal
  5. Fill transmission with Honda DW-1 ATF through fill plug until fluid runs out of check hole (approximately 2.5-3.0 quarts)
  6. Start engine and shift through all gears with clutch depressed, allowing 3-5 seconds in each position
  7. Recheck fluid level with engine running and add as needed to reach proper level

Verification

  • Test drive vehicle through all gears verifying smooth shifting with no grinding or abnormal noise
  • Listen for bearing noise during acceleration and deceleration in all gears
  • Check for fluid leaks around transmission case, pan, and drain plug after test drive
  • Verify no fluid leaks from axle shaft seals
  • Recheck transmission fluid level after vehicle reaches operating temperature
  • Monitor transmission operation for first 100 miles and recheck fluid level after break-in period

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