SB-10045139-5082

Service Bulletin
Applies To:

09-078
July 19, 2012

See VEHICLES AFFECTED

Popping or Clicking When Turning the Steering Wheel
(Supersedes 09-078, dated October 23, 2009, to revise the information marked by the black bars)
REVISION SUMMARY

PARTS INFORMATION

Under WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION, the Flat
Rate Time (FRT) and failed part number were revised.

Steering Column:
P/N 53200-TA0-A12

SYMPTOM

TORX Bolt (two required):
P/N 90134-S6A-A80

A popping or clicking comes from the lower area of the
steering column when you turn the steering wheel.

Shear Bolt (two required):
P/N 35102-SV4-003

PROBABLE CAUSE

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION

The steering column lower bearing is mis-set.

The normal warranty applies.
OP#

VEHICLES AFFECTED
2008 Accord L4 2-Door:
All VINs beginning with 1HG
2008 Accord L4 4-Door:
All VINs beginning with 1HG and JHM

Description

510100
D

FRT

Replace the steering column.

1.1

Add for checking the front wheel
alignment.

0.4

Failed Part:

P/N 53200-TA0-A12

2008 Accord V6 2-Door:
All VINs beginning with 1HG

Defect Code:

07404

Symptom Code:

04201

2008 Accord V6 4-Door:
All VINs beginning with 1HG and JHM

Skill Level:

Repair Technician

2009 Accord L4 2-Door:
From VIN 1HGCS1...9A000001 thru
1HGCS1...9A022705
2009 Accord V6 2-Door:
From VIN 1HGCS2...9A000001 thru
1HGCS2...9A011274
2009 Accord L4 4-Door:
From VIN 1HGCP2...9A000001 thru
1HGCP2...9A175626
From VIN JHMCP2...9C000001 thru
JHMCP2...9C018121
2009 Accord V6 4-Door:
From VIN 1HGCP3...9A000001 thru
1HGCP3...9A046124
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace the steering column.

© 2012 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

ATB 42814-48039 (1207)

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CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment,
and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Honda automobile dealer.

DIAGNOSIS

REPAIR PROCEDURE

1. With the transmission in P and the parking brake
set, start the engine, and let it idle.

NOTE: This procedure is in an outline form that you
can also use as a checklist for the repair. If you need
more details, bookmark the following procedures in the
2008–2010 Accord Service Manual, or view them
online:

2. Tilt the steering column all the way down, and pull it
all the way out.
3. Using a stethoscope or a ChassisEar, listen to the
lower area of the steering column while turning the
steering wheel.
Do you hear a pop or click from the steering column
in the area shown below?
Yes - Go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
No - This service bulletin does not apply. Continue
with normal troubleshooting to find the source of
the noise.
VIEW LOOKING UP UNDER DASH
STEERING
COLUMN

• Battery Terminal Disconnection and Reconnection
• Driver’s Airbag Removal/Installation
• Steering Wheel Removal/Installation
• Driver’s Dashboard Lower Cover Removal/
Installation
• Steering Column Cover Removal/Installation
• Front Toe Inspection/Adjustment
1. With the engine idling, set the steering wheel/front
wheels in the straight ahead position, then turn off
the ignition switch, and remove the key.
2. Stick a piece of masking tape on top of the steering
wheel hub and another on the steering column
cover, then draw a line in the middle of both pieces
of tape. This helps to align the steering wheel when
you reinstall it later.

STEERING
COLUMN
U-JOINT

ALIGNMENT MARKS

DRIVER’S
DASHBOARD
LOWER COVER

STETHOSCOPE PROBE

3. Do the battery terminal disconnection procedure.
4. Remove the driver’s dashboard lower cover.
5. Remove the driver’s airbag.
6. Remove the steering wheel.
NOTE: Make sure not to turn the cable reel while
the steering wheel is off.
7. Remove the steering column covers.

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09-078

8. Remove the steering joint cover.
STEERING
JOINT COVER

10. Remove the steering column:
• Disconnect the wire harness connectors from the
combination switch assembly/cable reel.
• Remove the combination switch assembly/cable
reel from the steering column shaft by removing
the three screws. Make sure not to turn the cable
reel.
• Disconnect the ignition switch connectors, then
release the wire harness clips from the steering
column.
• With the lock lever in its locked position, remove
the steering column by removing the attaching
nuts and bolts, and then carefully guiding it out of
the dashboard.
NOTE: Do not release the lock lever until the new
steering column is installed.

9. Loosen the upper steering joint bolt, and remove
the lower steering joint bolt. Disconnect the
steering joint by sliding it toward the column shaft.
NOTE:
• Do not disconnect the steering joint from the
column shaft.

SCREW

STEERING
COLUMN

• If the center guide is in place on the pinion shaft
and hasn’t moved, leave it in place. If the center
guide is out of place, discard it.
COLUMN
SHAFT

SCREW

SCREW
SWITCH
ASSEMBLY/
CABLE REEL

UPPER STEERING
JOINT BOLT

LOCK
LEVER

BOLTS

16 N.m (12 lb.ft)
STEERING
JOINT

BOLTS

28 N.m (21 lb.ft)

CENTER
GUIDE

LOWER STEERING
JOINT BOLT

09-078

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11. Remove the steering lock from the original steering
column:
• Using a center-punch and a hammer, carefully
“walk out” the two bolts from the steering column
bracket. Discard the bolts.
• Remove the steering lock and its bracket from
the steering column. The steering lock and the
bracket will be reused on the new steering
column.

17. Reinstall the combination switch assembly/cable
reel on the steering column shaft, reconnect the
wire connectors, then tighten the three screws in
the order shown below.
NOTE: If the cable reel was turned while the
combination switch assembly/cable reel was off,
center the cable reel: Turn it clockwise until it stops,
then turn it counterclockwise about three turns
(until the arrow on the cable reel label points
straight up).

Remove the steering
column bracket bolts
with a center punch.

SCREW

(Tighten first.)

SCREW

(Tighten second.)

SCREW

(Tighten third.)

12. Install the steering lock and its bracket on the new
steering column, and loosely tighten the new
steering lock shear bolts.
13. Insert the ignition key. Make sure the steering
wheel lock works correctly and the ignition key
turns freely.
14. Tighten the steering lock shear bolts until their hex
heads twist off.
SHEAR BOLT

18. Check that the steering rack is still centered within
its stroke, with the front wheels straight ahead.
Then slip the lower end of the steering joint onto the
pinion shaft.
NOTE:
• If the center guide is in place on the pinion shaft,
install the steering joint by aligning it with the
center guide.
• If there is no center guide on the pinion shaft,
position the steering joint by aligning its gap
within the angle shown below.
UPPER
STEERING
JOINT BOLT

FRONT

HEX HEAD

STEERING
JOINT
44 ± 20°

15. Carefully guide the new steering column into place,
then install the attaching nuts and bolts, and tighten
them to the torque in the illustration.

GAP

16. Reconnect the ignition switch connectors, then
attach the wire harness clips to the steering
column.

CENTER
GUIDE
PINION
SHAFT

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09-078

19. Align the bolt hole on the steering joint with the
groove around the pinion shaft, then loosely install
the lower joint bolt. Make sure the bolt is securely in
the pinion shaft groove.

21. Reinstall the steering joint cover.
22. Reinstall the steering column covers.
23. Reinstall the driver’s dashboard lower cover.
24. Reinstall the steering wheel, aligning the marks you
made on the steering wheel and the steering
column cover. Torque the steering wheel nut to
39 N.m (29 lb-ft). Remove the tape from the
steering wheel and the steering column cover.

UPPER
JOINT BOLT

28 N.m
(21 lb.ft)

25. Reinstall the driver’s airbag with new TORX bolts.
Torque the TORX bolts to 9.8 N.m (7.2 lb-ft).
26. Do the battery terminal reconnection procedure.
LOWER
JOINT BOLT

28 N.m
(21 lb.ft)
BOLT
HOLE

GROOVE

20. Pull on the steering joint to make sure it’s fully
seated, then tighten the lower joint bolt and the
upper joint bolt to the torque in the illustration.

09-078

27. Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and watch the
SRS indicator; it should come on for about 6
seconds, and then go off. If the SRS indicator stays
on, check for SRS DTCs, and do the appropriate
troubleshooting procedure.
28. Check the operation of the horn, the turn signals,
and the steering wheel switches. If any problems
are found, recheck your installation.
29. Check the front wheel alignment, and adjust the
front toe if needed.

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