By Tom Purser, ALLDATA editor and Jeff Webster, ALLDATA technical writer
Honda CR-V drivers may complain that their vehicle drifts or pulls to the right while driving at highway speeds. The probable cause is that the angle of the upper spring seat is incorrect.
Applicable Models
2002 – 2003 Honda CR-V 4WD with A/T
Repair Procedure
Review safety procedures in ALLDATA Repair before beginning.
Realign the damper spring on the upper spring seat.
1. Remove the damper unit from the vehicle.
2. Position the upper bars of the strut spring compressor to press on an upper coil of the spring.
3. Compress the damper spring with the strut spring compressor according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Figure 1).
4. Once the spring is compressed enough to relieve pressure, rotate the upper spring seat until the cutout is in the position shown (approximately 35 degrees clockwise). You may need to apply an upward pressure to release the seat from the spring (Figure 2).
5. Slowly release the pressure from the strut spring compressor, and allow the spring to seat. Make sure the lower end of the spring remains aligned with the stops in the lower seat, the upper end stays in the grooves of the upper spring seat mounting cushion, and the bump stop is in the correct location (Figure 3). 
6. Remove the damper assembly from the strut spring compressor.
7. Reinstall the damper unit on the vehicle.
8. Repeat steps 1 thru 7 for the other side.
9. After reinstalling both dampers, check the alignment of the vehicle.
10. Test-drive the vehicle to verify the drift is gone.
Written by ALLDATA Editor, Tom Purser and Technical/Marketing Writer Jeff Webster.
Tom has 17 years of dealership and independent shop experience as a shop manager, service consultant, shop foreman and ASE Certified Technician. He has been an active participant in numerous industry organizations. Jeff has 20 years of experience as a writer/editor.
Courtesy of ALLDATA.
For additional information, visit www.alldata.com.
