Need 2003 Honda Civic ball joints, control arms, or a front-end kit? This page is 7th-gen Civic (2001–2005). 1996–2000 6th-gen and 2006+ 8th-gen arms and bushings are not a straight swap. Si uses different arms; stick to the Civic row for your trim. Leave a comment with the year and the noise if you want a part-number check.
A clunk at low speed is usually a ball joint or sway link. Wander or inner-edge tire wear is more often a tie rod or a worn control-arm bushing. Most people replace the control arm as a complete unit with the ball joint already pressed in.
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Jump to: Shop notes · Works Kit · Front · Steering · Rear · Fitment notes
7th-gen Honda Civic (2001–2005) shop notes — 2003
2003 Honda Civic suspension — 7th-gen Civic shop focus
Model-year 2003 sits in the 7th-gen Civic Honda Civic window (2001–2005). It is confirm body style.
Catalog applications for 7th-gen Civic (2001–2005) often repeat the same SKUs across adjacent years in this generation — that is expected. This URL stays year-specific for 2003 with a self-canonical and year-locked heading/links. On-page catalog SKUs called out here include MOOG suspension, MOOG ES3581, MOOG EV469, MOOG RK640288, MOOG RK640287, MOOG ST8578L, MOOG ST8578R, MOOG ST8592L — use only these rows (and the lists below), not torque charts we do not publish. Cross-shop the same model year: 2003 Honda Civic brake parts · 2003 Honda Civic shock parts.
These are shop notes for the 7th-gen Honda Civic (2001–2005) that includes 2003. Civic generations change control arms, hubs, and sway links — do not mix 8th vs 9th vs 10th-gen numbers.
What usually brings people here
- Low-speed clunk over bumps or driveways → ball joint or sway link. Most shops prefer replacing the control arm as a complete unit with the joint already pressed in.
- Wander, loose steering feel, or inner-edge tire wear → outer/inner tie rod (ES3581 / EV469) or a worn control-arm bushing.
- Growl or rumble that rises with road speed → wheel hub/bearing (512175).
Key SKU choices
Outer/inner tie rods on this page: ES3581 / EV469. Replace as a pair when play is present; an alignment is required after tie-rod work.
Fitment forks on this page
- Lower, 1.3L, ball joint not included: left RK640288, right RK640287
- Lower, 1.7L, ball joint not included: left RK640288, right RK640287
- 1.3L, Strut, Spring & Top Mount: left ST8578L, right ST8578R
- 1.7L, Strut, Spring & Top Mount: left ST8592L, right ST8592R
- To frame, coupe, sedan, 15mm Sway Bar Diameter: K200321
- To frame, 2 Dr. Hatchback, 25.4mm Sway Bar Diameter, Split Design: K90560
While you’re in there
While you’re tearing into the front end, inspect the matching side and the sway-bar links — one-sided wear is common after a hit or a long alignment delay. Confirm the hub (512175) if you have a growl that rises with road speed.
Shop notes only — not a service manual. Use the factory procedure or a Haynes/Chilton manual for wrench work, torque, and safety steps. Leave a comment with drivetrain, suspension type, and the symptom if you want a part-number check.
Works Kit — 2003 Honda Civic front-end (7th-gen Civic · not 8th-gen 2006+)
Practical 2003 Honda Civic “order it all once, do it right” stack from this URL’s links: page clunk row K200321 with wander SKUs ES3581 + EV469, plus 512175. Tear-down tip for 2003: photograph fastener orientation, then buy the full stack so you are not waiting on a second order. Also note: hub forks also list 512174, 512258.
1. Clunk / sway kit
- Ball joint / clunk path named on this page — K200321
2. Wander / steering kit
- Outer / tie-rod end (page list) — ES3581
- Inner / drag-link companion on this page — EV469
- Alignment after install
3. Hub growl add-on
Search Amazon for a 2003 Honda Civic front-end kit · Full lists are below.
2003 Honda Civic front suspension
Ball joints
Control arms
- Lower, 1.3L, ball joint not included: left RK640288, right RK640287
- Left lower, 2.0L: RK642168
- Lower, 1.7L, ball joint not included: left RK640288, right RK640287
Control arm bushings
- Lower rear: K200053
- Lower front, Durable Socket Design Eases Installation, Vertical Mount: K200799
- Lower front, Vertical Mount: K200149
Strut and spring assemblies
- 1.3L, Strut, Spring & Top Mount: left ST8578L, right ST8578R
- 1.7L, Strut, Spring & Top Mount: left ST8592L, right ST8592R
Strut bumper bellows
- OE Material For Strut Performance And Longevity: K90462
Strut mounts
Sway bar bushings
- To frame, coupe, sedan, 15mm Sway Bar Diameter: K200321
- To frame, 2 Dr. Hatchback, 25.4mm Sway Bar Diameter, Split Design: K90560
Sway bar links
2003 Honda Civic steering
Tie rod ends
2003 Honda Civic rear suspension
Control arms
- Lower, Hybrid: RK642015
- Upper, Non Adjustable: RK641879
- Upper, Minus 4 To 6 Degree Camber, Adjustable: RK90351
- Upper, Minus 4 To 6 Degree Camber: RK641886
- Lower, DX, HX, LX, United States Or Canadian Built: RK642007
Control arm bushings
- Outer, Lower Front: K200962
- Lower rear inner: K200964
- Lower rear outer: K200916
- Outer, Upper: K200926
Strut and spring assemblies
Strut bumper bellows
Strut bushings
- Lower: K90650
Strut mounting kits
Sway bar bushings
- To frame, DX, EX, GX, HX, LX: K200325
- To frame, Hybrid, sedan: K200326
- To frame, 2 Dr. Hatchback, Split Design: K200611
Sway bar links
Wheel hubs & bearing assemblies
Fitment notes
These Moog numbers come from the 1991–2006 catalog rows that include 2003. Confirm 4×2 vs 4×4, aluminum vs steel, and trim before you order.
Diagrams are on the Civic catalog page. Related Honda diagrams: Accord and CR-V. How to diagnose suspension noises.
Related: 2003 Honda Civic shock parts.
Leave a comment with 4×2 vs 4×4 and the noise if you want a part-number check. #HAPPYMOTORING
Need pads and rotors? See 2003 Honda Civic brake parts.