How to replace the lower control arms 2003-2007 Honda Accord

To replace the lower control arms on your Accord just follow the steps. You will be asked to lift the vehicle, remove the sway bar end link, remove the control arm as well as carry out a few other steps. You can carry out this tutorial of 17 chapters in 90 minutes. Take your 17 mm socket and your 19 mm socket and let’s get started!

Duration

90 minutes

Number of steps

Difficulty out of 5

Average savings

$110

Parts You Will Need

Tools You Will Need

Step-by-Step Installation

Chapter 1:

Loosen the CV axle nut

Step 1/2

Turn your engine off and set the parking brake.

Chapter 1:

Step 2/2

Remove the central rim cover to access the nut on the end of the CV axle. Use a breaker bar and a 32mm socket to unblock the nut on the end of the CV axle.

Chapter 2:

Measure

Step 1/1

Before lifting your vehicle, it is necessary to measure the distance between the centre of your wheel and the wheel arch. This will allow you to achieve an optimal tightening of the parts in their initial position.

Chapter 3:

Lift the vehicle

Step 1/3

Loosen the stud bolts on the front wheels.

Chapter 3:

Step 2/3

Lift the front of your vehicle. Place the vehicle on the jack stands.

Chapter 3:

Step 3/3

Don’t forget to put the wheels under the vehicle!

Chapter 4:

Set up

Step 1/4

Brush the nut of the bolt holding the strut fork to the lower control arm, then spray it with penetrating oil.

Chapter 4:

Step 2/4

Using a 17 mm wrench, a ratchet and a 17 mm socket, unscrew the nut of the retaining bolt.

Chapter 4:

Step 3/4

Once unscrewed, you can use a pin punch to remove the bolt.

Chapter 4:

Step 4/4

You can then disengage the strut fork from the control arm.

Chapter 5:

Disengage the sway bar end link

Step 1/3

It is also necessary to disengage the sway bar end link from the lower control arm.

Chapter 5:

Step 2/3

Using an 15mm wrench, unscrew the nut from the lower ball joint.

Chapter 5:

Step 3/3

Use a 5mm Allen key to keep the ball joint from rotating.

Chapter 6:

Unscrew the CV axle nut

Step 1/1

Finish unscrewing the nut on the end of the CV axle.

Chapter 7:

Remove the control arm ball joint

Step 1/8

Brush the nut of the lower ball joint and spray it with penetrating oil.

Chapter 7:

Step 2/8

Loosen the lower ball joint nut using a ratchet and a 17 mm socket, and remove the nut.

Chapter 7:

Step 3/8

Turn the brake disc inward to make this operation easier.

Chapter 7:

Step 4/8

Spray the area where the lower ball joint fits into the lower control arm with penetrating oil to facilitate removal.

Chapter 7:

Step 5/8

Using a jack, slightly lift the control arm, resting on the threaded rod of the lower ball joint.

Chapter 7:

Step 6/8

With a hammer, strike on the part of the control arm where the lower ball joint is inserted to loosen the assembly.

Chapter 7:

Step 7/8

Remove the jack.

Chapter 7:

Step 8/8

You can now disengage the lower ball joint from the control arm.

Chapter 8:

Remove the control arm

Step 1/5

Brush the two nuts of the lower control arm retaining bolts, and spray them with penetrating oil.

Chapter 8:

Step 2/5

Using a ratchet and a 19 mm socket, unscrew the front bushing retaining bolt. Then remove the bolt.

Chapter 8:

Step 3/5

Repeat the procedure on the rear bushing bolt, this time using a 17 mm socket.

Chapter 8:

Step 4/5

You can now remove the rear part of the lower control arm by pulling it towards you and moving it back and forth.

Chapter 8:

Step 5/5

Next, disengage the CV axle from the wheel knuckle to remove the front part of the control arm.

Chapter 9:

Put the control arm back

Step 1/9

Brush and grease the control arm area to facilitate its installation.

Chapter 9:

Step 2/9

Take the control arm.

Chapter 9:

Step 3/9

First, insert the front part of the control arm. Then rotate the control arm to install its rear part.

Chapter 9:

Step 4/9

You can use a hammer to insert it properly.

Chapter 9:

Step 5/9

Put the front retaining bolt back in place. And screw it back in with a ratchet until it makes contact.

Chapter 9:

Step 6/9

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 9:

Step 7/9

Reinsert the rear bushing retaining bolt and screw it back in until it makes contact. It is important that the bushing slides easily into place, before you finish tightening it.

Chapter 9:

Step 8/9

You must now fit the CV axle back into the wheel knuckle.

Chapter 9:

Step 9/9

Roughly put the hub nut back in place.

Chapter 10:

Put the control arm ball joint back

Step 1/3

Grease the part of the lower control arm that will be in contact with the lower ball joint.

Chapter 10:

Step 2/3

Replace the lower ball joint in the control arm. Next, screw back on the nut until it’s tight.

Chapter 10:

Step 3/3

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 11:

Put the sway bar end link back

Step 1/2

Put the lower ball joint of the sway bar end link back in place. Then, screw the nut back on.

Chapter 11:

Step 2/2

Finish tightening using a torque wrench.

Chapter 12:

Finalise the reassembly

Step 1/1

Put the strut fork retaining bolt back on the lower control arm, then screw the nut back on until it makes contact.

Chapter 13:

Tightening tips

Step 1/4

To avoid damaging the bushings, you need to tighten the bolt holding the strut fork to the lower control arm and the rear bushing bolt in the “vehicle on ground” position. Lift the wheel knuckle with the jack until the original measurement between the center of the wheel and the wheel arch is reached.