🔧 Accord - Shock/Strut Replacement

On your Accord, the front suspension uses struts (shock + spring assembly) and the rear uses shocks. Replacing worn struts/shocks restores ride control, braking stability, and reduces tire wear.

Difficulty Level: Advanced | Estimated Time: 4-8 hours

Quick question: Are you replacing front struts, rear shocks, or all four?

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support your Accord with jack stands on solid ground; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Front struts contain a coil spring under high force—use a spring compressor (specialty) if you are transferring the spring. A spring compressor is a tool that squeezes the spring shorter so it can be removed safely.
• ⚠️ Keep the ABS wire and brake hose from being stretched when the knuckle drops.
• ⚠️ After front strut replacement, you should get a wheel alignment.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar 1/2"
• Torque wrench 1/2" (20-200 Nm range)
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 10mm socket
• 19mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 14mm wrench
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flat trim tool
• Phillips screwdriver
• Pry bar
• Hammer
• Punch
• Penetrating oil
• Spring compressor (specialty)
• Pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies (replace in pairs) - Qty: 2
• Rear shock absorbers (replace in pairs) - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount kit (mount/bearing/bump stop as applicable) - Qty: 2
• Rear upper shock mount kit (if worn) - Qty: 2
• Front sway bar end links (only if worn/loose) - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels (for front work) or front wheels (for rear work).
• Use a 19mm socket to loosen lug nuts 1/2 turn before lifting.
• Spray visible suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and wait 5–10 minutes.
• If you are not using complete “quick strut” assemblies, prepare your spring compressor (specialty) and inspect it for damage before compressing any spring.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the wheel

• Use a floor jack to lift at the proper jacking point, then set the car onto jack stands.
• Remove the lug nuts with a 19mm socket, then remove the wheel.

Step 2 (Front): Disconnect the sway bar end link from the strut

• Hold the end link stud with a 17mm wrench (as needed) and remove the nut with a 17mm socket.
• If it spins, add penetrating oil.
• Reinstall spec: Torque to 49 Nm (36 ft-lbs).

Step 3 (Front): Free the ABS/brake line brackets from the strut

• Remove the bracket bolts using a 10mm socket (ABS wire/brake hose brackets on the strut body, depending on layout).
• Move the lines aside so nothing gets pulled when the knuckle moves.

Step 4 (Front): Separate the damper fork from the strut

• Remove the damper fork pinch bolt using a 14mm socket and 14mm wrench.
• Use a pry bar to carefully open the fork slightly if needed, then slide it down off the strut.
• Reinstall spec: Torque to 54 Nm (40 ft-lbs) (pinch bolt).

Step 5 (Front): Unbolt the damper fork from the lower control arm

• Support the lower arm/knuckle lightly with the floor jack so it doesn’t drop suddenly.
• Remove the fork-to-lower-arm bolt using a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench.
• Reinstall spec: Torque to 64 Nm (47 ft-lbs).

Step 6 (Front): Remove the strut mount nuts and take out the strut

• Open the hood.
• Remove the three top mount nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Hold the strut so it doesn’t fall, then remove it out through the wheel well.
• Reinstall spec: Torque to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs) (strut mount nuts).

Step 7 (Front): Transfer spring (ONLY if not using complete strut assemblies)

• Install a spring compressor (specialty) on opposite sides of the spring and compress evenly until the spring is loose in the seats.
• Remove the strut shaft nut using a pass-through strut nut socket set (specialty) while holding the shaft (as required by your kit).
• Move the spring and upper mount to the new strut in the same orientation, then slowly release the compressors.
• Double-check spring ends seat in pockets.

Step 8 (Front): Reinstall the strut and fork

• Position the strut into the tower and hand-thread the three nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Slide the damper fork onto the strut and install the pinch bolt using a 14mm socket and 14mm wrench.
• Install the fork-to-lower-arm bolt using a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench.
• Torque fasteners: 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs) (top nuts), 54 Nm (40 ft-lbs) (pinch bolt), 64 Nm (47 ft-lbs) (fork-to-arm bolt).

Step 9 (Front): Reattach brackets and sway link

• Reinstall ABS/brake line brackets using a 10mm socket.
• Reconnect the sway bar end link using a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench.
• Torque: 49 Nm (36 ft-lbs) (end link nut).

Step 10 (Rear): Access the upper shock mount nuts

• Open the trunk.
• Remove the trunk side trim as needed using a flat trim tool and Phillips screwdriver to access the rear shock upper mount area.

Step 11 (Rear): Remove the lower shock bolt

• Support the rear suspension arm lightly with the floor jack.
• Remove the lower shock bolt using a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench.
• Reinstall spec: Torque to 64 Nm (47 ft-lbs).

Step 12 (Rear): Remove the upper mount nuts and remove the shock

• Remove the upper mount nuts using a 14mm socket, then pull the shock out.
• Reinstall spec: Torque to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs) (upper mount nuts).

Step 13 (Rear): Install the new shock

• Install the shock into the upper mount first and hand-thread the nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Line up the lower mount and install the bolt using a 17mm socket and 17mm wrench.
• Torque fasteners: 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs) (upper nuts), 64 Nm (47 ft-lbs) (lower bolt).

Step 14: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

• Reinstall wheels and hand-tighten lug nuts using a 19mm socket.
• Lower the car off the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Torque lug nuts in a star pattern: Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• Do a short test drive: listen for clunks, verify steering feels normal, and confirm braking is stable.
• Re-check that ABS/brake line brackets are secure and not rubbing the tire.
• Get a front wheel alignment as soon as possible if you replaced front struts.
• After 50–100 km, re-check lug nut torque using a torque wrench: 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹12,000-₹30,000 (parts + labor, front + rear typical range in Panipat area)

DIY Cost: ₹6,000-₹20,000 (parts only, depends on brands and whether you do mounts/links)

You Save: ₹6,000-₹10,000+ by doing it yourself!

Local labor varies; shops commonly quote 4-6 hours for all four.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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