🔧 Accord - Strut Replacement

Replacing struts means removing the strut assemblies (or strut cartridges) and reinstalling new ones so your A4—sorry, your Accord—rides correctly, steers predictably, and doesn’t wear tires unevenly. The exact steps and torque specs change depending on whether you’re doing the front or rear, and whether you’re installing complete pre-assembled units or reusing your coil springs.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-6 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Coil springs store serious energy—use a proper spring compressor or use complete pre-assembled strut assemblies.
• ⚠️ Support the Accord with jack stands; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Mark and protect the ABS wheel speed sensor wire and brake hose; don’t stretch or twist them.
• ⚠️ If your Accord has rusty hardware, use penetrating oil and go slow to avoid snapped bolts.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves
• Breaker bar (1/2")
• Torque wrench (1/2" drive, 20-200 ft-lbs range)
• Socket set (8mm-22mm, 1/2" drive)
• Wrench set (10mm-22mm)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Flat trim tool
• Penetrating oil
• Pry bar
• Paint marker
• Spring compressor (external two-piece type) (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/strut assemblies - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Strut mount and bearing kit (front) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Upper mount kit (rear) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Bump stops and dust boots - Replace all - Qty: 4
• New self-locking nuts/bolts (strut-to-knuckle) - Replace as needed - Qty: 4-8

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels (for front work) or front wheels (for rear work).
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts and sway bar link nuts 10-20 minutes before removal.
• Two quick questions so I can give the exact steps + torque specs:
  • Are you replacing front struts, rear struts, or all four?
  • Are you installing complete pre-assembled “quick struts” (no spring transfer), or reusing your coil springs with a spring compressor?

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm your setup (needed for exact procedure)

• Reply with: Front / Rear / All four and Quick struts / Reuse springs.
• This determines access panels (especially rear), and the exact torque specs for your Accord’s fasteners.

Step 2: Safe lift and wheel removal (generic setup)

• Use wheel chocks to block the wheels that stay on the ground.
• Use a breaker bar (1/2") and the correct lug nut socket to crack lug nuts loose 1/4 turn.
• Lift with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper jack point and set the car on jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove the wheels using the socket set.

Step 3: Stop before disassembly

• I’ll give the full front and/or rear removal and installation steps next, including Torque to XX Nm (YY ft-lbs) for every critical fastener, once you answer the two questions above.
• Quick struts are safest for beginners.

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✅ After Repair

• Get a 4-wheel alignment as soon as possible after strut replacement.
• Test drive slowly first, listening for clunks, and recheck all visible fasteners.
• Re-torque lug nuts after ~25-50 miles using a torque wrench (1/2" drive).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,800 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $300-$900 (parts only)

You Save: $600-$900 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-6 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.