🔧 Accord - Front Strut Replacement

On your Accord, the front suspension uses MacPherson struts (a shock absorber built into a spring-and-mount assembly). Replacing worn struts restores ride control, braking stability, and helps prevent uneven tire wear.

Quick check before we start: Are you replacing the front struts only, or did you also mean the rear (your Accord has rear shocks, not struts)?

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

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Support the car on jack stands—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ If you are reusing the spring, a coil spring compressor is required; compressed springs store dangerous energy.
• ⚠️ Do not let the knuckle hang by the brake hose or ABS wire; support it to avoid damage.
• ⚠️ After strut replacement, a front wheel alignment is required.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this repair.

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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 (20–200 Nm range)
• 19mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 17mm combination wrench
• 14mm combination wrench
• Hex key set (for sway bar link stud)
• Pry bar (18–24")
• Flat trim tool
• Needle-nose pliers
• Penetrating oil
• Paint marker
• Coil spring compressor (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front strut assemblies (complete “quick struts”) - Replace in pairs - Qty: 2
• Front strut mount nuts - Qty: 6
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Replace in pairs - Qty: 4
• Stabilizer (sway bar) end links - Replace in pairs (recommended if boots torn/loose) - Qty: 2

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, turn the steering wheel straight, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Loosen the front wheel lug nuts 1/2 turn with a 19mm socket and breaker bar before lifting.
• If using quick struts, you will NOT need to compress the spring. Safer for first-timers.
• If reusing the spring: a coil spring compressor is mandatory (it clamps the spring so it can’t “pop” apart).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Lift and remove the front wheels

• Lift the front using a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the front center jacking point.
• Set the car onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the side pinch weld points.
• Remove lug nuts with a 19mm socket and remove both front wheels.

Step 2: Unclip the ABS wire and brake hose from the strut

• Remove the brackets/fasteners using a 12mm socket (and flat trim tool for clips as needed).
• Move the hose/wire aside so they cannot be stretched while the strut comes out.

Step 3: Disconnect the sway bar end link from the strut

• Remove the end link nut using a 14mm socket and 14mm combination wrench.
• If the stud spins, hold it with a hex key set while turning the nut.
• Reinstall later and Torque to 59 Nm (44 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Mark the strut-to-knuckle position

• Use a paint marker to mark the relationship between the strut and the steering knuckle.
• This helps keep alignment close enough to drive to the alignment shop.

Step 5: Remove the strut-to-knuckle bolts

• Support the knuckle so it doesn’t drop using a floor jack (light support only).
• Spray nuts/bolts with penetrating oil.
• Remove the two large bolts/nuts using a 17mm socket, 17mm combination wrench, and breaker bar (1/2").
• During reassembly: Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

Step 6: Remove the upper strut mount nuts and remove the strut

• Open the hood and locate the three strut mount nuts on the strut tower.
• Remove the three nuts using a 14mm socket while holding the strut from below.
• Lift the strut out of the wheel well.
• During reassembly: Torque upper mount nuts to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Install the new strut assembly

• Position the new strut into the tower and hand-thread the three mount nuts using a 14mm socket.
• Align the strut-to-knuckle area to your paint marks, then install the two lower bolts/nuts using a 17mm socket and 17mm combination wrench.
• Torque lower strut-to-knuckle bolts to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).
• Torque upper mount nuts to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).

Step 8: Reconnect end link, hose bracket, and ABS wire

• Reconnect the sway bar end link using a 14mm socket and hex key set as needed.
• Torque end link nut to 59 Nm (44 ft-lbs).
• Reinstall the brake hose/ABS brackets using a 12mm socket.
• Double-check routing so nothing rubs the tire or gets pinched.

Step 9: Reinstall wheels and lower the car

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

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✅ After Repair

• Road-test at low speed first; listen for clunks and verify the steering wheel returns to center.
• Recheck that ABS wire and brake hose are not twisted and have slack at full lock left/right.
• Get a front wheel alignment as soon as possible.
• After 50–100 miles, recheck lug nut torque with a torque wrench.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,600 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $350-$900 (parts only, plus alignment)

You Save: $550-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 3-5 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.