🔧 Accord - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This repair replaces the front strut assemblies, which support the vehicle, control bounce, and help keep the tires planted on the road. On your Accord, the front struts are part of the MacPherson strut suspension, meaning the strut also helps locate the wheel while steering.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 3-5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Replace front struts in pairs so the left and right sides handle evenly.
• ⚠️ Use complete strut assemblies if you are a beginner. A complete assembly includes the spring, strut, mount, and bearing already assembled.
• ⚠️ Do not remove the center nut on the strut shaft unless the coil spring is safely compressed with a proper spring compressor.
• ⚠️ Always support your Accord with jack stands. Never work under a vehicle held only by a floor jack.
• ⚠️ Keep the brake hose, ABS wheel speed sensor wire, and CV axle from being stretched while the strut is disconnected.
• ⚠️ A wheel alignment is required after this repair.
• ⚠️ 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 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• 19mm lug nut socket
• 1/2-inch drive breaker bar
• 1/2-inch drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-150 ft-lbs)
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 22mm socket
• 14mm wrench
• 17mm wrench
• 19mm wrench
• 6mm hex key socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Needle-nose pliers
• Rubber mallet
• Paint marker
• Penetrating oil
• Bungee cord
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assembly - Driver side - Qty: 1
• Front complete strut assembly - Passenger side - Qty: 1
• Front stabilizer bar link nut - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts - Qty: 4
• Front upper strut mounting nuts - Qty: 6

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Accord on flat, solid ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Open the hood so you can access the upper strut mounting nuts.
• Spray penetrating oil on the lower strut bolts and sway bar link nuts if they look rusty.
• A complete strut assembly is the safest beginner option because the coil spring is already compressed and installed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Loosen the Front Wheel Lug Nuts

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar to loosen each front wheel lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen wheels before lifting.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use a floor jack at the front center jacking point to raise your Accord.
• Place jack stands under the front side pinch weld lift points.
• Slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands.
• Gently shake the vehicle to confirm it is stable before working.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove the loosened lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them flat on the ground.

Step 4: Mark the Strut-to-Knuckle Position

• Use a paint marker to mark around the lower strut where it meets the steering knuckle.
• The steering knuckle is the metal upright that holds the wheel hub and connects to the strut.
• This mark helps keep the alignment close enough to drive carefully to an alignment shop.

Step 5: Disconnect the Brake Hose Bracket and ABS Wire Bracket

• Use a 12mm or 14mm socket if equipped to remove the brake hose bracket bolt from the strut body.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or flathead screwdriver to release any ABS wire retaining clips from the strut.
• Move the hose and wire aside gently. Do not pull or twist them.

Step 6: Disconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link from the Strut

• The stabilizer bar link is the small vertical link connecting the sway bar to the strut.
• Use a 17mm wrench on the nut and a 6mm hex key socket in the center stud if the stud spins.
• Remove the stabilizer bar link nut from the strut bracket.
• Push the link out of the strut bracket by hand.
• If the nut is stuck, use penetrating oil and wait a few minutes.

Step 7: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Use a bungee cord to support the steering knuckle so it does not hang outward.
• This protects the brake hose, ABS wire, and CV axle from stretching.

Step 8: Remove the Lower Strut Bolts

• Use a 22mm socket and 1/2-inch drive breaker bar on the lower strut nuts.
• Use a 22mm wrench on the bolt heads if needed to keep them from turning.
• Remove the two lower strut-to-knuckle nuts and bolts.
• Use a rubber mallet to tap the bolts out if they are tight.
• Do not let the knuckle fall outward once the bolts are removed.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• From under the hood, locate the three upper strut mounting nuts at the top of the strut tower.
• Use a 14mm socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to remove two nuts completely.
• Loosen the last nut while holding the strut with your other hand.
• Remove the final nut and lower the strut assembly out through the wheel well.
• Do not remove the center strut shaft nut.

Step 10: Install the New Complete Strut Assembly

• Guide the new complete strut assembly up into the strut tower by hand.
• Install the three new upper mounting nuts finger-tight first.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench to tighten the upper strut mounting nuts to Torque to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).
• Make sure the lower strut bracket faces the steering knuckle correctly.

Step 11: Reconnect the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Line up the paint marks and slide the steering knuckle into the lower strut bracket.
• Install the lower strut bolts and nuts by hand first.
• Use a 22mm socket, 22mm wrench, and torque wrench to tighten the lower strut-to-knuckle nuts to Torque to 155 Nm (114 ft-lbs).
• Start bolts by hand first.

Step 12: Reconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link

• Insert the stabilizer bar link stud into the strut bracket.
• Install a new stabilizer bar link nut by hand.
• Use a 17mm wrench and 6mm hex key socket if the stud spins.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the stabilizer bar link nut to Torque to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reattach the Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm or 14mm socket to reinstall the brake hose bracket bolt if equipped.
• Use a torque wrench to tighten the bracket bolt to Torque to 22 Nm (16 ft-lbs).
• Use your hands or a trim clip removal tool to secure the ABS wire clips back into their holders.
• Confirm the hose and wire do not rub the tire or suspension.

Step 14: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 13 on the opposite front strut.
• Use the same tools and torque specs on the other side.

Step 15: Reinstall the Front Wheels

• Place each wheel back on the hub by hand.
• Install the lug nuts finger-tight.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and 1/2-inch drive ratchet to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 16: Lower the Vehicle and Torque the Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack to slightly lift the front of your Accord off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle fully to the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 108 Nm (80 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce each front corner once or twice and listen for clunks.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel fully left and right while parked to check for hose or wire rubbing.
• ✅ Test drive slowly at first over a smooth road, then over small bumps.
• ✅ If the steering wheel is off-center or the vehicle pulls, stop driving except to reach an alignment shop.
• ✅ Schedule a four-wheel alignment immediately after replacing the struts.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after 25-50 miles.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $900-$1,500 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $300-$700 (parts only, alignment extra)

You Save: $400-$800 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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