🔧 Odyssey - Front Strut Assembly Replacement

This repair replaces the front strut assemblies on your Odyssey. The strut supports the vehicle, controls bounce, and helps keep the tire planted on the road.

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

Assumption: This guide covers complete front strut assemblies, not compressing and rebuilding the spring/strut separately.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never work under your Odyssey supported only by a jack. Use jack stands every time.
• ⚠️ The coil spring is under high tension. Do not remove the center strut nut unless the spring is safely compressed with a proper spring compressor.
• ⚠️ Replace struts in pairs, left and right, so braking and handling stay balanced.
• ⚠️ Do not let the steering knuckle hang by the brake hose or ABS wire.
• ⚠️ An alignment is required after front strut replacement.
• ⚠️ 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
• 19mm lug nut socket
• Breaker bar 1/2-inch drive
• Torque wrench 1/2-inch drive
• Ratchet 3/8-inch drive
• Ratchet 1/2-inch drive
• 12mm socket
• 14mm socket
• 17mm socket
• 19mm socket
• 22mm socket
• 17mm combination wrench
• 19mm combination wrench
• 6mm hex key socket
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• Pry bar 18-inch
• Rubber mallet
• Paint marker
• Bungee cord
• Penetrating oil
• Safety glasses
• Mechanic gloves

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Front complete strut assembly - Left: 1, Right: 1
• Front stabilizer bar link nuts - Qty: 2
• Front strut-to-knuckle bolts - Qty: 4
• Front strut-to-knuckle nuts - Qty: 4
• Front strut mount nuts - Qty: 6

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Odyssey on level ground.
• Set the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Loosen the front lug nuts slightly before lifting the vehicle.
• Spray penetrating oil on the strut-to-knuckle bolts and sway bar link nuts.
• A complete strut assembly includes the spring, strut, upper mount, and bearing already assembled.
• A torque wrench tightens bolts to a measured specification so parts are secure without being over-tightened.

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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 breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen each front lug nut about half a turn.
• Do not remove the lug nuts yet.
• Loosen before lifting for stability.

Step 2: Raise and Support the Front

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front of your Odyssey at the front center jacking point.
• Place jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) under the approved front side support points.
• Lower the vehicle gently onto the jack stands.
• Keep the floor jack lightly touching as backup support.

Step 3: Remove the Front Wheels

• Use the 19mm lug nut socket to remove the front lug nuts.
• Remove both front wheels and set them flat under the vehicle as an extra safety backup.

Step 4: Support the Steering Knuckle

• Place the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) lightly under the lower control arm near the ball joint.
• Raise it just enough to support the steering knuckle.
• The steering knuckle is the large metal part that holds the wheel hub and connects to the strut.

Step 5: Remove Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket or 14mm socket, depending on bracket fastener size, to remove the brake hose bracket from the strut.
• Use a trim clip removal tool or flathead screwdriver to release any ABS wire clips attached to the strut.
• Move the brake hose and ABS wire aside carefully.
• Do not stretch, twist, or pull on the brake hose.

Step 6: Disconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link

• Use a 17mm socket to remove the stabilizer bar link nut from the strut bracket.
• If the stud spins, hold the center of the stud with a 6mm hex key socket while turning the nut with a 17mm combination wrench.
• The stabilizer bar link connects the strut to the sway bar, which helps reduce body roll in turns.

Step 7: Mark the Strut Position

• Use a paint marker to mark where the strut meets the steering knuckle.
• This helps get the new strut close to the old position before alignment.
• Still get an alignment afterward.

Step 8: Remove the Lower Strut Bolts

• Use a 22mm socket and breaker bar 1/2-inch drive to loosen the two lower strut-to-knuckle nuts.
• Use a 19mm combination wrench or 22mm socket as needed to hold the bolt heads while removing the nuts.
• Tap the bolts out with a rubber mallet if they are tight.
• Use a pry bar 18-inch only as needed to gently separate the strut from the knuckle.
• Support the knuckle with a bungee cord so it does not pull on the brake hose or axle.

Step 9: Remove the Upper Strut Mount Nuts

• Open the hood.
• Locate the three upper strut mount nuts at the top of the strut tower.
• Use a 14mm socket and ratchet 3/8-inch drive to remove the three upper mount nuts.
• Hold the strut with one hand while removing the last nut so it does not fall.
• Do not remove the large center nut on the strut assembly.

Step 10: Remove the Old Strut Assembly

• Guide the complete strut assembly down and out through the wheel opening by hand.
• If needed, use a pry bar 18-inch gently to create clearance.
• Compare the old and new strut assemblies side by side before installation.

Step 11: Install the New Strut Assembly

• Guide the new complete strut assembly up into the strut tower.
• Install the three new upper strut mount nuts by hand first.
• Use a 14mm socket and torque wrench 3/8-inch drive if available, or a compatible torque wrench, to tighten the upper mount nuts to Torque to 44 Nm (33 ft-lbs).
• If your torque wrench is 1/2-inch drive, use the matching socket setup carefully.

Step 12: Attach the Strut to the Steering Knuckle

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to raise or lower the lower control arm until the strut holes line up with the knuckle.
• Install the lower strut-to-knuckle bolts and nuts by hand.
• Use a 22mm socket, 19mm combination wrench, and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lower strut-to-knuckle nuts to Torque to 157 Nm (116 ft-lbs).

Step 13: Reconnect the Stabilizer Bar Link

• Insert the stabilizer bar link stud into the strut bracket.
• Install a new nut by hand.
• Use a 17mm socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the nut to Torque to 79 Nm (58 ft-lbs).
• If the stud spins, use the 6mm hex key socket and 17mm combination wrench to hold it while tightening.

Step 14: Reinstall Brake Hose and ABS Wire Brackets

• Use a 12mm socket or 14mm socket to reinstall the brake hose bracket bolt to the strut.
• Tighten bracket fasteners snugly to Torque to 22 Nm (16 ft-lbs) if using the 12mm/14mm bracket bolt.
• Use your hands and the trim clip removal tool if needed to secure the ABS wire clips back into their holders.
• Confirm the hose and wire do not rub the tire, strut, or axle.

Step 15: Repeat on the Other Side

• Repeat Steps 4 through 14 on the opposite front strut.
• Use the same tools and torque specs.
• Replace both front struts as a pair.

Step 16: Reinstall the Wheels

• Place each wheel back on the hub.
• Install the lug nuts by hand to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket to snug the lug nuts in a star pattern.

Step 17: Lower the Vehicle and Torque Lug Nuts

• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Lower your Odyssey to the ground.
• Use a 19mm lug nut socket and torque wrench 1/2-inch drive to tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern to Torque to 127 Nm (94 ft-lbs).

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Bounce the front of your Odyssey gently by hand to help the suspension settle.
• ✅ Turn the steering wheel lock-to-lock while parked and listen for rubbing, clunks, or binding.
• ✅ Test drive slowly first. Listen for knocking or loose hardware.
• ✅ Recheck lug nut torque after the first short drive.
• ✅ Schedule a front wheel alignment immediately after the strut replacement.
• ✅ If the steering wheel is off-center or the vehicle pulls, do not delay the alignment.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $850-$1,300 (parts + labor + alignment)

DIY Cost: $300-$650 (parts only, alignment extra)

You Save: $400-$700 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 2.5-4 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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