This procedure covers replacement of the front lower control arm bushings on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo by removing the control arm assembly, pressing out old bushings, and installing new ones.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower control arm bushing kit (2 bushings per arm) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Cotter pin for ball joint × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint castle nut (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Lift front of vehicle and secure on jack stands at manufacturer-specified jacking points
5. Remove front wheels completely
6. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and let soak 15 minutes if vehicle has salt exposure or corrosion

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link (if necessary for access)
   If the sway bar link interferes with control arm removal, hold the ball stud shaft with an Allen key while loosening the lower nut with a 14mm socket. Disconnect the link from the control arm and move it aside. Note: This may not be necessary on all installations depending on working clearance.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove ball joint cotter pin and castle nut
   Straighten and remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut using pliers or side cutters. Remove the castle nut completely using a 17mm socket. Do not reuse the cotter pin.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Separate ball joint from steering knuckle
   Install a ball joint separator tool between the control arm and steering knuckle. Tighten the separator to apply pressure, then strike the knuckle boss sharply with a hammer to break the taper free. Alternatively, use a pickle fork, being careful not to damage the CV boot. Remove the separator and lower the control arm away from the knuckle.
   ⚠Do not strike the ball joint stud directly as this can damage the threads or internal components.
4. 4

   Mark control arm orientation
   Before removing control arm bolts, use a paint marker or scribe to mark the position of the control arm relative to the subframe and any adjustment cam positions. This ensures proper alignment during reinstallation and prevents affecting toe settings.
   ℹ️Honda Accord control arms typically use fixed mounting points without adjustment cams, but marking orientation aids proper reinstallation.
5. 5

   Remove control arm mounting bolts
   Support the control arm with your hand or a jack. Remove the front and rear control arm mounting bolts using a 19mm socket and breaker bar. The bolts pass through the bushings from inside to outside. Once bolts are removed, lower the control arm and remove it from the vehicle. Inspect the bolt holes in the subframe for damage or elongation.
   ⚠Control arm may drop suddenly when final bolt is removed. Maintain control to prevent injury or damage.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Inspect control arm and bushings
   Clean the control arm thoroughly with a wire brush. Inspect the ball joint for play, torn boots, or damage. Examine the bushing bores in the control arm for cracks, deformation, or damage. If the ball joint is worn or the arm is damaged, replacement of the entire control arm is recommended instead of just the bushings.
   ℹ️Many technicians replace the entire control arm assembly rather than pressing bushings due to time and equipment requirements.
7. 7

   Press out old bushings
   Mount the control arm securely in the hydraulic press. Select press adapters that support the control arm around the bushing bore without contacting the bore edge. Position a receiving cup or adapter on the opposite side to catch the bushing. Apply steady pressure to press the old bushing out of the arm. Repeat for the second bushing location. Clean the bushing bores thoroughly and inspect for damage.
   ⚠Ensure press adapters are properly centered to avoid cocking the bushing or damaging the control arm bore.
8. 8

   Press in new bushings
   Apply a light coat of soapy water or bushing lubricant to the new bushing outer shell and control arm bore (do not use oil or grease). Position the new bushing squarely at the bore entrance, noting any orientation marks or voids that must align per manufacturer specifications. Use appropriate press adapters that contact only the outer bushing shell, never the rubber. Press the bushing in squarely until it is fully seated and flush with the control arm. The bushing should be centered in the bore. Repeat for the second bushing.
   ⚠Some bushings have directional installation requirements with voids oriented specific directions. Verify orientation before pressing.
9. 9

   Install control arm to subframe
   Position the control arm into the subframe mounting locations, aligning with the orientation marks made during removal. Insert the control arm mounting bolts from the inside of the subframe through the bushings. Thread bolts by hand to ensure proper engagement. Do NOT torque the control arm bolts at this time - they must be torqued with vehicle weight on the suspension.
   ⚠️Torquing control arm bushings with suspension hanging will preload the bushings incorrectly and cause premature failure. Bolts must only be torqued at ride height.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Connect ball joint to steering knuckle
    Lift the control arm and insert the ball joint stud into the steering knuckle. Install the castle nut and tighten to specification using a torque wrench. The castle nut slots must align with the cotter pin hole in the stud. If needed, tighten the nut further (never loosen) to align the next castle slot with the hole. Install a new cotter pin and bend the ends to secure.
    ⚠Always tighten to the next castle slot if alignment is needed. Never back off a torqued castle nut to align the cotter pin hole.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link (if disconnected)
    If the sway bar link was disconnected, reconnect it to the control arm. Hold the ball stud with an Allen key and tighten the nut to specification using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install wheel and lower vehicle to ground
    Install the wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern until snug but not fully torqued. Carefully lower the vehicle until the tires just contact the ground and suspension is supporting vehicle weight, but vehicle is still partially supported by jack. This is the ride height position needed for final torquing.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Torque control arm bolts at ride height
    With the vehicle at ride height (tires on ground, suspension loaded), torque the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification in the sequence: front bolt first, then rear bolt. Use a torque wrench and 19mm socket. This critical step ensures bushings are not preloaded in a twisted condition.
    ⚠️This is the critical torquing step. Control arm bolts MUST be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension to prevent bushing failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final wheel installation and torque
    Fully lower the vehicle and remove the jack. Torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if replacing both control arm bushings
2. Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification, especially control arm bolts which must be done at ride height
3. Ensure cotter pin is properly installed and secured on ball joint castle nut

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking, rattling, or abnormal noises from front suspension
• Check for proper steering response and straight-line tracking
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as control arm removal affects toe settings and may affect other alignment angles
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles of driving
• Inspect ball joint cotter pin and all fasteners after initial test drive to ensure nothing has loosened

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