This procedure covers replacement of the front upper control arm bushings on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo by removing the upper control arm and pressing in new bushings.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Upper control arm bushing kit (front) × 2 — Use OEM Honda specification
• Ball joint castle nut cotter pin × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and apply parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at designated lift points
5. Remove front wheels completely
6. Spray all control arm mounting bolts and ball joint nut with penetrating oil and allow to soak

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove sway bar end link
   Locate the sway bar end link connection to the lower control arm. Use a 6mm Allen key to hold the ball stud shaft from rotating. Remove the upper nut connecting the sway bar link. This provides clearance for control arm removal.
2. 2

   Remove ball joint cotter pin and nut
   Locate the upper control arm ball joint castle nut at the steering knuckle. Remove and discard the cotter pin using pliers or cotter pin removal tool. Using a 17mm socket, remove the castle nut from the ball joint stud. Keep nut for reference but replace with new hardware on reassembly.
3. 3

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Position a ball joint separator tool between the upper control arm and steering knuckle. Apply force to separate the ball joint taper from the knuckle bore. Tap the separator with a hammer if needed. Once taper breaks free, remove the tool and support the knuckle to prevent damage to brake lines or ABS wiring.
   ⚠Do not hit the ball joint stud threads directly with a hammer. This will damage the threads and require replacement of the entire control arm.
4. 4

   Support strut assembly
   Position a floor jack or suitable support under the lower control arm and strut assembly to prevent it from dropping when the upper control arm is removed. Adjust support to maintain suspension at approximately ride height position.
5. 5

   Remove upper control arm mounting bolts
   Open the hood and locate the two upper control arm mounting bolts at the frame rail in the engine compartment. Using a 17mm socket and breaker bar, remove both bolts securing the control arm to the chassis. The control arm can now be removed from the vehicle. Mark the orientation of the control arm before removal.
6. 6

   Press out old bushings
   Secure the control arm in a hydraulic press. Select appropriately sized press adapters that match the bushing outer diameter. Position the control arm so the old bushing can be pressed out without damaging the control arm bore. Apply steady pressure to press the bushing out of the arm. Repeat for the second bushing if applicable to your control arm design.
   ⚠Use proper size adapters to avoid damaging the control arm bore. Pressing with incorrect adapters will deform the mounting bore and ruin the control arm.
7. 7

   Clean control arm bores
   Using a wire brush, thoroughly clean the bushing bores in the control arm. Remove all rust, corrosion, and debris. Inspect bores for damage or deformation. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize compound to the bore to aid in future bushing removal.
8. 8

   Press in new bushings
   Position the new bushing at the control arm bore, ensuring correct orientation per manufacturer instructions. Some bushings have voids or offset that must align properly. Using the hydraulic press and proper adapters, press the new bushing straight into the bore until fully seated and flush with the control arm face. Verify bushing is not cocked or misaligned.
   ℹ️Most Honda upper control arm bushings have a specific orientation. The void or split in the bushing must align with suspension travel direction per service manual diagrams.
9. 9

   Install control arm to chassis
   Position the control arm with new bushings back into the chassis mounting points. Insert both mounting bolts through the control arm bushings and chassis brackets. Thread bolts by hand first to ensure proper alignment. Snug bolts finger-tight only at this stage. Do NOT torque these bolts yet.
   ⚠Control arm bolts must NOT be torqued until vehicle weight is on the suspension. Torquing at full droop will preload bushings incorrectly and cause premature failure.
10. 10

    Connect ball joint to knuckle
    Align the upper control arm ball joint stud with the steering knuckle bore. Insert the ball joint stud through the knuckle. Thread the new castle nut onto the ball joint stud. Torque the castle nut to specification, then advance the nut as needed to align the next castellations with the cotter pin hole. Do not back off the nut to align.
    Torque spec

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

    Install new cotter pin
    Insert a new cotter pin through the castle nut and ball joint stud hole. Bend the cotter pin legs in opposite directions to secure it in place. Ensure the cotter pin cannot back out during operation.
12. 12

    Reinstall sway bar end link
    Reconnect the sway bar end link to the lower control arm or strut assembly. Use the 6mm Allen key to hold the ball stud and torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Install the front wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle carefully so the full weight of the vehicle is resting on the suspension at normal ride height. Do not allow vehicle to bounce or drop suddenly.
14. 14

    Torque control arm bolts with weight on suspension
    With the vehicle at normal ride height and weight fully on the suspension, torque both upper control arm mounting bolts to specification. This is critical for proper bushing life. Use a torque wrench and apply torque in a single smooth motion.
    ⚠This step is critical. Bushings torqued at full droop will twist and fail prematurely. Vehicle must be at ride height with weight on wheels.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Torque wheel lug nuts
    Torque all wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Perform a final torque check on all lug nuts.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat procedure for opposite side if replacing both front upper control arm bushings
2. Verify all fasteners are properly torqued, especially control arm bolts which must be torqued at ride height
3. Ensure new cotter pins are properly installed and secured on both sides

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking or unusual noises from front suspension
• Perform steering input in both directions to confirm ball joint is properly seated
• Schedule a professional four-wheel alignment as upper control arm removal will affect camber and caster settings
• After 50-100 miles, re-check torque on control arm bolts and wheel lug nuts

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