Complete replacement of both front strut assemblies on the 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo, including disassembly of suspension components and torquing of all safety-critical fasteners.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut assembly (left) × 1 — Use OEM Honda 51601-TVA-A07 or equivalent complete assembly
• Front strut assembly (right) × 1 — Use OEM Honda 51611-TVA-A07 or equivalent complete assembly
• Strut tower mounting nuts (if corroded) × 6 — M10x1.25 flange nuts
• Sway bar link nuts (if damaged) × 2 — M10x1.25

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid 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. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated front jacking point
5. Support vehicle on jack stands placed at the front pinch weld locations rated for vehicle weight
6. Remove both front wheels completely
7. Spray all suspension fasteners with penetrating oil and allow 15 minutes to soak if vehicle has rust or corrosion

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower on the driver side. Remove the plastic strut tower cover by pulling upward (it clips into place). You will see three nuts securing the top of the strut assembly. Do NOT remove these nuts yet. Repeat for passenger side.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut
   Locate the sway bar link connecting to the lower portion of the strut. Using an Allen key to hold the shaft from rotating, remove the upper nut connecting the sway bar link to the strut bracket. The link will remain attached to the sway bar. Repeat for both sides.
3. 3

   Remove brake hose bracket and ABS sensor
   Locate the brake hose bracket bolted to the strut body. Remove the mounting bolt (typically 10mm) and carefully move the brake hose aside without kinking or stretching it. If equipped, disconnect the ABS wheel speed sensor from any clips on the strut. Do not disconnect the sensor electrically.
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle pinch bolts
   Locate the two bolts securing the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. These are large pinch bolts that clamp the knuckle to the strut. Remove both bolts completely. Note the orientation of any alignment marks or tabs. The knuckle may still be tight on the strut shaft.
   ⚠The strut pinch bolts may be very tight and require a breaker bar. Ensure the vehicle is stable on jack stands before applying significant force.
5. 5

   Separate knuckle from strut
   Using a pry bar or by carefully pulling the knuckle outward, separate the steering knuckle from the bottom of the strut. You may need to use a flathead screwdriver in the pinch bolt slot to spread it slightly. The knuckle assembly will now swing freely. Support it with a bungee cord or wire to prevent strain on the CV axle and brake hose.
   ⚠Do not allow the knuckle assembly to hang unsupported. This can damage the CV joint, brake hose, or ABS sensor wiring.
6. 6

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   From under the hood, remove the three nuts securing the top of the strut to the strut tower. Have an assistant support the strut from below, or ensure the strut is supported, as it will be free once these nuts are removed. Carefully lower the strut assembly out through the bottom of the wheel well. Repeat for the second strut.
   ⚠The strut assembly is heavy and awkward. Control its descent to avoid damaging brake lines, ABS sensors, or body panels.
7. 7

   Transfer components if using bare struts
   If you purchased complete strut assemblies (recommended), skip this step. If you purchased bare struts only, you must disassemble the old strut using a spring compressor to remove the spring, mount, and bearing, then transfer these to the new strut. This requires compressing the spring evenly with a proper spring compressor tool until the center shaft nut can be removed safely.
   ⚠️Spring compression is extremely dangerous. Compress the spring evenly using a quality spring compressor, following the tool manufacturer's instructions exactly. The spring must be compressed until there is no tension on the top mount before removing the center nut. Uneven compression or improper tools can cause catastrophic spring release.
8. 8

   Install new strut to tower
   Position the new strut assembly into the wheel well from below, guiding the top mount studs through the strut tower holes. From under the hood, thread on the three strut tower nuts by hand. Torque the three nuts to specification in a star pattern. Ensure the strut orientation matches the original (any mounting tabs or brackets face the correct direction).
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Connect knuckle to strut
   Guide the steering knuckle back onto the lower portion of the strut shaft. Align the knuckle so it fully seats on the strut. If there were alignment marks or a specific orientation, match them now. Insert both strut-to-knuckle pinch bolts and torque them to specification. Ensure the pinch gap closes properly as you tighten.
   ⚠️These bolts are CRITICAL to suspension integrity. Torque them to exactly 109 Nm (81 lb-ft) using a calibrated torque wrench.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts109 Nm (81 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reinstall brake hose and ABS sensor
    Reattach the brake hose bracket to the strut using the mounting bolt. Torque the bolt to specification if provided (typically 26 Nm). Secure any ABS sensor wiring back into its clips on the strut. Ensure no wires or hoses are pinched or under tension.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Position the sway bar link back onto the strut bracket. Install the nut while holding the link shaft with an Allen key to prevent rotation. Torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall wheels and lower vehicle
    Install both front wheels and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground but most weight is still on the jack stands. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands. Torque lug nuts again in star pattern with full vehicle weight on the ground to final specification.
    ⚠️Wheel lug nuts must be torqued to exactly 129 Nm (95 lb-ft) in a star pattern with vehicle weight on the ground. Improper torquing can cause wheel detachment.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall strut tower covers
    From under the hood, reinstall the plastic strut tower covers on both sides by pressing them down until they clip into place. Close the hood.

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners have been reinstalled and properly torqued
2. Check that no tools or parts were left in the wheel wells or engine bay
3. Verify brake hoses have full range of motion during steering without binding or stretching
4. Ensure ABS sensor wiring is properly routed and secured

Verification

• Perform a visual inspection of all connection points to ensure proper installation
• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area, checking for unusual noises, vibrations, or steering issues
• Verify the vehicle tracks straight during gentle braking
• REQUIRED: Schedule a professional four-wheel alignment immediately. The vehicle is not safe for normal driving until alignment is performed
• After 50-100 miles, re-torque all safety-critical fasteners (strut tower nuts, strut bolts, lug nuts) to verify they have not loosened
• Monitor for any changes in handling, noise, or tire wear over the next few hundred miles

More procedures for this vehicle