Knuckle/Spindle - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear wheel knuckle/spindle assembly on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord with the 1.5L turbo engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear wheel knuckle/spindle assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Ball joint nut (if reuse not recommended) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Control arm bolts (if damaged) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Strut-to-knuckle bolts × 2 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
4. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified jacking points
5. Remove rear wheel completely
6. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes if corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connection at the lower control arm. Use an Allen key to hold the shaft from rotating while removing the lower nut with a socket. Swing the link up and out of the way.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove brake caliper and rotor
   Remove the two brake caliper mounting bolts. Suspend the caliper from the suspension spring using wire or a bungee cord - do not let it hang by the brake hose. Slide the brake rotor off the hub. If rotor is seized, use penetrating oil and light tapping with a hammer on the hat section.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove wheel speed sensor
   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor on the back of the knuckle. Disconnect the electrical connector, then remove the single mounting bolt. Carefully extract the sensor from the knuckle bore - do not damage the sensor tip or tone ring.
4. 4

   Disconnect parking brake cable
   Release the parking brake cable from the caliper bracket on the knuckle. Remove any cable routing clips attached to the knuckle assembly. Note cable routing for reassembly.
5. 5

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two bolts connecting the strut to the knuckle. These are through-bolts with nuts on the backside. Support the knuckle with one hand or a jack, then remove both bolts completely. The knuckle will now pivot downward on the control arm ball joint.
   Torque spec

   Strut Bolts109 Nm (81 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Separate lower ball joint
   Remove the cotter pin (if equipped) and castle nut or self-locking nut from the lower ball joint stud. Use a ball joint separator tool to break the taper connection between the ball joint and knuckle. Apply pressure gradually - do not hammer excessively on the knuckle casting.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove knuckle assembly
   With the ball joint separated and strut disconnected, the knuckle assembly can now be removed from the vehicle. Maneuver it carefully past the suspension components and out through the wheel well. The wheel hub and bearing are integral to the knuckle on this model.
8. 8

   Prepare new knuckle
   If installing a new knuckle, verify that the wheel hub bearing is pre-installed and properly sealed. Clean all mounting surfaces on the strut and control arm ball joint taper using a wire brush. Inspect ball joint stud threads for damage.
9. 9

   Install knuckle to ball joint
   Position the new or serviced knuckle onto the lower control arm ball joint stud. Thread the ball joint nut onto the stud by hand. Do not fully torque at this time - leave finger tight to allow positioning for strut installation.
10. 10

    Connect knuckle to strut
    Align the knuckle mounting holes with the strut bracket. Insert the two strut-to-knuckle bolts from the front, and install nuts on the rear. Torque both bolts to specification. This will lock the knuckle position and allow final ball joint torquing.
    Torque spec

    Strut Bolts109 Nm (81 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Torque ball joint nut
    With the knuckle now secured to the strut, torque the lower ball joint nut to the specified value. If using a castle nut, align the cotter pin hole and install a new cotter pin - do not back off the nut to align the hole, only tighten further if needed.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall parking brake and speed sensor
    Route the parking brake cable back through its clips and secure to the knuckle bracket. Install the wheel speed sensor into the knuckle bore, ensuring the O-ring is in good condition. Torque the sensor mounting bolt to specification and reconnect the electrical connector.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install brake rotor and caliper
    Slide the brake rotor onto the hub. Position the brake caliper over the rotor and align with the mounting bracket. Install the two caliper mounting bolts and torque to specification. Pump the brake pedal several times to seat the pads.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts26 Nm (19 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Position the sway bar link into the control arm mounting point. Install the nut while holding the shaft with an Allen key. Torque to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Install wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the rear wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but most weight is still on the jack stands. Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Fully lower the vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify all fasteners are torqued to specification, particularly the ball joint nut and strut bolts
2. Control arm-to-chassis bolts (if loosened during this procedure) must be torqued with vehicle weight on wheels
3. Check that wheel speed sensor connector is fully seated and secured
4. Verify parking brake cable moves freely and parking brake functions properly

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle in a safe area and verify no abnormal noises from the rear suspension
• Check for proper brake operation and parking brake function
• Verify ABS warning light is not illuminated on the dashboard
• Schedule a four-wheel alignment immediately - camber and toe settings will be affected by this repair
• Perform a final torque check on all fasteners after 50-100 miles of driving

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