This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front lower control arm on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord with the 1.5L turbo engine, including ball joint separation and proper torquing at ride height.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower control arm assembly × 1 — 51350-TVA-A01 or equivalent OEM
• Ball joint castle nut with cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Control arm mounting hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification if bolts are damaged

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground (do not remove)
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-specified jacking points
4. Remove wheel and tire assembly completely
5. Spray all fasteners with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes if vehicle has significant rust or corrosion

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove wheel and access control arm
   With vehicle safely supported on jack stands, remove the wheel completely. Inspect the control arm, ball joint, and bushings for visible damage or wear. Note the routing of any ABS sensor wires or brake lines that may interfere with control arm removal.
2. 2

   Disconnect ball joint from knuckle
   Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut. Using a 17mm socket, remove the ball joint castle nut completely. Use a ball joint separator tool to break the taper between the ball joint stud and the steering knuckle. Strike the side of the knuckle with a hammer while applying pressure with the separator if needed. Once separated, swing the knuckle assembly outward to clear the ball joint stud.
   ⚠Do not strike the ball joint stud directly as this can damage the threads. Work from the side of the knuckle only.
3. 3

   Support lower control arm
   Place a floor jack under the outer end of the lower control arm near the ball joint to support its weight. Raise the jack slightly to take tension off the control arm mounting bolts but do not lift the vehicle. This prevents the arm from falling when the bolts are removed.
4. 4

   Remove rear control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the rear control arm mounting bolt that connects the control arm to the rear bushing bracket on the subframe. This is typically a 14mm bolt. Remove this bolt completely and set aside. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers.
   ℹ️The rear mounting bolt passes through a large rubber bushing. Mark the orientation of the control arm before removal for easier installation.
5. 5

   Remove front control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the front control arm mounting bolt that connects the control arm to the front bushing bracket on the subframe. This is also typically a 14mm bolt. Remove this bolt completely. With both mounting bolts removed, carefully lower the floor jack and remove the control arm assembly from the vehicle.
6. 6

   Prepare new control arm
   Compare the new control arm to the old one to ensure correct fitment. Verify that all bushings are properly seated and that the ball joint dust boot is intact. Clean the mounting surfaces on the subframe brackets with a wire brush to remove any rust or debris. Apply a thin coat of anti-seize to the bolt threads (not the bolt heads or washers).
7. 7

   Install new control arm loosely
   Position the new control arm into place, aligning the bushings with the mounting brackets on the subframe. Insert the front mounting bolt first, threading it by hand. Then insert the rear mounting bolt and thread by hand. Support the outer end with the floor jack. Hand-tighten both bolts but do NOT torque them yet - they must be torqued at ride height.
8. 8

   Connect ball joint to knuckle
   Clean the ball joint stud and the steering knuckle taper with a wire brush. Position the steering knuckle over the ball joint stud and ensure it seats fully into the taper. Install the new castle nut and tighten to specification. Align the castle nut slots with the ball joint stud hole by tightening further if needed (never loosen to align). Install a new cotter pin and bend the ends to secure.
   ⚠Always tighten to align cotter pin holes, never loosen. The castle nut must be at minimum torque specification.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Castle Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall wheel
   Mount the wheel and tire assembly back onto the hub. Thread all lug nuts by hand to prevent cross-threading. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern using a torque wrench to specification.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Lower vehicle to ride height and torque control arm bolts
    Carefully lower the vehicle from the jack stands until all wheels are on the ground and the suspension is at normal ride height. Alternatively, support the lower control arm with a jack to simulate ride height if you need to keep the vehicle elevated. With the suspension at ride height, torque the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification (61 lb-ft for the large bushing bolt). This is critical to prevent premature bushing wear.
    ⚠Failure to torque control arm bolts at ride height will cause rapid bushing deterioration and handling problems. This is the most critical step in the procedure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are tightened to proper specifications
2. Verify cotter pin is properly installed and secured in ball joint castle nut
3. Confirm no tools or parts were left in the wheel well area

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises, vibrations, or steering pull
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm all bolts are tight and properly seated
• Schedule a professional alignment as suspension geometry has been altered - alignment is mandatory after control arm replacement
• Re-check all torque specifications after 50-100 miles of driving

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