This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the lower control arm (commonly called radius arm) on the 2018-2024 Honda Accord 1.5L Turbo.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Lower control arm assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket equivalent
• Ball joint castle nut × 1 — Replace if damaged or per service manual
• Control arm mounting hardware × 1 — Inspect and replace if corroded

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
4. Lift front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at designated lift points
5. Remove front wheel on side being serviced
6. Spray penetrating oil on control arm bolts and ball joint nut if corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove ball joint castle nut
   Locate the ball joint connection between the lower control arm and steering knuckle. Remove the cotter pin if equipped. Using a 19mm socket, remove the ball joint castle nut. Do not reuse the nut if it shows thread damage.
2. 2

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Using a ball joint separator or pickle fork, separate the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle. Position the tool between the control arm and knuckle, then tighten or strike according to tool type until the taper releases. The joint may separate suddenly, so maintain control of the knuckle.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connection to the lower control arm. Using a 14mm socket on the nut and an Allen key to hold the shaft from spinning, remove the sway bar link nut. Disconnect the link from the control arm.
4. 4

   Remove rear control arm bolt
   Locate the rear mounting bolt that connects the control arm to the subframe. This bolt passes through the rear bushing. Using a 17mm socket and breaker bar, remove the rear control arm bolt. Support the control arm with your hand as it may drop slightly when the bolt is removed.
5. 5

   Remove front control arm bolt
   Locate the front mounting bolt that connects the control arm to the subframe through the front bushing. Using a 17mm socket and breaker bar, remove the front control arm bolt completely.
6. 6

   Remove control arm from vehicle
   With all fasteners removed, maneuver the control arm out from between the subframe and knuckle. You may need to pivot or angle the arm to clear surrounding components. Inspect the removed arm for torn bushings, cracks, or excessive wear.
7. 7

   Prepare and install new control arm
   Compare the new control arm to the old one to verify correct part. Clean the mounting surfaces on the subframe with a wire brush. Position the new control arm into place, aligning the bushing eyes with the mounting holes in the subframe.
8. 8

   Install control arm mounting bolts finger-tight
   Insert the front and rear control arm bolts through the bushings and subframe. Thread the bolts in by hand and tighten only finger-tight at this stage. Do NOT torque these bolts yet - they must be torqued with the vehicle weight on the suspension.
9. 9

   Connect ball joint to knuckle
   Position the ball joint stud into the steering knuckle taper. Install the new ball joint castle nut and tighten to specification using a torque wrench. The stud should seat fully into the taper before reaching final torque. Install a new cotter pin if equipped.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Reconnect sway bar link
    Connect the sway bar link to the lower control arm. Install the nut while holding the shaft with an Allen key. Torque the nut to specification.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Install the wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the wheel lug nuts in a star pattern to specification. Then lower the vehicle completely so full weight is on the suspension.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Torque control arm bolts with vehicle weight loaded
    With the vehicle on the ground and suspension at normal ride height, crawl under the vehicle and torque both the front and rear control arm bolts to specification. This is critical - torquing these bolts with the suspension hanging will cause premature bushing failure. Torque each bolt to 165 Nm (122 lb-ft).
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification
2. Verify sway bar link is properly connected and torqued
3. Check that ball joint cotter pin is installed if equipped
4. Confirm wheel lug nuts are torqued in star pattern

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking or abnormal noises from front suspension
• Perform visual inspection of control arm installation to confirm no interference with surrounding components
• Check for proper wheel alignment - alignment should be checked and adjusted after control arm replacement
• Verify steering response is normal with no pulling to either side

More procedures for this vehicle