This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear trailing arm bushings on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord with the 1.5L turbo engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear trailing arm bushing (front position) × 2 — Use OEM specification or equivalent (52385-TVA-A01)
• Rear trailing arm bushing (rear position) × 2 — Use OEM specification or equivalent (52386-TVA-A01)

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer jacking points
4. Remove rear wheels
5. Spray all trailing arm mounting bolts with penetrating oil and allow to soak
6. Take photos of trailing arm orientation and mounting positions for reference during reassembly

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the rear knuckle assembly
   Place a floor jack under the rear knuckle/hub assembly to support the suspension at ride height. This relieves tension on the trailing arm and allows for easier disassembly. Do not raise the suspension, just support it.
2. 2

   Remove trailing arm front mounting bolt
   Locate the front trailing arm mounting bolt that connects to the subframe. Using a 17mm socket and wrench, remove the bolt and nut. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers. The bolt may be tight due to the bushing binding, use a breaker bar if necessary.
3. 3

   Remove trailing arm rear mounting bolt
   Locate the rear trailing arm mounting bolt that connects to the rear knuckle assembly. Using appropriate socket (typically 17mm), remove the bolt and nut. Keep track of any washers or alignment marks. Lower the jack slightly if needed to access the bolt.
4. 4

   Remove trailing arm from vehicle
   With both mounting bolts removed, pull the trailing arm free from the vehicle. You may need to use a pry bar or rubber mallet to break the bushings loose from their mounting positions. Inspect the arm for damage, cracks, or excessive corrosion.
5. 5

   Press out old bushings
   Using a hydraulic press or bushing removal tool, press the old bushings out of the trailing arm. Support the arm on the press bed and ensure the bushing has clear space to exit. Apply steady, even pressure. If bushings are severely deteriorated, you may need to cut away rubber material first. Note the orientation of any offset bushings before removal.
   ⚠Wear safety glasses when using a press as bushing material may fragment under pressure.
6. 6

   Clean bushing bores
   Use a wire brush and cleaner to thoroughly clean the bushing mounting bores in the trailing arm. Remove all old rubber residue, corrosion, and debris. Inspect the bores for damage or deformation. The bores must be clean and smooth for proper new bushing installation.
7. 7

   Install new bushings
   Position the new bushings at the trailing arm bores, ensuring correct orientation (note any offset or directional markings on the bushing). Using the hydraulic press or installation tool, press the new bushings into place until fully seated and flush with the arm. Apply even pressure and ensure the bushing enters straight to avoid damage or misalignment.
   ℹ️Some bushings have alignment marks or voids that must be oriented correctly. Refer to service manual diagrams or match original bushing orientation from photos taken during removal.
8. 8

   Install trailing arm to vehicle
   Position the trailing arm with new bushings back into the vehicle. Align the front bushing with the subframe mounting point and the rear bushing with the knuckle mounting point. You may need to use the floor jack to adjust knuckle height for alignment. Insert both mounting bolts hand-tight only at this stage.
9. 9

   Align and secure trailing arm
   With the vehicle still on jack stands and the floor jack supporting the knuckle at approximate ride height, ensure the trailing arm is properly aligned and both bolts are threaded correctly. Tighten the front and rear trailing arm mounting bolts/nuts to specifications if provided in your service manual. If using OEM specifications, typical torque is 122 Nm (90 lb-ft), but verify for your specific application.
   ⚠Do not fully torque trailing arm bolts until vehicle weight is on the suspension, or premature bushing failure will occur.
10. 10

    Repeat for opposite side
    Perform steps 1-9 for the opposite side trailing arm bushing replacement. Ensure both sides are completed for balanced suspension performance.
11. 11

    Install wheels and lower vehicle
    Install the rear wheels and thread lug nuts hand-tight. Carefully lower the vehicle from jack stands until the wheels just contact the ground but the suspension is not yet compressed. Remove jack stands, then lower vehicle completely so full weight is on the wheels.
12. 12

    Final torque all fasteners
    With vehicle weight on the wheels (suspension at normal ride height), torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. If trailing arm bolts were not fully torqued in step 9, torque them now to final specification per service manual with the suspension loaded. This ensures bushings are not pre-twisted.
    ⚠Trailing arm bolts must be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension to prevent bushing damage.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all mounting bolts are torqued to specification with vehicle at ride height
2. Verify no tools or parts were left under the vehicle
3. Double-check wheel lug nuts are properly torqued

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises from the rear suspension
• Check for proper rear wheel alignment - vehicle should track straight with no pulling
• Verify no clunking or knocking from rear suspension over bumps
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles
• Consider professional wheel alignment to ensure proper suspension geometry after bushing replacement

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