suspension

Trailing Arm

for 2021 Honda Accord 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD

Editorial review:Chris Hackleman — Master Technician · 20+ years · Jeff Moore — Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years

Difficulty

Moderate

Time

2.0 h

Tools

Steps

✓Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

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

Warnings

⚠️Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands rated for the vehicle weight.

⚠Control arm and trailing arm bolts must be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension. Final torque must be performed with vehicle lowered.

⚠Do not strike aluminum suspension components with a hammer as this may cause cracks or damage.

Tools required

Floor jackEssential

Jack stands (2)Essential

Torque wrenchEssential

19mm socketEssential

17mm socketEssential

14mm socketEssential

Breaker barEssential

Penetrating oil

Wire brush

Pry bar

Ball joint separator toolEssential

Wheel chocksEssential

Parts

Rear trailing arm assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification
Trailing arm mounting bolts × 2 — Use OEM specification
Ball joint castle nut × 1 — Use OEM specification
Cotter pin × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
Chock front wheels securely
Loosen rear wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
Raise rear of vehicle and support on jack stands at manufacturer-specified jacking points
Remove rear wheel on side being serviced
Spray all trailing arm bolts and ball joint nut with penetrating oil and allow to soak

Procedure

1
Support rear suspension
Position a floor jack under the rear knuckle assembly to support the suspension weight. Raise jack slightly to take load off trailing arm but do not lift vehicle off jack stands. This prevents suspension from dropping when trailing arm is disconnected.
2
Remove ball joint connection
Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut at the knuckle end of the trailing arm. Using a 17mm socket, remove the castle nut completely. Install ball joint separator tool and separate the ball joint from the knuckle. Do not strike the knuckle with a hammer.
3
Remove forward trailing arm mounting bolt
Locate the forward mounting bolt where the trailing arm connects to the chassis subframe. Using a 19mm socket and breaker bar, remove the mounting bolt and any washers. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers for reassembly.
4
Remove rear trailing arm mounting bolt
Using a 19mm socket and breaker bar, remove the rear mounting bolt at the chassis connection point. The trailing arm can now be removed from the vehicle. Inspect the mounting bolt holes in the chassis for damage or elongation.
5
Inspect and clean mounting points
Clean all mounting surfaces on the chassis using a wire brush. Inspect bushings, bolt holes, and ball joint taper seat for wear or damage. Ensure new trailing arm bushings are in good condition and properly seated before installation.
6
Install new trailing arm loosely
Position new trailing arm into chassis mounting points. Install both forward and rear mounting bolts with washers in their original orientation. Thread bolts by hand initially, then snug them with a socket but DO NOT torque at this time. Leave bolts loose enough that bushing can pivot.
7
Connect ball joint to knuckle
Clean the ball joint taper and knuckle taper seat. Position the trailing arm ball joint into the knuckle and install the new castle nut. Tighten castle nut to specification, then advance nut to next cotter pin hole alignment if needed. Install new cotter pin and bend tabs to secure.
Torque spec
Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
8
Install wheel and lower vehicle partially
Install the rear wheel and thread lug nuts by hand. Lower vehicle until tire just contacts ground but vehicle weight is still on jack stands. This positions suspension at normal ride height for final torque of control arm bolts.
9
Torque trailing arm mounting bolts
With vehicle weight now loading the suspension bushings, torque both the forward and rear trailing arm mounting bolts to Control Arm specification. Torque must be performed in this loaded condition to prevent bushing bind and premature wear.
Torque spec
Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
10
Final assembly
Remove jack stands and lower vehicle completely to ground. Torque wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Remove floor jack from under vehicle.
Torque spec
Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

Ensure all mounting bolts are torqued to specification with vehicle weight on suspension
Verify cotter pin is properly installed and secured on ball joint castle nut
Confirm no tools or parts were left in wheel well area

Verification

Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking or unusual noises from rear suspension
Perform visual inspection under vehicle to confirm all fasteners are tight and properly installed
Schedule four-wheel alignment within 100 miles as trailing arm replacement affects rear toe and camber settings

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