Replace the front lower control arm bushings on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo by removing the control arm assembly and installing new bushings or a complete control arm.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front lower control arm bushing kit (or complete control arm) × 1 — Use OEM Honda part 51360-TBA-A01 or equivalent
• Cotter pin × 1 — 2mm x 20mm

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands under chassis rails
4. Remove front wheel on side being serviced
5. Spray all bolts and nuts with penetrating oil and let soak for 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Disconnect sway bar end link
   Locate the sway bar end link connecting to the lower control arm. Hold the ball stud with a 6mm Allen key to prevent spinning, then remove the nut with a 14mm socket. Separate the end link from the control arm.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove ball joint cotter pin
   Locate the ball joint castle nut connecting the control arm to the steering knuckle. Straighten and remove the cotter pin completely. Discard the old cotter pin as a new one must be installed.
3. 3

   Loosen ball joint nut
   Using a 19mm socket, remove the ball joint castle nut from the ball joint stud. Keep the nut accessible as you may need to thread it back on partially during separation.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Insert a ball joint separator or pickle fork between the control arm and steering knuckle at the ball joint taper. Strike the separator firmly or use a mechanical ball joint press tool to break the taper. The ball joint stud should pop free from the knuckle. Be careful not to damage the CV boot or brake components.
   ⚠Do not strike the control arm itself. Use only the separator tool to avoid damaging bushings or ball joint.
5. 5

   Remove front control arm bolt
   Locate the front control arm mounting bolt (closest to radiator). This bolt passes through the front bushing. Using a 17mm socket and breaker bar, remove the bolt completely. Support the control arm as you remove the bolt.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove rear control arm bolt
   Locate the rear control arm mounting bolt (closest to firewall). Using a 17mm socket and breaker bar, remove this bolt completely. The control arm should now be free from the subframe.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Remove control arm assembly
   Carefully maneuver the control arm down and out from the wheel well. You may need to pivot or rotate the arm to clear the steering knuckle and CV axle. Inspect the ball joint and bushings for wear patterns.
8. 8

   Press out old bushings
   Using a hydraulic press or bushing press kit, press out the old rubber bushings from the control arm. Note the orientation of any alignment marks or offset positions. Clean the bushing bores thoroughly with a wire brush to remove rust and debris. Inspect the control arm for cracks or damage.
   ℹ️If bushings are severely deteriorated or control arm is damaged, consider replacing the entire control arm assembly rather than just bushings.
9. 9

   Install new bushings
   Apply a thin layer of soapy water or bushing lubricant to the new bushings and bores. Using the hydraulic press, carefully press the new bushings into the control arm. Ensure bushings are pressed in straight and fully seated to the correct depth. Match any alignment marks or orientation indicators from the original bushings.
10. 10

    Reinstall control arm to subframe
    Position the control arm back into the mounting locations on the subframe. Insert both front and rear mounting bolts through the bushings and subframe brackets. Thread the bolts in by hand but do NOT fully tighten yet. The bolts should be snug enough to hold the arm in place but must be torqued with vehicle weight on suspension.
    ⚠Do not torque control arm bolts at this stage. Final torque must be performed with suspension loaded.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Connect ball joint to knuckle
    Lift the control arm and align the ball joint stud with the hole in the steering knuckle. You may need to use a pry bar to position the knuckle. Insert the stud through the knuckle and thread on the castle nut. Torque the nut to specification using a 19mm socket and torque wrench.
    Torque spec

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

    Install new cotter pin
    Insert a new cotter pin through the castle nut and ball joint stud hole. If the holes don't align, tighten the nut slightly (never loosen) until they do. Bend the cotter pin legs around the nut to secure it properly.
13. 13

    Reconnect sway bar end link
    Connect the sway bar end link to the control arm. Hold the ball stud with a 6mm Allen key and torque the nut to specification using a 14mm socket and torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Then lower the vehicle completely to the ground with full weight on the suspension.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Final torque control arm bolts
    With the vehicle on the ground and suspension fully loaded with vehicle weight, torque both the front and rear control arm bolts to the specified 165 Nm (122 lb-ft). This is critical for proper bushing alignment and longevity. Access may require crawling under the vehicle or using a low-profile jack to slightly lift one side at a time while keeping weight on suspension.
    ⚠This step is critical. Control arm bolts torqued with suspension unloaded will cause premature bushing failure and alignment issues.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat the entire procedure for the opposite side if replacing both control arm bushings
2. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification
3. Verify cotter pin is properly installed and secured

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking or rattling noises from the front suspension
• Check for proper steering response and no pulling to either side
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment within 50 miles as control arm removal will affect alignment settings
• Visually inspect for any fluid leaks or loose components after initial test drive
• Re-torque wheel lug nuts after 50-100 miles

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