This procedure covers replacement of the front upper control arm bushings on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic 1.5L Turbo by removing the upper control arm, pressing out old bushings, installing new bushings, and reinstalling the arm with proper torque specifications.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front upper control arm bushing set × 2 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Cotter pin × 2 — 3.2mm x 40mm or OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer jacking points
4. Remove front wheels completely
5. Spray all control arm bolts and ball joint nuts with penetrating oil and allow to soak for 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Access upper control arm ball joint
   Turn steering wheel to gain better access to the upper control arm. Remove the brake caliper and secure it to the strut spring with wire or zip ties to prevent strain on the brake hose. Remove the brake rotor for additional working space if needed.
2. 2

   Remove cotter pin and loosen ball joint nut
   Straighten and remove the cotter pin from the upper ball joint castle nut. Using a 17mm socket, loosen the ball joint nut but do not remove it completely at this stage. Leave the nut threaded on a few turns to catch the knuckle when the ball joint releases.
3. 3

   Separate ball joint from knuckle
   Position a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork between the upper control arm and the steering knuckle at the ball joint taper. Strike the tool sharply with a hammer or tighten the tool to separate the taper. Once separated, remove the castle nut completely and lower the knuckle away from the control arm ball joint.
   ⚠Ball joint may separate suddenly. Ensure castle nut is still threaded on to prevent knuckle from dropping.
4. 4

   Disconnect sway bar link if necessary
   If clearance is limited, disconnect the sway bar end link from the control arm. Hold the ball stud shaft with an Allen key while removing the nut with a 14mm socket to prevent spinning. Note the orientation for reinstallation.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove control arm mounting bolts
   Locate the two bolts securing the upper control arm to the front subframe. Using a 17mm socket and breaker bar, remove both control arm mounting bolts. Support the control arm while removing the second bolt to prevent it from dropping.
6. 6

   Remove upper control arm
   Once both mounting bolts are removed, carefully maneuver the upper control arm out of the vehicle. Note the position and orientation of any washers or spacers on the mounting bolts for correct reinstallation.
7. 7

   Remove old bushings from control arm
   Secure the control arm in a hydraulic press or use a bushing removal tool. Position the control arm so the bushing can be pressed out into open space. Apply steady pressure to press the old bushing out of the control arm bore. Repeat for the second bushing if applicable. Clean the bushing bore thoroughly with a wire brush to remove rust and debris.
   ⚠Ensure control arm is properly supported in press to prevent slipping. Use appropriate adapters to avoid damaging the arm.
8. 8

   Install new bushings
   Apply a light coat of soapy water or bushing lubricant to the outer surface of the new bushings and the control arm bore (do not use oil-based lubricants). Position the new bushing squarely at the bore entrance, ensuring correct orientation if the bushing has a specific direction. Use the hydraulic press with proper adapters to press the bushing into the control arm until fully seated and flush with the control arm housing. Verify the bushing is seated evenly on all sides.
9. 9

   Reinstall control arm to subframe
   Position the control arm back into its mounting location on the front subframe. Insert both mounting bolts with any washers or spacers in their original positions. Thread the bolts in by hand first to ensure proper alignment. Snug the bolts but do NOT torque them at this stage as they must be torqued with vehicle weight on the suspension.
10. 10

    Reconnect ball joint to knuckle
    Raise the steering knuckle to meet the upper control arm ball joint stud. Clean the ball joint taper and knuckle taper bore if needed. Insert the ball joint stud through the knuckle and thread on the castle nut. Torque the castle nut to specification and install a new cotter pin. If the cotter pin holes do not align, tighten the nut slightly more (never loosen) until the next slot aligns with the hole.
    ℹ️Always use a new cotter pin. Bend the pin ends securely to prevent loosening.
    Torque spec

    Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reconnect sway bar link if removed
    If the sway bar end link was disconnected, reconnect it to the control arm. Hold the ball stud shaft with an Allen key while tightening the nut to the specified torque.
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link Nuts55 Nm (41 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Reinstall brake components and wheel
    Reinstall the brake rotor if it was removed. Remount the brake caliper and torque the caliper bracket bolts to specification. Reinstall the wheel and hand-tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern.
13. 13

    Lower vehicle and perform final torque
    Lower the vehicle until the tires just touch the ground but the suspension is unloaded. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower the vehicle so the suspension is at normal ride height with vehicle weight on the wheels. Rock the vehicle side to side to settle the suspension. Now torque the control arm mounting bolts to their final specification with the vehicle weight on the suspension.
    ⚠Control arm bolts MUST be torqued at ride height. Torquing while suspended will preload bushings and cause premature failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat all steps for the opposite side if replacing both upper control arm bushings
2. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification in the correct sequence
3. Verify brake components are properly secured and brake pedal is firm before driving

Verification

• Test drive vehicle at low speed and verify no clunking or abnormal noises from front suspension
• Check that steering operates smoothly with no binding throughout full range of motion
• Perform visual inspection after test drive to ensure all fasteners remain tight and no leaks are present
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as control arm removal will affect alignment settings

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