This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the lower control arm on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic with the 1.5L turbocharged engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Lower control arm assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Ball joint castle nut × 1 — Replace if cotter pin holes are damaged
• 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 wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on the ground
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack and support securely on jack stands at manufacturer-designated lift points
5. Remove front wheel completely
6. Spray penetrating oil on ball joint nut and control arm bolts if corrosion is present; allow to soak 10-15 minutes

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the knuckle assembly
   Position a floor jack under the lower ball joint area to support the knuckle and prevent it from dropping when the control arm is disconnected. Apply light upward pressure only, do not lift the vehicle.
2. 2

   Remove the ball joint castle nut
   Remove the cotter pin from the ball joint castle nut. Using a 19mm socket, remove the castle nut from the ball joint stud. Keep the nut if it is in good condition and the cotter pin holes are not damaged.
3. 3

   Separate the ball joint from the knuckle
   Using a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork, separate the ball joint stud from the steering knuckle. Insert the tool between the control arm and knuckle, then strike or tighten according to tool design until the taper releases. Avoid damaging the ball joint boot if reusing components.
   ⚠The ball joint may release suddenly. Ensure the floor jack is supporting the knuckle to prevent it from dropping.
4. 4

   Remove the rear control arm bolt
   Locate the rear mounting bolt that connects the control arm to the rear bushing bracket on the subframe. Using a 17mm socket and breaker bar, remove this bolt completely. This is the compliance bushing mount and may require significant force to loosen.
5. 5

   Remove the front control arm bolt
   Locate the front mounting bolt that connects the control arm to the front bushing bracket on the subframe. Using a 19mm socket and breaker bar, remove this bolt completely. The control arm is now free to be removed.
6. 6

   Remove the control arm
   Maneuver the control arm out of the mounting brackets and away from the vehicle. Inspect the mounting points on the subframe for damage or excessive corrosion. Clean the mounting surfaces with a wire brush if necessary.
7. 7

   Compare and prepare new control arm
   Compare the new control arm to the old one to verify it is the correct part. Check that the ball joint stud threads are clean and undamaged. Ensure all bushings are properly seated in the new control arm.
8. 8

   Install the new control arm
   Position the new control arm into the mounting brackets on the subframe. Insert the front and rear mounting bolts through the bushings and brackets, threading them by hand. Do not tighten the bolts at this time - they must be torqued with the vehicle weight on the suspension.
9. 9

   Connect the ball joint to the knuckle
   Align the ball joint stud with the hole in the steering knuckle. Use the floor jack to adjust knuckle height as needed. Insert the ball joint stud through the knuckle and thread the castle nut onto the stud by hand.
10. 10

    Torque the ball joint nut
    Using a torque wrench and 19mm socket, torque the ball joint castle nut to specification. Advance the nut as needed to align the cotter pin hole with a castle slot - never loosen to align. Install a new cotter pin and bend the ends to secure.
    Torque spec

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

    Reinstall the wheel
    Mount the wheel onto the hub and thread all lug nuts by hand. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern using a hand wrench, but do not torque to final specification yet.
12. 12

    Lower vehicle to load suspension
    Remove the jack stands and carefully lower the vehicle until the full weight is on the wheels. The suspension must be at normal ride height to properly torque the control arm bolts. Do not lower the vehicle completely to the ground yet - keep it on the jack with wheels just touching the ground.
13. 13

    Torque the control arm bolts
    With the vehicle weight on the suspension, torque the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification using a torque wrench. Torque the rear bolt first, then the front bolt. This ensures proper bushing alignment and prevents premature wear.
    ⚠Failure to torque these bolts with weight on suspension will cause bushing bind and premature failure.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Final wheel installation
    Fully lower the vehicle to the ground. Torque the wheel lug nuts to specification in a star pattern using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. If replacing both sides, repeat the procedure for the opposite control arm
2. Check that all fasteners have been properly torqued
3. Verify the cotter pin is properly installed and bent on the ball joint castle nut

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify there are no clunking noises from the front suspension
• Check for proper steering feel and response with no binding
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as control arm replacement affects camber and toe settings
• After 50-100 miles, recheck all fastener torque values

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