Strut Assembly - Rear

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the rear strut assembly on a 2016-2021 Honda Civic with 1.5L turbo engine, including separation from the knuckle and sway bar link.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear strut assembly (complete) × 1 — Use OEM specification or quality aftermarket
• Strut-to-knuckle bolt and nut (if damaged) × 1 — Honda 90119-TBA-A01

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level ground and engage parking brake
2. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is still on ground
3. Raise rear of vehicle and support on jack stands at manufacturer-specified lift points on chassis
4. Remove rear wheel completely
5. Spray penetrating oil on strut-to-knuckle bolts and sway bar link nuts if corrosion is present, wait 10-15 minutes
6. Place a jack or support under the lower control arm near the knuckle to support the suspension when strut is disconnected

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the rear trunk or hatch. Fold down or remove the rear seat back cushion if necessary to access the cargo area. Locate the strut tower cover panel on the appropriate side (driver or passenger). Remove the plastic strut tower cap or trim panel by prying gently or removing retaining clips. You should see three mounting nuts at the top of the strut tower.
2. 2

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   Using a 12mm socket, remove the three nuts securing the strut to the strut tower. Do NOT allow the strut shaft to spin - on an assembled strut, it should remain stationary. Support the strut from below to prevent it from dropping when the last nut is removed. The strut will remain attached at the knuckle.
   ⚠Do not allow the strut assembly to drop or hang unsupported after removing these nuts, as this can damage brake lines or ABS wiring.
3. 3

   Disconnect sway bar link from strut
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the strut assembly. The link has a ball joint at each end with a 6mm Allen socket in the stud. Using a 14mm wrench on the nut and a 6mm Allen key to hold the stud from rotating, remove the upper nut connecting the link to the strut bracket. The link will remain attached to the sway bar. If the ball joint spins, hold the Allen key firmly while turning the nut.
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two bolts securing the bottom of the strut to the rear knuckle. These are 17mm bolts with nuts on the back side. The bolts pass through the strut bracket and the knuckle. Using a 17mm socket on the bolt head and 17mm wrench on the nut, remove both bolts completely. Note the orientation of the bolts for reinstallation. Support the strut as you remove the second bolt.
   ⚠Ensure the jack or support under the control arm is properly positioned before removing these bolts, as the knuckle assembly will shift when disconnected.
5. 5

   Remove strut assembly from vehicle
   With all fasteners removed, carefully guide the strut assembly out from the knuckle bracket. You may need to use a pry bar to gently separate the knuckle from the strut bracket. Pull the top of the strut down and angle it to remove it from the strut tower opening. Remove the strut assembly completely from the vehicle through the wheel well.
6. 6

   Inspect and prepare new strut assembly
   If installing a complete strut assembly, verify it matches the old unit in mounting configuration and spring seat orientation. If reusing the spring, coil spring isolators, and upper mount on a new strut cartridge, you must safely compress and transfer these components using a spring compressor - this is advanced work requiring special tools. Check that all rubber bushings and upper mount bearings are in good condition. Ensure the strut shaft moves smoothly through its travel without binding.
7. 7

   Install new strut assembly
   Guide the new strut assembly into position, inserting the top mount studs through the strut tower holes first. Align the lower strut bracket with the knuckle mounting holes. You may need to use a pry bar or jack to align the holes. Thread the strut tower nuts onto the studs by hand but do not tighten yet. Ensure the strut is oriented correctly with the brake line bracket and mounting points in their proper positions.
8. 8

   Install strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Insert the two strut-to-knuckle bolts through the strut bracket and knuckle. Install the nuts on the back side and thread by hand. Verify the bolts are oriented in the same direction as the original installation. Using a 17mm socket and wrench, tighten both bolts to the specified torque of 116 Nm (86 lb-ft). Torque both bolts to specification before proceeding.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts116 Nm (86 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reconnect sway bar link to strut
   Position the sway bar link ball joint stud into the mounting hole on the strut bracket. Install the nut and thread it by hand. Using a 6mm Allen key to hold the stud and a 14mm wrench on the nut, tighten the sway bar link nut to 55 Nm (41 lb-ft). Ensure the ball joint stud does not rotate during tightening.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Torque strut tower mounting nuts
    From inside the trunk or cargo area, access the top of the strut tower. Using a 12mm socket and torque wrench, tighten the three strut tower mounting nuts to 50 Nm (37 lb-ft) in a star pattern to ensure even loading. Do not over-torque these fasteners as they thread into the strut shaft.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Remove the jack or support from under the control arm. Reinstall the rear wheel, threading lug nuts by hand to ensure proper seating. Tighten lug nuts in a star pattern with a torque wrench to 129 Nm (95 lb-ft). Lower the vehicle completely to the ground so the full weight is on the wheels.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Final checks and strut tower cover
    With the vehicle on the ground, verify all fasteners are properly torqued. Reinstall the strut tower trim panel or cap in the trunk area. Press firmly to ensure clips are fully seated. Restore the rear seat to its normal position if it was moved. Remove tools and parts from the area.

Reassembly

1. If working on both sides, repeat the entire procedure for the opposite rear strut
2. Verify the strut tower cover is properly installed and all interior trim is secured
3. Check that brake lines and ABS sensor wiring are properly routed and not pinched or stretched
4. Inspect the area for any tools or hardware left behind

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed in a safe area and verify normal handling with no unusual noises
• Listen for any clunking or rattling from the rear suspension over bumps - this may indicate loose fasteners
• Verify the vehicle tracks straight and the steering wheel is centered during straight-line driving
• After 50-100 miles of driving, re-check the torque on all suspension fasteners, especially strut tower nuts and strut-to-knuckle bolts
• Have the vehicle's wheel alignment checked by a qualified shop, as rear strut replacement can affect alignment settings

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