Strut Bearing

Replace the front strut bearing (also called strut mount or upper strut mount) to eliminate clunking noises during turning or suspension movement.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Front strut bearing assembly (strut mount) × 1 — Use OEM Honda part or quality aftermarket equivalent
• Strut tower mounting nuts (if corroded) × 3 — M10 flange nuts

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
4. Raise front of vehicle with floor jack at designated jacking point
5. Support vehicle securely on jack stands placed at manufacturer-specified support points
6. Remove front wheel completely
7. Spray penetrating oil on strut tower nuts, strut-to-knuckle bolts, and sway bar link nuts if corrosion is present

Procedure

1. 1

   Access strut tower mounting nuts
   Open the hood and locate the strut tower in the engine bay. Remove the plastic strut tower cap if equipped by gently prying it up. You will see three nuts securing the top of the strut assembly to the strut tower. Do NOT remove these yet.
2. 2

   Disconnect sway bar link
   Locate the sway bar link connecting the sway bar to the strut assembly. Hold the ball joint shaft with a 6mm Allen key to prevent spinning, then remove the upper nut using a 14mm socket. Disconnect the sway bar link from the strut. If the ball joint spins despite holding with Allen key, use locking pliers on the shaft below the boot.
   ⚠Do not damage the rubber boot on the ball joint. If severely corroded and won't separate, the link may need replacement.
   Torque spec

   Sway Bar Link58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove brake line bracket
   Locate the brake line bracket attached to the strut body. Remove the 10mm bolt securing the brake line bracket to the strut. Carefully position the brake line aside to allow strut removal without stressing the line.
   ⚠Do not kink, bend sharply, or pull on the brake line. Support it with wire or zip ties if necessary.
4. 4

   Remove strut-to-knuckle bolts
   Locate the two 17mm bolts connecting the bottom of the strut to the steering knuckle. Support the knuckle and strut assembly with one hand. Remove both bolts completely. You may need to use a pry bar to spread the knuckle clamp slightly after bolt removal.
   ⚠The strut assembly will become loose after removing these bolts. Support the strut to prevent it from falling.
   Torque spec

   Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts116 Nm (86 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove strut tower mounting nuts
   From the engine bay, use a 14mm socket to remove the three nuts securing the top of the strut to the strut tower. Have an assistant support the strut from below, or support it yourself before removing the final nut. Lower the strut assembly carefully out of the wheel well.
   ⚠️The strut assembly is heavy and awkward. Ensure it is properly supported before removing the last nut to prevent dropping.
   Torque spec

   Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Install spring compressors
   Place the strut assembly on a secure workbench. Install spring compressors on opposite sides of the coil spring, ensuring the hooks are fully engaged on the coils. Tighten the compressors gradually and evenly, alternating between sides, until the spring tension is relieved from the upper strut mount. You should be able to wiggle the mount freely when sufficient compression is achieved.
   ⚠️Use only professional-quality spring compressors designed for automotive coil springs. Ensure compressor hooks are fully seated on spring coils. Alternate tightening between both compressors to compress evenly.
7. 7

   Remove strut shaft nut
   At the top of the strut shaft, you will see a nut (typically 17mm or 19mm). Hold the strut shaft from spinning using a 6mm or 8mm Allen key inserted into the center of the shaft, or use a strut shaft holding tool. Remove the top nut completely while holding the shaft stationary.
   ⚠️Do not attempt to remove this nut without properly compressed springs. Verify spring is fully compressed and upper mount moves freely before proceeding.
8. 8

   Remove old strut bearing assembly
   Remove the top nut, washer, and upper strut mount/bearing assembly. Note the orientation and order of all components including any washers, rubber bushings, and bearing plates. Take photos if necessary for reference during reassembly. Inspect the spring and strut for damage.
9. 9

   Install new strut bearing assembly
   Clean the strut shaft threads with a wire brush. Install the new strut bearing assembly in the exact same orientation as the original, ensuring all components are in the correct order. The bearing must rotate freely. Install the washer and thread on the strut shaft nut hand-tight.
   ⚠Proper orientation is critical. The mount must align with the strut tower bolt holes during installation. Reference your photos or mark orientation before assembly.
10. 10

    Torque strut shaft nut and release spring
    Hold the strut shaft with Allen key and torque the top nut to specification per manufacturer (typically 55-65 Nm / 40-48 lb-ft - verify with service manual as this spec is not in provided list). Gradually and evenly release the spring compressors, alternating between sides. Ensure the spring seats properly in both the upper mount and lower spring seat. Remove compressors completely.
    ⚠️Release spring compressors slowly and evenly. Verify spring is properly seated before fully releasing tension.
11. 11

    Install strut assembly to vehicle
    Lift the strut assembly into the wheel well, aligning the upper studs with the strut tower holes. From the engine bay, install the three strut tower nuts hand-tight. Ensure proper alignment before tightening.
12. 12

    Torque strut tower nuts
    Using a torque wrench, tighten the three strut tower nuts to 50.0 Nm (37.0 lb-ft) in a star pattern to ensure even loading.
    Torque spec

    Strut Tower Nuts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Connect strut to knuckle
    Align the strut to the steering knuckle mounting points. You may need to use a pry bar to spread the knuckle clamp slightly. Insert both strut-to-knuckle bolts and thread the nuts hand-tight. Torque both bolts to 116.0 Nm (86.0 lb-ft).
    Torque spec

    Strut-to-Knuckle Bolts116 Nm (86 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Reconnect brake line and sway bar
    Reinstall the brake line bracket to the strut with the 10mm bolt. Reconnect the sway bar link to the strut. Hold the ball joint shaft with a 6mm Allen key and torque the nut to 55.0 Nm (41.0 lb-ft).
    Torque spec

    Sway Bar Link58 Nm (43 lb-ft)
15. 15

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the wheel and thread lug nuts hand-tight. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but vehicle weight is still on jack stands. Torque lug nuts to 129.0 Nm (95.0 lb-ft) in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands. Reinstall strut tower cap if equipped.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Repeat entire procedure for opposite side if both strut bearings are being replaced
2. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification
3. Verify brake lines are properly secured and not stressed or kinked
4. Double-check that all spring compressor tools have been removed from springs

Verification

• Start engine and turn steering wheel lock-to-lock while stationary to verify no binding or unusual noises from strut mount
• Test drive vehicle at low speed in a safe area, making turns in both directions to confirm clunking noise is eliminated
• Listen for any abnormal sounds during suspension compression over bumps
• Verify steering returns to center properly and vehicle tracks straight
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment, as strut removal may have affected alignment settings

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