This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the upper control arm (upper A-arm) on the front suspension of a 2016-2021 Honda Civic with 1.5L turbo engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Upper control arm assembly × 1 — Use OEM specification or equivalent
• Ball joint castle nut (if damaged) × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Control arm mounting hardware (if corroded) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Loosen wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground
3. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands at factory jacking points
4. Remove wheel and tire assembly completely
5. Spray penetrating oil on ball joint nut and control arm bolts if vehicle is driven in corrosive environments

Procedure

1. 1

   Support the knuckle assembly
   Place a floor jack under the lower control arm or knuckle to support the suspension assembly. Raise slightly to take tension off the upper control arm. This prevents the suspension from dropping when the upper ball joint is disconnected.
2. 2

   Remove the upper ball joint nut
   Locate the upper ball joint castle nut where the control arm connects to the steering knuckle. Remove the cotter pin if equipped. Using a 17mm socket, remove the castle nut completely. Keep the nut if it is not damaged for potential reuse.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Separate the ball joint from the knuckle
   Using a ball joint separator tool or pickle fork, separate the upper ball joint stud from the steering knuckle. Position the tool between the control arm and knuckle, then strike or press to break the taper fit. Avoid damaging the ball joint boot if reusing the control arm. Once separated, lower the jack slightly to provide clearance.
   ⚠Do not strike the knuckle or control arm directly with a hammer as this can cause damage to components.
4. 4

   Remove the front control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the front mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the chassis/subframe. This bolt passes through the front bushing. Using a 14mm socket and breaker bar if needed, remove the bolt completely. Note the orientation of any washers or spacers.
   Torque spec

   Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove the rear control arm mounting bolt
   Locate the rear mounting bolt that secures the control arm to the chassis/subframe. This bolt passes through the rear bushing. Using a 14mm socket, remove the bolt completely. Again note the orientation of any washers or spacers for proper reinstallation.
   Torque spec

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

   Remove the upper control arm
   With both mounting bolts removed, carefully extract the upper control arm from the vehicle. It may require some maneuvering to clear the surrounding components. Inspect the mounting points on the chassis for damage or excessive corrosion.
7. 7

   Prepare and install the new control arm
   Clean the mounting surfaces on the chassis using a wire brush. Compare the new control arm to the old one to ensure correct fitment. Position the new control arm into place, aligning the bushings with the mounting holes in the chassis. Insert both mounting bolts finger-tight only at this stage.
   ℹ️Do NOT torque the control arm bolts yet. These must be torqued with vehicle weight on the ground.
8. 8

   Connect the ball joint to the knuckle
   Raise the floor jack under the knuckle to bring it up to the ball joint stud. Align the ball joint stud with the hole in the knuckle and push the knuckle onto the stud. Install the new castle nut and tighten to specification using a torque wrench. Install a new cotter pin through the castle nut slots and ball joint stud, then bend the ends to secure.
   Torque spec

   Ball Joint Nut84 Nm (62 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Reinstall the wheel and lower vehicle
   Mount the wheel and tire assembly back onto the hub. Install all lug nuts and hand-tighten in a star pattern. Lower the vehicle until the tire just touches the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Then fully lower the vehicle so the suspension is at normal ride height with full weight on the wheels.
   Torque spec

   Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)
10. 10

    Torque the control arm mounting bolts
    With the vehicle weight fully on the wheels and suspension at normal ride height, torque both the front and rear control arm mounting bolts to specification. This is critical - torquing these bolts with the suspension hanging will cause premature bushing failure. Use a torque wrench and torque in sequence: front bolt first, then rear bolt.
    ⚠Control arm bolts MUST be torqued at normal ride height. Failure to do so will twist the bushings and cause premature wear.
    Torque spec

    Control Arm Bolts165 Nm (122 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Ensure all fasteners are torqued to specification
2. Verify the ball joint cotter pin is properly installed and bent
3. Check that no tools or parts were left in the wheel well
4. Repeat procedure for opposite side if replacing both upper control arms

Verification

• Test drive the vehicle at low speed and verify no unusual noises from the front suspension
• Check for proper steering response and return-to-center
• Perform a visual inspection under the vehicle to confirm all bolts are tight
• Schedule a professional wheel alignment as suspension geometry has been altered

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