How to Replace Strut & Spring Assembly 02-05 Honda Civic
Difficulty: Advanced · About 110 min · Honda Civic
Replace the strut and spring assembly, including the outer tie rod and brake caliper, on a 2002-2005 Honda Civic.
Tools you will need
- 12mm socket
- 13mm socket
- Socket extensions
- Torque wrench
- Hammer
- Rust penetrant
- Jack stands
- 19mm socket
- 21mm wrench
- 24mm wrench
- Flat blade screwdriver
- 10mm socket
- Ratchet
- Floor jack
- Needle-nose pliers
- Breaker bar
Parts and supplies
- Strut and spring assembly
Steps
- Remove the wheel
Loosen the 19mm lug nuts with the car on the ground, raise and support it, then remove the lug nuts and wheel.
- Remove the outer tie rod
Loosen the 24mm lock nut with a 21mm wrench and hammer, note how far you turn the inner tie rod for reinstallation, remove the 24mm nut and the cotter pin, remove the ball joint nut, strike the knuckle with a hammer to loosen the tie rod, then twist it off by hand.
- Remove the caliper
Remove the brake hose's 12mm bolt and the sensor wire's 10mm bolt, remove the caliper's two 12mm bolts, pry the pads in with a flat blade screwdriver to push the pistons back, pull the caliper aside, then secure it with wire ties.
- Remove the strut and spring assembly
Remove the 21mm pinch nuts and 19mm bolts, remove the three top 13mm nuts, pull the strut out of the knuckle, then pull it down and out.
- Install the strut and spring assembly
Position the studs with the wider spacing toward the outside of the car, insert the strut up into place, hand-tighten the 13mm nuts, insert the knuckle into the strut, insert the 21mm pinch nuts and 19mm bolts, torque the pinch bolts to about 76 ft-lb (2001-2002) or 116 ft-lb (2003-2005), then tighten the 13mm nuts to about 33 ft-lb.
- Reinstall the caliper
Lower it into place, thread the 12mm bolts by hand and tighten them to about 25 ft-lb, then tighten the sensor wire's 10mm bolt and the brake hose's 12mm bolt.
- Reinstall the outer tie rod
Twist it onto the inner tie rod, push it into the knuckle, fasten the castle nut and torque it to about 32 ft-lb, insert a new cotter pin and bend it with pliers, confirm the inner tie rod's position, hold it with an 18mm wrench, then tighten the 24mm lock nut.
- Reattach the wheel
Slide it on, start the lug nuts by hand, lower the car, then torque the lug nuts to about 80 ft-lb in a star pattern.
Check your vehicle’s repair manual for exact specifications and fit.