Upper Arm Replacement

Special Tools Required 

• Ball Joint Thread Protector, 10 mm 07AAF-SECA120
• Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm 07MAC-SL0A202

1. Raise and support the vehicle (see LIFT AND SUPPORT POINTS ).
2. Remove the front wheel.
3. Remove the front damper/spring (see STABILIZER BAR REPLACEMENT ).
4. Remove the cotter pin (A) from the upper arm ball joint, then remove the castle nut (B).
   Fig 1: Identifying Cotter Pin (A) And Castle Nut (B)

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
5. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the ball joint remover (see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).
6. Remove the upper arm mounting bolts (A), then remove the upper arm (B).
   Fig 2: Identifying Upper Arm Mounting Bolts (A) And Upper Arm (B)

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
7. Install the upper arm (A), and lightly tighten the new upper arm mounting bolts (B), then connect the knuckle, and lightly tighten the castle nut (C).
   NOTE:

   • Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when connecting the knuckle.
   • Before connecting the ball joint, degrease the threaded section and the tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, the threaded section and the mating surfaces of the castle nut.
   Fig 3: Upper Arm (A), Upper Arm Mounting Bolts (B) And Castle Nut (C) With Torque Specifications

   Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
8. Place a floor jack under the lower arm, and raise the suspension until the clearance between the top (D) of the upper arm ball joint and the backside of the fender cut out point (E) is 40 mm (1.6 in), then tighten the upper arm mounting bolts to the specified torque.
   NOTE:

   • To measure the specified clearance, temporarily remove the front inner fender (see FRONT INNER FENDER REPLACEMENT ).
   • Do not place the jack directly on the ball joint pin to load the suspension.
9. Lower the floor jack
10. Install the front damper/spring (see INSTALLATION ).
11. Tighten the castle nut (A) on the upper arm ball joint to the specified torque.
    NOTE:

    • Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.
    • Insert the new cotter pin (B) into the ball joint pin hole from the front to the rear of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown. Check the ball joint pin hole direction before connecting the ball joint.
    Fig 4: Castle Nut (A) And Cotter Pin (B) With Torque Specifications

    Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
12. Clean the mating surfaces between the brake disc and the inside of the wheel, then install the front wheel.
13. Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).