How to Replace CV Axles on a '90 Honda Accord

The 1990 Honda Accord uses CV axles as the drive shafts, as do all front-wheel drive vehicles. It is used to transfer the power from the transaxle to the front wheels. When CV axles wear out, they will emit a clicking noise when the car is turned to the right or left. The most common cause of CV failure is a broken CV boot. The boot covers the swivel joint and contains the grease for lubrication of the joint. When the boot breaks, the grease is lost and the joint begins to wear out.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Set of 3/8-inch drive sockets
• Ratchet
• ½-inch drive air gun
• 36 mm socket
• Ball joint separator
• Hammer
• Pry bar
• Set of metric wrenches

1. Jack the vehicle up and support it on jack stands. Remove the both front wheels. Using the 36 mm socket, remove the center axle nut. Remove the though-bolt on the bottom of the strut where it attaches to the spindle.

2. Separate the bottom ball joint from the spindle using the ball joint separator. Using the pry bar, pry the lower control arm down to pull the separated ball joint out of the spindle and push the spindle out of the way toward the rear of the car.

3. Use the pry bar to pry the CV axle out of the transaxle. Put the pry bar between the transaxle case and the CV axle, and push it out. Remove the CV axle and put it in the box the new axle came in---CV axles carry a core fee, which is refundable upon return of the old axle.

4. Install the new CV axle by inserting it into the transaxle up to the snap ring clip where it will stop. With both hands, pull it back about an inch and slam it in with a fast push, and you will feel it snap into the locked position.

5. Grab the brake rotor, pull it outward and insert the outer end of the CV axle into the hub in the rotor. Rotate the rotor back and forth to line up the splines and push the axle in as far as possible. Loosely screw on the axle nut.

6. Pull the lower control arm down with the pry bar. Line the ball joint up with the hole in the spindle and insert the ball joint. Install the nut on top of the ball joint and tighten it down.

7. Install the bolt in the bottom of the strut where it attaches to the spindle and tighten. Torque the axle nut to 180 foot pounds. Put the wheel on and repeat from Step 1 for the other side.

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[jimmyb510]

on 11/2/2009 Will this same method work on an 86

[deannancyr02]

on 8/25/2009 what about the boots?