How to Replace the Upper Control Arms in the 1992 Honda Accord

The front suspension of a 1992 Honda Accord includes an upper and lower control arm that connect to a tall steering knuckle. The upper control arm provides upper support to the steering knuckle, but also helps control the camber of the front wheels.Tthe upper control arm uses rubber bushings and ball joints to attach to the chassis and the knuckle, if they wear down, the alignment can suffer. To fix the issue, one inexpensive and simple option is to replace the entire upper control arm.

Things You'll Need

• Jack
• Jack stands
• Tire iron
• Cotter pin puller
• Ball joint separator
• Open-end wrench set
• 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
• Replacement cotter pins
• Replacement upper control arms

Instructions

1. Put on the parking brake. Lift the Accord with a jack and put it on jack stands. Remove the front wheels with the tire iron.

2. Put the jack beneath the lower control arm and lift it up to touch the arm. Pull out the cotter pin holding the upper control arm to the ball joint using the cotter pin puller. Unbolt the upper control arm from the steering knuckle with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, then separate the arm from the knuckle with the ball joint separator.

3. Pop the hood. Unbolt the upper control arm from the strut tower using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Pull the upper control arm out of the front suspension and discard it.

4. Put the replacement upper control arm into the strut tower and bolt it to the tower with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Slide the ball joint on the replacement upper control arm into the knuckle and bolt it in place using the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Install a replacement cotter pin.

5. Bolt the front wheels onto the hub using the tire iron. Lower the Accord off the jack stands with the jack.

References

• Autozone: Upper control arm