This AI-generated draft has not been independently verified for your vehicle. Confirm engine, trim, build date, tool fitment and torque specifications against the relevant service information before buying tools or starting work.
On the 10th-gen Accord the front strut is about as straightforward as a modern car gets: three nuts up top in the engine bay, two through-bolts into the steering knuckle down below, plus a brake hose bracket and ABS wire clip to unhook. Using complete quick-strut assemblies turns it into a bolt-off, bolt-on job with no spring compressor. Reusing your springs and mounts on bare dampers roughly doubles the time and brings a loaded coil spring into play.
The main thing that varies is the damper itself. 1.5T, hybrid, and most 2.0T trims use plain passive struts; 2.0T Touring uses the Adaptive Damper System with an electrical connector at the top of each strut, and those parts are neither cheap nor interchangeable with standard units. The mistake people make most often is fully torquing the lower knuckle bolts with the suspension hanging, then skipping the alignment — those two bolts control front camber, and the car will eat the inside edges of the tires.
| Item | Type | Product search |
|---|---|---|
| Breaker bar 1/2 in drive, 24 in Loosen lug nuts and the tight knuckle-to-strut bolts. | Required | search retailer |
| Lug nut socket 19 mm, 1/2 in drive, thin-wall Removes the road wheels without marring alloy wheels. | Required | search retailer |
| Floor jack 2 ton minimum Lifts the car and later supports the knuckle while separating the strut. | Required | search retailer |
| Jack stands 2 ton pair Supports the car at the front pinch-weld jack points while you work. | Safety | search retailer |
| Wheel chocks Rear wheels Keeps the car from rolling with the front raised. | Safety | search retailer |
| Socket set 3/8 in drive, 10-19 mm 6-point Brake hose bracket bolt (12 mm), ABS wire clips, general fasteners. | Required | search retailer |
| Socket 17 mm 6-point, 1/2 in drive, deep and shallow Strut-to-knuckle through-bolts and nuts. | Required | search retailer |
| Combination wrench 17 mm Holds the knuckle bolt head while you turn the nut. | Required | search retailer |
| Socket 14 mm 6-point, 3/8 in drive Three upper strut mount nuts under the hood and the stabilizer link nuts. | Required | search retailer |
| Hex key or bit 6 mm Holds the stabilizer link ball stud from spinning if you disconnect the link. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Torque wrench 1/2 in drive, 25-150 ft-lb Sets knuckle bolts and lug nuts to spec. | Required | search retailer |
| Torque wrench 3/8 in drive, 10-80 ft-lb Upper mount nuts and damper shaft nut fall in the low range. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Penetrating oil Aerosol Knuckle bolts often seize in the strut bracket, especially in salt states. | Consumables | search retailer |
| Dead blow or brass hammer 2 lb Drives the through-bolts out and frees the strut from the knuckle bore. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Pry bar 12-18 in Spreads the knuckle slightly and levers the strut out of the pinch. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Bungee cord or wire Hangs the knuckle/caliper so the brake hose and ABS wire are not stretched. | Required | search retailer |
| Spring compressor Heavy-duty clamshell or wall-mount type Only needed if you transfer the original spring and upper mount to a bare damper. | Required | search retailer |
| Strut nut tool set Damper shaft holder with 14 mm/17 mm sockets and hex holder Holds the damper rod while loosening the top nut during a spring transfer. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Complete strut assemblies Front left and right, matched to trim (standard or adaptive damper) The replacement units; always replace in axle pairs. | Parts | search retailer |
| Trim clip / panel tool Plastic Removes the cowl or rubber grommet cover over the upper strut nuts if fitted. | Recommended | search retailer |
| Anti-seize Copper or nickel Light film on the knuckle bolt shanks so the next job is easier. | Consumables | search retailer |
| Safety glasses Rust and penetrating oil fall directly into your face under the car. | Safety | search retailer |
| Nitrile gloves Keeps grease and penetrant off your hands. | Safety | search retailer |
Fastener sizes are the same across 1.5T, 2.0T, and Hybrid: 19 mm lugs, 14 mm upper mount nuts, 17 mm knuckle bolts. The difference is the part: 2.0T Touring has adaptive dampers with a harness connector and needs electronic struts, while all other trims take conventional struts. Hybrid weight distribution means spring rates differ, so always order by exact trim and drivetrain.
| Wheel lug nuts | 80 ft-lb (108 Nm) |
| Strut-to-steering knuckle bolts/nuts | verify in the service manual (high, roughly 135-155 ft-lb range on this platform — do not guess) |
| Upper strut mount nuts (3) | verify in the service manual |
| Damper shaft top nut | verify in the service manual |
| Stabilizer link nut | verify in the service manual |
| Brake hose bracket bolt on strut | verify in the service manual |
Yes. The two strut-to-knuckle bolts set front camber, and even if you mark the positions they rarely land back exactly. Get a four-wheel alignment right after the job.
No. The Touring's Adaptive Damper System struts carry an electrical solenoid and connector; fitting passive struts will trigger a damper system warning light. You need the matching electronic assemblies.
The lower strut-to-knuckle through-bolts are typically 17 mm head and nut, the three upper mount nuts are 14 mm, and lug nuts are 19 mm. Confirm the lower bolt size on your car before starting.
Practically, yes. A new strut on one side with a worn one on the other gives uneven damping, pulls under braking, and can throw off the alignment reading. Always do the axle in pairs.