1. Preparations:
- Park your car in a safe location and apply the parking brake.
- Gather your tools and equipment: replacement half shaft, socket wrench set, open-end wrench, pliers, pry bar, jack and jack stands, safety glasses, and gloves.
2. Raise The Vehicle:
- Use a jack and jack stands to safely lift the vehicle and support it securely.
- Ensure the vehicle is at a comfortable working height and stable before you proceed.
3. Remove the Wheel:
- Use the socket wrench to loosen and remove the lug nuts of the wheel on the driver's side.
- Remove the wheel and place it aside safely.
4. Disconnect Sway Bar Endlink (Optional):
- In some Honda Accord models, the sway bar endlink may need to be temporarily disconnected to create more space for axle removal.
- Use a wrench or socket to loosen the bolts holding the endlink to the control arm and sway bar.
- Disconnect the endlink and keep the bolts in a safe place.
5. Remove the Axle Nut:
- Locate the large axle nut on the backside of the wheel hub.
- Use the socket wrench to loosen and remove the axle nut, but do not remove it entirely at this stage.
6. Pry Out the Half Shaft:
- Use a pry bar or pry tool to gently pry the half shaft out of the wheel hub.
- Be careful not to damage the hub or the axle itself during the process.
7. Remove the Axle Nut and Washer:
- With the half shaft partially out of the wheel hub, you should be able to completely remove the axle nut and the washer behind it.
- Set them aside temporarily.
8. Unbolt Ball Joint from Control Arm:
- Locate the lower ball joint on the driver's side suspension, where the half shaft connects to the control arm.
- Use the appropriate wrench to loosen and remove the bolts or nuts holding the ball joint in place.
9. Separate Ball Joint from Control Arm:
- Once the bolts are removed, gently pry apart the ball joint from the control arm using the pry bar.
- Be cautious not to damage the CV boot of the half shaft.
10. Remove Half Shaft from Transmission:
- Slide the half shaft out from the transmission while supporting it to avoid fluid spillage.
- The driver's side half shaft on a Honda Accord is typically held in place with a locking pin. Slide the half shaft out away from the transmission to disengage it.
11. Installing the New Half Shaft:
- Slide the new half shaft into place, starting from the transmission side.
- Make sure the locking pin or any other retaining mechanism is properly aligned and engaged.
12. Reattach Ball Joint to Control Arm:
- Reposition the ball joint onto the control arm and secure it with the bolts you removed earlier.
13. Replace Axle Nut, Washer, and Wheel:
- Reinstall the axle nut and washer onto the axle shaft, but don't tighten it completely yet.
- Place the wheel back on the lug bolts and temporarily tighten them.
14. Lower the Vehicle:
- Carefully lower the vehicle using the jack and jack stands.
15. Tighten Axle Nut:
- Once the vehicle is back on the ground, tighten the axle nut to the recommended torque specification as indicated in the vehicle's service manual.
16. Recheck and Test:
- Double-check all nuts and bolts to ensure they are properly tightened.
- Take the vehicle for a test drive to confirm that the axle replacement was successful and there are no unusual vibrations or noises.
Remember, the process may vary slightly depending on the year and specific model of your Honda Accord. Always consult the vehicle's service manual for exact instructions and torque specifications. If you're not comfortable performing the task yourself, it's advisable to seek assistance from a qualified mechanic.
