Honda Civic: How To Replace an Axle

Replacing your axle is a very smart decision. Not only is a bad axle noisy, it could also cause a serious accident.

By Jerry Perez - March 19, 2015

This article applies to the Honda Civic (1992-2000).

The axle is the part that makes your front wheels turn. Axles need to be replaced as necessary, and failure to do so could lead to big problems. This job is straightforward, but it requires spending some time under the car, so you may want to visit a shop if you aren't comfortable doing this.

Materials Needed

Jack and jack stands
Ratchet
17mm socket and wrench; 32mm socket
Needle nose pliers
Hammer
Philips screw driver
Pry bar
Torque wrench
Drip pan
1/4" punch

Step 1 – Jack up the car and remove the wheels

Follow these steps:

Loosen front lug nuts.
Find support spots.
Jack up the car.
Set on jack stands.
Fully remove lug nuts.
Remove the front wheels.

(Related Article: How to Jack Up Your Civic - Honda-Tech.com)

Figure 1. Rest the car on jack stands.
Figure 2. Finish removing the lug nuts once the car is up.

Step 2 – Remove axle nut

The axle nut is a 32mm nut that has been "notched" in for safety. Break the notch with a small chisel or screwdriver, and then remove the axle nut using your ratchet and 32mm socket. These nuts are fastened in excess of 120 ft/lb, so don't be afraid to put some muscle on it.

Figure 3. Notch in the axle nut.
Figure 4. Remove axle nut completely.

Step 3 – Undo control arm nut

Locate the lower control arm nut.
Remove cotter pin.
Undo castle nut with a 17mm socket and ratchet.
Use the hammer to tap on the side of the control arm to free the ball joint.
Ball joint assembly should pop off from control arm.

Figure 5. Lower control arm nut is labeled as "C."
Figure 6. Remove cotter pin and castle nut.

Step 4 – Remove strut bar

For the axle to come off, you have to get the strut out of the way.

Locate the strut bar bolt (labeled as "B" in Figure 5 above).
Attach a 17mm socket and ratchet on one end, and a 17mm wrench on the other.
Hold wrench in place while the ratchet undoes the bolt.
Once bolt is loose, use the hammer to get it off.

Figure 7. As you can see, the axle goes right through the strut. Hence the need to remove it.

Step 5 – Remove axle

With everything out of the way, the axle is ready to be pulled out.

Place the drip ban bellow the axle and transmission joint.
Use the pry bar to wedge the axle out.
Pull the axle out.

Figure 8. Pry the axle out of the transmission.
Figure 9. Axle should now be free from both ends.

Step 6 – Install new axle

Follow these steps to set up the new axle:

Insert new axle into the transmission (push hard enough that it goes all the way in).
Use 17mm socket and wrench to put strut bolt back in.
Put the axle shaft back in the hub (through brake assembly).
Put control arm bolt back into place.
Use 17mm socket to tighten castle nut back in.
Replace cotter pin.
Use torque wrench to tighten axle nut to 134 ft/lbs.
Use the 1/4" punch to "notch" the bolt.