2. Remove the 4mm cotter pin and loosen, but do not completely unscrew, the spindle nut. Loosen the fixing nuts.
3. Raise and jack up securely in front of the vehicle. Carefully check the reliability of the stop.
4. Remove the wheel nuts and remove the wheel.
5. Pull out the locking keys and remove the large spindle nut.
6. Drain the gearbox oil.
7. Using a ball joint remover, remove the lower control arm ball joints from the knuckle. Disconnect the connecting rods from the steering controls.
WARNING: On models with a lower suspension arm, be sure to install a jack under the ball joint of this arm, and check the firmness of the jack stop. Otherwise, when removing the ball joint, the lower arm may "jump out" from the steering knuckle.
8. On models with a lower suspension arm, unscrew the anti-roll bar retaining bolts and release it.
9. On the latest models with an independent suspension arm type, unscrew the shock absorber yoke bolt and the shock absorber coupler bolt.
10. To remove the drive shaft, pull the knuckle towards you, then pull the shaft out of the knuckle.
11. Pull out the CV joint at the end of the gearbox by about 13 mm. Pulling the shaft outward allows the inner retaining ring to come out of its locking groove. Pull out carefully so as not to damage the oil seal.
WARNING: To avoid breaking the CV joint, do not pull on the joint itself.
12. Pull out from a differential cup an internal part of a power shaft.
For installation:
13. Reinstall the spring clip on the inner end of the axle.
14. Insert the inner end of the axle into the gearbox. The spline joint and clamp must be fully seated in their positions. The clamp snaps into place with a noticeable click. Check it by pulling it slightly in the opposite direction. Do not pull on the CV joint to check.
15. Pull out the front hub and install the outer end of the axle shaft.
16. Assemble the suspension and steering ball joints. Use new cotter pins and new self-locking nuts when assembling each assembly. Tighten individual parts as follows:
- 1984-85 Accord: anti-roll bar bolts - 22 Nm; lower ball joint - 55 Nm; castellated nut connecting rod - 44 Nm.
- 1986-91 Accord: shock absorber pinch bolt - 44 Nm, shock absorber fork or lower locknut - 65 Nm; castellated nut of the lower ball joint - 55 Nm.
- 1984-91 Prelude: shock absorber pinch bolt - 44 Nm, shock absorber fork or lower locknut - 65 Nm.
- 1984-87 and 1990-91 Prelude: lower ball joint castle nut - 55 Nm.
- 1988-89 Prelude: castle nut of the lower ball joint - 75 Nm.
17. Install washer and NEW spindle nut. Tighten this nut very tightly, but not to maximum torque, if the vehicle is still off the ground.
18. Install the wheel and lower the vehicle to the ground.
19. Tighten the spindle nut. The tightening torque for the spindle nut is as follows:
- 1984-89 Accord: 185 Nm
- 1990-91 Accord: 245 Nm
- 1984-87 Prelude: 190 Nm
- 1988-89 Prelude: 185 Nm
- 1990-91 Prelude: 250 Nm
20. Using a drift or punch, deform the ring of the spindle nut so that it fits into the groove in the axle. This will secure the nut.
21. Tighten the fixing nuts.
22. Fill the gearbox with oil.