How to Change the CV Halfshaft on a 1998 Honda Accord

The front halfshafts on a 1998 Honda Accord are designed to rotate with the transmission, and the CV joints attached to each end of the halfshaft allow them to move up and down with the suspension. These CV joints can go out of place, and if they do, then the halfshaft will eventually fail. Although you can just replace the CV joint, it's often more affordable to change out the entire halfshaft assembly from the Accord. This should take an hour or so to do per side.

Instructions

1

Pull off the hub cap or the center cap on the wheel. Loosen the front wheel lug nuts with the tire iron. Loosen the front spindle nut in the middle of the wheel using the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket. Put on the parking brake, and then lift the front of the car with the jack and put it on jack stands. Take off the front wheels using the tire iron.

2

Put the drain pan underneath the transmission of the car and remove the drain plug on the bottom with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and a hex-head socket. Unbolt the strut fork from the bottom of the strut with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, then unbolt the strut fork from the lower control arm with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. Pull the fork out of the front suspension.

3

Take out the cotter pin out of the lower control arm ball joint using the needle-nose pliers, then unbolt and separate the lower control arm from the steering knuckle. Pull the steering knuckle out away from the halfshaft assembly, and tap the center of the halfshaft out of the knuckle with the plastic hammer. Pry the halfshaft out of the transmission with the pry bar and take the halfshaft away from the Accord.

4

Insert the replacement halfshaft assembly into the transmission, then insert maneuver the steering knuckle onto the other end and connect the knuckle to the lower control arm ball joint. Bolt the lower control arm to the knuckle with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket, then install a new cotter pin.

5

Install the strut fork back into the front suspension and the strut with the 3/8-inch ratchet and socket and an open-end wrench. Reinstall the spindle nut on the outside of the axle with the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket. Reinstall the wheels with the tire iron.

6

Lower the Accord off the jack stands with the tire iron. Tighten the spindle nut again with the 1/2-inch ratchet and socket. Pop the hood and locate the transmission dipstick which has a yellow handle. Pull out the dipstick and fill the transmission with the correct quantity and type of transmission fluid for your Accord, which will change depending on whether you have a manual or an automatic transmission.