Service Bulletin
Applies To:

12-082
September 17, 2013

2008–12 Accord – ALL
2010–13 Crosstour – ALL

Front Suspension Clunk in Hot Weather

(Supersedes 12-082, dated June 4, 2013, to revise the information marked by the black bars)
REVISION SUMMARY
In Applies To, 2013 Crosstour was added.
SYMPTOM
A clunk is heard in the front suspension while driving
over irregular surfaces and in hot weather. The noise
goes away temporarily when the vehicle is lifted in the
air (the suspension is allowed to hang) and then
returned to the ground.
POSSIBLE CAUSE
High ambient temperatures cause the grease to
redistribute to the bottom of the ball joint, resulting in a
stick-slip knock.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Replace both of the front lower ball joints with updated
service parts made to address this specific symptom. If
the ball joints were previously replaced, then replace
both front knuckle assemblies.

Crosstour Parts Description

Part Number

Knuckle Assembly, Left
(only if prior ball joint replaced)

51215-TP6-Y00

1

Knuckle Assembly, Right
(only if prior ball joint replaced)

51210-TP6-Y00

1

TOOL INFORMATION
Tool Description

Part Number

Adapter G

07XAF-001050A
07XAF-00105B

Ball Joint Remover, 28 mm
Ball Joint Thread Protector
10 mm
Ball Joint Thread Protector
12 mm
Ball Joint Thread Protector
14 mm
Ball Joint Tool Kit

PARTS INFORMATION
Accord/ Crosstour
Parts Description

Part Number

Lower Ball Joint

51220-TA0-306

QTY

2

Ball Joint Cotter Pin

94201-30220

2

Spindle Nut

90305-S3V-A11

2

Tie Rod Cotter Pin

94201-30220

2

Snap Ring
(if knuckle replaced)

90681-SJK-000

1

Upper Arm Ball Joint Cotter Pin
(if knuckle replaced)

94201-20220

2

Wheel Bearing
(if knuckle replaced)

44300-TA0-A61

2

Accord Parts Description

Part Number

Knuckle Assembly, Left
(only if prior ball joint replaced)

51215-TA0-Y60

1

Knuckle Assembly, Right
(only if prior ball joint replaced)

51210-TA0-Y60

1

 2013 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. – All Rights Reserved

QTY

QTY

Bearing Driver Attachment
C-Frame
Driver Handle
Oil Seal Driver Attachment
96 mm
Hub Assembly/
Disassembly Pin, 42 mm
Support Base

ATB 48394-50339 REV2 (1309)

07MAC-SL0A202
07AAF-SECA120
07AFF-SDAA100
07AAE-SJAA100
07AAF-TL2A150
(contains the following
parts)
07AAF-TL2A100
07AAF-TL2A200
07AAF-TL2A300A
07AAF-TL2A300B
07AAF-TL2A400
07746-0010600
OTC7248
(or commercially
available)
07749-0010000
07ZAD-PNAA100
07GAF-SD4A100
07965-SD90100

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CUSTOMER INFORMATION: The information in this bulletin is intended for use only by skilled technicians who have the proper tools, equipment,
and training to correctly and safely maintain your vehicle. These procedures should not be attempted by “do-it-yourselfers,” and you should not assume
this bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle has the condition described. To determine whether this information applies, contact an
authorized Honda automobile dealer.

WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
The normal warranty applies.
*Only one of the following repairs below will apply.
OP#

Description

4151A9
A

Replace both front knuckles.

2.3

Alignment – add

0.4

OP#

Description

4161C0
A

FRT

FRT

Replace both front ball joints.

1.5

Alignment – add

0.4

Failed Part:

P/N 51220-TA0-A02

Defect Code:

07409

Symptom Code:

04201

Skill Level:

Repair Technician

DIAGNOSIS
Raise the vehicle on a lift high enough to let the
suspension hang. Lower the vehicle, then test-drive it
to confirm the clunking noise is gone.
• If the noise is gone, go to REPAIR PROCEDURE.
• If the noise is still there, this bulletin does not apply.
Continue with normal troubleshooting.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
1. Raise and support the vehicle.
NOTE: Do this repair to both sides of the front
suspension.

3. Clean the top surface of both lower ball joints in the
front knuckles and inspect for a paint mark,
indicating prior replacement.
• If there is a paint mark, replace both front knuckle
assemblies.
NOTE: Ball joints can only be replaced one time
on a knuckle and then it requires replacement.
• If there is no paint mark, replace both lower ball
joints.

LOWER BALL JOINT
PAINT MARK

4. Remove the wheel speed sensor and its harness
brackets at the knuckle assembly and at the
damper assembly. Do not disconnect the wheel
speed sensor connector.
• If using the existing knuckle assemblies, go to
step 7.
• If replacing knuckle assemblies, go to step 5.

2. Remove the wheel nuts and the front wheel.

WHEEL NUTS

108 N.m (80 lb-ft)

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12-082

5. Remove the brake hose bracket mounting bolt from
the knuckle.

7. Pry up the stake on the spindle nut, then remove
the nut.
• If replacing the knuckle assemblies, go to step 8.
• If using existing knuckle assemblies, go to
step 9.

SPINDLE NUT

329 N.m
(242 lb-ft)
Replace.

STAKE

6. Remove the brake caliper bracket mounting bolts,
then remove the caliper assembly from the knuckle.
To prevent damage to the caliper assembly or the
brake hose, use a short piece of wire to hang the
caliper assembly from the undercarriage. Do not
twist the brake hose excessively.
CALIPER
ASSEMBLY

BRAKE CALIPER
MOUNTING BOLT

Accord - 108 N.m (80 lb-ft)
Crosstour - 137 N.m (101 lb-ft)

12-082

8. Remove the front brake disc.
• Remove the brake flathead screws.
• Remove the brake disc from the front hub.
• Check the front hub for damage and cracks.
NOTE: If the brake disc is stuck to the front hub,
thread two 8 x 1.25 mm bolts into the brake disc to
push it away from the front hub. Turn each bolt 90°
at a time to prevent the brake disc from binding.

BRAKE
DISC

FLATHEAD SCREWS (4)

9.8 N.m (7.2 lb-ft)

3 of 9

9. Remove the cotter pin from the tie-rod end ball
joint, then remove the nut.
NOTE: During installation, install a new cotter pin
after tightening the nut, and bend its end as shown.
07AAF-SDAA100
BALL JOINT THREAD
PROTECTOR
07MAC-SL0A202
BALL JOINT
REMOVER

TIE-ROD END
BALL JOINT NUT

54 N.m (40 lb-ft)
COTTER PIN

12. Disconnect the knuckle ball joint from the lower arm
using the ball joint thread protector and ball joint
remover.
NOTE: Do not force or hammer on the lower arm or
pry between the lower arm and the knuckle.
• If replacing the knuckle assemblies, go to
step 13.
• If using existing knuckle assemblies, go to
step 15.
13. Remove the cotter pin from the upper arm ball joint,
then remove the castle nut.
NOTE: During reassembly, install a new cotter pin
into the ball joint pin hole from the front to the rear
of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown. Check
the ball joint pin hole direction before connecting
the ball joint.
07AAF-SECA120
BALL JOINT THREAD
PROTECTOR

07MAC-SL0A202
BALL JOINT
REMOVER

Replace.

10. Disconnect the tie-rod end ball joint from the
knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the
ball joint remover.
11. Remove the cotter pin from the knuckle ball joint,
then remove the castle nut.
NOTE: During reassembly, insert a new cotter pin
into the ball joint pin hole from the front to the rear
of the vehicle, and bend its end as shown. Check
the ball joint pin hole direction before connecting
the ball joint.
07MAC-SL0A202
BALL JOINT
REMOVER

CASTLE NUT

44 – 52 N.m
(33 – 38 lb-ft)
FRONT

07AAE-SJAA100
BALL JOINT THREAD
PROTECTOR

COTTER PIN

Replace.

FRONT

14. Disconnect the upper arm ball joint from the
knuckle using the ball joint thread protector and the
ball joint remover.

FRONT