How to Fix a Bouncy Ride and Clunking in Your Honda Accord

How to Fix Struts Issue

If your 2020 Honda Accord is starting to feel less planted on the road, you might be dealing with a struts issue. This critical suspension component is responsible for absorbing bumps, controlling wheel movement, and maintaining vehicle stability. Over time, wear is inevitable, and several factors, including modifications and mileage, can accelerate it. As one owner succinctly put it while planning maintenance, "Doing some work on my car and noticed my rear struts are in need of replacement." This guide will walk you through the symptoms, diagnosis, and repair based on real owner experiences and discussions.

Symptoms

The signs of failing struts on your sedan often start subtly and progressively worsen. The most common complaint is a change in ride quality and handling. You may notice an excessive bouncy feel, where the car continues to oscillate up and down after hitting a bump instead of settling immediately. This bouncing compromises comfort and tire contact with the road.

Handling characteristics will also deteriorate. Owners report increased body roll, which is the feeling of the car leaning or swaying excessively during turns or lane changes. This can make the vehicle feel unstable and less confident in corners. Another related symptom is bump steer, where hitting a bump or dip in the road causes the steering wheel to jerk or pull unexpectedly in your hands.

Finally, listen for unusual noises. A pronounced clunk from the front or rear suspension when going over bumps, potholes, or even during slow turns is a classic indicator of worn strut mounts or other associated suspension components that are often replaced alongside the struts themselves. These symptoms collectively point to a suspension system that is no longer performing its primary functions of control and stability.

Most Likely Cause

Based on analysis of owner discussions, the primary catalyst for accelerated strut wear and associated handling complaints on the 2020 Honda Accord is the installation of aftermarket 19" wheels. While not a direct failure of the strut itself, this modification significantly changes the suspension's operating parameters. Larger, heavier wheels and lower-profile tires reduce the sidewall flex that normally acts as a secondary cushion. This places a much greater impact load directly on the struts and related components with every road imperfection.

The increased unsprung weight and altered suspension geometry can lead to premature wear of the strut's internal valving and seals, as well as stress on connected parts. As one experienced owner noted when listing components to inspect on high-mileage vehicles, "I’d also be expecting some suspension parts that need to be replaced if they haven’t been already. Control arms, struts, sway bar links..." This highlights how strut failure is rarely an isolated event and is often part of broader suspension wear, which can be hastened by non-standard wheel setups.

How to Diagnose

Proper diagnosis is key to ensuring you fix the right problem. You'll need a safe, level workspace like a driveway or garage, a flashlight, and basic hand tools. A pry bar or large flathead screwdriver is useful for checking component play. For the most accurate assessment, having a friend help with the "bounce test" is ideal.

Start with a visual inspection. With the car parked on level ground, look at each strut assembly. Check for obvious signs of physical damage, dents, or heavy corrosion on the strut body. Look carefully for any signs of oil leakage or wetness running down the side of the strut housing; this indicates the internal seal has failed and the damping fluid has escaped. A dry strut is not necessarily good, but a wet one is definitively bad.

Next, perform the bounce test. Firmly press down on the front or rear corner of the car and release. A healthy suspension will rebound and settle to its normal height after one or two small oscillations. If the car continues to bounce up and down several times, the strut on that corner is likely worn and no longer providing adequate damping. Finally, check for play in related components. With the vehicle safely raised and supported on jack stands, grip the front tire at the 9 and 3 o'clock positions and try to rock it. Excessive play could indicate worn tie rods or other components. Grasping the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions and rocking it can reveal worn wheel bearings or ball joints, which contribute to overall instability.

Step-by-Step Fix

Replacing struts is a moderately complex DIY job that requires patience and the right tools. Always consult a factory service manual for the most precise instructions and torque specifications for your 2020 Accord. This guide outlines the general process.

1. Safety First & Preparation: Park on a flat, solid surface and engage the parking brake. Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you'll be working on before lifting the car. Gather all necessary tools and parts, including new struts, mounts, and any recommended hardware.

2. Remove the Wheel and Access the Strut: Safely lift the vehicle and place jack stands under designated lift points. Remove the lug nuts and the wheel. In the engine bay (for front struts) or trunk/under rear seat (for rear struts), remove any covers or trim to access the top strut mount nuts.

3. Disconnect Components and Unbolt the Strut: Disconnect the brake line bracket and any electrical connectors for wheel speed sensors attached to the strut. Using the appropriate sockets and wrenches, unbolt the strut from the steering knuckle. This usually involves two large bolts. It's often helpful to use a pry bar to gently separate the knuckle from the strut bracket once the bolts are removed.

4. Remove the Strut Assembly: With the lower connection free, go back to the top and remove the three (typically) nuts holding the strut mount to the vehicle body. You may need an assistant to support the strut assembly as you remove the final nut. Carefully lower the entire strut and spring assembly out of the vehicle.

5. Compress the Spring and Transfer Components: This is the most dangerous step. You must use a proper spring compressor rented from an auto parts store. Follow the tool's instructions meticulously to safely compress the coil spring. Once compressed, you can unbolt the center nut on the strut mount to disassemble the old strut, spring, and mount. Transfer the compressed spring to the new pre-assembled strut unit, or install all new components. Tighten the center nut to specification.

6. Install the New Assembly: Carefully maneuver the new strut assembly back into position. Guide the top studs through the holes in the body and start the nuts by hand. Lift the bottom of the strut into the knuckle bracket and insert the bolts, tightening them finger-tight initially.

7. Final Torque and Reassembly: With everything aligned, torque the top mount nuts to the vehicle manufacturer's specification. Then torque the lower knuckle bolts to spec. Reattach the brake line bracket and any sensors. Reinstall the wheel, lower the vehicle, and finally torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to the proper specification.

As one owner shared while discussing comprehensive checks: "Some other things I’d check is the front suspension, especially lower ball joints, control arms, and struts." This underscores the importance of inspecting the entire suspension system while you have it apart.

Parts and Tools Needed

For a complete and lasting repair, replacing associated wear items is highly recommended. Here’s what you’ll likely need:

• Quick Strut Assembly (Front or Rear): A pre-assembled unit including the strut, coil spring, and mount. This is the safest and easiest option for DIY. (e.g., KYB or Monroe catalog numbers specific to 2020 Accord).
• Strut Mount/Bearing Plate: Often sold with quick struts. If buying components separately, get new mounts.
• Sway Bar End Links: Consider replacing these, as they are a common source of clunks and are inexpensive.
• Essential Tools: Floor jack, at least two quality jack stands, torque wrench, socket set (metric, including deep sockets), wrenches, spring compressor (rentable), pry bar, and safety glasses.

Real Owner Costs

The cost to fix strut issues varies dramatically between DIY and professional repair, and depends on whether you use pre-assembled units or individual components.

DIY Cost Example: A DIYer replacing both front struts with quality pre-assembled "quick strut" units can expect to pay between $300 and $600 for the parts, depending on the brand (economy vs. OEM-style). If you choose to replace associated sway bar links and mounts, add $50-$100. Tool rental for a spring compressor might be a $50 deposit refunded upon return. The total out-of-pocket DIY cost typically ranges from $350 to $700 with no labor charges.

Professional Repair Cost Example: Taking the job to an independent shop or dealership involves significant labor due to the complexity and required spring compression. Parts mark-up will also apply. For a 2020 Honda Accord, replacing both front struts at a shop can easily cost between $900 and $1,500 for parts and labor. Replacing all four struts could push the total to $1,800 to $2,800. One owner, commenting on the value of well-maintained high-mileage Accords, hinted at these costs, noting "I would pay 4 or 5 grand for that car, not $8500," implying that major suspension work would detract from the vehicle's value.

Prevention

Preventing premature strut failure revolves around mindful driving and careful consideration of modifications. First, be conscious of your driving environment. Whenever possible, avoid potholes, speed bumps taken at high speed, and rough roads, as repeated hard impacts are the primary cause of internal strut damage.

If you have modified your vehicle with larger wheels (like 19"), understand that you are trading ride comfort and potentially suspension component lifespan for aesthetics and handling sharpness. Consider reverting to the OEM wheel size for daily driving to preserve your struts. Regularly inspect your suspension. When you rotate your tires or change your oil, take a moment to look for signs of strut leakage or damage to boots and links. Finally, listen to your car. Addressing new clunks or changes in handling early can prevent more extensive and expensive damage to other suspension components.

What Owners Say

Real experiences from HONDA owners:

Success Stories

"Most serious racing vehicles use the double wishbone design because it offers better control in those harsh conditions. It worked very well in street use as well in the case of the earlier accords." — Henryc (source)

Owner Experiences

"I’d also be expecting some suspension parts that need to be replaced if they haven’t been already. Control arms, struts, sway bar links, CV Axle, as well as the power steering pump which tends to leak where the o rings are." — Right_Perception_497 (source)

"There are issues with the lower ball joint failing, mostly due to age. I’d also be expecting some suspension parts that need to be replaced if they haven’t been already." — Right_Perception_497 (source)

"Change the oil ever 5,000 miles. It still has the original spark plugs in it and has never been tuned up but runs perfectly." — Nonamenoname2025 (5,000 miles) (source)

Lessons Learned

⚠️ "I’m going to mess with the damping and see which I like for stiffness and still have it comfortable. Before After I went home and tried to turn the damping knob later on that night but accidentally twisted the screw off which resulted in the damping being on full soft." — DerekN (source)

⚠️ "NOTE: Be careful not to damage the vehicle. You could bend and damage the frame and/or body if you apply too much pressure. • Press on both pry bars to shift the subframe." — t-rd (source)

⚠️ "Steering response feels slightly quicker due to less body roll and a lower center of gravity. I’m going to mess with the damping and see which I like for stiffness and still have it comfortable." — DerekN (source)

Real Repair Costs

"No lights on the dash is a good sign though, probably why they're charging so much along with the reliability tax. I would pay 4 or 5 grand for that car, not $8500." — Axeman1721 (source)

"$8500 for a car with close to 200k is ludicrous. These things are very reliable apart from a known issue with starters, but if the car has that many miles on it there's a 99 percent chance its been fixed already." — Axeman1721 (source)

"I know the Tein Z Flex ride good from what I've heard but I've never driven or rode in a car with coilovers to tell how rough it actually is. The total cost for the parts was around $700 for the springs/shocks and adjustable arms." — DerekN (source)

FAQ

Q: How long does it take to replace struts on a 2020 Accord? A: For a seasoned DIYer with the right tools, replacing a pair of struts (both fronts or both rears) using pre-assembled units typically takes 3 to 5 hours. For a first-timer, budgeting 5 to 8 hours for the job is wise to allow for learning and troubleshooting. A professional mechanic with a lift and air tools can usually complete a two-strut replacement in 2 to 3 hours.

Q: Can I drive with a bad strut? A: You can, but you absolutely should not for an extended period. A failed strut severely compromises vehicle handling, increases stopping distance, causes uneven tire wear, and puts extra stress on other suspension components like control arms and ball joints. As one owner implied when listing inspection items, worn suspension is a safety-critical system: "I’d also be expecting some suspension parts that need to be replaced... Control arms, struts, sway bar links..." Drive only as far as necessary to get it repaired.

Q: Is this a common issue on the 2020 Accord? A: Strut wear is not a model-specific defect but a universal maintenance item on all vehicles. However, discussions among owners indicate that those who have installed larger aftermarket wheels, particularly 19" setups, report handling issues and related wear more frequently. On unmodified vehicles, struts typically last between 80,000 and 100,000 miles or more, depending on driving conditions.

Q: Should I replace struts in pairs? A: Yes, it is highly recommended to replace struts in pairs (both front or both rear). Replacing only one can lead to unbalanced handling and ride quality, as the new strut will react differently than the aged one on the opposite side. This ensures consistent performance and safety.

Q: DIY vs mechanic - what’s recommended for strut replacement? A: This depends heavily on your skill level, tools, and comfort with the dangerous spring compression step. If you are an intermediate DIYer with proper tools and respect for the safety risks, replacing struts with pre-assembled units is a manageable and cost-saving job. If you lack tools, workspace, or confidence, especially regarding the spring, hiring a professional is the safer choice. The labor cost is significant but buys expertise and guarantees the work is done safely.

Q: Do I need an alignment after replacing struts? A: Absolutely. Any time you disconnect suspension components that affect wheel geometry—like the strut-to-knuckle bolts—you must get a front-end alignment. Failing to do so will result in premature, uneven tire wear and potentially poor handling, negating the benefits of your new struts.