You can also use this video if you have a Ridgeline, Pilot, or MDX. They share a similar chassis to the Odyssey. The job in this video was not without it’s challenges ad you’ll see when you watch it. To be honest, if you need to do this job I would recommend ‘quick struts’ that come preassembled, or taking your old struts to a shop to have your new struts installed. Both spring compressors that I tried were a fail. The only thing that worked was a wall mounted unit. Also, those stabilizer links can be tricky. Start by soaking them with some penetrating oil and cross your fingers. If that doesn’t work you may need a torch. In fact, you may need new stabilizer links before it’s all said and done. Outside of those issues, this job isn’t too bad. Here’s some links for you.
There is an extended version of this video with extra footage available to Premium Members of EricTheCarGuy.com. Here’s info on becoming a Premium Member.
http://www.ericthecarguy.com/premium-content-streaming-etcg-content
Element stabilizer links: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYosZGby0-I
Finding Suspension Noises: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scFbb43fwqk
ETCG’s Parts Washer video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19rYvQgknyw
Why ETCG doesn’t have a lift: https://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/2-General-Discussion/44106-why-ericthecarguy-doesn-t-have-a-lift
The spring compressor that worked: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/branick-00-0081-strut-spring-compressor-wall-mounted/
The spring compressors that didn’t work: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-70370-macpherson-strut-spring-compressor/
The other spring compressor I tried: http://www.jbtoolsales.com/k-tool-70372-universal-strut-spring-compressor/
Discussion about this video: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/47436-odyssey-front-strut-replacement#74571
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Stay Dirty
ETCG
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Thank you very mcuh!
I did it once on a honda accord , but I can tell those springs are not fun to play with. Thanks for showing the danger for a newbie mechanic.
I'm disappointed you don't torque any fasteners and just wind every up the same. The Shop manual would give detailed torque settings. The 3 x 8mm top mount would not be anywhere as tight a the 2 x lower strut through bolts.
Why wouldn't you just close the hood to get access to the nuts under the cowel?
Eric, Please HELP! Thanks for the note at 14:19, unfortunately I didn't see your video first. The hub assembly fell forward too much and the inner CV joint rollers came out of the housing. The boot looks collapsed also (like all the oxygen inside it was sucked out or something). How do I get the rollers back in the housing now? I'm tried rotating and jiggling and pushing, it won't go back in. Do you have a video on doing that? Thanks
Best 46 minutes that I have spent in a while. Glad I hung out and watched the entire video. This is what happens in the real world. I have to tell you that I really enjoy your videos. I am now a subscriber.
Zipties? Hose clamps? You're the "car guy"! You don't have any visegrips laying around? WTF?
How I was excited to watch this then got terrified. Geesh.. I was on edge when you loosened the top nut. A complete assembly definitely works for me. Lol, Wow…
I think the vibrations from the impact wrench was part of the reason the compressors came off.
Great video, especially since you ran into an issue compressing the spring. I would prefer a DIY video with issues over one that is perfect, giving me zero insight into the potential problems I might have to deal with!
I might also take the opportunity to paint the springs while you have them dismantled. And yes I agree with you about stabilizer links. You should’ve seen the ones that came off my 2006 Pilot. I had to grind and saw them off the sway bar and since I got quick struts I just had to get them off the car which was nice. It was a royal pain in the neck getting them off I tell ya.
Be safe man
Yay Eric lived to record another video haha. But you didn't clean the bearings on the right side like you did the right side!
Buy the struts that come complete with a blast shield. ðŸ˜â€Â
Eric your the Pilot in this odyssey into the Multi-Dimensional luXury.
Get it get it….. Honda Pilot, Honda Odyssey, Acura MDX.
All have almost identical process. 🤓
@31:00 looks like 2 sets (4 total) would help (?)
@33:00 even the real spring compressor grabs in 3 places…
Scribe a line on the bit of the spider that attaches to the shock. if you replace with exactly same type of shock use yr scribed line as a guide to get the spider in the same position and your car was aligned b4 you start, perhaps then you are still close to the correct wheel alinement when you finish.
A great lesson in why the average DIYer should NOT compress springs. You are very lucky o not have multiple broken bones. Buy the quick struts or let a shop swap out the shocks.
Well thanks to this video, I've decided to buy a complete set instead of just the bearings. The potential for deadly failure and the fact that the original struts have almost 150k miles on them made it an easy decision. Kinda hard to find for a 2012 Odyssey, though.
I do 11R22.5 tractor tires at work, I don't think that I'd touch that. My name is Eric too. Also, I'd like to see Knock Sensor on CRV too. I have P0325 on mine. It just showed up. Strut are like doing 3 piece wheels in trucking. Both are dangerous.
I did this a few months ago using the QuickStrut method. It was a breeze!