Parts for your 2004 Honda Accord-Struts

2004 Honda Accord and struts: what’s actually fitted on this model

For anyone hunting down “2004 Honda Accord struts”, here’s the straight answer: this model doesn’t use MacPherson struts. The 2004 Accord (seventh-generation) runs a double‑wishbone front suspension and a multi‑link/double‑wishbone rear, with separate shock absorbers and coil springs. That means the dampers are not structural members, so they’re shocks, not struts.

This isn’t guesswork. Technical references including the Honda Accord 2003–2007 Service Manual specify a double‑wishbone front and multi‑link/double‑wishbone rear layout with shock absorbers. Honda’s parts catalogue for 2004 lists “shock absorber” rather than “strut” assemblies, and mainstream repair manuals for the 2003–2007 range describe shocks and top mounts, not strut cartridges. Some aftermarket listings blur the terms, but from an engineering standpoint this Accord isn’t a strut car.

Why no struts? Honda kept the double‑wishbone theme on this generation to prioritise camber control and steering feel. In a strut setup, the damper also locates the wheel, acting as a structural link. On the 2004 Accord, the wishbones handle wheel location, the shocks only manage damping. Different job, different part.

So if the brief was to service or replace “struts” on a 2004 Accord, the real task is to look after the shocks and the associated suspension hardware. That’s where ride comfort, grip, and braking stability live and breathe on this platform.

• Typical signs it’s time for shocks: bouncy or floaty ride, longer stopping distances, clunks over bumps, nose‑dive under braking, cupped or uneven tyre wear, or visible oil leaks on the damper body.
• Recommended items to inspect or replace together: front and rear shock absorbers (always in axle pairs), top mounts, bump stops and dust boots, sway‑bar links, control arm bushings and ball joints.
• Fitment tips for a tidy job: torque suspension fasteners with the vehicle at normal ride height, get a wheel alignment afterwards, and choose quality components matched to local roads—handy across Australia and New Zealand’s mixed surfaces.
• Service rhythm: shocks often last 80–150,000 km depending on use. Country roads, towing, or rough city kerbs can shorten that. A quick suspension check at each service keeps surprises at bay.

Bottom line—no struts on a 2004 Accord, but well‑sorted shocks and bushes will keep it riding nicely and looking after its tyres.

FAQs

Does a 2004 Honda Accord have struts?
No. It uses double‑wishbone front and multi‑link/double‑wishbone rear suspension with separate shock absorbers and coil springs. The dampers aren’t structural members, so they’re shocks, not struts.

What should be replaced instead of struts on a 2004 Accord?
Look to the shock absorbers, top mounts, bump stops/boots, sway‑bar links, and worn control arm bushes or ball joints. Replace shocks in pairs and book an alignment afterwards.

Can struts be retrofitted to a 2004 Accord?
Practically speaking, no. Converting to a strut design would require major geometry and structural changes. It’s far more sensible to refresh the existing shocks and suspension hardware.