Parts for your 2013 Honda Odyssey-Struts

2013 Honda Odyssey Struts: What They Do and When To Replace Them

Struts are absolutely relevant on the 2013 Honda Odyssey. Technical references including the Honda Service Manual for the 2011–2013 Odyssey (Suspension section), the Honda parts catalogue/diagrams for “Front Shock Absorber/Strut,” and major suspension manufacturers’ fitment guides (e.g., KYB and Monroe application data) all identify a MacPherson strut setup at the front and conventional shocks at the rear. So, front struts are fitted, rear units are shock absorbers, not struts.

On this model, the front MacPherson struts do double duty: they carry the vehicle’s weight and control ride and handling, while also acting as a structural part of the suspension geometry. They help keep the tyre’s contact patch where it needs to be, dialling in stable braking, confident turn-in, and a comfy ride—handy for school runs or long family trips across Aussie or Kiwi roads.

While there’s no fixed replacement interval in the service schedule, struts are wear items. On typical roads, many owners find noticeable wear somewhere around 80,000–120,000 km, with some lasting 150,000 km or more. Harder use—corrugations, towing, rough rural lanes, or frequent fully loaded trips—can bring that forward. It’s smart to have them inspected during regular servicing and certainly if any of these crop up:

• Nose-diving under brakes or extra body roll in corners
• Bouncy ride, floaty feel over undulations, or “pogo” after bumps
• Uneven or scalloped tyre wear and longer stopping distances
• Oil weep on the strut body or clunks over speed humps

When replacing, doing both fronts as a pair keeps the handling balanced. Many workshops recommend complete strut assemblies (including spring, mount, and bearing) to save labour and avoid reusing tired mounts. If only the cartridge is changed, inspect the upper mount/bearing, dust boot, and bump stop. Always follow correct spring compression procedures—this is not a DIY job without the right gear.

After front strut work, a wheel alignment is highly recommended to get camber and toe back in spec, protecting tyres and roadworthiness/WOF. While there, have the sway bar links and lower control arm bushings checked—fresh struts can highlight any remaining play. With quality parts and a proper alignment, owners can expect a quieter cabin, better steering feel, and surer footing in the wet.

Popular questions about 2013 Honda Odyssey struts

Do the rears use struts as well?
No—the rear of the 2013 Odyssey uses separate shock absorbers with coil springs, not struts. Only the front suspension is a MacPherson strut design. If the rear feels floaty or bouncy, you’ll be looking at rear shocks rather than rear struts.

How often should the front struts be replaced?
There’s no strict kilometre rule, but many see wear between 80,000–120,000 km depending on conditions. Go by symptoms and inspection: leaks, bounce, poor braking stability, and uneven tyre wear are clear signs. Rough roads or heavy loads can shorten the interval.

Is a wheel alignment needed after front strut replacement?
Yes—an alignment is strongly recommended. Changing struts can alter camber and toe, so aligning afterwards protects tyres, restores steering feel, and helps maintain roadworthy/WOF standards.