A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic waveguide extending through a body assembly. An ultrasonic blade connects to the ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly of the surgical instrument is able to move from an opened position for receiving a tissue toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. The clamp arm assembly includes a clamp body and a clamp pad facing the ultrasonic blade. A clamp arm actuator of the surgical instrument is able to move from a first position toward a second position to direct the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. A modular coupling of the surgical instrument connects to the clamp pad such that at least the clamp pad can be disconnected relative to the ultrasonic blade for replacement thereof.