Honda Element. Manual - part 322

BRAKE SYSTEM TEST 

Brake pedal sinks/fades when braking 

1. Set the parking brake, and start the engine, then turn off the A/C switch. Allow the engine to warm up to 

normal operating temperature (radiator fan comes on twice).  

2. Attach a 50 mm (2 in.) piece of masking tape along the bottom of the steering wheel, and draw a 

horizontal reference mark across it.  

3. With the transmission M/T in the neutral position, A/T in the P or N position, press and hold the brake 

pedal lightly (about the same pressure needed to keep an A/T-equipped vehicle from creeping), then 
release the parking brake.  

4. While still holding the brake pedal, hook the end of the tape measure behind the brake pedal, then pull the 

tape up to the steering wheel. Note the measurement between the brake pedal and the reference mark on 
the steering wheel.  

5. Apply steady pressure to the brake pedal for 3 minutes.  

6. Watch the tape measure. 



If the measurement increases 10 mm (3/8 in.) or less, the master cylinder is OK.  



If the measurement increases more than 10 mm (3/8 in.), replace the master cylinder.  

SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING 

RAPID BRAKE PAD WEAR, VEHICLE VIBRATION (AFTER A LONG DRIVE), OR HIGH, HARD 



Between master cylinder and 
booster.  

Brake Hoses

Look for damage or signs of fluid 
leakage at: 



Line joints and banjo bolt 
connections.  



Hoses and lines, also inspect for 
twisting or damage.  

Bulging, twisted, or bent lines.

Caliper

Look for damage or signs of fluid 
leakage at: 



Piston seal.  



Banjo bolt connections.  



Bleed screw.  

Seized or sticking caliper pins.

VSA Modulator-
control Unit

Look for damage or signs of fluid 
leakage at: 



Line joints.  



Modulator-control unit.  

 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 BRAKES Conventional Brake Components - Element

  

BRAKE PEDAL 

The upper caliper pin A and lower caliper pin B are different. If the pins are installed in the wrong location, it 
will cause vibration, uneven or rapid brake pad wear, and possibly uneven tire wear. For proper caliper pin 
location (see FRONT BRAKE CALIPER OVERHAUL ). 

1. Drive the vehicle until the brakes drag or until the pedal is high and hard. This can take 20 or more brake 

pedal applications during an extended test-drive.  

2. With the engine running, raise the vehicle on a lift, and spin all four wheels by hand. 

Is there brake drag at any of the wheels?  

YES -Go to step 3. 

NO -Look for other causes of pad wear, high pedal, or vehicle vibration. 

3. Turn the engine off, press the brake pedal several times to deplete the vacuum in the brake booster, and 

then spin the wheels again to check for brake drag. 

Is there brake drag at any of the wheels?  

YES -Go to step 4. 

NO -Replace the brake booster (see BRAKE BOOSTER REPLACEMENT ). 

4. Without removing the brake lines, unbolt and separate the master cylinder from the booster, then spin the 

wheels to check for brake drag. 

Is there brake drag at any of the wheels?  

YES -Go to step 5. 

NO -Check the brake pedal position switch adjustment and pedal free play (see BRAKE PEDAL AND 
BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH ADJUSTMENT ). 

5. Loosen the hydraulic lines at the master cylinder, then spin the wheels to check for brake drag. 

Is there brake drag at any of the wheels?  

YES -Go to step 6. 

NO -Check the master cylinder reservoir for contamination in the brake fluid. If you find contamination, 
flush the entire brake system of all contaminated fluid. If the brake fluid is OK, replace the master 
cylinder (see MASTER CYLINDER REPLACEMENT ).

NOTE:

Make sure that the caliper pins are installed correctly.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 BRAKES Conventional Brake Components - Element

  

6. Loosen the bleed screws at each caliper, then spin the wheels to check for brake drag. 

Is there brake drag at any of the wheels?  

YES -Check the master cylinder reservoir for contamination in the brake fluid. If you find contamination, 
flush the entire brake system of all contaminated fluid. If the brake fluid is OK, disassemble and repair 
the caliper on the wheel(s) with brake drag. 

NO -Look for and replace any damaged brake lines. If all brake lines are OK, replace the VSA 
modulator-control unit (see VSA MODULATOR-CONTROL UNIT REMOVAL AND 
INSTALLATION ). 

BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL POSITION SWITCH ADJUSTMENT 

PEDAL HEIGHT 

1. Turn the brake pedal position switch (A) counterclockwise, and pull it back until it is no longer touching 

the brake pedal. 

Fig. 3: Adjusting Pedal Height 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 BRAKES Conventional Brake Components - Element

  

2. Pull back the carpet and find the cutout in the insulator. Lift up the insulator cutout and measure the pedal 

height (B) at the center of the pedal pad (C) to the floor. 

Standard pedal height (with carpet removed):  

M/T model: 178 mm (7 in.)  

A/T model: 180 mm (7 3/32 in.)  

3. Loosen the pushrod locknut (A), and screw the pushrod (B) in or out with pliers until the standard pedal 

height from the floor is reached. After adjustment, tighten the locknut firmly. Do not adjust the pedal 
height with the pushrod pressed. 

Fig. 4: Loosening Pushrod Locknut And Screwing Pushrod With Torque Specification 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

4. Lift up on the brake pedal by hand. Push in the brake pedal position switch until its plunger is fully 

pressed (threaded end (A) touching the pad (B) on the pedal arm). Turn the switch 45° clockwise to lock 
it. The gap between the brake pedal position switch and the pad is automatically adjusted to 0.7 mm (0.03 
in.) by locking the switch. Make sure the brake lights go off when the pedal is released. 

Fig. 5: Pushing Brake Pedal Position Switch

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 BRAKES Conventional Brake Components - Element