Honda Element. Manual - part 518

(see BALL JOINT REMOVAL ).  

12. Loosen the damper pinch bolts (A) while holding the nuts (B), and remove the bolts and the nuts. 

Fig. 8: Identifying Pinch Bolts And Nuts With Torque Specification 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

13. Remove the driveshaft outboard joint (C) from the knuckle (D) by tapping the driveshaft end (E) with a 

plastic hammer while drawing the hub outward, then remove the knuckle. 

14. Install the knuckle/hub in the reverse order of removal, and note these items: 



First install all the components, and lightly tighten the bolts and nuts, then raise the suspension with 
a floor jack to load it with the vehicle's weight before fully tightening to the specified torque values. 
Do not place the jack against the ball joint pin of the knuckle.  



Be careful not to damage the ball joint boot when installing the knuckle.  



Before connecting the knuckle ball joint to the lower arm, degrease the threaded section and 
tapered portion of the ball joint pin, the ball joint connecting hole, the threaded section, and mating 
surface of the castle nut.  



Torque the castle nut to the lower torque specification, then tighten it only far enough to align the 
slot with the ball joint pin hole. Do not align the castle nut by loosening it.  



Use a new spindle nut during reassembly.  



Before installing the spindle nut, apply a small amount of engine oil to the seating surface of the 
nut. After tightening, use a drift to stake the spindle nut shoulder against the driveshaft.  



Before installing the brake disc, clean the mating surfaces of the front hub and the inside of the 
brake disc.  

NOTE:

During installation, install new damper pinch bolts and new nuts.

NOTE:



Do not pull the driveshaft end outward. The driveshaft inboard joint 
may come apart.  



During installation, apply grease to the mating surfaces of the wheel 
bearing and the driveshaft outboard joint (see step 1 on page 16-18).  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 SUSPENSION Front Suspension - Element

  



Before installing the wheel, clean the mating surfaces of the brake disc and the inside of the wheel. 



Check the wheel alignment, and adjust it if necessary (see WHEEL ALIGNMENT ).  

WHEEL BEARING REPLACEMENT 

1. Separate the hub (A) from the knuckle (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool and a hydraulic press. Hold 

the knuckle with the attachment (C) of the hydraulic press or equivalent tool. Be careful not to deform the 
splash guard (D). Hold onto the hub to keep it from falling when pressed clear. 

Fig. 9: Separating Hub From Knuckle Using Hub Dis/Assembly Tool And Hydraulic Press 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

2. Press the wheel bearing inner race (A) out of the hub (B) using the hub dis/assembly tool, a commercially 

available bearing separator (C), and a press. 

Fig. 10: Pressing Wheel Bearing Inner Race Out Of Hub Using Hub Dis/Assembly Tool 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

3. Remove the snap ring (A) and the splash guard (B) from the knuckle (C). 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 SUSPENSION Front Suspension - Element

  

Fig. 11: Identifying Snap Ring, Splash Guard And Knuckle 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

4. Press the wheel bearing (A) out of the knuckle (B) using the driver, the attachment, and a press. 

Fig. 12: Pressing Wheel Bearing Out Of Knuckle Using Driver 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

5. Wash the knuckle and hub thoroughly in a high flash point solvent before reassembly.  

6. Press a new wheel bearing (A) into the knuckle (B) using the old bearing (C), a steel plate (D), the 

support base, and a press. Be careful not to damage the bearing seal (E). 

NOTE:



Install the wheel bearing with the magnetic encoder (F) (brown color) 
toward the inside of the knuckle.  



Remove any oil, grease, dust, metal debris, and other foreign material 
from the encoder surface.  



Keep magnetic tools away from the encoder surface.  



Be careful not to damage the encoder surface when you insert the 
wheel bearing. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 SUSPENSION Front Suspension - Element

  

7. Install the snap ring (A) securely in the knuckle (B). 

Fig. 14: Identifying Knuckle Snap Ring With Torque Specification 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

8. Install the splash guard (C), and tighten the screws (D) to the specified torque value.  

9. Press a wheel bearing (A) onto the hub (B) using the driver, the attachment, the support base, and a press. 

Fig. 13: Pressing Wheel Bearing Into Knuckle Using Old Bearing, 
Steel Plate And Support Base 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 SUSPENSION Front Suspension - Element