Honda Element. Manual - part 709

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

11. Reassemble in the reverse order of disassembly. Be careful not to break the mirror holder when 

reinstalling it to the actuator.  

12. Reinstall the mirror assembly to the door.  

13. Operate the power mirror to ensure smooth operation. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Power Mirrors - Element

  

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES

Rear Differential - Element 

SPECIAL TOOLS 

Fig. 1: Identifying Special Tools 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Differential - Element

  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Differential - Element

  

Fig. 2: Identifying Rear Differential Components Location 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

SYSTEM DESCRIPTION 

REAL-TIME 4WD-DUAL PUMP SYSTEM 

Outline 

The Real-time 4WD-Dual Pump System model has a hydraulic clutch and a differential mechanism in the rear 
differential assembly. Under normal conditions, the vehicle is driven by the front wheels. However, depending 
on the driving force of the front wheels and the road conditions, the system instantly transmits appropriate 
driving force to the rear wheels without requiring the driver to switch between 2WD (front wheel drive) and 
4WD (four wheel drive). The switching mechanism between 2WD and 4WD is integrated into the rear 
differential assembly to make the system light and compact. 

In addition, the dual pump system switches off the rear-wheel-drive force when braking in a forward direction. 
This allows the braking system to work properly on models equipped with an vehicle stability assist (VSA). 

Construction 

The rear differential assembly consists of the torque control differential case assembly and the rear differential 
carrier assembly. The torque control differential case assembly consists of the differential clutch assembly, the 
companion flange, and the oil pump body assembly. The rear differential carrier assembly consists of the 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Differential - Element

  

differential mechanism. 

The differential clutch assembly consists of the clutch guide, the clutch hub, the clutch plate, the clutch disc, the 
return spring, and the pilot clutch. 

The oil pump body assembly consists of the front oil pump, the rear oil pump, the hydraulic control mechanism, 
and the clutch piston. The clutch piston has a disc spring that constantly provides the differential clutch 
assembly with a preset torque to prevent abnormal sound. 

The clutch guide in the differential clutch assembly is connected to the propeller shaft via the companion flange, 
and it receives the driving force from the transfer assembly. The clutch guide rotates the clutch plate and the 
front oil pump in the oil pump body assembly. 

The clutch hub in the differential clutch assembly has clutch discs that are splined with the hypoid drive pinion 
gear. The hypoid drive gear drives the rear oil pump. 

The front and rear oil pumps are trochoidal pumps. The rear oil pump capacity is 2.5 percent larger than the 
front oil pump to handle the rotation difference between the front and rear wheels caused by worn front tires 
and tight corner braking. The oil pumps are designed so the fluid intake works as a fluid discharge when the oil 
pumps rotate in reverse. Honda Dual Pump Fluid is used instead of differential fluid. 

Operation 

When there is a difference in rotation speed between the front wheels (clutch guide) and rear wheels (hypoid 
drive pinion gear), hydraulic pressure from the front and rear oil pumps engages the differential clutch, and 
drive force from the transfer assembly is applied to the rear wheels. 

The hydraulic pressure control mechanism in the oil pump body assembly selects 4WD mode when the vehicle 
is started abruptly, or when accelerating in forward or reverse (causing rotation difference between the front and 
rear wheels), or when braking in reverse (when decelerating). It switches to 2WD mode when the vehicle is 
driven at a constant speed in forward or reverse (when there is no rotation difference between the front and rear 
wheels), or when braking in forward (when decelerating). 

To protect the system, the differential clutch assembly is lubricated by hydraulic pressure generated by the oil 
pumps in both 4WD and 2WD modes. Also, the thermal switch relieves the hydraulic pressure on the clutch 
piston and cancels 4WD mode if the temperature of the differential fluid rises above normal. 

REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Differential - Element