Honda Element. Manual - part 710

Fig. 3: Identifying Rear Differential Sectional View 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

HYDRAULIC CONTROL SYSTEM  

Fig. 4: Hydraulic Control System Diagram 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Forward Start and Acceleration (4WD) 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Differential - Element

  

During a forward start and forward acceleration, the dual pump system can engage four wheel drive.

If the front wheels spin faster than the rear wheels, the front oil pump spins faster than the rear oil pump. The 
front pump draws fluid through check valve B and discharges it. Some of the discharged fluid is drawn in by the 
rear oil pump. The remaining fluid will pass through check valve E into the clutch piston. There, hydraulic 
pressure is regulated by two orifices. 

The regulated hydraulic pressure at the clutch piston pushes the plates and discs of the clutch together to form a 
connection. The engaged clutch then passes driving force from the transfer assembly to the rear wheels, 
producing 4WD. 

Fig. 5: Fluid Flow Diagram - Forward Start And Acceleration (4WD) 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Forward Driving at Constant Speed (2WD) 

When driving forward at a constant speed (cruising), the dual pump system functions in two wheel drive mode. 
The rotation speed of the front and rear wheels is the same, so the speed of the front and rear pumps is also the 
same. Fluid discharged by the front oil pump is drawn in by the rear oil pump and is circulated through the 
system. Because there is no pressure built up at the clutch piston, the clutch does not engage, and the vehicle 
remains in 2WD (front wheel drive). 

Fig. 6: Fluid Flow Diagram - Forward Driving At Constant Speed (2WD)

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Differential - Element

  

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Forward Deceleration (2WD) 

During forward deceleration, the dual pump system functions in two wheel drive mode. 

Because of braking characteristics, the speed of the rear wheels may exceed the speed of the front wheels during 
deceleration. If so, the rear oil pump spins faster than the front oil pump. 

Fluid discharged by the rear oil pump is simply drawn in again by the rear pump and recirculated. Because there 
is no pressure built up at the clutch piston, the clutch piston does not engage, and the vehicle remains in 2WD 
(front wheel drive). 

Fig. 7: Fluid Flow Diagram - Forward Deceleration (2WD) 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Reverse Start and Acceleration (4WD) 

During reverse start and reverse acceleration, the dual pump system can engage four wheel drive. 

If the front wheels spin faster than the rear wheels, the front oil pump spins faster than the rear oil pump. The 
front oil pump draws in fluid through check valve A and discharges it. (Note that in reverse, the direction of the 
pumps is the opposite of that during forward driving.) 

Some of the fluid that is discharged by the front oil pump is drawn in by the rear oil pump. The remaining fluid 
passes through check valve F into the cylinder of the clutch piston, where it is regulated by two orifices. 

The regulated hydraulic pressure at the clutch piston may force the plates and discs of the clutch together to 
form a connection. The engaged clutch passes driving force from the transfer assembly to the rear wheels, 
producing 4WD. 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Differential - Element

  

Fig. 8: Fluid Flow Diagram - Reverse Start And Acceleration (4WD) 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Reverse Driving at Constant Speed (2WD) 

When driving in reverse at a constant speed, the dual pump system functions in two wheel drive mode. 

The rotation speed of the front and rear wheels is the same, so the speed of the front and rear pumps is also the 
same. Fluid discharged by the front oil pump is drawn in by the rear oil pump and is circulated through the 
system. But, because there is a difference in the capacity between the two pumps, fluid flows through check 
valve E, and then through orifices. This fluid lubricates and cools the clutch assembly and bearings. 

In this condition, only a low pressure is built up at the clutch piston. Therefore the clutch does not engage, and 
the vehicle remains in 2WD (front wheel drive). 

Fig. 9: Fluid Flow Diagram - Reverse Driving At Constant Speed (2WD) 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Reverse Deceleration (4WD) 

During reverse deceleration, the dual pump system can engage four wheel drive. 

When decelerating in reverse direction, the speed of the rear wheels may exceed the speed of the front wheels 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 DRIVELINE/AXLES Rear Differential - Element