Honda Element. Manual - part 748

Fig. 23: Identifying Planetary Gears And Internal Ring Gear 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

Overrunning Clutch Inspection  

14. While holding the drive gear (A), turn the gear shaft (B) counterclockwise. Check that the drive gear 

comes out to the other end. If the drive gear does not move smoothly, replace the gear cover assembly. 

Fig. 24: Identifying Gear Shaft 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

15. While holding the drive gear, turn the gear shaft clockwise. The gear shaft should rotate freely. If the gear 

shaft does not rotate smoothly, replace the gear cover assembly.  

16. If the starter drive gear is worn or damaged, replace the overrunning clutch assembly, the gear is not 

available separately. 

Check the condition of the torque converter ring gear to see if the starter drive gear teeth are damaged. 

Starter Reassembly  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Starting System - Element

  

17. Install the brush into the brush holder, and set the armature (A) in the brush holder (B). 

Fig. 25: Identifying Brush To Brush Holder 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

18. While squeezing a spring (C), insert it in the hole on the brush holder, and push it until it bottoms. Repeat 

this for the other three springs (D, E, and F).  

19. Install the armature and brush holder assembly into the housing. 

NOTE:

To seat the new brushes, slip a strip of #500 or #600 sandpaper, with the 
grit side up, between the commutator and each brush, and smoothly rotate 
the armature. The contact surface of the brushes will be sanded to the 
same contour as the commutator.

NOTE:

Make sure the armature stays in the holder.

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-08 ENGINE Starting System - Element

  

2007-2008 STEERING

Steering - Element 

SPECIAL TOOLS 

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

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 STEERING Steering - Element

  

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 STEERING Steering - Element

  

COMPONENT LOCATION INDEX

Fig. 2: Identifying Power Steering Component Location 
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC. 

SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING INDEX 

Find the symptom in the chart below, and do the related procedures in the order listed until you find the cause. 

SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING INDEX 

Symptom

Procedure(s)

Also check for

Hard steering

Troubleshoot the system (see HARD STEERING ).



Modified 
suspension  



Damaged 
suspension  



Tire sizes, tire 
varieties, and 
air pressure  

Assist (excessively 
light steering at high  Check the rack guide adjustment (see RACK GUIDE 

Front wheel 
alignment (see 

 

2007 Honda Element EX 

2007-2008 STEERING Steering - Element