03-06 Honda Element Bilstein strut Install Part 2

Part two of the Bilstein strut install by Classic Automotive in North Carolina. The vehicle is a 2003 Honda Element 5 speed RT4WD. It had blown struts and we decided to install Bilstein B6 4600 Monotube struts made for a CRV on all four corners with Swift Springs in the rear and new Honda Genuine EX Element springs up front. New OEM top hats and bearings were installed, as well as new TRW CRV tie rod ends. Notes: This swap will require 1" spacers in the front for the vehicle to sit level. Also an alignment is necessary because this Element had nearly 1.8* of positive camber on each front wheel. Remedied with camber adjustment mount bolts and a good alignment shop.
Feel free to ask any questions. I talk about a lot of Element specific things in this video, so feel free to reach out.
Thanks
And BTW, they ride like a dream. Perfectly matched to an Element with the spring upgrades.

[@pnw_element9822]

This is what exactly what I’m looking for

[@classicautomotivenc]

Glad it’s helped! Feel free to ask any questions you might have.

[@mds2465]

These cars have the ball joints bolted into the control arm as a separate assembly. Yes they are a horrible pain to replace. The same thing happened on my '05 CR-V when I replaced them as well. It's always the driver's side that gives you trouble. Oh and btw since your element is stick as is my '05 CR-V here's something else you need to know about these ball joints if you get an aftermarket unit. Some companies will have 2 different versions of the ball joint. For the manual transmission cars, you want to make sure that you get the ball joints with the longer threads. Apparently they use ball joints with longer threads in the manual transmission CR-Vs and Elements. Same is true for the transmission bolts if you ever have to replace a clutch on your car. Hope this helps!

[@classicautomotivenc]

I’m unsure what you mean by “bolted into the lower control arm as a separate assembly”. The lower ball joint on an Element is pressed into the spindle, and then the stud portion goes through the lower control arm. Some vehicles are equipped with bolt in lower ball joints. The Element is not like that. They do require the use of a ball joint press to remove them and install them.

[@mds2465]

@@classicautomotivenc Yes that's exactly what I meant

[@beeezyfresh]

I’m wondering now since we know this generation CRV shocks work, if the B4 model of same year CRV will be a better, cheaper option for those who don’t really want to spend the money on these B6 and have another option from KYB

[@classicautomotivenc]

Biggest question then is can you find front B4 shocks? Ive found the rears but not the fronts. And yes, they would work, just the valving is a bit different. But yes. They would work and be a good bit cheaper.