Honda Element. Manual — part 603

1. Fold the rear seat forward.

2. Remove the rear seat belt lower anchor bolt (see step 2 on REAR SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT ).

3. Remove the rear seat belt upper anchor bolt (see step 6 on REAR SEAT BELT REPLACEMENT ).

4. Remove these items:



Door sill trim (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - DOOR AREAS )



Rear seat



Door inner seal, as needed (see step 3 on Front Door Sill Area )



Hatch weatherstrip, as needed (see HATCH WEATHERSTRIP REPLACEMENT )



Cargo area floor (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - CARGO AREA )



Rear side trim panel (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - REAR SIDE AREA )

5. Remove the C-pillar trim (A).

1. Detach the clips (B, C) by pulling the trim back.

2. Lower the trim to release the upper hooks (D) from the C-Pillar (E)

Fig. 18: Identifying C-Pillar Trim Clips
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

NOTE:



Put on gloves to protect your hands.



Take care not to bend or scratch the trim and panels.



Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when
prying components.

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Interior Trim - Element

6. Detach the clips by pulling the trim back, then remove the upper quarter window trim (A).

Fig. 19: Identifying Upper Quarter Window Trim Clips
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

7. Install the trim in the reverse order of removal, and note these items:



Check if the clips (A) are damaged or stress-whitened, and if necessary, replace them with new
ones.



If the side curtain airbag has deployed, replace the C-pillar trim and all clips on the trim with new
ones (see SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG REPLACEMENT ).



To prevent the side curtain airbags from deploying improperly and possibly causing injury, inspect
the trim and replace it if it has any of these types of damage:



Any cracks or deformations in the upper quarter window trim (B), the C-pillar trim (C) and
the upper hooks (D), and any stress-whitened areas in the upper part of the trim



Any cracks or stress-whitened areas in the clips seating surfaces (E)



Replace any damaged parts with new ones.



Make sure the hooks on the C-pillar trim are installed in the side curtain airbag bracket properly.



Make sure the trim hook is installed into the side curtain airbag the quarter pillar bracket securely.



Push the clips and hooks into place securely.



Before installing the anchor bolts, make sure there are no twists or kinks in the seat belt.

Upper quarter window trim

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Interior Trim - Element

Fig. 20: Identifying Upper Quarter Window Trim
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

C-pillar trim

Fig. 21: Identifying C-Pillar Trim
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Special Tools Required

KTC trim tool set SOJATP2014 *

* Available through the American Honda Tool and Equipment Program; call 888-424-6857

D-PILLAR TRIM/REAR ROOF TRIM

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Interior Trim - Element

1. Remove these items:



Door sill trim (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - DOOR AREAS )



Rear seat



Door inner seal, as needed (see step 3 on Front Door Sill Area )



Hatch weatherstrip, as needed (see HATCH WEATHERSTRIP REPLACEMENT )



Cargo area floor (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - CARGO AREA )



Rear side trim panel (see TRIM REMOVAL/INSTALLATION - REAR SIDE AREA )

2. Remove the rear roof trim (A).

1. Detach the clips and release the hooks (B).

2. Disconnect the ceiling light connector (C).

Fig. 22: Identifying Ceiling Light Connector
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

3. Remove the D-pillar trim panel (A).

1. Pry off the lid (B), then remove the screw (C).

2. Detach the clips (D).

NOTE:



Put on gloves to protect your hands.



Take care not to bend or scratch the trim and panels.



Use the appropriate tool from the KTC trim tool set to avoid damage when
prying components.

2007 Honda Element EX

2007-08 ACCESSORIES AND EQUIPMENT Interior Trim - Element