Have you looked at the OEM parts diagrams? They aren't always accurate, but sometimes you can see differences there.

I think the most likely problem is that the spring and shock rates are different (they likely don't weight quite the same)

 

Another idea (and this might be expensive due to labor) you could go to a pull a part and get your hands on a complete CR-V strut to see what happens. Shouldn't be more than $35

 

I have literally stared at the 2 parts diagrams and have even ALT + TABbed between the two windows rapidly to see if I could spot any differences, and aside from some bolt placements on the diagram, they look exactly the same (granted exact measurements may be different).

I can tell you that it looks like the copy of the CR-V diagram has a slightly heavier line weight than the Element diagram :razz:

The weight was also something that I was wondering, as a great difference might have resulted in a different valving for each model. Even at their greatest disparity, the weight difference between a CR-V and an Element is about 300 lbs., based on the options. A 2006 CR-V EX/4WD/MT is 3406 lbs., while a 2007 Element EX/4WD/MT is 3579 lbs., a difference of a mere 173 lbs. Weight distribution % is 56/44 vs 54/46, respectively. Even if they are valved differently, I can't see it being THAT different.

My next step will be to do exactly that: Grab a salvage strut assembly from both an Element and a CR-V and compare. I just wanted to ask here in case there was a definitive answer that I had missed.

This is the one case I would have been content with someone telling me I hadn't searched well enough and linked me a thread with the answer :lol:

 

Haha - Feel you. I respect the decision to swap out OEM parts from another model. It's my favorite kind of modding =P

If the Ridgeline shocks technically fit, then I would put a lot of money on the CRV struts/springs being able to bolt up one way or another.

 

Yeah. I just looked at the parts diagrams for both the 05 element and 05 CRV and the rear control arms look identical too. The springs and valving must just be slightly different.

As someone who's recklessly messed with both spring rate and shock effective rating recently, I don't think you'll notice. Especially if the biggest possible weight difference is 300lbs.

 

So the next question: Does anyone in the SoCal area have some dead front/rear struts from their Element that they'd be willing to donate to my little research project? I feel like comparing off the vehicle would be best, and my E is my DD so I can't take it apart as a guinea pig. I'm in the process of sourcing the most beat/dead/defunct/used strut from a 2Gen. CR-V I can find for as cheap as possible.

 

hey novasteve, how far have you gotten with the crv 2nd gen? struts on the element? i think the rears can work.

 

Unfortunately, I haven't pursued this further, simply due to time constraints. I still have high hopes for this. The rears I would say are practically a sure thing. It's a pretty simple cartridge design and the measurements put them pretty darn close, if not identical. The fronts I think are the bigger question, simply because it's a more complex assembly which means more room for discrepancies.

The only progress I DID make, was during my talks with the folks at Aerogenics. Since they do lifts for both the E and the CR-V of all generations, I inquired about the suspension differences.

Also, I have another question for you, since you seem to have experience with both the CR-V and Element suspensions. Would you happen to know if the 2nd gen CR-V struts and shocks are compatible with/match an Element? I'm looking for new struts, and I see that Bilstein offers their 4600 HD series for the 2nd gen CR-V, and would love the option for my Element. Thanks in advance for any help.

This is what they said:

To my knowledge, the front shocks should be very similar, can’t say if the bottom mount is interchangeable but the top mount is identical. The rear shock has different top mounts and like the fronts, I’m unsure if the bottom mount will directly fit. However, maybe the front Bilsteins can fit with little modifications and the rears can possibility fit if you use the Element top hat. This is all speculation because I haven’t actually tried to swap the CR-V / Element shocks. Perhaps a custom mount can be made to make them fit on the Element.

So, definitely not a definitive answer, but they certainly have more experience than I do with the CR-V

 

it was earlier this year that i replaced the Eibach/Koni combination on the front of my 2002 CR-V with an Eibach/Honda combination. so same 30mm drop, but the OEM strut. reason for replacement was 1 Koni strut was slightly bent, due to a bad desert landing. i didn't keep the Koni struts, so can't donate them to your project.

you probably already know this, but here it is, anyway:
Honda CR-V Gen 2 are from 2002 to 2006.
the 2002-2004 are Gen 2.0 and the 2005-2006 are Gen 2.5
Gen 3 starts with 2007 models.

Elements are most closely related to Gen 2 CR-Vs.

 

So I went to the pick and pull this morning and snagged a gen 2 cr-v front shock and an element front shock. Took some photos of them side by side and will say they are almost identical except for the balljoint arm on the cr-v is about 1/2” higher. Check the pics and tell me what you think.

 

I like it. That isn’t a con unless you are slamming the E.

Also, Rocky Mountain outfitters has $110 off-road front shocks for the CRv (many of us have discovered that the 4600 fronts are over $500 a pair)

 

Looks like this topic hasn't been chatted about in a awhile. Has there been definitive luck in fitting up CRV suspension components to the E? I have a 2011 and looking to lift and going the CRV route, especially with the kit offered by Rocky Ridge is exactly what I was looking at. The images look promising, but just want to make sure things will work before pulling the old trigger.

 

I'm going to order bilsteins for crv and install everything on my element I know the rear lift the Element
an 1"

 

Just giving this thread a bump to see if anybody threw the 2nd Gen CRV Struts on an Element. I'm wanting to put the KYB Strut Plus that's available for the CRV on my 2007 Element, but wanted to make sure it would work. KYB has delayed the release of their new Strut Plus for the Element, so I'd love to see if the CRV struts would work.

 

New here, but wanted to share something I found recently. I just lifted my E and I rolled the dice on some Rock Auto front struts from a 2nd gen CRV mainly to try to keep the tie rod angle as close to stock as possible. The struts are nearly identical and the tie rod mount is slightly higher on the CRV strut, but the issue is that the spring cools the opposite direction on the CRV compared to the element.

Maybe I missed something obvious or maybe you can swap coils from the left to the right and they would line up correctly, but I did one side at a time.
They haven’t made any noise or given me any problems in the past 500-700 miles but I’ll keep you posted.
Otherwise they bolted right up to the front.

 

07+ Elements have the spring coil direction different on the left and right front. One is Clockwise and the other is Counterclockwise. Maybe its possible to put 2 Left Front springs on the stock(or Bilstein) CR-V Struts?

How is the angle of the tie-rod being that there is a difference in height?

 

Im still waiting for my friend at bilstein to tell me the front shocks are back in stock. A bunch of folks have had them backordered since July

 

I ran into the same issue... Just went with OEM...

 

Got a quarter million on my front struts. I keep figuring “whats another 10,000?!”
But for how long…

 

previous owner replaced the struts on my E with some cheap $300 quick struts and the thing handles like a water bed.... I need a replacement bad haha

 

Does anyone here know if the 2002-2006 CRV steering knuckle is interchangeable with elements? I have a 2010 pass side knuckle in bad shape and I can’t find any non oem knuckles but I’ve found CRV. They look identical to me.

 

ebay

 

Its been done - Bilsteins for CRV on an Element -