[UtahJohn]

2007 Element; what year(s) pilot wheels will work?

 

[ivwshane]

Sort of related to the topic: does anyone know of any replacement leather available for the pilot steering wheels? I contacted wheelskins and unfortunately their wraps are meant to cover over the existing material and they do not cover the spokes like the original leather wrap.

 

[wannahonda]

Sort of related to the topic: does anyone know of any replacement leather available for the pilot steering wheels? I contacted wheelskins and unfortunately their wraps are meant to cover over the existing material and they do not cover the spokes like the original leather wrap.

yes I had a wheelskins leather cover on my last car and I did not like that they did not cover the spokes, and since it did not go over the spokes it left a bump around the spokes which was annoying as thats where I rested my thumbs. Getting a good condition Pilot leather steering wheel is the way to go.

the Pilot wheel is the same as the Element and I originally tried to find a leather cover that covered the spokes, I searched every where online and contacted many companies that made leather covers, none had them for the Element which means none for the Pilot either. It was waaaaaaay easier to buy a used good conditon Pilot wheel. The wheelskins covers are not cheap almost as much as the price of a good used Pilot wheel and not as good of a final product

 

[ivwshane]

yes I had a wheelskins leather cover on my last car and I did not like that they did not cover the spokes, and since it did not go over the spokes it left a bump around the spokes which was annoying as thats where I rested my thumbs. Getting a good condition Pilot leather steering wheel is the way to go.

the Pilot wheel is the same as the Element and I originally tried to find a leather cover that covered the spokes, I searched every where online and contacted many companies that made leather covers, none had them for the Element which means none for the Pilot either. It was waaaaaaay easier to buy a used good conditon Pilot wheel. The wheelskins covers are not cheap almost as much as the price of a good used Pilot wheel and not as good of a final product

Yeah, I got a used pilot wheel from pick n pull, for $20 I can’t complain. I figured getting it re-covered couldn’t be too hard. Oh well, I’ll just keep my eyes open.

 

[wannahonda]

Yeah, I got a used pilot wheel from pick n pull, for $20 I can’t complain. I figured getting it re-covered couldn’t be too hard. Oh well, I’ll just keep my eyes open.

If it's only a little scuffed up, you could redye the leather. If the stitching is all intact that might be the cheapest route to go

 

[ivwshane]

If it's only a little scuffed up, you could redye the leather. If the stitching is all intact that might be the cheapest route to go

It’s scuffed up and has a ring around it that feels like suede. Otherwise it’s in great shape.

 

[wannahonda]

It’s scuffed up and has a ring around it that feels like suede. Otherwise it’s in great shape.

Really its suede? Do you have a picture?

 

[ivwshane]

Really its suede? Do you have a picture?

I'll try and get one tomorrow. I actually like the feeling of the "suede" because it's not as slippery as the "good" leather. However it doesn't look as good.

Sometimes it helps to know what search terms to use.

I did a search for leather steering wheel restoration and came across this site.

Steering Wheel DIY | Leatherique Restoration Preservation LTD

That link actually provide two possible solutions. I could sand the steering wheel and get a uniform texture or I can do the whole restoration and bring it back to like new.

The only concern I have is whether the leather being perforated will have any ill effect.

 

[wannahonda]

2007 Element; what year(s) pilot wheels will work?

There is some info from an older post here about which model years Pilot steering wheel will fit with which years Elements

Oh the HORROR (Pilot steering wheel swap nightmare)

The main difference appears to be the bottom two spokes. The later model years appear to have shorter plastic trim pieces, the silver cruise control section on the right and either the silver radio controls or silver blank panel on the left. This is what to watch out for when getting a steering wheel from a Pilot, see that those pieces are the correct size.

Here is a picture of a leather steering wheel from a Pilot with the shorter silver plastic pieces

and here is one from a Pilot with the longer silver plastic trim pieces

 

[wannahonda]

And if anyone needs a video about how to remove the steering wheel , here is one from ebay on how to change the clock spring. Obviously you wouldnt take that much apart if you want to just swap a leather Pilot wheel on but at least you can see how it all comes apart and goes back together

 

[mowza]

I don't know if there is replacement leather available for the pilot steering wheels? but i would like to know.


Mini Militia App Lock

 

[ivwshane]

There isn’t. The only thing available would be a wrap. You could probably go to an upholster to get it re-wrapped but I have no idea how much that would cost.

 

[randomtone]

20 years later people are still doing this and the Pilot steering wheels are getting harder to find. I'll try to consolidate the helpful youtube videos or whatever that is still live.

 

[wannahonda]

20 years later people are still doing this and the Pilot steering wheels are getting harder to find. I'll try to consolidate the helpful youtube videos or whatever that is still live.

Thank you that would be much appreciated, there are always new people coming into ownership of a second hand Element and that Pilot leather steering wheel swap is a great mod. I love mine.

When I was first investigating this I looked for a leather wrap but no one makes one for the Element. They seem to have them for all sorts of other cars especially sports cars with lots of options like ultrasuede and carbon fibre but nothing for the Element so a Pilot steering wheel swap was the only way to go.

I had a wheelskins cover on my previous Acura but it was terrible, wore out really fast and the fit is nowhere near as good as the OEM leather steering wheels.

 

[joeBoxer]

Can someone tell me what year Pilot wheel will plug and play on a 2006 EX?

 

[Element95Am]

Dont remember the posting number, but Element Art posted:

04-06 Element same as 03-04 Pilot
07 - 11 Element same as 05-08 Pilot

 

[Montanagreenmachine]

Nice writeup. I miss forums.
This is the very first thing I did. I found the nicest Pilot wheel on ebay and swapped it out as soon as I could. (Orig. wheel was so nasty and separated from the steel)
The fun part was when my puller stripped out one of the tapped bosses in the original wheel. I had to drill out and tap for a bigger bolt while still in the car. Finally got the original out!!

 

[wannahonda]

This really is a great mod to do, well worth the effort. Only bad part is those old Honda Pilots are getting pretty old now, so finding a good condition leather steering wheel is much harder to find nowadays.

I have seen many Pilots at the scrap yard. They are at that age (up to twenty years old) that they are no longer on the road and the interiors are really beat up now and the vehicles are being crushed.

If you find a good condition leather wheel grab it while you can. If its in good shape and you use leather conditioner on it regularily, the wheel can last decades. I had leather steering wheels on other cars before that lasted decades with regular leather cleaning and conditioner.

 

[dlb154]

Anyone use an MDX steering wheel for this swap? I have good condition Pilot steering wheel and an excellent MDX steering wheel. I don't see a difference in the splines, diameter, depth, or electrical connectors. I'm not sure if I should use the Pilot or MDX steering wheel...

 

[caraudiotechs]

would be useful is someone knows if the newer steering wheels from CRV or MDX RDX PILOTs can be installed in the 03 04 ...07 elements, even not being able to use the switches it would be nice to have a newer steering wheel, how difficult is to put a 2014 or newer honda on the old elements?? has somebody already tried this??

regards,

G.