Depends. What does he know about Hondas and aftermarket parts ?

 

Mechanic doesn’t want the job, especially if you are going cheap on parts.

 

No, he has already replaced my front axles, and replaced the suspension on front and rear, and replaced my clutch...so I don't think that's the issue. (happy with that work btw even though it was like 3k bucks) all done with OEM parts, but to be honest, its harder and harder to find OEM Element stuff.

 

I know I posted about this before. My parts supplier also installs some of the parts he sells and does a lot of Honda stuff. He knows I keep my cars a long time and would not sell me his aftermarket mounts. As his other customers have bought them and they break in a few months. He told me to get the OEM ones which I did and am glad I did even though they are way overpriced these days just for mounts

Aftermarket mounts used to be good and cheap not that many years ago. I had put cheap AM mounts on my old Acura and they worked great and lasted but I know if he tells me not to buy the AM mounts he is selling, he is not kidding, it is going to be bad and not worth the savings

I didnt change them all at once as they were expensive I did the torque mount first, the one closest to the firewall as it is the one taking the most beating with the engine rocking back and forth and I think one other one at the same time

 

Thanks this was the information I was looking for. I'm an old guy and used to work on my own cars back in the day. It seems that most everything is made in China these days. I have been told that the quality of the parts are fine when supplied to the OEM. Since China is the only country capable of precision tooling, but sadly they take that tooling and make knockoffs with cheaper materials. This is more proof we need to make things in countries where intellectual property is respected, like here and Japan. I guess I will suffer with the 3 cracked mounts until I can afford the OEM mounts and do all three at once.

 

here are the mounts and what they look like.

 

Dude, just save up for OEM and replace them. Finding OEM parts is not hard, consider Rock Auto if you can’t afford it. They should have some quality alternative. If your mechanic cannot appreciate that then find another mechanic.

 

The Honda OEM parts will cost ~$400. I suggest you buy the following DEA/Marmot Ride Control parts from Rockauto: A4528 (transmission $29.79), A4573 (front right - $20.79), A4549 (front center - $34.79) & A4504 (rear - $19.19). DEA/Marmot is an OEM supplier for several auto brands (not Honda) that makes good quality mounts. I personally installed these on my 2003 manual transmission AWD Element EX in 2022 and they are fine today. Shipping will add ~$15 to the total, but you can use code 303030084244621985 upon checkout to get 5% discount on the parts total. Code expires on 6-27-25.

 

Aw man, I wish I knew about this brand back when I bought four OEM Honda mounts and paid through the nose!

Glad you posted this. I know others have had this same dilemma since Honda has really been robbing their customers on part prices since covid inflation happened.

 

Found this thread as I was just researching engine mounts (except for an 2003 EX auto). Noted the post from Nukeman7 above. Following up with a question, if anyone knows who the OE supplier might be, for the engine mounts.

The set of 4 are now around 700(!).

Engine Mounts - 2003 Honda Element 5 Door EX (4WD) KA 4AT

Shop in the parts listing - 2003 Honda Element 5 Door EX (4WD) KA 4AT Engine Mounts. Discounted prices and Hassle-Free Return on genuine Honda parts.

www.hondapartsnow.com

 

FWIW I just just replaced my motor mounts on my 2010 LX AWD (AT). I found an OEM Honda rear mount for $80 on Amazon, a Borg Warner front mount also on AMZ $24 & then ordered the Marmon Ride Control Trans mount & passenger side (right) motor mount from Rock Auto. After replacing all 4 mounts I found I had a very buzzy vibration & suspected it was the Right-side Marmon mount, (the one that has the liquid in it). Pulled it & replaced w/ the 235K mi. original OE Honda (takes about 10 mins), and the vibration is gone. So from my single experience with Marmon A4510 right side mount does not dampen like the OE w/ 235K miles on it.

The Marmon A65006 trans mount works fine BTW, bought the version w/ the bracket for $21.79 on Rock Auto.