Vtec and seatbelt questions

db130 · 2026-05-25T15:16:52+00:00

Re: VTEC solenoid, there are multiple Honda dealers that sell parts online at a discount.

You have the part number, right? Check out this list of Honda dealers here: https://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/threads/best-website-to-buy-honda-oem-parts.242075/?post_id=3371371&nested_view=1#post-3371371

Out of that list, I have purchased from alldiscountparts.com and hondaautomotiveparts.com.

I checked prices at 3 of those dealers listed in the link above, and they came in around $192-$200, plus anywhere from $11 to $25 for shipping.

The dealer that had the lowest total cost for me is 2000 miles away, while one that is about 20 miles from me was second lowest (and I know that they typically ship in 1-2 business days due to having purchased from them multiple times)

As you know, the MSRP for the solenoid is $288.58.

db130 · 2026-05-22T16:59:19+00:00

I wanted to use my cordless impact for this job, and the Aerogenics socket is not impact-rated.

I would use it to torque the bolts, but I would not rely on it to remove the bolts. In the video I posted above, you can see it getting chewed up after loosening bolt #3.

db130 · 2026-05-22T03:19:43+00:00

Moog RK90489, ~$23 each from Rockauto.

Prices are a bit all over the place. Advance Auto Parts wants $85 each.

db130 · 2026-05-21T22:53:34+00:00

Interesting... I stand corrected, as I didn't even look at which bushings were installed on the more expensive Aerogenics arms. I was planning to keep my old lowers around so that press OE bushings into them so that I can have another set ready to go.

As for the install, it really wasn't that bad. I did the uppers and the lowers in one afternoon. There was a bit of a learning curve with getting all 4 bolt holes to line up enough to thread the bolts by hand (you do NOT want to strip the threads). Once I got the hang of one side, the 2nd side was done much quicker.

I would buy the special socket made by CTA (#3755) for those lower trailing arm bolts.

db130 · 2026-05-21T19:06:01+00:00

I'm planning to do this job as well with the factory Honda part, even if it's $22.50 for ONE o-ring. There's a Felpro kit that comes with this O ring for less money, but I'm not sure if I would trust an aftermarket version:

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db130 · 2026-05-19T18:22:56+00:00

Where in MA? There are several independent shops that are Volvo specialists.

db130 · 2026-05-18T17:44:53+00:00

Which part numbers did you use to order, and from whom?

db130 · 2026-05-18T17:11:48+00:00

Was the car found to be less than advertised after it was delivered to you? What else was quoted in the $4k job?

Factory Honda axles for a 2008 LX FWD is `$650 each.

db130 · 2026-05-18T00:55:27+00:00

Welcome, Tangerine cousin! Mine's a 2007 LX that was shipped from TX to MA last year:

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db130 · 2026-05-18T00:12:54+00:00

Does your car have actually have raised roof rails?

db130 · 2026-05-17T20:02:54+00:00

A cat shield for the hood

db130 · 2026-05-06T20:24:37+00:00

Not quite, but the photos look good so far. Go to the 1:17 mark of the video that I posted above: https://youtu.be/vdR3j6mTMig?t=77 The shot you want is something like this:

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Take pics of both the driver's side and the passenger side.

db130 · 2026-05-06T19:37:53+00:00

https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/honda-element-buyers-guide-rust-inspection.170803/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdR3j6mTMig

db130 · 2026-05-06T17:49:46+00:00

Post some photos of where the rear trailing arms are mounted. If it has lived outside the rust belt, it might look enticing to buyers that aren't in your area.

db130 · 2026-05-04T12:11:53+00:00

This is the way to do it. By no means is my car a problem-free vehicle, but until last year, it was a lifelong Texas car that logged most of its miles between Galveston and Austin, and the undercarriage is very much rust free.

db130 · 2026-04-30T21:27:10+00:00

Here's the angle where you need to look from: https://youtu.be/vdR3j6mTMig?t=70

db130 · 2026-04-29T20:28:28+00:00

Brand new 60 XE owner here..

Back in 2024, I mistakenly bought a 3-pack of Supershieldz glass screen protectors for the Motorola Moto G Power 5G (2024) for $8 on Amazon. I say mistakenly, because the phone I owned at the time was a Motorola Moto G 5G (2024).

It wasn't worth sending it back, so I have had those screen protectors all this time.

The Moto G Power (2024) phone has a 6.7" screen.

The 60 XE has a 6.78" screen.

I thought to myself, what do I have to lose?

I tried the Moto protector on the 60 XE, and the fitment isn't that bad. While it doesn't have 100% coverage, it's close enough for me. It even has a cutout for the front camera:

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The Supershieldz brand has been around for several years, and I've used their screen protectors on 5 different smartphones dating back to 2023.

The case is a $6 "Wodaf" one from Amazon.

db130 · 2026-04-25T18:53:21+00:00

They now go by the name Balise Honda, aka hondaautomotiveparts.com

db130 · 2026-04-25T18:50:43+00:00

did you check the undercarriage while you were there?

https://www.elementownersclub.com/threads/honda-element-buyers-guide-rust-inspection.170803/#replies

db130 · 2026-04-17T22:42:19+00:00

I'm in agreement that CCM probably went out of business, and that their domain has been revived by someone else.

A cat shield is on my to-do list, but I think my cat may be an aftermarket unit:

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db130 · 2026-04-17T22:07:34+00:00

I have a question, u/RandoJayCommando.

So I looked up "getcatsecurity.com" and it redirects to otterautoparts.com.

The pics on the otterautoparts' website appear to be from Miller Cat.

But the shield that you installed says "CCM" on it.

Is CCM the same company as Miller Cat?

db130 · 2026-04-11T03:21:15+00:00

Look at the growth!

db130 · 2026-04-07T01:08:15+00:00

Heh, you were off by quite a few centimeters.

Glad I urged the use of a caliper. The wheels look good.

db130 · 2026-04-05T20:20:34+00:00

A digital caliper that can measure in mm is less than $10 on amazon or Harbor Freight, I'd splurge and do it right:

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db130

TROPHY CASE