Hey, I’m Matt! I’m a technically inclined maker and artist with roots in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering and a passion for turning ideas into tangible wonders! I specialize in bringing ideas into the physical world through various digital manufacturing techniques, like 3D printing, CNCing, and laser cutting. My days are filled with dreaming up whimsical toys & objects that bring joy to both kids and adults alike, and then testing them out on unsuspecting friends and their kids (they love it). I’ve joined the Honda Element community recently and I’m already blown away by the endless creativity and DIY spirit that runs through it. From ingenious modifications to quirky additions, these beloved “toasters” are a testament to the community’s ingenuity. I’m excited to add my own contributions to the mix, marrying my playful & practical designs with the playful essence of these unique vehicles. Hopefully I add to the creative pool of inspiration in the process!
Leather Steering Wheel & Optional Honda Pilot Clockspring – Used
Honda Pilot → Honda Element Swap
Give your Honda Element a well-deserved upgrade with a genuine leather steering wheel.
These wheels come from Honda Pilots, but they are a direct factory-fit swap for 2003–2011 Honda Elements.
For many buyers, this is simply a great way to upgrade from a worn or peeling factory steering wheel to something that feels better in your hands and gives the interior a more premium look.
For others, this listing can also be used as part of a DIY steering-wheel audio-control conversion. That portion of the upgrade is still under development, so please read the installation and compatibility information carefully before ordering.
Two Common Ways to Use This Product
1. Leather Steering Wheel Upgrade
If your Element already has the steering-wheel functions you want, you can simply use the Pilot leather wheel as an OEM-style upgrade.
This is ideal for:
- Replacing a worn, peeling, or damaged original steering wheel
- Upgrading to genuine leather
- Replacing an existing wheel while retaining your current controls
- Elements already equipped with steering-wheel audio controls
The leather Pilot wheel provides improved grip, comfort, and appearance while retaining a factory Honda look.
2. DIY Audio-Control Upgrade
This setup can also be used as part of a DIY audio-control conversion for an Element that did not originally have steering-wheel audio controls.
However, this portion of the upgrade is still very much in the DIY/development stage.
A complete step-by-step installation guide is not yet available.
Buyers attempting the audio-control conversion should be prepared to perform some of their own research, wiring, troubleshooting, and compatibility verification.
If you are not comfortable doing that, I recommend purchasing the wheel simply as a leather steering-wheel upgrade or waiting until the complete audio-control installation guide is available.
Steering Wheel Compatibility
The Honda Pilot steering wheel:
- Directly fits 2003–2011 Honda Elements
- Accepts the compatible Honda Element airbag
- Uses compatible mounting points and internal structure
- Can be equipped with Honda cruise-control and audio-control buttons
- Provides a substantial upgrade over the standard rubber steering wheel
Honda Pilot Clockspring
The optional clockspring offered with this listing is a Honda Pilot clockspring.
The Pilot clockspring bolts directly to the Honda Element steering column and provides the additional electrical connections needed when adding steering-wheel audio controls.
Important Cruise-Control Wiring Note
When installing the Honda Pilot clockspring in a Honda Element, two cruise-control wires must be reversed so that the button functions correspond correctly with the labels on the cruise-control switch.
This wiring change applies specifically to the Honda Pilot clockspring.
The Pilot clockspring also positions the turn-signal and wiper stalks at a slightly different angle than the original Element clockspring. Because of this, the plastic clamshell trim around the steering column may not fit quite as perfectly as it does with the original Element clockspring.
Adding Audio Controls to an Element That Does Not Have Them
Adding steering-wheel audio controls requires more than simply installing the Pilot steering wheel and clockspring.
The complete system requires:
Audio-Control Buttons / Compatible Steering Wheel
↓
Honda Pilot Clockspring
↓
Custom Audio-Control Harness
↓
Steering-Wheel-Control Interface
↓
Compatible Aftermarket Radio
What I Provide
Depending on the options selected with your order, I can provide:
- Honda Pilot leather steering wheel
- Compatible cruise-control buttons
- Compatible audio-control buttons
- Matching steering-wheel finishers
- Honda Pilot clockspring
- Custom audio-control wiring harness
What I Do Not Provide
I do not provide:
- Steering-wheel-control interface/converter
- Aftermarket radio
- Radio-specific wiring
- Radio programming
- Head-unit-specific installation support
The custom harness brings the steering-wheel-control signal through the clockspring and into the vehicle.
From that point forward, the method used to connect those signals to the radio depends on the specific head unit being used.
The buyer is responsible for selecting and configuring the proper steering-wheel-control interface for their radio.
Factory Radio Warning
The original factory radio in early Honda Elements does not support steering-wheel audio controls.
Installing the Pilot wheel, audio-control buttons, Pilot clockspring, and custom harness does not automatically make audio controls work with an incompatible factory radio.
If you are adding audio controls to an Element that did not originally have them, you should expect to need:
- A compatible aftermarket radio with steering-wheel-control capability
- A compatible steering-wheel-control interface
These items are not included with this product.
DIY Installation Warning
The audio-control conversion is still an evolving DIY project.
A complete installation tutorial is not yet available.
Buyers attempting this conversion should be comfortable with:
- Basic automotive wiring
- Connector pinning and repinning
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Researching radio compatibility
- Selecting a steering-wheel-control interface
- Verifying proper operation before driving
I am continuing to document and refine the process. Once I have a complete and repeatable setup, I plan to publish a more comprehensive installation video and provide information about the components used in that installation.
Until then, this should be considered a DIY modification requiring some independent research and troubleshooting.
Installing the Custom Audio-Control Harness
The custom audio-control harness includes the additional wiring needed to carry the audio-control signal through the upgraded clockspring.
The supplied terminals are inserted into the open positions on the white connector that plugs into the back of the clockspring.
Installation requires:
- Removing the locking bridge from the connector.
- Inserting the supplied terminals into the open positions from the back of the connector.
- Matching the orientation of the existing terminals.
- Confirming that each new terminal locks securely into place.
- Reinstalling the connector locking bridge.
From there, the two audio-control signal wires must be connected to a compatible steering-wheel-control interface appropriate for the radio being used.
Colors
Because these wheels come from Honda Pilots across several years and trim levels, there may be slight variations in color.
The buttons and finishers are generally black or silver/gray, but different shades of silver/gray were used.
I will make sure the components included with each wheel match each other before shipment.
If you require a particular trim color or shade, please contact me before ordering.
Trim Pieces / Finishers
The steering wheel includes the appropriate Pilot trim pieces installed around the airbag.
Please note:
- Multiple Pilot steering-wheel designs were used during these years.
- The primary difference is the shape of the plastic finishers.
- Finishers are not interchangeable between every wheel design.
- The wheel you receive will be assembled with compatible matching components.
Optional Refinishing
OEM-style silver/gray refinishing may be available for an additional charge.
Please contact me if you would like to discuss refinishing options.
Condition
These are used OEM Honda parts.
Normal age-appropriate wear should be expected and may include:
- Light leather wear
- Minor scratches
- Small cosmetic imperfections
- Normal signs of use
I do my best to avoid wheels with major tears, structural damage, or excessive deterioration.
Photos are representative of the type of part you will receive and may not show the exact individual steering wheel shipped with your order.
What’s Included
The standard wheel configuration includes:
- Used Honda Pilot leather steering wheel
- Matching finishers
- Cruise-control buttons
- Audio-control buttons
The following are included only if selected with your order:
- Honda Pilot clockspring
- Custom audio-control harness
Shipping Note
Due to the size and weight of the steering wheel, this product is more expensive to ship than many smaller ElementDIY products.
Sorry. Steering wheels are chunky.
Final Notes
The Honda Pilot leather steering wheel is a fantastic OEM-style upgrade for an Element with a worn, peeling, or uncomfortable original steering wheel.
If you simply want a nicer leather steering wheel, the swap is straightforward.
If you are purchasing the additional components to add steering-wheel audio controls, understand that this remains a DIY modification that requires additional components, research, and troubleshooting beyond the parts supplied by ElementDIY.
The ElementDIY portion of the audio-control setup ends with the:
Steering Wheel → Pilot Clockspring → Custom Harness
You are responsible for providing and configuring the:
Steering-Wheel-Control Interface → Compatible Aftermarket Radio
Please read the complete description before ordering.
Used Parts and Safety Disclaimer
For used parts, normal wear and tear is to be expected.
Each part is visually inspected and described to the best of my ability.
It is the responsibility of the buyer to determine compatibility, proper installation, safe operation, and appropriateness of use before driving the vehicle.
All sales are final.