Complete Strut Assemblies
A strut with its spring, mount and boot already assembled, so no spring compressor is needed.
2006 Honda Pilot 4WD Suspension Diagram
This interactive diagram shows the front suspension, steering, 4WD driveline and rear suspension of the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD. Hover over or tap any part to see what it does, the signs that it is worn, and the replacement parts we carry that fit your Pilot, down to the side and position.
2006 Honda Pilot 4WD Suspension Diagram (Full Vehicle)
2006 Honda Pilot 4WD Front Suspension and Steering Diagram
2006 Honda Pilot 4WD Rear Suspension Diagram
We carry parts for it Not stocked yet Hover or tap any part.
The first generation Pilot uses MacPherson struts at the front, clamped to the knuckles by a two bolt bracket, with a stamped L shaped lower arm under each corner. The rack sits behind the front axle and the front sway bar runs across the rear of the cradle with long links up to the struts. The rear is a multi-link design: a spring arm behind the axle carries the coil spring, a straight lower link sits ahead of the axle, a short upper arm with a ball joint sits on top, a long trailing arm runs forward from the knuckle to the body, and the shock is separate from the spring. On 4WD models the VTM-4 system sends power back through a driveshaft to a rear differential with its own clutches.
We carry replacement parts for 31 of the 39 components on this diagram, 104 parts in all. See every part for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD.
Packages and kits
Strut and Shock Sets
Front struts and rear shocks for the whole truck in one order.
Front Camber Bolts
Cam bolts replace the strut to knuckle bolts so front camber can be set.
Rear Camber Kits
An adjusting bolt kit for setting rear camber.
Front End Steering Rebuild Kits
Package kits bundle the wearing front end parts in one order.
Front Suspension
1 Front Strut (driver and passenger side)
The strut is the front shock absorber and the upper locating part of the corner in one. A two bolt bracket at its bottom clamps the top of the knuckle, the coil spring sits on it, and its top bolts into the strut tower with three nuts.
Signs of wear: Bouncing after bumps, nose dive under braking, fluid on the tube, or a knock from the top of the strut over rough roads.
Tip: Struts are sold bare or as a complete assembly with the spring and mount fitted. Left and right struts are different parts, and 2006 to 2008 trucks take different struts from 2003 to 2005.
See all Front Shock Absorber parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
2 Front Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
The front coil spring sits on a seat on the strut tube and pushes up against the top mount, with a rubber isolator at the top. It carries the weight of the front of the vehicle.
Signs of wear: A front corner sitting lower than the other, a broken coil end, or a clunk when turning the wheel at a stop.
Tip: Replace springs in pairs, and fit new isolators at the same time. A complete strut assembly comes with the spring fitted.
See all Front Coil Springs parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
3 Front Strut Mount (driver and passenger side)
The strut mount is the rubber and bearing block at the top of the strut. Three studs hold it to the strut tower, and it lets the strut turn with the steering.
Signs of wear: Clunks or creaks from the top of the strut when steering at low speed, or a steering wheel that is slow to return to center.
Tip: The mount is usually replaced with the strut, since the strut has to come out either way.
See all Front Strut Mount parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
4 Front Strut Bellows and Bump Stop (driver and passenger side)
A rubber bellows covers the strut rod to keep grit off its seal, and the bump stop inside it cushions the strut at full compression. The spring hides it in the assembled view; the exploded view shows it.
Signs of wear: A torn boot, a rusty or scored strut rod, or a hard bang over big bumps.
Tip: Fit a new boot and bump stop whenever the strut is replaced.
See all Front Shock Bellows Boot Kit parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
5 Front Lower Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
A stamped L shaped arm. The ball joint at its outer end carries the knuckle, a straight leg runs in to a bushing on a front to back bolt in the cradle, and a rear leg ends in a round housing around an upright bushing that bolts up under the cradle.
Signs of wear: Clunks over bumps, steering that wanders under braking, a cracked or leaking rear bushing, or play in the ball joint.
Tip: Left and right arms are different parts. Complete arms come with new bushings and the ball joint fitted.
See all Front Control Arm parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
6 Front Lower Ball Joint (driver and passenger side)
The lower ball joint sits in the outer end of the lower arm. Its stud points up through the bottom of the knuckle and is held by a castle nut and a cotter pin.
Signs of wear: A clunk over bumps, play when the wheel is rocked top to bottom, or a torn boot.
Tip: The joint is pressed into the arm. Many owners fit a complete arm instead, which also renews the bushings.
See all Front Lower Ball Joint parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
7 Front Lower Control Arm Bushing (driver and passenger side)
Each lower arm has two bushings: a small one in the front eye, on a bolt that runs front to back, and a large upright rear (compliance) bushing held under a bracket that bolts to the cradle.
Signs of wear: Clunks when braking or pulling away, a shimmy under braking, or a rear bushing that is cracked or leaking fluid.
Tip: The rear bushing changed for 2007: 2003 to 2006 and 2007 to 2008 trucks take different rear bushings, so check the year.
See all Front Control Arm Bushings parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
8 Front Steering Knuckle (driver and passenger side)
The knuckle carries the wheel bearing, the hub and the brake caliper. The strut bracket clamps its top, the ball joint stud sits in its bottom, and its rear arm takes the outer tie rod end.
Signs of wear: Knuckles rarely wear out. A bent knuckle after a curb strike shows as a pull or a crooked steering wheel that an alignment will not fix.
Tip: The wheel bearing is pressed into the knuckle, so changing it needs a press.
We don't carry a front steering knuckle for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
9 Front Sway Bar
The 22 mm front sway bar runs across the rear of the front cradle, behind the axle and above the lower arms. Long links join its ends to tabs on the struts, so it twists when one side moves more than the other and keeps the body flatter in turns.
Signs of wear: Body roll that feels worse than it used to, usually from worn links or bushings rather than the bar.
Tip: Bushings fit one bar size. The stock 4WD front bar is 22 mm.
We don't carry a front sway bar for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
10 Front Sway Bar Bushing
Two rubber bushings in steel clamps hold the front bar to the cradle, each clamp held by two bolts.
Signs of wear: Squeaks or knocks from the front over speed bumps, or a bar that moves in its clamps.
Tip: Fit the bushing with its split facing the rear of the vehicle. 4WD and 2WD trucks list different bushing kits.
See all Front Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
11 Front Sway Bar Link (driver and passenger side)
A long link with a ball stud at each end. The top bolts through a tab on the strut tube and the bottom through the end of the sway bar.
Signs of wear: A rattle or knock from the front over small bumps, or a torn boot on a link stud.
Tip: 2006 to 2008 trucks take a different link from 2003 to 2005. Hold the stud with a hex key while turning the nut.
See all Front Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
Steering
12 Steering Rack and Boots
A hydraulic rack and pinion sits on the rear of the front cradle behind the axle, beside the sway bar clamps. Rubber boots seal each end over the inner tie rods.
Signs of wear: A torn boot, a clunk through the steering wheel, or a fluid leak at the rack.
Tip: Replace a torn boot early. Grit inside it wears out the inner tie rod and the rack seals.
See all Steering Rack Bellow parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
13 Inner Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The inner tie rod screws into the end of the rack inside the boot. Its ball joint lets the rod swing as the suspension moves.
Signs of wear: Loose or wandering steering, uneven tire wear, or a clunk when turning.
Tip: Always set the toe after replacing tie rods.
See all Front Inner Tie Rod End parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
14 Outer Tie Rod End (driver and passenger side)
The outer tie rod end threads onto the inner rod, and its stud fits the steering arm at the back of the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Play in the steering, a clunk over bumps when turning, or feathered wear on the tire edges.
Tip: Left and right outer ends are different parts. Count the turns when removing the old end, then align.
See all Front Outer Tie Rod End parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
Driveline
15 Front CV Axle (driver and passenger side)
A CV shaft drives each front wheel from the transaxle. A boot covers the joint at each end.
Signs of wear: Clicking when turning under power, grease thrown inside the wheel, or a split boot.
Tip: 2005 and later trucks take a different front axle and boots from 2003 to 2004. Replace the axle nut whenever the axle comes out.
See all CV Joint Parts - Front parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
16 Transfer Assembly (VTM-4)
On 4WD models a transfer gear at the back of the transaxle turns power back toward the rear through the driveshaft.
Signs of wear: A leak at the back of the transaxle, or a whine that changes with speed.
Tip: It shares the transmission's fluid on this truck; check the level after any leak.
We don't carry a transfer assembly (vtm-4) for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
17 Rear Driveshaft (4WD)
A two piece driveshaft with a center support runs under the floor from the transfer assembly to the rear differential.
Signs of wear: A vibration that rises with speed, or a clunk when pulling away.
Tip: The center support bearing is a common wear point on high mileage trucks.
We don't carry a rear driveshaft (4wd) for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
18 Rear Differential (VTM-4)
The VTM-4 rear differential sits in the middle of the rear subframe. Clutches inside it send power to the rear wheels when the front wheels slip.
Signs of wear: A judder or groan from the rear when turning at low speed, which often means the differential fluid is worn out.
Tip: Use Honda's VTM-4 fluid; ordinary gear oil causes judder.
We don't carry a rear differential (vtm-4) for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
19 Rear Halfshaft (4WD) (driver and passenger side)
A halfshaft runs from each side of the rear differential to the rear hub, between the lateral link and the spring arm.
Signs of wear: Clicking or clunking from the rear under power, or grease from a split boot.
Tip: The rear axle nut is replaced along with the shaft.
See all CV Joint Parts - Rear parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
Rear Suspension
29 Rear Knuckle (driver and passenger side)
The cast rear knuckle carries the hub and caliper and ties every rear link together: the upper arm's ball joint on top, the spring arm at the bottom, the trailing arm on its front face and the lateral link and the shock on studs ahead of the axle.
Signs of wear: Knuckles rarely fail; a bent one shows as rear toe or camber that will not align.
Tip: The parking brake backing plate bolts to it.
We don't carry a rear knuckle for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
30 Rear Lower Control Arm (Spring Arm) (driver and passenger side)
A wide stamped arm behind the axle. Its inner bushing pivots on the subframe, the coil spring sits in a pocket on top, a tab on its rear edge takes the sway bar link, and its outer end bolts through the bottom of the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Clunks from the rear, a sagging corner, or rust through the spring pocket.
Tip: Left and right arms are different parts. Support the arm with a jack before undoing its outer bolt; the spring is under load.
31 Rear Lower Forward Link (driver and passenger side)
A straight link ahead of the axle with a bushing at each end. The inner end bolts into a subframe bracket and the outer end sits on a stud on the knuckle beside the shock's lower mount.
Signs of wear: Rear tires wearing on their edges, a knock from the rear, or a bent link after hitting something.
Tip: The link often has to come off to fit a new shock. Tighten its bolts with the suspension loaded.
32 Rear Upper Control Arm (driver and passenger side)
A short arm on top of the rear corner. A bushing at its inner end mounts it to the subframe and a ball joint at its outer end fits the top of the knuckle.
Signs of wear: Uneven inner tire wear, a clunk from the rear, or a worn ball joint.
Tip: Adjustable upper arms are sold to correct rear camber on lowered or lifted trucks.
33 Rear Trailing Arm (driver and passenger side)
A long stamped arm along the outside of the rear corner. A large bushing at its front end mounts it to a body bracket ahead of the axle, and a flat plate at its rear bolts to the front of the knuckle with two bolts. It holds the wheel against braking and driving loads.
Signs of wear: A clunk from the rear under braking or acceleration, or a torn front bushing.
Tip: Left and right trailing arms are different parts.
34 Rear Coil Spring (driver and passenger side)
The rear coil spring stands on rubber insulators in the spring arm's pocket and pushes up against a seat in the body. The shock is separate.
Signs of wear: A rear corner sitting low, a broken end coil, or a clunk over bumps.
Tip: 4WD and 2WD trucks take different rear springs. Replace them in pairs.
See all Rear Coil Springs parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
35 Rear Bump Stop (driver and passenger side)
A rubber bump stop bolted to the body inside the top of the rear spring stops the spring arm at full compression.
Signs of wear: A hard bang from the rear over big bumps, or a bump stop that has crumbled.
Tip: Check it whenever the rear springs are out.
We don't carry a rear bump stop for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
36 Rear Shock Absorber (driver and passenger side)
The rear shock stands just ahead of the axle, separate from the spring. Its lower eye sits on a stud on the knuckle and its top eye bolts into a bracket in the body in front of the spring seat.
Signs of wear: A bouncy or floaty rear end, oil on the shock body, or a knock over bumps.
Tip: Replace shocks in pairs. The lower forward link may have to come off to get the new shock onto its stud.
See all Rear Shock Absorber parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
37 Rear Sway Bar
The rear bar runs across the subframe behind the axle in two clamps, and its ends reach out over the spring arms to short links.
Signs of wear: More body roll than usual, or a knock from the rear over bumps (usually the links or bushings).
Tip: The stock rear bar is 19 mm.
We don't carry a rear sway bar for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD yet. Ask us about this part and we will try to source it.
38 Rear Sway Bar Bushing
Two rubber bushings in clamps hold the rear bar to the subframe.
Signs of wear: Squeaks or knocks from the rear over speed bumps.
Tip: Bushings fit one bar size only.
See all Rear Sway Bar Bushings parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
39 Rear Sway Bar Link (driver and passenger side)
A short link with a ball stud at its top in the end of the bar and a bushing eye at its bottom bolted to the tab on the spring arm.
Signs of wear: A rattle from the rear over small bumps.
Tip: Left and right links are different parts.
See all Rear Sway Bar Endlinks parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
Brakes and Hubs
20 Front Wheel Bearing and Hub (driver and passenger side)
A sealed bearing pressed into the knuckle carries the hub. The wheel studs are pressed into the hub flange and the CV shaft runs through its splined center.
Signs of wear: A hum or growl that changes with speed and gets louder in turns, or play in the wheel.
Tip: 2005 and later trucks take a different front bearing from 2003 to 2004.
See all Front Wheel Bearing Assembly parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
21 Front Brake Rotor (driver and passenger side)
A 300 mm vented rotor turns with the hub.
Signs of wear: Pulsing in the brake pedal, grooves or a lip on the rotor face, or squealing under braking.
Tip: Replace or machine rotors in pairs.
See all Front Brake Rotor parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
22 Front Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side)
A single piston floating caliper sits behind the axle on a bracket bolted to the knuckle.
Signs of wear: A pull to one side under braking, uneven pad wear, or a sticking or leaking piston.
Tip: Left and right calipers are different parts.
See all Front Brake Caliper parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
23 Front Brake Pads (driver and passenger side)
Two pads in the caliper bracket squeeze the rotor. The exploded view shows them out of the caliper.
Signs of wear: Squealing from the wear tab, grinding, or a longer stop than usual.
Tip: Fit new abutment clips and grease the slide pins when changing pads.
24 Rear Wheel Bearing and Hub (driver and passenger side)
The rear hub turns on a sealed bearing in the rear knuckle. On 4WD trucks the halfshaft runs through its splined center.
Signs of wear: A hum from the rear that changes with speed, or play in the wheel.
Tip: The rear axle nut is replaced whenever the hub comes off.
See all Rear Wheel Bearing Assembly parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
25 Rear Brake Rotor (driver and passenger side)
A 313 mm solid rear rotor. Its hat is also the drum for the parking brake shoes.
Signs of wear: A pulsing pedal, scoring, or a parking brake that will not hold.
Tip: Back off the parking brake adjuster if the rotor will not come off over the shoes.
26 Rear Brake Caliper (driver and passenger side)
A single piston caliper sits behind the rear axle on a bracket bolted to the knuckle.
Signs of wear: A dragging rear brake or uneven rear pad wear.
Tip: Left and right calipers are different parts.
See all Rear Brake Caliper parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
27 Rear Brake Pads (driver and passenger side)
Two pads in the rear caliper bracket squeeze the rear rotor.
Signs of wear: Squealing, grinding, or a pedal that feels longer than usual.
Tip: Push the piston straight back; this caliper does not screw in.
28 Parking Brake Shoes (driver and passenger side)
Two small shoes inside the hat of the rear rotor work as a drum parking brake. They are hidden by the rotor; the exploded view shows them with the rotor pulled off.
Signs of wear: A parking brake lever that pulls up too far, or a truck that rolls with the parking brake set.
Tip: Adjust the shoes through the hole in the rotor hat after fitting.
See all Parking Brake Shoes parts for the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD
Questions about the 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD suspension
What are the most common suspension wear items on a 2006 Honda Pilot?
Front lower control arm rear (compliance) bushings, front sway bar links, tie rod ends and rear shocks are the parts most often replaced. The rear bushing in the front lower arm can crack or leak, which shows up as a shimmy under braking.
Does the 2006 Honda Pilot have upper control arms at the front?
No. The front uses struts, so the strut locates the top of the knuckle. There is one lower control arm per side. The rear does have a short upper arm on each side.
Can I replace just the front lower ball joint?
Yes. The ball joint is sold on its own and presses into the arm, but many owners fit a complete arm instead, which comes with new bushings and the joint.
Are 4WD and 2WD Pilots different underneath?
The arms, links and knuckles are shared. The 4WD Pilot adds the driveshaft, the VTM-4 rear differential and rear halfshafts, and takes its own front struts, front sway bar bushings and rear springs.
Did anything change between 2006 and 2008?
The arms, links, struts and brakes carried over. The front lower arm rear bushing changed for 2007, so 2006 and 2007 to 2008 trucks take different rear bushings. Earlier 2003 to 2005 trucks used different struts, front links and, before 2005, a different front wheel bearing.
Printable 2006 Honda Pilot 4WD suspension diagrams
Numbered diagrams to print or save for the shop. The numbers match the numbered parts on the interactive diagram.
