Aluminum Roof Rack Cross Bars for 2003-2011 Honda Element - Heavy Duty Cargo Carrier for SUVs | Perfect for Camping, Road Trips & Outdoor Adventures

I went through every aftermarket roof rack for the Honda Element on Amazon and thoroughly read the reviews before choosing this one. Everyone said the same thing basically, they had trouble getting the rubber boots to seat well. Some said they trouble installing, these were super easy if you've got common sense, and even come with clear, easy to understand instructions, and even rubber bits for damping out any vibrations when mounting. If you're having trouble installing these, take them to a professional or stop complaining.Second, they're aftermarket, and literally half the price of new, OEM roof racks from Honda ($250+), so don't expect it to be perfect out of the box. The front boots and mounts needed some modification, nothing too extreme though. The mounts themselves don't seat as deep as they need to for the boots to sit flush, but are just fine as far as the cross bar and sturdiness.The fix for the front mounts is to knock off the three tabs that face the outside of the vehicle, easily done with a hammer and drift or sturdy throw away screwdriver. Literally not needed, throw some touch up paint on it afterwards and it's good to go.Next, the front boots are clearly molded too large, but there excess rubber so simply cut away the excess, keeping it as smooth and contoured as possible. With both of these modifications complete, simply attach the cross bar loosely to allow for alignment while bolting down the mounts, then seat the boots and tighten down the crossbar.The rear mounts, the boots are decently made, and aren't overly large, but again the mounts themselves don't sit as deep as they should, so unless you're ready to remove material with a belt sander or something to get it seated lower, just live with it at this price. It's not that bad, honestly can't see it from a few feet away really, and it's not going to cause any issues with rust or coming loose. Just doesn't sit as flush.If you're looking for a perfect fit, you're looking in the wrong place to begin with, and should be spending the money to meet your expectations. These are great, and I look forward to many adventures with my E.