Parts for your 2005 Honda Odyssey-Centre bearing

2005 Honda Odyssey centre-bearing — is it actually a thing on this model?

Short answer: a traditional centre-bearing (centre support bearing for a two-piece tailshaft) isn’t used on the 2005 Honda Odyssey. That’s because the Odyssey is a front-wheel drive people mover, so there’s no rear differential and no long tailshaft running down the middle of the vehicle that would need a centre support.

This conclusion lines up with factory information. The Honda Odyssey service manuals and parts catalogues for the 2005 model year (North American RL3/RL4 V6 and Asia–Pacific RB1/RB2 four‑cylinder) show a transverse engine with a transaxle, two front driveshafts, and—on many variants—a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a support bracket and bearing. None of these sources list or illustrate a tailshaft centre-bearing because there’s no two‑piece propeller shaft on this platform. Relevant technical references include: Honda Service Manual Driveline/Axle sections for 2005 Odyssey (RL3/RL4 and RB1/RB2), and Honda EPC/parts catalogues under the Driveshaft/Front Axle listings. These documents depict CV shafts and, where fitted, an intermediate (jack) shaft carrier bearing, but no centre support bearing for a tailshaft.

Why it’s not used on a 2005 Odyssey comes down to layout. With drive sent to the front wheels only, there’s no need to run torque to the rear axle, so Honda doesn’t fit a long, two‑piece tailshaft—and without that, there’s nothing for a centre-bearing to support. That’s a perfectly normal setup for a front‑wheel drive family van and reduces weight and complexity.

If someone’s chasing a vibration and thinking “centre-bearing”, it’s worth noting what this Odyssey does have instead:

• Front CV shafts (left and right)
• A right‑hand intermediate shaft with a carrier/support bearing on many trims
• Engine and transmission mounts
• Wheels/tyres and front suspension components

Noise or shudder under load is more likely tied to a worn CV joint, a tired intermediate shaft carrier bearing (where fitted), a dodgy engine mount, or out‑of‑balance wheels/tyres. A mechanic can road‑test, check shaft play and bearing noise, and confirm the culprit without guessing at a non‑existent centre-bearing.

• Does a 2005 Honda Odyssey have a centre-bearing?
  No. It’s a front‑wheel drive design with no two‑piece tailshaft, so there’s no tailshaft centre-bearing. Some variants do have a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a carrier bearing, which is different and mounted to the engine block, not the vehicle body.
• What causes “centre-bearing‑like” vibration on a 2005 Odyssey?
  Common causes include a worn CV joint, a failing intermediate (jack) shaft carrier bearing where fitted, out‑of‑balance or cupped tyres, or perished engine/trans mounts. A quick inspection for shaft play and a spin test can pinpoint it.
• Is there any maintenance for the intermediate shaft bearing?
  It’s a sealed bearing with no scheduled service. Replace it if there’s noticeable play, grinding, or a rumble that changes with load. Use quality parts and torque the bracket fasteners to spec during refit.