Parts for your 2009 Honda Elysion-Centre bearing

2009 Honda Elysion centre-bearing: do you have one, and what to do about it?

Based on Honda’s technical literature and parts cataloguing, a centre-bearing is not used on front‑wheel‑drive 2009 Honda Elysion models (RR1/RR2/RR3) because they don’t have a propeller shaft. The Honda Elysion Service Manual (Driveline/Axle) for the RR series shows no prop shaft or centre support on FWD, while the Honda EPC (Elysion RR1–RR7, Propeller Shaft – 4WD section) lists a two‑piece propeller shaft with a “centre bearing assembly” and bracket on 4WD variants (e.g., RR4/RR7). Honda’s Real Time 4WD layout uses a front transaxle with a prop shaft to a rear diff, where the shaft is two‑piece, a centre support bearing is specified.

For 2009 Elysion owners with 4WD, the centre-bearing is a quiet achiever that keeps the two‑piece prop shaft steady at highway speeds. It cradles the shaft mid‑span, controlling whip and vibration, and helping the rear diff get smooth, consistent torque without shudders. When the rubber insulator in the bearing hardens or cracks, or the bearing itself wears, the van often starts to hum, drone, or buzz through the floor, especially under load or on overrun. Some drivers describe a low‑speed shudder off the lights or a dull clunk when shifting from reverse to drive.

As part of routine servicing, it’s smart to give the centre-bearing a look whenever the vehicle’s on a hoist. A quick check includes:

• Inspect the rubber support for splits, sagging, or separation from the bracket
• Spin and wiggle the shaft near the bearing to feel for roughness or excess play
• Check nearby universals/CV joints, flange bolts, and any balance weights

If replacement’s on the cards, a quality OEM or reputable aftermarket centre-bearing and insulator is the way to go. Because the prop shaft needs to come out, it’s a workshop job for most people. A good technician will mark shaft phasing before removal, support the exhaust where needed, and torque fasteners correctly on refit. Keeping the shaft in phase and aligned avoids fresh vibrations. It’s also a neat time to eyeball the rear diff input seal, transfer output seal, and mounts for any weeps or cracks.

There’s no fixed change interval — plenty last well past 150,000 km — but if vibrations creep in or the rubber looks tired, don’t put it off. Catching a sloppy centre-bearing early protects the universals/CV joints and saves chasing NVH gremlins later. After any driveline work, a quick road test on light throttle, coast, and mild acceleration will confirm it’s all silky again.

Popular questions

Do all 2009 Honda Elysions have a centre-bearing?
No. FWD models don’t have one because there’s no prop shaft. 4WD variants use a two‑piece prop shaft with a centre-bearing. Check your build plate or VIN details, or look for a rear diff to confirm 4WD.

What are the signs the centre-bearing is failing?
Common clues are a droning or humming that changes with speed, a vibration under load, or a thump when shifting between drive and reverse. Under the vehicle, you might see cracked or sagging rubber around the bearing.

Should the centre-bearing be serviced regularly?
There’s no scheduled replacement, but it should be inspected at regular services or every 10,000–15,000 km. Replace if there’s play, roughness, or deteriorated rubber, and always check prop shaft phasing during reassembly.