Parts for your 2010 Honda Stream-Centre bearing

2010 Honda Stream centre-bearing: fitted or not?

Based on technical sources – including the Honda Stream (RN6–RN9, 2006–2014) Service Manual sections for Driveline/Axle and Front Driveshafts, the Honda Electronic Parts Catalogue for 2010 models, and regional spec sheets issued for Australia and New Zealand – the 2010 Honda Stream is front‑wheel drive and does not use a tailshaft (propeller shaft). Because there’s no two‑piece tailshaft, a centre‑bearing (carrier bearing) is not fitted to this vehicle.

That centre‑bearing term is common on rear‑wheel drive and all‑wheel drive vehicles where a long, two‑piece tailshaft needs a carrier bearing mounted mid‑car to keep it supported and running true. The Stream’s transverse engine sends drive straight to the front hubs via left and right CV shafts, so there’s no long shaft running down the car that would require a centre‑bearing.

What sometimes causes confusion is the separate support bearing used on the right‑hand intermediate (half) shaft found on many Honda FWD platforms of this era. In Honda documentation it’s described as the intermediate shaft support bearing, not a centre‑bearing. It’s bolted to the engine block to help equalise shaft lengths and reduce torque steer. If someone’s chasing a “centre‑bearing” for a 2010 Stream, odds are they actually need that right‑hand driveshaft intermediate shaft assembly or its pressed‑in support bearing (as specified in the Honda Service Manual’s Intermediate Shaft procedures and the EPC).

Why it’s not used on the Stream:

• FWD layout: no rear differential or tailshaft to support.
• Short front driveshafts don’t require a mid‑body carrier bearing.
• Stability is handled by CV joints and, where fitted, an intermediate shaft with its own support bearing near the engine.

If the car’s showing a mid‑car rumble or vibration, the usual suspects on a 2010 Stream are more likely to be front wheel bearings, worn CV joints, tyre issues (cupping or out‑of‑round), engine/trans mounts, or even an out‑of‑balance wheel. A technician familiar with Honda FWD layouts will check those first, then assess the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing for play or noise. Where the bearing is integrated or pressed, Honda literature typically recommends replacing the shaft assembly rather than attempting an in‑situ bearing swap, and to follow the manual for torque specs and alignment.

For owners booking a service, the clearest way to describe the job is: inspect front wheel bearings, CV joints/boots, engine mounts, and the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing. Asking for a “centre‑bearing” on a Stream can lead to parts mis‑orders, because that part doesn’t exist on this model as a tailshaft carrier bearing.

Popular questions

Does a 2010 Honda Stream have a centre‑bearing?
No. Technical documentation for the RN6–RN9 Stream shows a front‑wheel drive layout with no tailshaft, so there’s no centre‑bearing fitted. Any bearing that might sound similar in name would be the front intermediate shaft support bearing, which is a different part and location altogether.

What causes a droning noise near the middle of a Stream if there’s no centre‑bearing?
Common causes include a worn front wheel bearing, cupped tyres, a tired CV joint, or a perished engine/trans mount transmitting vibration through the body. On FWD Hondas, the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing can also rumble when worn. A road test plus a lift inspection usually pinpoints it quickly.

Is there any “equivalent” to a centre‑bearing on the Stream?
The closest equivalent is the right‑hand intermediate (half) shaft support bearing used to stabilise the longer shaft and reduce torque steer. It’s mounted to the engine block, not mid‑chassis. If it’s noisy or has play, technicians typically follow the Honda Service Manual procedure to replace the bearing or the complete intermediate shaft assembly, depending on parts availability.