Parts for your 2012 Honda Elysion-Centre bearing

2012 Honda Elysion centre-bearing — what’s fitted and what to service

Based on Honda’s technical literature and parts catalogues, the 2012 Honda Elysion only uses a centre support bearing on models equipped with the 4WD driveline. Front‑wheel drive Elysion variants have no propeller shaft, so there’s no centre-bearing in that layout. This is supported by the Honda Elysion (RR1–RR6) Service Manual Driveline/Axle sections, Honda’s Electronic Parts Catalogue illustrations for the propeller shaft assembly, and Honda’s RealTime 4WD technical descriptions that show a two‑piece prop shaft with a centre support for AWD/4WD trims. For FWD models, the only similar item is the right‑hand intermediate shaft carrier bearing on the front driveshaft, which is a different component and purpose.

For owners of 4WD Elysion models, the centre-bearing is a quiet achiever that keeps the two‑piece propeller shaft stable between the transmission and the rear differential. Its rubber isolator and bearing support the shaft, dampen vibration, and help maintain alignment under load. When it’s tired, drivers may notice a low rumble that rises with road speed, a droning or humming under the floor, or a thump on take‑off as the shaft moves more than it should. Left alone, excess movement can stress the prop shaft joints and rear diff mounts, so it’s worth keeping an eye (and ear) on it.

Good servicing habits help the centre-bearing last. During regular services, a quick underbody check for torn rubber, sagging, cracked bracketry or shiny rub marks is smart. If there’s vibration, a mechanic should inspect the bearing for play and roughness, and confirm the prop shaft is still aligned and balanced. On replacement, it pays to mark the shaft flanges so everything goes back in the same orientation, drop the heat shields carefully, and torque the support bracket and flange bolts to the workshop spec. Mixing up orientation or leaving the bracket loose can introduce new vibrations, even with a brand‑new bearing.

These bearings don’t have a hard change interval, they’re replaced on condition. City driving with the odd family trip will often see long life, while vehicles towing, carrying heavy loads, or driving poor surfaces may wear the rubber isolator sooner. If a rumble persists after tyre and wheel checks, or there’s a shudder on launch that isn’t engine mount related, the centre-bearing deserves a closer look. As always, verify torque specs and procedures in the Honda Elysion Service Manual and use quality parts so the 4WD system stays smooth and hassle‑free.

If the Elysion is a front‑wheel drive variant, a centre-bearing simply isn’t used because there’s no rear propeller shaft. That transverse drivetrain sends power straight to the front wheels, so the “centre support” role doesn’t exist on those models.

• Relevant technical sources: Honda Elysion (RR1–RR6) Service Manual Driveline/Axle, Honda Electronic Parts Catalogue propeller shaft diagrams, Honda RealTime 4WD technical descriptions and new‑model features.

Popular questions about 2012 Honda Elysion centre-bearing

Does my 2012 Honda Elysion have a centre-bearing?
It depends on the driveline. If it’s a 4WD Elysion, yes — there’s a centre support bearing on the two‑piece prop shaft. If it’s front‑wheel drive, there isn’t one fitted because there’s no rear prop shaft. A quick look underneath will confirm: a prop shaft running to a rear diff means 4WD and a centre-bearing.

What are the signs a centre-bearing is failing?
Typical symptoms include a speed‑related hum or drone from the middle of the car, a thump or clunk on take‑off, and a vibration that doesn’t change with engine revs but does with road speed. Visual clues are cracked or sagging rubber around the bearing or shiny contact points on the bracket.

Can the centre-bearing be serviced, or does it need replacing?
The bearing itself isn’t serviceable, if it’s noisy or the rubber support is torn, replacement is the fix. It’s a straightforward job for a workshop: mark the prop shaft orientation, drop heat shields, remove the support, swap the bearing/support assembly, then refit and torque to spec. Checking prop shaft balance and rear diff mounts at the same time is smart practice.