Parts for your 2013 Honda Odyssey-Wheel hubs

2013 Honda Odyssey wheel hubs — what they do and when to replace them

Wheel hubs are absolutely used on the 2013 Honda Odyssey. Technical references including the Honda Odyssey 2011–2013 Service Manual (Helm Inc., sections covering Front Hub/Knuckle and Rear Hub Bearing Unit), Honda’s electronic parts catalogue for the 2013 model year, and major bearing catalogues from Timken/NTN/SKF all list a front hub with a pressed-in bearing and a bolt-on rear hub and bearing assembly for this vehicle. So, yes — wheel hubs are relevant and very much part of the Odyssey’s running gear.

On this model, the front hubs sit inside the steering knuckles with a sealed, double-row bearing pressed in, carrying the drive from the CV shafts to the wheels. The rear is a non-driven trailing-arm setup that uses a bolt-on hub and bearing unit. Each hub holds the wheel studs, supports the vehicle’s weight through the bearing, and keeps everything rotating smoothly. The hub assembly also works with the ABS wheel speed sensor, so a worn hub can upset ABS readings.

There’s not a lot of day-to-day maintenance needed — these bearings are sealed for life — but regular servicing is a good time to check for play, roughness, or noise. A quick spin test with the wheel off the ground, a feel for any looseness at 12 and 6 o’clock, and an eye on tyre wear patterns go a long way. Keep the mating faces clean when refitting wheels and always tighten wheel nuts to the manufacturer’s torque. Avoid hammering kerbs, deep potholes, and pressure washing directly at the ABS sensor area.

If replacement’s on the cards, quality parts matter. The front side typically needs a press to swap the bearing, and disturbing the knuckle can affect alignment — it’s smart to schedule an alignment afterwards. The rear hub unit is a straightforward bolt-on job, but corrosion can make the mounting bolts stubborn. New axle nuts, cotter pins, and hub bolts are worth adding to the parts list where applicable. Most owners see hubs last well past 120,000–200,000 km, but constant heavy loads, rough roads, or oversized wheels can bring that forward.

• Common signs of a failing hub: humming or growling that rises with speed, ABS light, steering vibration, uneven tyre wear, heat at the hub, or noticeable wheel play.
• Replace the faulty side first