Parts for your 2013 Honda Stream-Centre bearing

2013 Honda Stream centre-bearing — is it used?

For the 2013 Honda Stream (RN6–RN9 series), a centre-bearing (centre support bearing for a two‑piece propeller shaft) is not fitted or required. The Stream uses a transverse engine with front‑wheel drive, so there’s no long propeller shaft running down the car that would need a centre support. That makes a centre-bearing irrelevant to this model.

What can cause confusion is the right‑hand front driveshaft setup. Many FWD Hondas, including the Stream, use an intermediate (stub) shaft across the back of the engine with a support bearing mounted to the block. Some people casually call that a “carrier” or “centre” bearing, but it’s a different part and job: it supports the right driveshaft to keep shaft lengths even and reduce torque steer, not a tailshaft in the middle of the car.

Why the centre-bearing isn’t used on the 2013 Stream comes down to the platform design. With no rear differential and no propeller shaft, there’s simply nothing to support in the middle of the vehicle. This FWD layout trims weight, saves space, and reduces service complexity compared with rear‑ or all‑wheel drive setups that commonly need a centre support bearing for a two‑piece tailshaft.

If the vehicle has a vibration or droning noise that changes with throttle, attention should go to parts it actually has: front CV joints and boots, the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing, engine and transmission mounts, and wheel bearings. A failed intermediate shaft bearing may present as a growl under load, while a torn CV boot will usually fling grease and lead to clicking on turns.

For peace of mind during servicing, technicians typically check the front driveshaft boots for splits, inspect the RH intermediate shaft support bearing for roughness or play, and confirm mounts are in good nick. If that support bearing is noisy, it’s replaced as an assembly with the bearing pressed on the intermediate shaft, then reinstalled with proper alignment to avoid vibrations.

Technical sources referenced for this conclusion:

• Honda Stream (RN6–RN9) Workshop/Service Manual – Driveline/Axle section: front driveshafts and intermediate shaft, no propeller shaft or centre support bearing listed.
• Honda Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for 2013 Stream: front driveshaft and intermediate shaft components only, no centre support bearing assembly present.
• Industry definition of centre support bearing: used on two‑piece propeller shafts in RWD/AWD layouts, not applicable to transverse FWD platforms.

Popular questions about the 2013 Honda Stream centre-bearing

Does a 2013 Honda Stream have a centre-bearing?

No. The 2013 Stream is a front‑wheel drive people mover with no propeller shaft, so there’s no centre support bearing. Any mid‑car driveline bearing you might be thinking of simply isn’t part of this model’s layout.

What bearing might people be referring to on a 2013 Stream if not a centre-bearing?

They’re usually talking about the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing. It’s mounted to the engine block and supports the RH driveshaft. It’s not a tailshaft bearing, but it can wear and cause a droning or vibration under load if it goes rough.

What should be checked if there’s a vibration on a 2013 Stream?

Start with the front CV joints and boots, the RH intermediate shaft support bearing, wheel balance/tyres, and engine/trans mounts. A methodical check under the car and a road test that compares noise on and off throttle will usually pinpoint the culprit.