Parts for your 2014 Honda Odyssey-Centre bearing

2014 Honda Odyssey centre-bearing — is it a thing?

Short answer: a centre-bearing isn’t fitted to the 2014 Honda Odyssey, and it isn’t required for this model’s driveline layout. Technical documentation backs this up — the 2014 Odyssey is a front-wheel-drive vehicle with a transverse transaxle and two front driveshafts, plus a right-hand intermediate shaft. There’s no rear propeller shaft, so there’s no need for a prop-shaft centre support bearing. This is reflected in the 2014 Honda Odyssey Service Manual (Driveline/Axle sections) and Honda’s genuine parts catalogues, which list front driveshaft and intermediate shaft assemblies only, with no propeller shaft or centre-bearing group. Market specifications for AU/NZ also list the 2014 Odyssey as front-wheel drive.

Why no centre-bearing? Centre-bearings live on multi-piece tailshafts in rear- or all-wheel-drive layouts, supporting the shaft between the transmission and the rear diff. The Odyssey doesn’t use that setup. Instead, it drives the front wheels via short halfshafts, the right-hand side adds an intermediate shaft that’s bolted to the engine block with its own support bracket and bearing. Some folks casually call that support a “carrier” or “centre” bearing, but it’s technically an intermediate shaft bearing, not a prop-shaft centre-bearing.

What should Odyssey owners pay attention to instead? Keep an eye on front CV boots and joints, listen for clicking on full lock (classic CV sign), and pay attention to any rumbling that changes with road speed — that could be a wheel bearing. If there’s a steady whirr that increases with load from the right-hand side, the intermediate shaft support bearing is a candidate, but it’s a different part and procedure to a tailshaft centre-bearing. Service information for the 2014 Odyssey focuses on inspecting CV boots for cracks or leaks, checking driveshaft runout, and replacing assemblies or the intermediate shaft bearing if play or noise is found.

References: 2014 Honda Odyssey Service Manual (Driveline/Axle — Front Driveshafts and Intermediate Shaft), Honda Genuine Parts Catalogue for 2014 Odyssey (no propeller shaft/centre support bearing group), AU/NZ model specifications listing front-wheel drive.

Popular questions

Does a 2014 Honda Odyssey have a centre-bearing?
No. Because the 2014 Odyssey is front-wheel drive with no rear propeller shaft, there’s no centre-bearing used. The driveline is handled by two front halfshafts and a right-hand intermediate shaft.

I can hear a whirring noise at speed — could it be a centre-bearing?
Not on this vehicle. Look instead at front wheel bearings, CV joints, or the right-hand intermediate shaft support bearing. A technician can road-test and pinpoint the noise with a stethoscope and by checking for play.

What driveline bearing might actually need attention on a 2014 Odyssey?
The intermediate shaft support bearing on the right-hand side can wear over time, and front wheel bearings or CV joints are common maintenance items. Any vibration under load or changes with cornering should be inspected promptly.