Parts for your 2017 Honda Odyssey-Centre bearing

2017 Honda Odyssey centre-bearing — is it actually a thing?

Short answer: a centre-bearing isn’t fitted to the 2017 Honda Odyssey. That model runs a front‑wheel‑drive transaxle with two front CV driveshafts and no rear differential or long propeller (tail) shaft. A centre-bearing is a support bearing used on a two‑piece tailshaft in rear‑ or all‑wheel‑drive vehicles, because the Odyssey doesn’t have a tailshaft, there’s nothing for a centre-bearing to support.

Technical references back this up. The Honda service literature for the 2014–2017 Odyssey details front driveshafts (including a right‑hand intermediate shaft) and contains no propeller‑shaft or centre support bearing section. Honda’s parts catalogues for 2017 Odyssey drivelines list front axles and an intermediate shaft support bearing only, and no tailshaft assembly. Model specs published for the 2017 Odyssey also state front‑wheel drive only, with no AWD variant offered in this generation.

What sometimes causes confusion is the right‑hand intermediate shaft on the Odyssey. That shaft uses a bracket‑mounted support (carrier) bearing to stabilise the longer right axle and reduce torque steer. While it’s a “support bearing”, it’s not a tailshaft centre-bearing. If someone’s trying to sell a “centre-bearing” for a 2017 Odyssey, it’s usually a mislabelled intermediate shaft support bearing.

Chasing driveline shudders or vibrations on this model? Look to items that commonly wear on FWD setups: inner CV joints, the intermediate shaft support bearing, engine and transmission mounts, or simple wheel/tyre balance and tyre condition. A proper inspection will pinpoint whether the intermediate support bearing is noisy or loose, or if the issue sits elsewhere in the front end.

Why the Odyssey doesn’t need a centre-bearing comes down to packaging and efficiency. With everything happening up front—engine, gearbox and differential in a transaxle—Honda avoids the weight, complexity and maintenance that come with a long tailshaft and its centre support bearing. That keeps servicing simpler and costs down for families clocking up the kays.

• Technical sources referenced:
  • Honda Odyssey (2014–2017) Service Manual: Driveline/Axle—front driveshafts and right‑hand intermediate shaft, no propeller shaft section.
  • Honda genuine parts catalogues for 2017 Odyssey: front axles and intermediate shaft support bearing listed, no centre support bearing or tailshaft assembly.
  • 2017 Honda Odyssey model specifications: front‑wheel drive configuration only.

FAQs

Does a 2017 Honda Odyssey have a centre-bearing?
No. The 2017 Odyssey is front‑wheel drive and doesn’t use a two‑piece tailshaft, so there’s no centre-bearing in the driveline.

What bearing might people mean when they say “centre-bearing” on this model?
They’re usually talking about the right‑hand intermediate shaft support (carrier) bearing. It supports the longer right driveshaft to cut torque steer. Different job, different location.

How do they fix a vibration at highway speeds if there’s no centre-bearing?
Start with wheel and tyre balance, tyre condition and alignment. Then check front CV joints, the intermediate shaft support bearing for play/noise, and engine/trans mounts. A tech can road‑test and isolate the source quickly.