Parts for your 2018 Honda Odyssey-Centre bearing

2018 Honda Odyssey centre-bearing — is it a thing?

Short answer: a centre-bearing isn’t used on the 2018 Honda Odyssey. Technical documentation backs this up. The Honda Service Information for the 2018 Odyssey (RL6 in North America, RC-series in AU/NZ) describes a front‑wheel‑drive transaxle with two front driveshafts and a right‑hand intermediate shaft supported by a carrier bearing. There’s no propeller shaft running to the rear, so there’s no driveshaft centre support bearing to service. Honda’s Electronic Parts Catalogue for the same models lists front driveshaft and intermediate shaft components only, with no centre support bearing assembly. Model specs and brochures for AU/NZ also show the Odyssey was sold exclusively as front‑wheel drive in this generation.

Why that matters: a centre-bearing (centre support bearing) lives in the middle of a long, two‑piece propeller shaft on rear‑wheel drive or all‑wheel drive vehicles, keeping the shaft supported and vibration‑free. The 2018 Odyssey’s layout doesn’t use a prop shaft at all, so there’s nothing for a centre-bearing to support.

• Why a centre-bearing isn’t used on this Odyssey:
  • It’s front‑wheel drive only in AU/NZ for 2018, so no rear differential or prop shaft.
  • The driveline uses an intermediate shaft with its own carrier bearing on the right side, not a prop shaft centre-bearing.
  • Packaging and efficiency: FWD avoids the weight and complexity of a multi‑piece shaft.

What people sometimes mean when they say “centre-bearing” on this model is the intermediate shaft carrier bearing on the right‑hand side. Different job, different part. If you’re chasing a drone or vibration on throttle, have a technician check:

1. Right‑hand intermediate shaft carrier bearing for play, noise, or torn dust seal.
2. Front CV joints/boots and wheel bearings.
3. Engine and transmission mounts, and tyre balance/condition.

If that intermediate shaft bearing is worn, the fix is to remove the RH driveshaft and bracket, press the bearing off/on, and refit with the correct bracket torque. It’s not typically a routine “service item”, but it can age with kilometres, heat and contamination.

Bottom line: the 2018 Honda Odyssey doesn’t have a centre-bearing. Anyone listing one for this vehicle is usually mixing it up with the RH intermediate shaft’s carrier bearing, which is the relevant support bearing on this FWD setup.

FAQs

Does a 2018 Honda Odyssey have a centre-bearing?
No. Technical sources for the RL6/RC Odyssey show a front‑wheel‑drive transaxle with no propeller shaft, so there’s no driveshaft centre support bearing. The only similar part is the RH intermediate shaft carrier bearing.

What’s the difference between the Odyssey’s intermediate shaft bearing and a centre-bearing?
A centre-bearing supports a long, two‑piece prop shaft on RWD/AWD vehicles. The Odyssey’s intermediate shaft bearing supports the short right‑hand driveshaft segment on a FWD setup. They’re different parts in different locations doing different jobs.

What are signs the intermediate shaft bearing needs attention?
Common clues are a humming or growling noise that changes with throttle, vibration under load, or noticeable play at the RH intermediate shaft. A tech will confirm by checking the bearing for roughness and the mounting bracket for looseness.