Parts for your 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero-Centre bearing

1998 Mitsubishi Pajero centre bearing — what it is, and when to sort it

Based on Mitsubishi’s factory Workshop Manual (1997–1999, Group 22: Propeller Shaft/Driveshaft), the Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue for V2/V4/V6 chassis codes, and mainstream service guides for Montero/Shogun/Pajero (Gen 2), the five‑door long‑wheelbase 1998 Pajero uses a two‑piece rear tailshaft with a centre support bearing. The three‑door short‑wheelbase models typically run a single‑piece rear shaft and therefore don’t use a centre bearing.

For the long‑wheelbase ’98 Pajero, the centre bearing sits midway along the two‑piece tailshaft, suspending it in a rubber mount and supporting the shaft at speed. Its job is to keep the tailshaft stable, cut down vibration, and handle the torque pulses that come with towing, off‑road use, and daily stop‑start driving. When it gets tired, the rubber support cracks or sags and the bearing can rumble, which shows up as a shudder on take‑off or a droning vibe at highway speeds.

There’s no fixed replacement interval in the factory literature, it’s condition‑based. As part of regular servicing, it’s smart to check the centre bearing every 10–15,000 km: look for torn rubber, visible play, dry or noisy rotation, and any contact marks on the dust shield. Because the bearing is sealed, there’s no greasing to do—if it’s noisy or loose, replacement is the go.

When replacing, a few tips make life easier:

• Mark the flanges and yokes before removal so the tailshaft goes back in the same orientation (helps keep balance and phasing right).
• Inspect the universal joints while the shaft is out, a flogged U‑joint can mimic centre‑bearing vibes.
• Press the old bearing off/on squarely to avoid damaging the shaft, many owners use a driveline shop to press, assemble, and balance.
• Refit the centre support bracket as per the workshop manual notes for alignment/offset so the rubber isn’t pre‑loaded the wrong way.
• Tighten fasteners to the factory torque specs and recheck after a short drive.

If your Pajero is lifted or runs heavy towing, keep an eye on driveline angles—steeper angles can shorten bearing life. Typical warning signs include:

• Shudder on take‑off or under load.
• Rumbling or droning that changes with road speed.
• Clunking when coming on/off the throttle.

SWB owners: if your ’98 is a three‑door with a single‑piece rear shaft, it won’t have a centre bearing. In that case, look to the U‑joints, diff pinion mount, and engine/gearbox mounts if you’re chasing a vibration.

Popular questions

Does a 1998 Mitsubishi Pajero have a centre bearing?
Most five‑door long‑wheelbase models do, because they use a two‑piece rear tailshaft. Many three‑door short‑wheelbase models run a single‑piece tailshaft and don’t use a centre bearing. A quick under‑car look will confirm it: a centre bearing mounts to a crossmember roughly midway along the rear shaft.

What are the symptoms of a worn centre bearing on a ’98 Pajero?
Common clues include a shudder on take‑off, a droning or rumbling that follows road speed, and a clunk when loading or unloading the driveline. You might also spot cracked/sagged rubber around the bearing. Always rule out U‑joints and tyre/wheel issues while diagnosing.

Can they drive with a failing centre bearing?
It’ll usually get you home, but it’s not a great idea to keep driving. A failed centre bearing can hammer the U‑joints, stress the transfer case and diff, and in the worst case let the shaft whip around. If you’re getting strong vibes or noise, book it in and sort it sooner rather than later.