Parts for your 2000 Nissan Bluebird-Centre bearing

2000 Nissan Bluebird centre-bearing — do you actually need one?

The 2000 Nissan Bluebird (U14 series) most Aussies and Kiwis see on the road is front‑wheel drive. In a front‑wheel‑drive layout, there’s no long tailshaft running to a rear diff, so there’s no centre support bearing (often called a centre-bearing) in the driveline. Power goes through a transaxle to two short driveshafts (CV axles) up front, so a centre-bearing simply isn’t part of the design.

That’s why a centre-bearing isn’t relevant for the typical 2000 Bluebird: the car doesn’t use a two‑piece propeller shaft that would need a carrier bearing to support it. Instead, if there’s vibration or a droning noise at speed, it’s more likely related to front CV joints, the intermediate shaft support bearing (where fitted on some engines), wheel balance, tyres, or engine/gearbox mounts.

There were Japan‑market Bluebird variants around this era with full‑time or on‑demand 4WD. Those versions use a propeller shaft and can have a centre support bearing. However, these are uncommon in Australia and New Zealand compared with the mainstream 2WD models. If your Bluebird is a 4WD import, a centre-bearing may apply.

Technical sources that back this up:

• Nissan Bluebird U14 Factory Service Manual (1999–2001): the 2WD driveline shows a transaxle with front half‑shafts only, the propeller shaft and centre support bearing are documented only in the 4WD sections.
• Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue for U14: no propeller shaft or centre support bearing listed for 2WD models, those parts appear only under 4WD model codes.
• Nissan service literature for “Front Axle/Final Drive” on U14: maintenance focuses on CV axles, hubs, and mounts for 2WD, not on any centre-bearing component.

If you’re chasing a vibration on your 2WD Bluebird, start with front wheel balance and tyre condition, check CV joints/boots and the intermediate shaft support bearing (if your engine/trans combo has one), then inspect engine and trans mounts. For a rare 4WD Bluebird, a worn centre-bearing can cause a rhythmic droning or shudder under load, in that case, grab the prop shaft near the support bearing and check for play, per the factory procedure.

FAQs

Does my 2000 Nissan Bluebird have a centre-bearing?
Most 2WD U14 Bluebirds don’t. They’re front‑wheel drive and don’t use a prop shaft. If yours is a 4WD import, it may have a two‑piece prop shaft with a centre support bearing.

I’ve got a vibration at 80–100 km/h — could it be the centre-bearing?
On a 2WD Bluebird, it’s more likely tyres/wheels, CV joints, or engine/trans mounts. Only 4WD variants have a centre-bearing, so check your driveline layout first.

How can I tell if my Bluebird is 4WD and needs a centre-bearing?
Look underneath for a propeller shaft running to a rear diff, and check for rear driveshafts. Compliance or model plates and VIN‑based parts lookups can also confirm 4WD spec.