Parts for your 2000 Nissan Primera-Centre bearing

2000 Nissan Primera centre-bearing — what’s actually fitted

Based on the factory documentation and parts catalogues for the P11-series, a centre-bearing (centre support bearing for a two-piece propeller shaft) isn’t used on the 2000 Nissan Primera. Technical references: Nissan Primera P11 Factory Service Manual (Driveline/Axle sections), the Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue for P11, and the well-known Primera workshop manuals all show the P11 as a transverse front‑wheel‑drive layout with no propeller shaft and therefore no centre support bearing. Instead, the driveline uses two front driveshafts (CV shafts). Many engines in this model also use a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a bracket-mounted carrier/support bearing — different bit, different job.

Why there’s no centre-bearing on a 2000 Primera comes down to the drivetrain layout. A centre-bearing is a rear‑wheel‑drive or all‑wheel‑drive solution, supporting a long, two-piece prop shaft that runs down the car’s spine. The Primera’s transverse engine and transaxle sit up front, sending drive through short half‑shafts to the hubs, so there’s no long shaft to support in the middle.

• What it has: front CV shafts, on many variants, a RH intermediate shaft with a carrier/support bearing on a block-mounted bracket.
• What it doesn’t have: a longitudinal propeller shaft or a centre support bearing.

If someone’s chasing a “centre-bearing” for a 2000 Primera, they usually mean the RH driveshaft carrier/support bearing. That part can wear and cause rumble, vibration under load, or a droning that changes with road speed. It’s serviced by removing the RH shaft assembly and bracket, pressing off the old bearing, and fitting a quality replacement with the correct snap ring and seal orientation. While in there, it’s smart to check both CV joints, boots, and gearbox seals, and torque the bracket fasteners to the service manual spec. Wheel balance and engine mounts are also worth a look if there’s still a shake at highway speeds.

Quick tip: if there’s a rhythmic vibration that eases off when lifting the throttle, it’s more likely a driveshaft/CV or the intermediate shaft support bearing than anything “centre” down the middle of the car — because there isn’t one.

• Does a 2000 Nissan Primera have a centre-bearing?
  Not in the prop‑shaft sense. It’s a FWD car with no propeller shaft, so there’s no centre support bearing. Many have a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a carrier/support bearing that some folks loosely call a “centre-bearing”.
• What’s causing vibration if there’s no centre-bearing?
  Common culprits are worn CV joints, a tired RH intermediate shaft support bearing, bent wheels, out‑of‑round tyres, or perished engine mounts. Start with tyre/wheel checks, then inspect the driveshaft boots and the intermediate bearing for play or roughness.
• How hard is it to replace the RH intermediate shaft bearing?
  It’s a solid DIY for a competent home mechanic with a press, but many prefer a workshop to handle pressing the bearing on/off and ensuring seals and snap rings are seated. Use a quality bearing, follow torque specs, and recheck for leaks after a short drive.