Parts for your 2000 Nissan Serena-Centre bearing

2000 Nissan Serena centre-bearing — is it even there?

Short answer: for most 2000 Nissan Serena models, a centre-bearing isn’t fitted or relevant. The 2000 model year is the C24 generation, which in 2WD form is front‑wheel drive. Because the gearbox and differential sit up front and drive the front wheels via short CV shafts, there’s no long propeller shaft running down the vehicle — and without a prop shaft, there’s no need for a centre support bearing. This layout is set out in the Nissan Serena C24 Factory Service Manual (Driveline/Transaxle sections) and reflected in the Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue for C24, which lists no centre-bearing for 2WD models. By contrast, the earlier C23 (sold in some markets up to around 1999–2000) used a rear‑wheel‑drive layout with a multi‑piece prop shaft and a carrier/centre bearing shown in its “Propeller Shaft” service manual section.

It’s worth noting a couple of edge cases. Some C24 4WD variants exist (common as used imports into NZ). A 4WD driveline introduces a prop shaft to the rear, and depending on the exact configuration and wheelbase, that shaft may be two‑piece with a centre-bearing. For those vehicles, the parts catalogue and the C24 4WD driveline procedures apply. If the vehicle is a late‑registered C23 (especially UK/Euro diesel) or a 4WD C24, a centre-bearing may be present and serviceable.

• Why the centre-bearing isn’t used on most 2000 Serenas:
  • Front‑wheel drive (C24 2WD) has no rear prop shaft to support.
  • The driveline uses CV shafts and hubs up front, maintenance focuses on CV boots, joints, wheel bearings, and mounts instead.
  • Parts listings for C24 2WD show no centre-bearing component.

What owners can do: confirm the driveline. If it’s a typical 2WD C24, there’s no centre-bearing to service. If it’s a 4WD C24 or an earlier C23, check underbody for a prop shaft and carrier bracket mid‑ship. Symptoms of a worn centre-bearing (on vehicles that have one) include vibration under load, a droning or rumbling that changes with speed, and visible play in the rubber carrier. For vehicle‑specific procedures, refer to the appropriate Nissan Electronic Service Manual and the FAST parts EPC for the exact model code and VIN.

FAQs

Does a 2000 Nissan Serena have a centre-bearing?

Most 2000 Serenas are the C24 front‑wheel‑drive model and don’t have a centre-bearing. Some 4WD C24 variants and earlier C23 (rear‑wheel drive) models do use a centre-bearing because they have a multi‑piece prop shaft. A quick look underneath for a long shaft to the rear diff (and a carrier bracket halfway) will tell the story.

How can a driver in Australia or New Zealand tell which Serena they’ve got?

Check the model code on the build plate or in registration details: C24 is the 1999–2005 generation and is usually 2WD FWD, C23 is the earlier RWD generation. Many NZ imports are C24 2WD, while some are C24 4WD. If there’s no rear diff and no prop shaft, there’s no centre-bearing to service.

What should be serviced instead on a 2WD C24 if there’s no centre-bearing?

Focus on the front driveline: CV boots and joints, front wheel bearings, engine and trans mounts, and regular tyre balance/rotation. These items do the heavy lifting on a front‑drive Serena and are far more likely to cause vibration or noise than a non‑existent centre-bearing.