Parts for your 2001 Toyota Bb-Centre bearing

2001 Toyota bB centre-bearing: is it even a thing?

For most 2001 Toyota bB models (NCP30/NCP31, front‑wheel drive), a traditional driveshaft centre‑bearing isn’t fitted or required. The bB runs a transverse engine with a front transaxle, so there’s no long propeller shaft heading to the rear that would need a centre support. A centre‑bearing is a part you see on two‑piece tailshafts in rear‑ or all‑wheel‑drive layouts.

Technical references back this up: Toyota’s Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) lists no Propeller Shaft group for the FWD bB models NCP30/NCP31 of this era, while the 4WD variant (NCP35) does show a two‑piece propeller shaft that uses a centre support bearing. Likewise, the Toyota bB Repair Manual set separates procedures by drivetrain—FWD models are documented with a front transaxle and short left/right drive shafts only, propeller shaft inspection and centre support bearing service apply solely to the 4WD model. Toyota’s New Car Features material for the 1NZ‑FE/U340 series transaxle also describes the bB’s FWD layout with no rear prop shaft on NCP30/NCP31.

Why the bB doesn’t use a centre‑bearing (on FWD):

• No propeller shaft: the front wheels are driven directly from the transaxle, so there’s nothing long enough to require a mid‑span support.
• Packaging and weight: fewer moving parts under the floor, lower mass, and better space efficiency.
• Lower servicing burden: one less bearing to wear, inspect, or replace, helping keep running costs down.

One caveat worth noting: some mechanics loosely call the right‑hand front drive‑shaft support (on cars that use an intermediate shaft) a “centre‑bearing”. Toyota doesn’t describe it that way in the bB parts and service literature. If the vehicle is the 4WD bB (NCP35), it does have a propeller shaft with a centre support bearing, that’s the only 2001 bB configuration where the term truly applies.

Not sure which one you’ve got? A quick look underneath will tell the story. If there’s a propeller shaft running to a rear differential, it’s the 4WD setup and a centre‑bearing is in play. If not, you’re in the clear—no centre‑bearing on the 2001 bB’s FWD driveline.

• Does a 2001 Toyota bB have a centre‑bearing?
  FWD bB models (NCP30/NCP31) don’t have one because there’s no rear propeller shaft. The 4WD bB (NCP35) does, as part of its two‑piece propeller shaft.
• What noises get mistaken for a failed centre‑bearing on a bB?
  On FWD models, droning or vibration is more likely from a front wheel bearing, inner CV joint, tyre cupping, or a tired engine/trans mount. There’s no tailshaft centre‑bearing to fail on those cars.
• How can someone tell if their bB needs centre‑bearing service?
  If it’s the 4WD bB (prop shaft present), look for shudder on take‑off, a rumble that changes with road speed, or visible play/cracked rubber in the centre support. FWD models won’t have this part at all.