Parts for your 2002 Honda Fit-Centre bearing

2002 Honda Fit centre-bearing — what owners need to know

For the 2002 Honda Fit (GD-series, sold as Jazz in Australia and New Zealand), a centre-bearing isn’t a thing that needs servicing or replacing — because it isn’t fitted on local FWD models. The vehicle uses a transverse engine and a front-wheel-drive transaxle with two front CV shafts, so there’s no long, two-piece tailshaft running down the car, and therefore no centre support bearing to hold one up.

This isn’t just workshop hearsay. Technical references back it up: the Honda Jazz/Fit (GD1–GD3) workshop manual covers a FWD driveline only, and the Honda Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for GD1/GD3 lists front driveshafts with CV joints but no propeller shaft or centre support bearing group. Australia/NZ model guides for MY02 Jazz confirm FWD specification only. A few Japan‑market Fits from the era were available with 4WD — those cars use a prop shaft and can have a centre support — but that setup wasn’t offered in AU/NZ in 2002.

So if someone’s chasing a rumble or vibration and thinking “centre-bearing”, they’re looking in the wrong spot on this car. The smarter play is to check the usual FWD suspects:

• Front CV joints and shafts (split boots, grease loss, clicking on turns)
• Front wheel bearings (growl that changes with speed or steering load)
• Engine and gearbox mounts (thumps on take-off, harsh vibration at idle or under load)
• Tyres and wheels (out-of-balance, cupping, bent rim, flat spots)
• Brake issues (warped discs causing shudder under braking)
• Exhaust mounts touching the body under load

For routine servicing, it’s worth a quick look at the CV boots every oil change or 10,000 km: any grease sling or cracking means it’s time to reboot or replace the shaft. Rotate and balance tyres regularly, keep an ear out for wheel-bearing hum, and inspect mounts if there’s any new harshness coming through the cabin. These checks address the real-world sources of noises that sometimes get blamed on “centre-bearings” in error.

Technical sources referenced:

• Honda Jazz/Fit (GD1–GD3) Workshop Manual, Driveline/Axle sections – FWD layout only
• Honda Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC) for GD1/GD3 (FWD) – no propeller shaft or centre support bearing listing
• Australia/New Zealand 2002 Honda Jazz model specifications – FWD availability only

FAQs

Does a 2002 Honda Fit/Jazz have a centre-bearing?
No. AU/NZ 2002 Fit/Jazz models are front-wheel drive and don’t use a tailshaft, so there’s no centre support bearing fitted. Any vibration issues should be traced to components like CV joints, wheel bearings, mounts, tyres or brakes.

What’s causing vibration if it’s not a centre-bearing?
Common culprits include worn inner CV joints (shudder on acceleration), out-of-balance or cupped tyres, a humming front wheel bearing, or tired engine/gearbox mounts. Start with tyre balance/condition, then inspect CV boots and play, and road-test for bearing noise that changes with steering input.

Are there any bearings on the Fit’s driveshafts that need attention?
Yes — each front driveshaft has CV joints with grease and boots. The joints themselves don’t get routine lubrication, but the boots must be intact. If a boot splits and leaks grease, the joint can fail quickly, reboot or replace the shaft as needed.