Parts for your 2004 Nissan Primera-Centre bearing

2004 Nissan Primera centre-bearing — what’s actually fitted

Based on the Nissan Primera P12 service manual (Driveline/Front Axle sections), Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue for P12 models, and aftermarket repair guides covering 2002–2007 Primera, this vehicle is front‑wheel drive and does not use a tailshaft centre-bearing. Centre-bearings are designed to support a two‑piece propeller shaft on rear‑wheel drive or all‑wheel drive vehicles. The 2004 Primera runs a transverse transaxle with left and right driveshafts, so there’s no prop shaft and no centre-bearing in the tailshaft sense.

What can cause the confusion is the right‑hand intermediate (stub) shaft used on many FWD Nissans. That shaft is supported by a bracket and a pressed-in support bearing on the back of the engine block. Some people casually call it a “carrier” or “centre” bearing, but parts catalogues list it as an intermediate shaft support bearing, not a tailshaft centre-bearing. Different job, different part.

• Driveline layout: transverse engine + transaxle + two CV half‑shafts, no propeller shaft.
• Service literature: no prop shaft or centre support bearing section for P12, instead, inspection focuses on driveshafts, CV joints, wheel hubs, and (where fitted) the RH intermediate shaft support bearing.
• Parts listings: reputable EPCs don’t catalogue a tailshaft centre-bearing for the 2004 Primera.

If a Primera owner is chasing a hum, rumble, or vibration and went looking for a “centre-bearing”, the smarter checks are:

• Front wheel bearings for droning that changes with road speed.
• Inner CV joints for shudder under load, especially on acceleration in higher gears.
• Right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing (if equipped) for play or roughness at the bracket area.
• Engine and transmission mounts for excessive movement causing driveline vibration.
• Tyre balance and condition, as well as bent rims.

Maintenance-wise, the “centre-bearing” isn’t a scheduled item on this car because there isn’t one. During routine servicing, a good workshop will still road test for noise, check CV boots for splits, feel for play in the front hubs, and, where applicable, spin the RH intermediate shaft support bearing by hand with the car safely raised. Any roughness, heat discolouration or excess free play means it’s time to replace that support bearing or shaft assembly with quality parts. This approach aligns with Nissan’s P12 service information and standard driveline practice for FWD vehicles.

Popular questions

Does a 2004 Nissan Primera have a centre-bearing?
Not in the tailshaft sense. The P12 Primera is front‑wheel drive, so there’s no two‑piece prop shaft to support. Some cars have a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a support bearing, which can be mistaken for a centre-bearing, but it’s a different component.

What’s that humming noise if it isn’t a centre-bearing?
Common culprits are front wheel bearings, worn inner CV joints, or a tired right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing (where fitted). Tyres out of balance or cupped tread can also sound like a bearing drone, so a proper inspection saves guesswork.

Can a universal centre-bearing be adapted to fit a Primera?
No. Tailshaft centre-bearings are designed for RWD/AWD prop shafts and won’t suit the Primera’s FWD driveshaft setup. If the RH support bearing is worn, replace it (or the intermediate shaft assembly) with the correct Primera-specific parts.