Parts for your 2006 Nissan Primera-Centre bearing

2006 Nissan Primera centre-bearing: what’s actually fitted

Based on the factory driveline layout, a propeller‑shaft centre-bearing is not used on the 2006 Nissan Primera (P12). Technical references including the Nissan Primera P12 Electronic Service Manual (Driveline & Axle sections) and Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue for the P12 series show the car is built as front‑wheel drive with a transaxle and two front drive shafts, and no propeller shaft or centre support bearing assembly. Instead, many P12 variants use a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a bracket‑mounted support bearing to balance shaft lengths. Some parts catalogues loosely call that a “centre bearing”, but it’s a different component to a rear‑drive prop‑shaft centre-bearing.

Why it isn’t used is simple: the Primera’s FWD transaxle sends power straight to the front wheels via CV half‑shafts, so there’s no long propeller shaft running to a rear differential that would require a two‑piece shaft and a centre-bearing for support. The Electronic Service Manual doesn’t list a propeller shaft section for P12, and the EPC lists front drive shafts and an intermediate shaft assembly (with carrier bracket) rather than any centre support bearing for a prop shaft.

Owners sometimes go looking for a “centre-bearing” when chasing vibrations. On this model, checks should focus on items that actually fit the platform: front CV joints (inner joints often cause shudder on take‑off), the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing (if fitted), engine and trans mounts, wheel/tyre balance and condition, and bent rims. If the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing is noisy or has play, it’ll usually rumble or grind at steady road speeds and may show movement if the shaft is levered gently near the bracket. Replacement involves removing the RH driveshaft/intermediate assembly, transferring or pressing in the correct bearing (or swapping the assembly, depending on engine/variant), and refitting the bracket to the block with new hardware where specified.

For New Zealand and Australian market cars—typically Japanese‑built, front‑drive P12s—there’s no rear prop shaft and therefore no centre-bearing to service. If in doubt on a grey‑import variant, a quick under‑car look will confirm it: a FWD Primera won’t have a prop shaft running down the centre tunnel. Where a catalogue lists a “centre-bearing” for a Primera, it’s commonly referring to the intermediate shaft’s carrier bearing, not a prop‑shaft support.

Technical sources referenced: Nissan Primera P12 Electronic Service Manual (Driveline & Axle/Front Axle sections, FWD layout), Nissan FAST EPC for P12 series (front drive shafts and right‑hand intermediate shaft with support bracket, no propeller shaft centre support bearing listed for P12).

• Key point: The 2006 Nissan Primera (P12) is FWD and does not use a prop‑shaft centre-bearing.
• What may be confused for it: the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing on some engines.

FAQs

Does a 2006 Nissan Primera have a centre-bearing?
No. The P12 Primera is front‑wheel drive and doesn’t run a propeller shaft, so there’s no prop‑shaft centre-bearing. Some variants have a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a support bearing, which is different and sits at the engine block.

What causes the vibrations people blame on a centre-bearing?
On a Primera it’s commonly worn inner CV joints, a tired right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing (if fitted), perished engine or transmission mounts, or wheel/tyre issues like out‑of‑balance or flat‑spotted tyres. A road test and basic under‑car inspection will usually pinpoint it.

How can a mechanic check the intermediate shaft support bearing?
With the car safely lifted, they’ll grasp the right‑hand shaft near the bearing bracket and check for roughness or radial play while rotating. Any grinding noise or movement means replacement. Parts availability varies by engine code, many shops replace the bearing with quality OEM‑spec parts or swap the intermediate shaft assembly as needed.