Parts for your 2008 Mazda Axela-Centre bearing

2008 Mazda Axela centre-bearing: what’s actually fitted

Short answer: a traditional centre-bearing (also called a carrier bearing for a two-piece propeller shaft) isn’t used on the 2008 Mazda Axela as sold in Australia and New Zealand. That model runs a front-engine, front-wheel-drive transaxle layout, so there’s no long rear prop shaft that would need a centre support.

Technical references back this up. The Mazda Axela/Mazda3 workshop manual for the BK/early BL series lists front drive shafts and a right-hand intermediate shaft with a support bearing under the Driveline/Axle section, but there’s no “propeller shaft” or “centre support bearing” service procedure for AU/NZ models. Likewise, Mazda’s parts catalogues for the 2008 Mazda Axela/Mazda3 show no carrier/centre bearing in the driveline group for these markets, only an intermediate shaft bearing on the RH side of the front axle. Market brochures/spec sheets for AU/NZ also specify front-wheel drive only for 2008.

• Centre-bearing applies to two-piece prop shafts in rear- or all-wheel drive layouts.
• 2008 AU/NZ Mazda Axela/Mazda3 is FWD with short front drive shafts, no rear prop shaft.
• Workshop and parts documentation list an intermediate shaft bearing up front, not a centre support bearing.

What sometimes causes confusion is the right-hand intermediate shaft support bearing used on many FWD Mazdas. That bearing is mounted to the engine/transaxle bracket to stabilise the longer RH front drive shaft. It’s not a “centre-bearing,” but owners might use the term loosely. If there’s a droning or grinding from the RH side that rises with road speed, or if there’s noticeable vibration under load, a worn intermediate shaft bearing could be the culprit. It’s a separate service item and can be replaced without touching any rear driveline, because there isn’t one.

For anyone driving a Japan‑domestic Axela variant with four-wheel drive (rare outside Japan), a two-piece prop shaft and a centre support bearing may be present. If you’re unsure which layout you’ve got, check the VIN build plate and the driveline section of the Mazda workshop manual for your exact market and model code.

Technical sources referenced: Mazda Axela/Mazda3 Workshop Manual (BK/early BL, Driveline/Axle – Drive Shaft and Front Axle sections), Mazda Electronic Parts Catalogue for 2008 Axela/Mazda3 (no carrier/centre support bearing listed for AU/NZ FWD), and AU/NZ model specifications indicating FWD only.

Popular questions

Does a 2008 Mazda Axela have a centre-bearing?
No, not for AU/NZ-delivered cars. They’re front-wheel drive and don’t use a rear prop shaft, so there’s no need for a centre support bearing. What you might be thinking of is the RH intermediate shaft bearing on the front axle, which is a different part.

What’s the difference between a centre-bearing and the intermediate shaft bearing on a Mazda Axela?
A centre-bearing supports the middle of a long, two-piece propeller shaft in rear- or all-wheel drive cars. The intermediate shaft bearing on the Axela supports the longer right-hand front drive shaft on a FWD setup. Different jobs, different locations, different service procedures.

How do I tell if the intermediate shaft bearing is worn on my 2008 Axela?
Listen for a steady drone, rumble, or grinding that changes with road speed, plus vibration during acceleration. With the car safely lifted, a tech will check for play or roughness at the RH intermediate shaft. If it’s worn, replacement of the bearing and bracket hardware is the normal fix, followed by a road test to confirm the noise is gone.