Parts for your 2010 Mazda 6-Centre bearing

2010 Mazda 6 centre-bearing: what’s actually fitted and why

For the 2010 Mazda 6 (GH series) sold in Australia and New Zealand, a centre-bearing (tailshaft centre support bearing) isn’t used or required. These cars are front‑wheel drive, so there’s no long propeller shaft running to a rear differential that would need a centre support. Instead, the transaxle drives the front wheels via short left and right drive shafts with constant‑velocity (CV) joints.

Technical sources that detail this layout include:

• Mazda6 (GH, 2008–2012) Workshop Manual – Driveline/Axle, Front Drive Shaft section: shows a transaxle with LH/RH drive shafts, on some engines an RH intermediate shaft with a support bearing is illustrated, but no propeller shaft or centre support bearing is present.
• Mazda Australia 2010 Mazda6 specifications: list front‑wheel drive across sedan, hatch and wagon body styles.
• Mazda Electronic Parts Catalogue (GH series, AU/NZ market): contains groups for “Front Drive Shaft” and “Intermediate Shaft (Support Bearing)” but no “Propeller Shaft” or “Centre Support Bearing” listings.

Why the centre-bearing isn’t used: the Mazda 6’s FWD layout eliminates the need for a tailshaft entirely. Power goes sideways from the gearbox (transaxle) to the front hubs, so there’s nothing long enough under the car to need a centre support. That’s a packaging and cost win, and it reduces driveline mass and potential NVH points compared with a rear‑ or all‑wheel drive setup.

Worth noting for anyone chasing a “centre-bearing” noise: some Mazda 6 variants have a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a pressed‑in support bearing mounted to the engine block. This part is different to a tailshaft centre-bearing and is commonly referred to as an intermediate shaft bearing or carrier bearing (front axle). If there’s a mid‑car hum, drone, or vibration under load, checks should focus on front CV joints, wheel bearings, engine/trans mounts, tyres, and—where fitted—the RH intermediate shaft support bearing.

If trying to source a “centre-bearing” for a 2010 Mazda 6 in AU/NZ, the correct approach is to confirm the driveline components by VIN and, if applicable, look for the RH intermediate shaft support bearing rather than a tailshaft centre support. That aligns with the factory documentation listed above.

Popular questions

Does a 2010 Mazda 6 have a centre-bearing?
No. AU/NZ‑market 2010 Mazda 6 models are front‑wheel drive and don’t use a tailshaft centre support bearing. They use front drive shafts with CV joints, and some engines have a right‑hand intermediate shaft with its own support bearing.

What could cause a humming or vibration if there’s no centre-bearing?
Common culprits include front wheel bearings, worn CV joints, out‑of‑round or cupped tyres, and tired engine or transmission mounts. On models with an RH intermediate shaft, its support bearing can also rumble when worn.

How do I tell if my Mazda 6 has an intermediate shaft support bearing?
Look at the right‑hand (passenger side) drive shaft: if there’s a short outer shaft plus a separate intermediate shaft bolted to the engine block with a bracket and bearing, it’s fitted. If the RH shaft runs directly from the transaxle to the hub with no bracket mid‑span, it isn’t.