Parts for your 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer-Centre bearing

2011 Mitsubishi Lancer centre-bearing — does it apply?

Short answer: for most 2011 Mitsubishi Lancer models sold in Australia and New Zealand (the common front-wheel-drive CJ/CF series like ES, SX, VR, Aspire), a prop-shaft centre-bearing isn’t fitted or required. That part only shows up on the all-wheel-drive performance variants — Lancer Evolution X and Ralliart — which run a two-piece propeller shaft to the rear diff and use a centre support bearing.

Why it’s not used on regular 2011 Lancers comes down to drivetrain layout. These models use a transverse engine with a front transaxle and a pair of front drive shafts. There’s no long propeller shaft heading to the rear, so there’s nothing to support in the middle. Some FWD Lancers do have a right-hand intermediate shaft with a carrier bearing mounted to the block, but that’s a different component and not what’s referred to as a prop-shaft “centre-bearing”.

If a 2011 Lancer owner is chasing a vibration or humming noise and wondering about a centre-bearing, it’s worth checking items that actually exist on the FWD setup: front wheel bearings, CV joints/boots, the RH intermediate shaft carrier bearing (if fitted), engine and transmission mounts, tyre condition and balance, and alignment. If the car is an Evolution X or Ralliart, then yes, a centre support bearing for the prop shaft is relevant and can be a source of vibration when worn — but that’s specific to those AWD models.

Technical sources backing this up:

• Mitsubishi Lancer CJ/CF Workshop Manual (2011 MY): FWD models show no propeller shaft section, the “Propeller Shaft” group is documented for Evolution X/Ralliart AWC only.
• Mitsubishi ASA/ CAPS parts catalogue (CJ/CF): FWD VINs list no centre support bearing, AWD Evolution/Ralliart list a two-piece propeller shaft with a centre support bearing assembly.
• Drivetrain layout notes in Mitsubishi service literature: FWD transaxle vehicles do not use a propeller shaft or centre support bearing.

Does my 2011 Lancer have a centre-bearing?

If it’s a typical FWD model (ES, SX, VR, Aspire), no — there’s no prop-shaft centre-bearing on the car. Only the AWD Evolution X and Ralliart variants use a centre support bearing on their two-piece propeller shaft.

What part is often confused with a centre-bearing on FWD Lancers?

The right-hand intermediate shaft carrier bearing. It supports the longer front driveshaft to help control torque steer. It’s mounted to the engine block and is not the same as a prop-shaft centre support bearing.

I’ve got vibration at highway speeds — could it be a centre-bearing?

On a FWD 2011 Lancer, it won’t be a prop-shaft centre-bearing because there isn’t one. Check wheel balance, tyre condition, front wheel bearings, CV joints, the RH intermediate shaft carrier bearing (if fitted), and engine/trans mounts first. For Evolution X or Ralliart, a worn centre support bearing can cause vibration and should be inspected.