Parts for your 2011 Toyota Aurion-Centre bearing

2011 Toyota Aurion centre-bearing: what’s actually fitted

Short answer: a traditional tailshaft centre-bearing isn’t used on the 2011 Toyota Aurion. The Aurion (GSV40 series) is front‑wheel drive with a transaxle, so there’s no long rear propeller shaft to support. Technical references that spell this out include the Toyota Aurion GSV40 New Car Features manual (Drivetrain section for the U660E transaxle), the Toyota Repair Manual for front drive shafts, and the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for GSV40R, which lists no propeller shaft or tailshaft centre support bearing for this model.

What can cause confusion is terminology. In Aussie and Kiwi workshops, “centre bearing” often means a tailshaft centre support on rear‑ or all‑wheel drive utes and sedans. The Aurion doesn’t have that. Instead, it uses two front drive shafts and, on the right‑hand side, an intermediate shaft with a pressed‑on support (carrier) bearing and a bracket bolted to the engine block. Toyota documents list this as the right‑hand front drive shaft/intermediate shaft assembly with bearing, not a tailshaft centre-bearing.

Why it isn’t used on the Aurion comes down to layout. A centre-bearing is only needed to stabilise a long two‑piece tailshaft running to a rear differential. The Aurion’s transaxle puts the final drive up front, so the driveline is short: left and right CV shafts off the gearbox. That design saves weight, improves packaging, and reduces NVH without needing a centre support in the middle of the car.

If someone’s chasing a “centre-bearing” noise on an Aurion, the likely suspects are the right‑hand intermediate shaft support bearing, CV joints, wheel bearings, or engine/trans mounts. The support bearing can rumble or vibrate under load when worn, and the rubber isolator can split. Toyota typically supplies the intermediate shaft as a complete assembly with the bearing pre‑fitted, some aftermarket suppliers offer the bearing separately, but pressing it on and aligning the bracket is a job best handled with the correct workshop procedure and torque specs from the Toyota Repair Manual.

• Technical sources referenced: Toyota Aurion (GSV40) New Car Features – Drivetrain, Toyota Repair Manual – Front Drive Shaft/Intermediate Shaft, Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (GSV40R) listings.

Popular questions

Does a 2011 Toyota Aurion have a centre-bearing?
No, not a tailshaft centre-bearing. Being front‑wheel drive, it has no rear prop shaft to support. It does have a right‑hand intermediate shaft with a support (carrier) bearing for the front driveline.

What are symptoms of a worn Aurion intermediate shaft support bearing?
A dull rumble or vibration on acceleration that follows road speed, a whirring noise that’s not affected much by turning, and visible play or a torn rubber isolator at the bearing bracket. Always rule out CV joints, wheel bearings and engine/gearbox mounts too.

Can the Aurion’s support bearing be replaced on its own?
Toyota generally supplies the intermediate shaft as a complete assembly with the bearing installed. Some aftermarket options sell the bearing separately, but it needs pressing on and correct bracket fitment. Using the Toyota workshop procedure, fresh seals where specified, and the right torque specs is recommended.