Parts for your 2016 Ford Fiesta-Centre bearing

Centre Bearing on the 2016 Ford Fiesta: What You Need to Know

When it comes to the 2016 Ford Fiesta, the question about whether it uses a centre bearing is a common one, especially for those keen on understanding the driveline components or looking to carry out some maintenance. To answer that upfront, the 2016 Ford Fiesta does not use a centre bearing in its driveline setup. But why is this the case? Let's unpack this a bit.

A centre bearing is typically used in vehicles that have a two-piece or multi-piece driveshaft. Its job is to support the driveshaft midway between the transmission and the differential, helping to reduce vibration and maintain alignment. Larger vehicles, especially those with a longer driveshaft due to wheelbase length or drivetrain layout - like trucks, SUVs, or rear-wheel-drive sedans - frequently rely on centre bearings to keep the driveshaft balanced and running smoothly.

Now, the 2016 Ford Fiesta is a compact, front-wheel-drive hatchback or sedan. The drivetrain setup is quite different here. Instead of a long driveshaft running the length of the car, the Fiesta employs a transaxle system where the transmission, differential, and drive shafts are all integrated near the front. This design means the Fiesta only uses short, direct drive shafts that connect the transaxle to each front wheel. These shafts are typically constant velocity (CV) joint shafts, which don't require centre bearings for support.

Since the Ford Fiesta does not use a long, multi-piece driveshaft, there's no need for a centre bearing at all. The compact layout and front-wheel-drive configuration eliminate the need for the kind of intermediate support that a centre bearing provides. This will also impact maintenance and replacement considerations because the parts that often require attention are the CV joints and boots instead of a centre bearing.

For Fiesta owners, this means when it comes to servicing your driveshaft or axle shafts, focus should be on inspecting the CV boots for cracks or tears, listening out for clicking noises on turns (which could indicate worn CV joints), and replacing the shafts or boots as necessary. Centre bearings simply aren't part of the equation here.

In vehicles where centre bearings are found, such as larger rear-wheel or four-wheel-drive vehicles, maintaining that bearing is important to prevent vibrations and potential driveshaft failure. Regular checks for wear, noise, and damage to the rubber isolator or bearing itself can save costly repairs down the track. But since the Fiesta skips this part entirely thanks to its drivetrain design, owners can breathe a little easier on this front.

So whether you're a DIY enthusiast or just in front of your mechanic, understanding the absence of a centre bearing on the 2016 Ford Fiesta will prevent chasing parts and services that don't apply. Instead, attention and budget can be directed towards the more relevant driveline components like axle shafts, CV joints, and associated boots that are vital for keeping the car running smoothly and safely.