Parts for your 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer-Centre bearing

2016 Mitsubishi Lancer centre-bearing — is it relevant?

Short answer: for the typical 2016 Mitsubishi Lancer sold in Australia and New Zealand (CF series, front-wheel drive), a centre-bearing isn’t fitted and isn’t relevant. Technical documentation backs this up. The Mitsubishi CJ/CF Lancer Workshop Manual for 2015–2017 details a front-wheel drive transaxle with two front driveshafts and makes no provision for a propeller shaft or centre support bearing on 2WD models. Likewise, Mitsubishi’s ASA/CAPS parts catalogue lists a centre support bearing only in the propeller shaft assembly for AWD/Ralliart/Evolution models, with no such part listed for standard 2WD CF Lancers.

Why’s that the case? A centre-bearing (often called a centre support bearing) exists to hold up a long, two-piece propeller shaft in rear- or all-wheel drive layouts, keeping the shaft aligned and reducing vibration and noise. The 2016 Lancer CF in its common AU/NZ trims is front-wheel drive, so there’s no long prop shaft running to the rear. The engine, transmission and differential are packaged together up front as a transaxle, and power is sent to the front wheels via short CV half-shafts. No prop shaft means no need for a centre-bearing.

There are exceptions worth noting. AWD/AWC variants of the Lancer in some markets, plus the high-performance Evolution X (and earlier Ralliart), do use a propeller shaft—and those assemblies include a centre support bearing. If someone’s got a 2016 Evo or a grey-import AWD car, the centre-bearing is a real service item. But for the mainstream AU/NZ 2016 CF Lancer sedan/hatch, it’s not a part that exists on the car.

Chasing a vibration or droning noise and wondering about the centre-bearing? On a front-drive CF Lancer, the smart money is on other usual suspects. A good workshop will start with the basics before moving to driveline checks.

• Tyre balance/tyre condition and bent wheels
• Front CV shafts and inner CV joints
• Front wheel bearings
• Engine and transmission mounts
• Alignment issues or brake rotor runout

If there’s any doubt about drivetrain layout, a quick look underneath will tell the story: no rear differential or propeller shaft means no centre-bearing. A VIN/option check or a chat with a Mitsubishi specialist will also confirm what’s fitted.

Which 2016 Lancer models actually have a centre-bearing?

Only models with a propeller shaft do. That includes AWD/AWC variants offered in some markets and the Evolution X. The mainstream AU/NZ CF 2WD models (ES/LS/GSR and similar) don’t have a centre-bearing because they’re front-wheel drive.

I’m feeling a 60–80 km/h vibration — could it be the centre-bearing?

On a front-drive 2016 CF Lancer, no. There isn’t a centre-bearing to fail. Have the tyres and wheels checked first, then the front CV shafts, wheel bearings and engine/trans mounts. Those are far more common causes on this platform.

How can I tell if my Lancer is AWD and might have a centre-bearing?

Look underneath for a rear differential and a propeller shaft running down the centre tunnel. Badging like AWC (in some markets), a different rear subframe, and specific options in the VIN data also give it away. If those are present, a centre support bearing may be part of the driveline.