Parts for your 2016 Nissan Serena-Centre bearing

2016 Nissan Serena centre-bearing: what’s actually fitted

Short answer: on the standard 2016 Nissan Serena (C27) two-wheel-drive models, a centre-bearing isn’t used. The C27 runs a transverse engine with a front-wheel-drive transaxle and a pair of CV half-shafts, so there’s no long propeller shaft running down the vehicle that would require a centre support bearing. This layout is shown in Nissan’s Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for the C27 (2016) under Driveline/Axle, where only front drive shafts are detailed and no propeller shaft or centre support bearing is specified for 2WD. The Nissan FAST parts catalogue for C27 (e.g., HC27/FC27/GFC27 model codes) likewise lists no centre support bearing for 2WD grades.

Where a centre-bearing does come into play is on all-wheel-drive grades that use a propeller shaft to the rear. On those variants, the prop shaft can be a two-piece design carried by a centre support bearing mounted to the underbody. If someone has a 2016 Serena that is 4WD, the prop shaft and centre-bearing will be present and serviceable, if it’s 2WD, there’s simply nothing to replace in that position.

Why the 2WD 2016 Serena doesn’t use a centre-bearing comes down to its packaging. The front-drive transaxle sends power straight to the front hubs via short CV shafts, removing the need for a long, multi-piece prop shaft. Centre-bearings are a solution for managing the length, weight and vibration of a prop shaft on RWD/AWD vehicles, not for front-drive MPVs like the common C27 2WD Serena configuration. This is consistent with Nissan’s service-manual structure for C27 2WD (no Propeller Shaft section) and with typical FWD driveline engineering.

• How to check what you’ve got:
  1. Look underneath: a 4WD Serena will have a propeller shaft running to a rear differential, a 2WD won’t.
  2. Check the build plate/grade: JDM 4WD grades list 4WD, most NZ/AU imports are 2WD.
  3. If it’s 4WD, you’ll see a rubber-mounted carrier (centre support) on the prop shaft mid-span.

Technical sources referenced: Nissan Serena C27 (2016) Electronic Service Manual – Driveline/Axle (front-drive transaxle and CV shafts, no propeller shaft section for 2WD), Nissan FAST/EPC for C27 model codes (no centre support bearing listed for 2WD, centre support appears on 4WD propeller shaft assemblies).

Popular questions

How can someone tell if their 2016 Serena actually has a centre-bearing?
A quick look underneath does the trick. If there’s a propeller shaft running down the middle to a rear diff, it’s a 4WD and it will have a centre support bearing. If there’s no prop shaft and only front CV shafts, it’s 2WD and there’s no centre-bearing to service.

On import-grade plates, 4WD is usually identified, and many NZ/AU arrivals are 2WD. A workshop can also confirm by VIN/model code.

What symptoms point to a worn centre-bearing on a 4WD Serena?
Expect a droning or humming that rises with road speed, shudder on take-off, or vibration around 30–60 km/h. Visual checks often show a torn rubber carrier or excessive play when the prop shaft is levered by hand.

If those signs are present, replacement is the safe bet, as noise and vibration can escalate and affect other driveline components.

Is there any centre-bearing service for a 2WD Serena?
No centre-bearing exists on the 2WD layout, so there’s nothing to maintain there. Routine servicing should instead focus on front CV boots, shaft seals, and wheel bearings, which are the usual wear items on a front-drive Serena.

For 4WD variants, include the prop shaft carrier (centre support) in underbody inspections and replace if the bearing feels rough or the carrier rubber is cracked.