Parts for your 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer-Centre bearing

2017 Mitsubishi Lancer centre-bearing — does it apply?

Short answer: for most 2017 Mitsubishi Lancer models sold in Australia and New Zealand, a centre-bearing isn’t used or required. That call is backed by technical sources: the Mitsubishi Lancer CF Workshop Manual (powertrain/driveline sections) lists no propeller shaft or centre support bearing for the front‑wheel‑drive (FWD) models, the Mitsubishi ASA electronic parts catalogue shows no centre support bearing for 2016–2017 FWD VIN ranges, and the factory service schedule for FWD trims includes no prop shaft or centre-bearing inspections. Those items only appear on all‑wheel drive (AWC) or Evolution driveline documents.

Why no centre-bearing? The 2017 Lancer sold here is a transverse, FWD setup, so there’s no long propeller shaft running down the car to the rear—hence no need for a two‑piece shaft or a centre support bearing. Instead, it uses two front drive shafts (CV axles). Some variants use an intermediate (jack) shaft on the right-hand side with a small carrier bearing on the engine block, but that’s a different part and not the same as a prop shaft centre-bearing.

For owners chasing drivetrain vibrations or rumbles, it’s easy to mix up terms. If it’s a standard FWD 2017 Lancer, a failed “centre-bearing” isn’t the culprit because the car doesn’t have one. The usual suspects are elsewhere.

• CV joints and boots: look for split boots, grease fling, clicking on turns, or shudder under load.
• Front wheel bearings: a road-speed hum that changes when cornering is a giveaway.
• Engine and transmission mounts: worn mounts can mimic driveline shake on acceleration.
• Intermediate shaft carrier bearing (if fitted): check for play or roughness on the RH support.

Importantly, some AWC (all‑wheel drive) or Evolution models do run a rear propeller shaft and a centre support bearing. On those specific cars, the centre-bearing supports the two‑piece shaft, controls alignment under load, and keeps NVH in check. If someone owns one of those AWD Lancers, the workshop manual outlines periodic checks for rubber support cracking, bearing play, and prop shaft balance, with replacement requiring correct preload and alignment.

Popular questions

Does my 2017 Lancer have a centre-bearing?
For Australian and New Zealand-delivered 2017 FWD Lancers, no. There’s no rear prop shaft, so there’s no centre support bearing. Only AWD/AWC or Evolution variants use a centre-bearing.

What’s the difference between a centre-bearing and an intermediate shaft bearing?
A centre-bearing supports a two‑piece rear propeller shaft in AWD/RWD cars. An intermediate (jack) shaft bearing supports a short shaft on the front transaxle of many FWD cars. The 2017 FWD Lancer may have the latter, but not the former.

I’m getting a droning noise—could it be the centre-bearing?
On a FWD 2017 Lancer, no—there isn’t one. Check front wheel bearings, CV joints, tyre wear, and engine/trans mounts first. If the vehicle is an AWD import or Evo, then yes, a worn centre-bearing can drone or vibrate under load.