Parts for your 2017 Suzuki Splash-Centre bearing

The Centre Bearing on the 2017 Suzuki Splash: Is It Needed?

For anyone looking into the drivetrain components of the 2017 Suzuki Splash, one common question is whether this particular model uses a centre bearing. After referencing a range of technical sources including workshop manuals, parts catalogues, and drivetrain diagrams, it's clear the 2017 Suzuki Splash does not utilise a centre bearing in its driveline setup. But why is that the case, and what does it mean for owners of this popular hatchback? Let's dive into why the centre bearing is not relevant for the 2017 Suzuki Splash and what that means for maintenance.

The centre bearing is typically found in vehicles with a two-piece or multi-section driveshaft where the total length of the driveshaft is too long or requires extra support to reduce vibration and maintain alignment. It is a support bearing mounted on the vehicle's chassis or underbody that holds the intermediate shaft section steady. This arrangement is seen mostly on rear-wheel drive cars or four-wheel drives with long prop shafts running from the gearbox or transfer case to the rear differential. The centre bearing prevents shaft wobble and absorbs vibration, playing a vital role in drivetrain smoothness and reducing wear.

However, the Suzuki Splash, especially the 2017 model, is primarily a front-wheel drive (FWD) hatchback. It uses a transversely mounted engine with a transaxle setup where the transmission and final drive are combined in one compact unit. Power is delivered directly to the front wheels through relatively short half shafts, sometimes referred to as drive shafts or axle shafts, but there is no long continuous driveshaft running the length of the car that would require support.

Because the drivetrain layout is compact and the power delivery components are short and robust, there is no need for an intermediate support bearing to hold any long shaft sections in place. The driveshafts are reinforced with constant velocity (CV) joints at each end to accommodate suspension movement, but they do not extend beyond this setup. As a result, there is no centre bearing as part of the driveline on this vehicle.

In other words, the main reason the centre bearing is not used on the 2017 Suzuki Splash is because the vehicle's drivetrain architecture simply does not call for it. The simplicity and compactness of the front-wheel drive transaxle design eliminates the need for any additional bearing support along the drivetrain. This ultimately contributes to fewer moving parts, easier maintenance, and lower chances of drivetrain-related vibration issues linked to a failing centre bearing.

For a customer or mechanic servicing a 2017 Suzuki Splash, this information is quite handy. There is no centre bearing to check, replace, or maintain on this vehicle. Focus can instead be placed on other components within the drivetrain, such as checking the condition of CV joints, bearings within the wheel hubs, and the overall health of the transaxle.

Since the Splash is a small city car designed for efficiency and practicality, avoiding the complexity and potential wear points of a multi-piece driveshaft with a centre bearing is a logical choice from the manufacturer. It means fewer components to go wrong and a more straightforward servicing routine.

So, for anyone browsing parts or maintenance guides for the 2017 Suzuki Splash, it's best to know that a centre bearing is not applicable. Instead, routine maintenance should involve:

• Checking CV joint boots for cracks or tears to prevent contamination
• Inspecting wheel bearings for smooth operation and noise
• Ensuring the transaxle fluid is topped up and changed at recommended intervals
• Keeping an eye on suspension and steering component wear which can indirectly affect drivetrain performance

That said, other Suzuki models and many rear or four-wheel drive vehicles might well have centre bearings as part of their driveline, and it can be a critical component requiring attention. The centre bearing typically wears out over time due to the stresses it takes on from the rotating driveshaft and can cause vibration, noise, and drivetrain issues if neglected. But in the case of the 2017 Suzuki Splash, there simply is no centre bearing fitted to worry about.

Ultimately, for the 2017 Suzuki Splash owner, it's one less part to think about and fewer potential points of failure within the car's drivetrain. This helps keep servicing simpler and can reduce maintenance costs over the life of the vehicle. Just make sure that other parts related to power transmission are checked regularly following Suzuki's recommended service schedule, and the Splash will remain a reliable and smooth-performing city car without any centre bearing concerns.