Parts for your 2017 Toyota Wish-Centre bearing

2017 Toyota Wish centre-bearing — what’s actually fitted?

Based on Toyota technical sources for the ZGE20-series Wish — specifically the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) listings for 2015–2017, the Toyota Repair Manual (ZGE20 series driveline/drive shaft sections), and the New Car Features (NCF) drivetrain overview — the 2017 Toyota Wish is built with a transverse front‑wheel‑drive layout and does not use a propeller shaft. With no prop shaft, there is no centre support bearing (often called a centre-bearing) fitted to this vehicle.

A centre-bearing is a support bearing mounted midway along a two‑piece propeller shaft. It’s common on rear‑wheel‑drive or all‑wheel‑drive vehicles with longer wheelbases where the prop shaft needs mid‑span support. The 2017 Wish doesn’t have that arrangement, its engine and transaxle sit up front, driving the front wheels via two short driveshafts.

The only thing that sometimes gets mixed up with a “centre-bearing” on this model is the right‑hand intermediate driveshaft’s support bearing. That bearing bolts to the engine block to help equalise left/right shaft lengths and reduce torque steer. It’s not a prop shaft centre-bearing, and it’s serviced differently.

• Where a centre-bearing would be used: two‑piece propeller shafts on RWD/4WD utes, vans, and some SUVs.
• What the Wish actually has: a FWD transaxle with left/right driveshafts and an intermediate shaft support bearing on the RH side.

Why the centre-bearing isn’t used on the 2017 Toyota Wish comes down to packaging and drivetrain design. The FWD layout means the torque path is short and contained ahead of the cabin, so there’s no need for a long propeller shaft under the floor. That keeps weight and complexity down, improves interior packaging, and reduces driveline NVH points. Any mid‑shaft support on the Wish relates to the RH intermediate shaft only, not a vehicle‑length prop shaft.

For owners chasing vibrations or droning noises around 60–100 km/h, a workshop should look first at wheel balance and tyres, front wheel bearings, CV joints (inner and outer), engine/trans mounts, and the RH intermediate shaft support bearing. If someone quotes a “centre-bearing” job on a 2017 Wish, they’re almost certainly referring to that RH intermediate shaft bearing.

• Popular questions

Does a 2017 Toyota Wish have a centre-bearing?
No. The 2017 Wish (ZGE20 series) is front‑wheel drive with no propeller shaft, so there’s no centre support bearing fitted. The driveline uses short front driveshafts and an RH intermediate shaft with its own support bearing mounted to the engine block.

What’s the bearing bolted to the block on the right‑hand shaft?
That’s the intermediate driveshaft support bearing. It stabilises the longer RH shaft, helping reduce vibration and torque steer. It’s not a routine service item, it’s replaced if there’s play, roughness, or a distinct droning/whirring that changes with road speed (not engine revs). Replacement involves removing the RH shaft assembly and pressing the bearing off/on.

What causes highway-speed vibration on a 2017 Wish if there’s no centre-bearing?
Common culprits are out‑of‑balance or cupped tyres, bent wheels, worn front wheel bearings, inner CV (tripod) wear, or a tired RH intermediate shaft support bearing. Engine and trans mounts can also transmit vibration. A proper road test and under‑car inspection will usually pinpoint it.