Parts for your 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse cross-Centre bearing

2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross centre-bearing — is it used, and what to know

Short answer: a centre-bearing is relevant only on 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross models with S-AWC (all-wheel drive). Front-wheel drive (2WD) variants don’t have a propeller shaft running to the rear, so there’s no centre-bearing fitted.

Why that split? On AWD Eclipse Cross models, the driveline uses a two-piece propeller shaft to send torque to the rear differential. That shaft is supported mid-length by a rubber-isolated centre support bearing to control vibration and shaft alignment. On 2WD versions, there’s no rear driveline hardware, so a centre-bearing simply isn’t part of the car.

Technical sources backing this up include the Mitsubishi Motors service manual for Eclipse Cross (2018) in the Driveline/Propeller Shaft section, which details a two-piece propeller shaft with a centre support bearing on S-AWC models, and Mitsubishi’s electronic parts catalogue (MMC ASA/EPC) for AWD Eclipse Cross, which lists the centre support bearing within the propeller shaft assembly.

For those AWD models that do have one, the centre-bearing’s job is to steady the prop shaft, keeping it true under load and reducing noise, vibration and harshness. It carries the shaft on a rubber-mounted bearing bracket, letting the driveline move a touch as the body flexes, without letting the shaft whip about at speed.

There’s no fixed replacement interval in the book, but it’s smart to have it checked during major servicing or if there’s any driveline shudder. Typical symptoms of a tired centre-bearing include vibration on take-off or at 40–80 km/h under load, a dull thump shifting from reverse to drive, or visible cracks in the bearing’s rubber carrier.

• Inspection tips: look for torn rubber around the bearing, rust dust near the bearing, sagging support, or contact marks on the prop shaft. Spin the shaft by hand (vehicle safely raised) and feel for roughness.
• Replacement notes: many workshops replace the complete prop shaft to maintain balance. If the bearing is serviced separately, the shaft must be marked for orientation, the bearing pressed off/on correctly, and all flanges reassembled to the original alignment to avoid new vibrations.
• Good practice: use new flange bolts where specified, apply threadlocker if the manual calls for it, and torque to spec. After refit, a road test on a smooth road at varied speeds helps confirm it’s all happy.

Australian and New Zealand conditions—corrugated roads, boat ramps, and long highway kilometres—can age the rubber carrier faster. Keeping tyres matched and pressures correct, and replacing worn engine or transmission mounts, all help the centre-bearing live a longer, quieter life.

If the vehicle is a 2WD Eclipse Cross, none of the above applies—there’s no centre-bearing fitted because there’s no rear prop shaft.

Technical references: Mitsubishi Motors Eclipse Cross (2018) Service Manual – Driveline/Propeller Shaft, MMC ASA/Mitsubishi Electronic Parts Catalogue for AWD (S-AWC) models listing the propeller shaft centre support bearing.

Popular questions

Does a 2018 Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross 2WD have a centre-bearing?
No. The 2WD model doesn’t have a rear propeller shaft, so there’s no centre-bearing fitted. Only S-AWC (AWD) versions use a two-piece shaft with a centre support bearing.

How long does a centre-bearing last on an AWD Eclipse Cross?
There’s no set lifespan. Many go well past 150,000 km, but heavy loads, rough roads, and age can crack the rubber support sooner. Inspect it at major services or any time a new driveline vibration appears.

Is it safe to drive with a failing centre-bearing?
It might start as a minor vibration, but it can worsen and stress other driveline parts. Best to have it inspected promptly, if the rubber carrier is torn or the bearing is rough, arrange repair before it escalates.