Parts for your 2022 Toyota Land cruiser-Centre bearing

2022 Toyota LandCruiser centre bearing — what it does and when to service it

For the 2022 Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series (J300), a centre bearing is fitted as part of the two-piece rear propeller shaft (tailshaft). This is documented in Toyota’s Repair Manual for the LandCruiser 300 (Drivetrain/Propeller Shaft section) and reflected in the Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC), which lists a “centre support bearing” for the rear prop shaft on AU/NZ-market J300 variants. Workshop procedures in the Toyota service literature also cover removing/refitting the centre support and setting tailshaft phasing, confirming the component’s presence and role.

On the LC300, the centre bearing sits roughly mid-way along the rear tailshaft, cradled in a rubber support and bolted to the chassis crossmember. Its job is to support the two-piece shaft, keep driveline angles happy, and cut down vibration and noise at highway speeds or under load. The rubber isolator around the bearing soaks up harshness, while the bearing itself holds the shaft steady as the suspension articulates.

It’s a sealed bearing assembly, so there’s no routine greasing. During regular servicing, a quick visual and hands-on check goes a long way: look for cracked or perished rubber, drooping support, torn dust shields and any shiny metal where things have been rubbing. Spin and rock the shaft near the support — excessive play, a dull clunk on take-off, or a humming/booming that changes with speed are all classic signs the centre bearing is on the way out.

• Common symptoms of wear: shudder on acceleration, mid-cabin vibration at 40–80 km/h, “whirring” that rises with road speed, or a thump when shifting from reverse to drive.
• Service tips: mark the flanges and yokes before removal to keep tailshaft phasing, torque fasteners to spec, check universal joints and slip joint while you’re there, road-test for vibration after refit.
• Lifted vehicles: suspension lifts change driveline angles and can accelerate centre bearing wear. After a lift, have driveline angles checked and consider shims/adjustments recommended in Toyota and reputable aftermarket setup guides.

Replacement is straightforward for a capable workshop: the tailshaft comes out, the old support is pressed off, and a new genuine or high-quality OE-equivalent centre support is fitted. Because balance and phasing are critical, most owners leave this to a driveline specialist or dealer workshop. Get it sorted promptly — a tired centre bearing can take out U-joints and chew through tyres from the extra vibration.

Does the 2022 LandCruiser 300 have a centre bearing?

Yes. The LC300 uses a two-piece rear tailshaft with a chassis-mounted centre support bearing. This layout is shown in Toyota’s Repair Manual (propeller shaft section) and the Toyota EPC parts listings for AU/NZ models.

What are the signs the centre bearing needs replacement on an LC300?

Look for a shudder on take-off, a mid-cabin hum or drone that follows road speed, visible cracks in the rubber support, or a clunk when shifting between drive and reverse. Any of these warrant inspection before they snowball into U-joint or diff flange wear.

Is there any routine maintenance for the LC300 centre bearing?

It’s a sealed unit, so there’s no greasing. Include it in regular service inspections: check the rubber support, fasteners, and driveline play. After suspension lifts or heavy towing work, recheck driveline angles and mounting condition to keep vibrations in check.