Centre Bearing Alignment with Fitting Position Front Axle, Rear Axle

Lifting a 4WD or ute with a two-piece tailshaft changes more than ride height. It also changes centre bearing alignment, the position of the tailshaft centre bearing relative to the rest of the driveline. When that alignment is out, the tailshaft can run at angles it wasn't set up for. Fulcrum's range of centre bearing alignment kits and offset brackets is designed to reposition the centre bearing to better suit a raised vehicle. Use the vehicle search to see the kits listed for selected vehicles.

What Is Centre Bearing Alignment?

On a two-piece tailshaft, the centre bearing (also called a carrier bearing) supports the shaft where its front and rear sections meet. The bearing sits in a rubber insulator that bolts to a crossmember or chassis mount, so its mounting height sets the height of the middle of the driveshaft.

Centre bearing alignment, or center bearing alignment, describes how well that mounting position suits the angles of the shaft sections either side of it. With correct alignment, the universal joints work within the operating angles the driveline was designed for. When alignment is out, those joints work through larger or uneven angles.

Why Lifting a Vehicle Throws Out Centre Bearing Alignment

A suspension lift moves the rear axle further from the chassis, but the centre bearing stays bolted to the chassis at its original height. The front section of the tailshaft runs from the gearbox or transfer case to a bearing that hasn't moved. The rear section now has to run at a steeper angle down to a lower differential. The bigger the lift, the more this relationship changes.

Changed angles at the universal joints can contribute to driveline vibration, often noticed when accelerating from a standstill or at particular road speeds. Misalignment can also put extra load on the centre bearing and its rubber insulator over time. Correcting centre bearing alignment aims to bring the shaft sections closer to their intended angles at the new ride height.

How a Centre Bearing Alignment Kit Works

A centre bearing alignment kit lowers or repositions the bearing mount so the tailshaft sections sit at more suitable angles for the lifted vehicle. Kit contents vary, so check the components list on each product page.

Centre Bearing Spacer and Alignment Kits

Spacer kits fit between the centre bearing mount and the chassis to drop the bearing to a new position. A typical kit includes a spacer plate, bolts and washers.

Centre Bearing Offset Brackets

Offset brackets relocate the centre bearing mount to a lower position rather than simply spacing it down. SuperPro states its centre bearing offset bracket lowers the centre driveshaft bearing to reduce the severity of vibration often associated with a suspension lift or an unbalanced driveshaft. Some SuperPro products include an installation sheet, which you can download from the product page.

Signs Your Centre Bearing Alignment May Be Out

On a lifted vehicle, incorrect centre bearing alignment can contribute to:

• vibration through the floor or seat, especially when taking off or accelerating
• vibration that appears or worsens at certain road speeds after a lift
• a clunk from under the vehicle when taking off or changing between drive and reverse
• uneven wear, cracking or distortion in the centre bearing's rubber insulator.

Other driveline and suspension problems can cause the same symptoms. Worn universal joints, an out-of-balance tailshaft, a worn slip yoke, incorrect pinion angle, worn engine or transmission mounts, and wheel or tyre balance can all contribute to similar vibration or noise. Have the driveline inspected by a qualified technician to confirm the cause before fitting a centre bearing alignment kit.

Alignment Kit or a Worn Centre Bearing?

A centre bearing alignment kit corrects the bearing's position; it doesn't repair a worn bearing. If the bearing is noisy or loose, or the rubber insulator has torn or separated, the bearing will need replacing. Tailshaft centre bearing replacement cost depends on the vehicle and how much tailshaft work is involved, so an inspection and quote is the best guide. If the bearing is being replaced on a lifted vehicle, ask whether the alignment should be corrected at the same time, so the new bearing isn't left running at the same incorrect angle.

Choosing the Right Centre Bearing Alignment Kit

Centre bearing alignment kits are vehicle-specific, because mount design, bolt spacing and tailshaft layout differ from one vehicle to the next. Before ordering, check these four things:

• Fitment. Use the vehicle search to find the kits listed for your vehicle.
• Your setup. Confirm your vehicle has a two-piece tailshaft with a centre bearing, rather than a one-piece shaft.
• Your lift height. Alignment kits are intended to compensate for a raised ride height. Vehicles with larger lifts or other driveline changes may need further work, and a technician can advise.
• Condition of related parts. Check the centre bearing, rubber insulator and universal joints. Correcting alignment won't resolve vibration caused by worn components.

After fitting, the vehicle should be road tested to confirm the vibration has been addressed. If you're unsure where a vibration is coming from, Fulcrum's free suspension check is a useful first step.

Fitting with Click & Fit

Choose Click & Fit at checkout to buy your centre bearing alignment kit online and have it fitted at a Fulcrum workshop. Your parts are delivered to the workshop and an installation date is booked with you.

Buy Centre Bearing Alignment Parts from Fulcrum

Centre bearing alignment is one part of getting a lifted vehicle's driveline and geometry right. Browse the wider alignment parts range for other geometry correction hardware. You can also explore 4x4 lift kits, diff drop kits and suspension bushes. Start with the vehicle search to find the centre bearing alignment parts listed for your vehicle.