Kia Optima Center Support Bearing Replacement at your home or office.

What is the Center Support Bearing all about?

While many of the cars on the road today use a front-wheel drive format, there are plenty of rear-wheel drive vehicles out there. These range from trucks to SUVs to passenger cars, and they all use drive shafts that connect the transmission to the rear differential in order to turn the rear wheels.

However, in very long drive shafts made with two sections, strains are problematic. A center support bearing is used to provide support for the shaft, reduce strain on drivetrain components, and allow the shaft to turn freely. It is a universal joint that allows free motion even if the shaft isn’t fully straight. If the center support bearing is worn, seized, or damaged, you will hear excessive squeaking noises or experience a “binding” feeling when driving.