Center Support Bearing

The factory center support carrier features an internal bushing constructed from soft, pliable rubber. While this provides a smooth and quiet ride for standard driving, it falls short in performance-oriented applications where durability and precision are critical. During acceleration, shifting, and under load, the rubber bushing's inherent flexibility allows for excessive driveshaft movement. Over time, repeated stress and wear on the rubber will cause bushing failure, risking poor driveshaft alignment and efficiency. In extreme cases, this failure will cause a constant rotational "clunking" noise, a clear indicator of impending failure.

The ECS Tuning Center Support Bearing Brace is designed to enhance the performance and longevity of your drivetrain. To improve upon the factory design, and to create a performance alternative, our engineers started by designing a set of exact-fit, split low durometer rubber bushings that clamp around your existing driveshaft bearing. Crafted from 30A durometer rubber, our material choice effectively eliminates bushing deflection without causing an increase in noise, vibration, and harshness. By eliminating deflection, this design ensures a longer lifespan than the stock center support bearing, making it a great investment for enthusiasts looking to maintain their aging BMW chassis.

The rubber bushings are encased in a high-strength 6061-T6 billet aluminum bracket, engineered for both durability and performance. Like the bushings, the bracket features a split design, allowing for seamless installation without the need to remove the entire driveshaft assembly, saving time and effort during maintenance or upgrades. To ensure reliable clamping and secure fastening, the bracket is equipped with two corrosion-resistant stainless steel socket head screws. This design simplifies bushing replacement and provides a dependable and sturdy hold, even under high torque and stress conditions.

FEATURES

Exact-fit bushings are made from 30A durometer rubber to eliminate bushing deflection while maintaining a smooth, quiet ride.
Solid fill rubber construction offers a longer lifespan than flimsy factory rubber, ideal for enthusiasts looking to eliminate future CSB-related problems.
Bushings are encased in a 6061-T6 billet aluminum bracket for enhanced durability and improved performance.
Both the bushings and the bracket feature a two-piece split design, allowing for seamless installation without driveshaft removal.
Designed with performance in mind, this upgrade eliminates excessive driveshaft movement for improved alignment and efficiency.
KIT CONTENTS

ECS Driveshaft Center Support Bushings
ECS Driveshaft Center Support Carrier
(2) Stainless Steel Hex Head Screws
Medium Strength Threadlocker
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

Our ECS Driveshaft Center Support Carrier was designed, engineered, tested, and quality-inspected by our Research and Development team at our Wadsworth, Ohio, facility. We strive for the highest level of precision and quality through leading-edge product development technology including FARO laser scanning for reverse engineering and quality inspection, SolidWorks 3D CAD modeling, rapid prototyping utilizing our in-house 3D printer, and rigorous long-term product testing.

INSTALLATION & SUPPORT

Need installation tips? We put together a full installation tutorial from start to finish including how to remove your OEM parts in detail! See our Installation PDF under the INSTALLATION Tab for more information.

The ECS Tuning Center Support Bearing Brace is engineered to improve drivetrain performance and longevity. The factory center support bearing features an internal rubber bushing to reduce NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) transmission to the cabin. Unfortunately, this material choice falls short when it comes to performance applications. Under extreme load conditions, this bushing is prone to flexing, resulting in driveshaft misalignment. To address the shortcomings of the factory rubber center support carrier design, ECS engineers developed a set of precision-fit, solid rubber bushings that secure tightly around the existing driveshaft bearing. Constructed from 30A durometer rubber, this material eliminates bushing deflection while maintaining minimal noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). By eliminating deflection, this innovative solution not only improves durability but also ensures a significantly longer service life than the OEM center support bearing—making it an excellent upgrade for aging BMW chassis.

The polyurethane bushings are surrounded by a robust 6061-T6 billet aluminum bracket designed with strength and reliability in mind. This bracket features a split design for hassle-free installation, eliminating the need to remove the driveshaft assembly entirely. To install the ECS Center Support Carrier, simply cut around your existing bearing, remove the factory brace, and clamp on your new bushings and bracket. This user-friendly approach saves time and simplifies maintenance or upgrades. Two stainless steel socket head screws are used to fasten the two-piece bracket, offering corrosion resistance and secure clamping under high torque and stress. This combination of materials and design ensures dependable performance and long-lasting durability, even in demanding applications.

Features & Benefits:

Performance-Designed Bushing Upgrade: 30A durometer rubber is used to eliminate bushing deflection while maintaining a smooth, quiet ride.
Improved Longevity: Solid rubber bushing construction offers a longer lifespan than the thin factory rubber, ideal for enthusiasts looking to eliminate future CSB-related problems.
Billet Aluminum Bracket: The upgraded bushings are encased in a 6061-T6 billet aluminum bracket for enhanced durability and improved performance.
Easy Installation: Both the bushings and the bracket feature a two-piece split design, allowing for seamless installation without driveshaft removal.
Reduce Deflection, Increase Rigidity: Designed with performance in mind, this upgrade eliminates excessive driveshaft movement for improved alignment and efficiency.
Kit Includes:

ECS Driveshaft Center Support Bushings
ECS Driveshaft Center Support Carrier
(2) Stainless Steel Hex Head Screws
Medium Strength Threadlocker
Installation Instructions:

ECS has provided a detailed, start-to-finish installation guide to aid in the process of installing your new Driveshaft Center Support Carrier.