Propshaft centre bearing and coupling wear
Attaches to 955/957 at chassis level · Drivetrain · carried by 2 variants across 1 chassis
Overview
Propshaft centre bearing and coupling wear is a common fault recorded against 955/957 at chassis level, typically from 100–190k km. It shows up as a vibration through the floor from about 80 km/h, a clunk when taking up drive, and a droning noise that grows with speed. Where it's documented, the repair runs €600–€1,600 (propshaft assembly at a specialist, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be checked before you buy. 2 variants across 1 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. A vibration through the floor from about 80 km/h, a clunk when taking up drive, and a droning noise that grows with speed.
Cause. The centre bearing and its rubber coupling carry a lot of weight and torque, and both perish. The shaft is usually supplied as a complete assembly, which is what makes an otherwise ordinary part expensive.
How to check it
On the drive
Drive at motorway speed on a smooth road and feel for vibration through the floor rather than the wheel. A clunk as you move off from rest points the same way.
Include low-speed manoeuvring, not just an open road.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 V6 M02-2Y | 955/957 | SUV | 2003–2007 | R4 | €7,250 | 15% |
| 3.0 TDI CASA | 955/957 | SUV | 2009–2010 | R3 | €15,000 | 7% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.