Parts for your 1997 Nissan Navara-Struts

1997 Nissan Navara Struts — What’s Actually Fitted on This Ute

Short answer: the 1997 Nissan Navara doesn’t use struts. Technical sources including the Nissan D22 Factory Service Manual (Front Suspension, FA/FS sections), the Haynes Nissan Frontier/Truck manual for the equivalent D22 platform, and common fitment catalogues from major damper brands (e.g., KYB and Monroe) all list separate shock absorbers rather than MacPherson strut assemblies for this model year Navara.

Why no struts? The D22 Navara sits on a ladder-frame chassis and runs double-wishbone independent front suspension. In Australia and New Zealand, most 4x4 and many 2WD variants use torsion bars up front with an upper and lower control arm and a separate shock absorber. Some 2WD market variants use a coil spring instead of a torsion bar, but the shock is still separate from the spring. The rear is a live axle with leaf springs and separate shocks. None of those layouts require a MacPherson strut, which is a structural damper/spring unit that also locates the wheel — more common on passenger cars with unibody construction.

This setup suits a work-ready ute: it’s robust, easy to service, and handles loads and rough roads well. Torsion bars allow ride height adjustment without changing springs, and separate shocks are quicker and cheaper to replace than a complete strut assembly. A traditional strut would offer packaging benefits for cars, but it’s not the go-to for a ladder-frame Navara where durability, ground clearance, and load capacity are priorities.

If parts listings show “front struts” for a 1997 Navara, that’s usually just catalogue shorthand. What the vehicle actually needs are shock absorbers. When freshening the suspension, most owners replace front and rear shocks, inspect control arm bushes and ball joints, check torsion bar condition and indexing, and make sure the leaf spring packs and shackles are in good nick. After any front-end work, a proper wheel alignment is a must to keep tyre wear even and steering feel tidy.

• Front: Double-wishbone, torsion bar (or coil on some 2WD), separate shock absorber
• Rear: Live axle, leaf springs, separate shock absorber

FAQs

Does a 1997 Nissan Navara have front struts?
No. The D22 Navara uses a double-wishbone front end with torsion bars (or coils on some 2WDs) and separate shock absorbers, not MacPherson struts. This is supported by the Nissan D22 factory manual and common suspension catalogues for that year.

What should be replaced instead of struts on a 1997 Navara?
Replace the front and rear shock absorbers when they’re worn, and inspect related hardware: upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints up front, torsion bar condition, and rear leaf spring bushes and shackles. If ride height has sagged, address torsion bar indexing or spring condition.

Can aftermarket “struts” be fitted to convert the front end?
True MacPherson struts can’t be retrofitted without major engineering changes. Some coilover kits exist for the D22, but they still function as shocks within the double-wishbone layout, not as structural struts. Check local rules (WOF/LVV cert in NZ, engineering/ADR compliance in AU) before modifying suspension.