Parts for your 2002 Nissan Serena-Strut mounts

2002 Nissan Serena Strut Mounts — What They Do and When to Replace

Strut mounts are absolutely relevant to the 2002 Nissan Serena (C24). Technical references including the Nissan Serena C24 Service Manual (Front Suspension, FSU), the Nissan FAST electronic parts catalogue for C24, and common aftermarket catalogues (e.g., KYB/Monroe mounting kits) all show a MacPherson strut front suspension with a dedicated strut insulator/mount and bearing at the top of each front strut. The rear of the C24 uses a separate spring and shock (not a strut), so there’s no rear strut mount on this model.

On a 2002 Serena, the front strut mounts do two big jobs: they isolate road vibration and noise from the cabin, and they let the strut turn smoothly as the steering moves. Inside the mount is rubber to soak up harshness and, typically, a bearing plate so the strut can rotate without binding. When they’re healthy, steering feels light and precise, and the van tracks nicely without extra rattles or groans.

As these mounts age, the rubber hardens or cracks and the bearing can dry out. That shows up as clunks over speed bumps, a dull thud when braking or taking off, and a notchy feel when turning the wheel at parking speeds. It can also nudge the alignment off, leading to feathered or uneven tyre wear. High kilometres, heavy loads, and rough roads speed things along—pretty common use for a family or shuttle Serena.

• Common signs: clunking or creaking at the top of the strut towers, steering “memory” or spring-back, uneven front tyre wear, and vague on-centre feel.
• Visual checks: perished rubber, separated mount layers, rust staining around the top hat, or excessive strut shaft movement at the tower.

Good servicing practice is to inspect the strut mounts at each service or at least every 20,000 km, and always when replacing front struts or springs. If one mount’s gone, replacing both fronts as a pair keeps handling balanced. Use quality mounts and bearings, mixing old mounts with new struts can pass noise straight back into the cabin.

Replacement tips: compress the spring safely, mark the spring and top hat orientation, and torque the top nut and mount fasteners to spec. Sit the vehicle on its wheels before final tightening to avoid pre-loading the rubber. Finish with a wheel alignment. In NZ, a WOF check that notes play or noise at the towers is a cue to organise mounts with the next strut job.

FAQs

Does a 2002 Nissan Serena have front and rear strut mounts?
It has strut mounts at the front only. The front is MacPherson strut with a top mount and bearing, the rear runs a separate spring and shock, so no rear strut mount.

How often should strut mounts be replaced?
There’s no fixed interval, but many last 100,000–200,000 km. Inspect them each service and replace when noisy, cracked, or whenever fitting new front struts to keep things quiet and tight.

What are the classic symptoms of worn strut mounts on a Serena?
Clunks over bumps, creaks when turning, notchy low-speed steering, and uneven front tyre wear. You might also feel a slight shimmy through the wheel on coarse roads.