Parts for your 2005 Nissan Navara-Struts

2005 Nissan Navara struts: are they used, and what should owners know?

Short answer: struts aren’t used on the 2005 Nissan Navara. Both Navara platforms sold in 2005—D22 and D40—run front independent double-wishbone suspension, not MacPherson struts. The Nissan Navara D40 Series Service Manual (Front Suspension/FSU section) specifies a double-wishbone layout with a separate shock absorber and coil spring (often supplied as a coil-over assembly). The Nissan Navara D22 Service Manual (Front Suspension/FSU section) lists a double-wishbone with torsion bars and a separate shock absorber. Rear suspension on both is leaf springs with dampers (Rear Suspension/RA section). None of these systems use a structural strut.

Why no struts on this ute? A ladder-frame utility like the Navara is built for load-carrying, towing and rough roads. Double-wishbone designs suit body-on-frame construction because they control camber through long wheel travel, package well around a front differential in 4x4 models, and handle higher static and dynamic loads. A true MacPherson strut relies on a rigid upper strut tower in a monocoque body to take lateral loads, that architecture isn’t ideal on a separate chassis ute aimed at durability, payload and ground clearance. Torsion bars (D22) and coil-over shocks (D40) also make ride-height tuning, accessory fitment (bull bars, winches) and off-road geometry easier than a strut tower arrangement.

So, while parts catalogues sometimes call the D40’s coil-over assembly a “strut”, it isn’t a structural MacPherson strut. Servicing on a 2005 Navara focuses on shocks/dampers, springs (torsion bars on D22, coils on D40), control arm bushes and ball joints, sway-bar links, and leaf-spring hardware at the rear. Technicians generally recommend inspecting shocks and front-end bushes every 20,000 km or 12 months, and replacing worn dampers anywhere from 80,000–150,000 km depending on use (earlier if it’s seen a hard life on corrugations or carrying heavy loads).

Tell-tales the Navara’s dampers are due include cupped or scalloped tyre wear, excessive bounce after speed humps, front-end clunks, or oil weeping on the shock body. When replacing front dampers: use quality units matched to any lift or accessory weight, for D40 coil-over assemblies, use a proper spring compressor, for D22, set torsion bar preload correctly, and always get a wheel alignment afterwards. Torque control arm and mounting hardware at normal ride height to avoid bush pre-load.

Does a 2005 Nissan Navara use MacPherson struts?

No. The 2005 D22 uses double wishbones with torsion bars and separate shocks, the 2005 D40 uses double wishbones with a coil-over shock. Rear is leaf springs with shocks. Neither platform employs a structural MacPherson strut.

What suspension parts should be serviced instead of struts?

Front shocks/dampers, coil springs (D40) or torsion bars (D22), upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints, sway-bar links and bushes, plus rear leaf-spring bushes, shackles and shocks. Regular wheel alignments help protect tyres and steering feel.

Can struts be retrofitted to a 2005 Navara?

Not as a true MacPherson setup. Aftermarket “coilovers” on D40 replace the shock-and-spring assembly but still work within the double-wishbone architecture. D22 upgrades typically mean better shocks and uprated torsion bars. With any lift, mind CV angles, bump stop clearance and always align it afterwards.