Parts for your 2005 Nissan Pathfinder-Strut mounts

Are strut mounts used on the 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (R51)?

Short answer: no. The 2005 Nissan Pathfinder (R51) doesn’t use MacPherson struts, so traditional strut mounts (with a bearing plate at the top of the strut) aren’t fitted. Per the Nissan Factory Service Manual for the R51 (Front Suspension, FSU, Rear Suspension, RSU), the Pathfinder runs a double‑wishbone front suspension with a coil-over shock absorber and an independent rear setup, not a strut-based system. Haynes/Chilton repair guides for the R51 platform describe the same architecture. In Nissan’s own parts catalogues you’ll find upper shock insulators and brackets, not “strut top mounts”.

Why that matters: in a MacPherson layout, the strut does the steering and load-bearing, and the strut mount/bearing lets the assembly rotate. On the R51 Pathfinder, the steering knuckle is controlled by upper and lower control arms, and the shock/spring assembly doesn’t rotate with steering. Because of that, there’s no strut bearing plate up top—just a shock absorber mount and insulators that isolate noise and vibration.

So if someone is chasing “strut mounts” for a 2005 Pathfinder, what they actually need are the shock absorber upper mounts/insulators, spring seats, or related hardware for the coil-over assembly. These parts can harden or compress with age and cause knocks over bumps, but they aren’t strut bearings.

• What to inspect instead:
  • Front shock absorber upper insulators/mounts and spring seats for cracking or collapse.
  • Stabiliser (sway) bar links and bushes if there’s clunking over small bumps.
  • Upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints for play or perished rubber.
  • Rear shock mounts and bushes if there’s rear-end thump or float.
• Servicing tip: when replacing front shocks on the R51, it’s smart to renew the upper insulators and any fatigued rubber hardware at the same time to keep NVH in check.
• Parts ordering tip: ask for “front shock absorber upper mount/insulator for R51 Pathfinder” rather than “strut mount” to avoid mismatched parts listings.

FAQs

Does a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder have strut mounts?
It doesn’t. The R51 uses double‑wishbone front suspension with a coil-over shock, plus an independent rear arrangement. The Nissan Factory Service Manual details shock mounts and insulators, not strut top bearings, because the shock isn’t a steering member in this design.

What should be replaced if there’s a knock from the top of the front suspension?
Start with the front shock absorber upper insulators and spring seats, then check sway bar links/bushes and control arm bushes/ball joints. Any play or crushed rubber up top can sound like a failed “strut mount”, but on this model it’s usually the shock mount insulators or sway links.

I see “strut mounts” listed online for my Pathfinder—will they fit?
Those listings are often generic or mislabelled. For a 2005 Pathfinder you want shock absorber mount/insulator kits suited to the R51 chassis. Match by VIN and build date, and avoid parts described as strut bearings/top hats for MacPherson systems.