Parts for your 2007 Nissan Navara-Strut mounts

Understanding the Strut Mounts on the 2007 Nissan Navara

The 2007 Nissan Navara is a versatile and rugged ute designed to handle tough Aussie conditions, whether you're off-roading or cruising down the highway. One component that often gets overlooked but plays a key role in the vehicle's suspension setup is the strut mount. So, does the 2007 Navara actually use strut mounts? The short answer is no, and here's why.

The 2007 Nissan Navara features a suspension system that differs from what you'd find in typical passenger cars that use MacPherson strut setups. Instead of struts, the Navara employs a double wishbone suspension at the front and a leaf spring setup at the rear, which is common in utility vehicles designed for load-carrying and durability. The double wishbone suspension setup relies on shock absorbers and coil springs mounted separately, without the need for strut mounts.

Strut mounts are typically used in strut-type suspension designs, where the shock absorber and coil spring are combined into a single structural component - the strut. This design requires a strut mount to connect the strut assembly to the vehicle chassis, effectively absorbing vibrations, providing a pivot point for steering, and sometimes isolating noise. However, because the Nissan Navara uses separate shocks and springs arranged in a wishbone setup, strut mounts are simply not part of the design.

This choice is intentional. Double wishbone suspensions provide improved handling, greater wheel control, and better load-carrying capacity. These benefits are important for a ute like the Navara, which often carries heavy loads or traverses rough terrain. The lack of strut mounts is actually a reflection of the Navara's rugged engineering rather than an omission.

For anyone maintaining or servicing a 2007 Nissan Navara, this means that typical strut mount issues you might see on passenger cars - such as noise from worn mounts, vibrations through the steering, or poor shock absorption due to mount wear - won't be concerns here. Instead, attention should be paid to other components of the suspension system, such as the bushings on the wishbones, shock absorbers themselves, and leaf spring shackles and mounts at the rear.

So while the 2007 Navara does not feature strut mounts, understanding what strut mounts are and why they are used can be useful for general automotive knowledge. In vehicles that do have struts, strut mounts serve some important purposes:

• They provide a secure and cushioned connection point between the strut assembly and the car body
• The top mount acts as a pivot point for the strut, which is crucial for steering functionality
• Many strut mounts incorporate a rubber or polyurethane bushing to dampen vibrations and reduce noise, leading to improved ride comfort

When servicing strut-mounted vehicles, it is common to replace the strut mounts alongside the struts and springs, especially when they show signs of wear or damage. This helps maintain proper suspension geometry, handling, and noise reduction. Symptoms of failing strut mounts can include clunking noises over bumps, excessive vibration in the cabin, uneven tyre wear, and steering difficulties.

Although the Navara's suspension arrangement means strut mounts are not part of its design, maintaining suspension health is crucial on any vehicle. For the 2007 Nissan Navara, regular inspection and replacement of components such as shock absorbers, wishbone bushes, ball joints, and leaf spring mounts will keep the suspension system functioning well for years of hard work and adventure.

In short, the 2007 Nissan Navara opts for a tough, no-nonsense suspension system that forgoes strut mounts in favour of a double wishbone and separate shock setup. This design suits the vehicle's purpose perfectly and means maintenance focuses on different parts than you might expect if you're coming from a car with a strut suspension. Understanding these distinctions helps Navara owners better care for their ute and ensures they get the most out of its legendary durability on Aussie roads.