Parts for your 2007 Nissan Pathfinder-Strut mounts

2007 Nissan Pathfinder strut mounts — what’s actually fitted

Chasing “2007 Nissan Pathfinder strut-mounts”? Here’s the straight answer: this model doesn’t use MacPherson struts, so there are no strut mounts to service or replace. The factory setup, as detailed in the Nissan Pathfinder R51 Service Manual (Front Suspension: independent double wishbone with a coil spring over a shock absorber, Rear Suspension: rigid axle with multi-link and coil springs), relies on control arms and shock mounts rather than a strut and top mount bearing. Major aftermarket catalogues (e.g., KYB and Monroe fitment data for R51, 2005–2012) also list “strut mount” as Not Applicable for this vehicle.

Why’s that? A MacPherson strut uses a top mount/bearing that carries both suspension and steering loads. The R51 Pathfinder’s front end uses upper and lower control arms to manage camber and steering geometry, while the shock absorber only damps motion. Because the shock isn’t the steering pivot, there’s no need for a strut top bearing. Off-road durability, better wheel control, and packaging for a proper 4x4 are big reasons Nissan went with double wishbones on this platform.

If someone’s hearing knocks or clunks and is thinking “strut mounts”, the attention should shift to the correct wear points for this chassis. Up front, the shock absorber has an upper mount with rubber insulators/bushes and hardware, and the suspension relies on ball joints and arm bushes to stay tight and quiet. Down the back, a multi-link solid axle uses link bushes and a panhard rod bush to keep things tracking true.

• Front: inspect upper shock insulator/bushes, shock hardware, upper and lower control arm bushes, ball joints, and sway-bar link/bushes.
• Rear: check upper/lower link bushes, panhard rod bush, shock mounts, and coil spring seats/isolators.

Typical signs it’s time for attention include clunks over sharp bumps, vague steering, cupped tyres, or a shimmy through the wheel. If the shocks are coming out for replacement, it’s smart bang-for-buck to fit new upper shock insulators and mount hardware at the same time. For anyone lifting or touring, quality bushes and fresh shocks go a long way to keeping an R51 quiet, planted, and ready for the next run up the coast or down a corrugated fire trail.

Technical sources referenced: Nissan Pathfinder R51 Service Manual (Front and Rear Suspension sections, 2007 model year), KYB and Monroe application catalogues for Nissan Pathfinder R51 (2005–2012) showing “strut mount” not applicable.

Popular questions about 2007 Nissan Pathfinder strut mounts

Does a 2007 Nissan Pathfinder have strut mounts?

No. The R51 Pathfinder uses a double-wishbone front suspension with a coil-over shock, not a MacPherson strut. That means there’s no strut top mount/bearing assembly. It uses shock mounts with rubber insulators instead.

What should be replaced instead of strut mounts on an R51?

When chasing front-end noises or looseness, look at the front shock upper insulators/bushes, control arm bushes and ball joints, and sway-bar links/bushes. In the rear, inspect the link bushes, panhard rod bush, shock mounts, and coil spring isolators.

Can the front shock top mount be mistaken for a strut mount?

Easy mistake. The shock top has rubber insulators and a mounting plate, but it doesn’t contain a steering bearing or support the hub like a strut does. It isolates vibration only, so it’s serviced as shock mounting hardware, not a strut mount.