Parts for your 2008 Nissan Navara-Strut mounts

2008 Nissan Navara strut-mounts — what’s actually fitted

Short answer: a 2008 Nissan Navara doesn’t use a strut-mount in the MacPherson-strut sense. The D40 Navara (and the late D22 sold alongside it) runs an independent double-wishbone front end with a coil-over shock absorber, not a MacPherson strut. That means there’s no rotating strut top with a bearing — so a traditional “strut mount” isn’t applicable on this ute.

This isn’t just workshop slang, it’s how Nissan documents the front end. The Nissan Navara D40 Factory Service Manual (Front Suspension, FSU) identifies a double-wishbone layout with a shock absorber and coil spring assembly plus an upper mounting insulator, not a strut or strut top bearing. Nissan’s FAST parts catalogue for D40 likewise lists a front shock absorber upper insulator/bush components rather than a strut mount. General suspension references from OE suppliers (e.g., KYB and Monroe technical notes) define a strut mount as a bearing-supported top mount used on MacPherson struts — which the D40 doesn’t have.

Why it doesn’t have one comes down to steering geometry. On a MacPherson strut, the strut is the steering pivot, so the mount includes a bearing to let the assembly rotate. On the Navara’s double-wishbone setup, steering happens at the upper and lower ball joints and knuckle, the shock’s top insulator doesn’t rotate and doesn’t carry the same loads as a strut mount.

Shopping tip: if a catalogue shows “strut-mount” for a 2008 Navara, it’s usually referring (loosely) to the front shock absorber upper mount/insulator or bush kit. If you’re chasing front-end clunks over sharp bumps, perished rubber at the shock top, or a metallic knock after fitting lift springs, you’re likely looking for the shock top insulator and related hardware, not a strut top bearing.

• What to inspect: front shock upper insulator, washers and bushes, lower shock hardware, upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints.
• Service note: replace the upper insulator when fitting new front shocks or doing a suspension refresh. Torque to spec from the Nissan service manual and get a wheel alignment after any front-end work.

Popular questions about 2008 Nissan Navara strut-mounts

Does a 2008 Nissan Navara have strut mounts?
Not in the MacPherson-strut sense. It uses a double-wishbone front end with a coil-over shock and an upper mounting insulator. There’s no strut top bearing. If you see “strut-mount” listed, it’s typically the shock’s top insulator/bushes.

What should be ordered instead of a strut mount?
Ask for the front shock absorber upper mount/insulator and associated bush/washer hardware for the D40. If refreshing the front end, consider new shocks, top insulators, and check control arm bushes and ball joints at the same time.

Do you need a wheel alignment after replacing the shock top insulator?
It’s a good idea. While the shock itself doesn’t set geometry, loosening and re-tensioning front-end hardware or shifting ride height can nudge camber/caster and toe. An alignment helps protect tyres and keeps the Navara tracking straight.