Parts for your 2010 Nissan Pathfinder-Strut mounts

2010 Nissan Pathfinder strut mounts — what’s actually fitted?

Short answer: genuine strut mounts aren’t used on the 2010 Nissan Pathfinder (R51). The vehicle runs a front independent double-wishbone setup with a coil-over shock absorber, not a MacPherson strut. This is documented in the Nissan Factory Service Manual for the 2010 Pathfinder (R51) in the Front Suspension (FSU) and Rear Suspension (RSU) sections, which describe a double-wishbone front end and a multi-link rear with separate shocks. Parts catalogues for the R51 also list a front shock absorber with an upper insulator/bush and hardware, but no strut top bearing or “strut mount” assembly as you’d see on a MacPherson strut design.

Why that matters: a “strut mount” normally includes a bearing plate that lets the whole strut turn with the steering on MacPherson-equipped cars. On the R51 Pathfinder, the steering pivots at the upper and lower ball joints of the control arms, the shock and spring don’t act as a structural strut, so there’s no rotating strut top. Instead, the coil-over shock is secured to the chassis at the top with a rubber insulator and to the lower control arm at the bottom. That’s why a traditional strut-mount kit isn’t applicable here.

What owners should service instead: look at the front shock absorber assemblies (including upper insulators), upper and lower control arm bushes and ball joints, and the rear shocks and link bushes. During routine servicing, a quick check every 10,000–20,000 kilometres or annually is smart. Replace the front shocks and upper insulators in pairs if there’s oil seepage, clunks over bumps, front-end “pogoing”, or uneven tyre wear. When refitting, components should be torqued with the suspension at normal ride height to avoid preloading bushes. Quality aftermarket shocks from reputable brands come with the correct upper hardware for this design, there’s no strut bearing to worry about.

• Common symptoms to watch: front-end clunk after corrugations, nose-diving under brakes, feathered tyres, or a twitchy steering feel.
• Typical wear items: front shock upper insulators, control arm bushes, sway bar links and bushes.

Q: Does a 2010 Nissan Pathfinder have struts or shocks?

A: It uses shocks. The front is a double-wishbone coil-over shock arrangement and the rear uses separate shocks, so there are no MacPherson struts or strut mounts. Steering loads go through the ball joints, not a strut top bearing.

Q: What replaces a “strut mount” on this model?

A: The nearest equivalent is the front shock’s upper insulator/bush and hardware. It isolates noise and vibration but doesn’t contain a steering bearing. If it’s cracked or perished, replace it when doing the front shocks.

Q: Can I retrofit MacPherson struts to my R51?

A: No practical or safe retrofit exists. The chassis, knuckles and control arms are engineered for a double-wishbone layout. Converting to MacPherson would require extensive redesign and certification, sticking with quality coil-over shocks and fresh bushes is the right move.