Parts for your 2014 Nissan Navara-Struts

2014 Nissan Navara Struts — What’s Actually Fitted

Based on the Nissan Navara D40 Workshop Manual for 2010–2014 (Front Suspension, Section FSU), the Nissan FAST parts catalogue for D40, and common aftermarket fitment guides (KYB/Monroe), the 2014 Navara (D40) does not use MacPherson struts. Up front it runs an independent double‑wishbone setup with a coil spring and a separate shock absorber (damper). The rear uses leaf springs with separate shocks. In other words, while some catalogues loosely call the front damper assembly a “strut”, it’s not a structural strut that locates the wheel — the upper and lower control arms handle geometry and load paths.

Why no struts on a 2014 Navara? It’s a ladder‑frame ute designed for payload, towing and rough tracks. A double‑wishbone layout suits that brief because it:

• Keeps camber and toe more consistent under heavy loads and long‑travel movement.
• Pushes big loads through robust upper and lower arms instead of a strut tower.
• Packages well with the frame rails and 4x4 hardware without needing car‑style strut towers.

So if someone’s hunting “Navara struts”, what they actually need are front shock absorbers (dampers) and their mounts/insulators. The job is a familiar coil‑over damper swap rather than a full strut replacement. When chasing ride or steering issues on a 2014 D40, it’s smart to:

• Inspect front shocks for oil seepage, dents, or weak rebound. Many utes show tired dampers by 80–120,000 kilometres depending on towing and corrugations.
• Check upper/lower control arm bushes and ball joints, sway‑bar links and bushes, and the top insulator/mount of the shock.
• Replace components in axle pairs for balanced handling and even tyre wear.
• Torque all arm and bush bolts at normal ride height to avoid preloading bushes.
• Get a proper wheel alignment after any suspension or steering work.

The takeaway for 2014 Navara owners: it doesn’t run true struts, but keeping the shocks, bushes and ball joints in good nick will make a big difference to ride, braking stability and tyre life on Aussie and Kiwi roads and tracks.

Popular questions about 2014 Nissan Navara “struts”

Do 2014 Navaras have front struts?
No. The D40 uses double‑wishbone front suspension with a coil spring and separate shock absorber. The damper doesn’t locate the wheel like a MacPherson strut, the control arms do. Parts sites sometimes say “strut” as shorthand, but technically it’s a shock.

What should be replaced with the front shocks?
Along with new front shocks, it’s worth checking the top mounts/insulators, bump stops, sway‑bar links and bushes, and the control arm bushes and ball joints. If anything’s worn, replace it and follow up with a wheel alignment.

How can someone tell their front shocks are worn?
Look for oil leaks, nose‑diving under brakes, floaty or bouncy behaviour over bumps, cupped or uneven tyre wear, and knocking over corrugations. Heavy towing, loads, or off‑roading can accelerate wear.