Parts for your 2016 Nissan Navara-Strut mounts

2016 Nissan Navara strut-mounts: are they fitted, and what should owners know?

Short answer: a 2016 Nissan Navara (D23/NP300) does not use MacPherson-style strut-mounts. Technical sources for the D23 platform — including the Nissan Navara D23 Series Service Manual (Front Suspension, FSU section) and the Nissan electronic parts catalogue (FAST/EPC) — specify a front double-wishbone layout with a coil spring over a separate shock absorber. Because the shock doesn’t act as a structural strut and the steering axis runs through the upper and lower ball joints, there’s no rotating strut top bearing or conventional “strut mount” as found on MacPherson-strut cars.

What the Navara does have is an upper shock insulator/top bush and related hardware that secure the coil-over shock to the chassis. Some aftermarket listings casually call these “strut tops”, but they’re not a true strut-mount with a bearing. The assembly doesn’t carry steering loads or rotate during steering, it simply isolates noise and vibration and locates the shock/spring unit.

That engineering choice is why strut-mounts aren’t relevant on the 2016 Navara: the double-wishbone arms control wheel location and camber, and the knuckle pivots on ball joints, so there’s no need for a top bearing plate. If you’re chasing front-end wear, the likely suspects are different to a MacPherson car.

• Typical service items: upper shock insulators/bushes, lower shock bushes, sway bar links and bushes, control arm bushes, and ball joints.
• Typical symptoms: knocks over corrugations or speed humps (bush wear), vague steering or shimmy (ball joints/bushes), and tyre edge wear (alignment or arm bushes).

Fitting a lift or levelling kit? Many kits include a “top hat” or spacer that sits above the coil-over. That spacer is not a strut-mount, it won’t cure noises caused by worn bushes or ball joints. Use quality components matched to the Navara’s GVM and intended load, and get a proper alignment afterwards.

When replacing front shocks on a 2016 Navara, inspect the upper insulators and hardware and replace them if they’re perished or compressed. Tighten mounting hardware with the vehicle at normal ride height and to factory torque specs (refer to the D23 Service Manual FSU section). After any suspension work, a wheel alignment is a must to protect tyre life and keep it tracking straight on Aussie and Kiwi roads.

Popular questions

Does a 2016 Nissan Navara have strut-mounts?

No. The D23/NP300 uses a double-wishbone front end with a coil-over shock, so there’s no MacPherson-style strut-mount or strut top bearing. It uses upper shock insulators/bushes and mounting hardware instead.

What should be replaced instead of strut-mounts on a 2016 Navara?

Focus on the front shock’s upper insulators and lower bushes, sway bar links/bushes, control arm bushes, and the upper/lower ball joints. These are the usual wear points that cause knocks, squeaks, and vague steering.

How can an owner tell if the front shock insulators or bushes need attention?

Listen for clunks over bumps, a dull thud on take-off or braking, or see if there’s visible cracking/compression of the rubber at the top of the front shocks. If the steering feels loose or the tyres wear unevenly, have the bushes and ball joints inspected and book an alignment.