Parts for your 2016 Nissan Navara-Strut mounts

Understanding Strut Mounts on the 2016 Nissan Navara

When it comes to the suspension system on the 2016 Nissan Navara, it's important to understand the components that keep your truck handling smoothly on a variety of terrains. One common part you might hear about in suspensions is the strut mount. So, does the 2016 Nissan Navara use strut mounts? And if so, what role do they play? Let's dive into the details.

The 2016 Nissan Navara, in most variants, does not use a traditional strut-based front suspension setup. Instead, it features a double wishbone suspension at the front with coil springs and shock absorbers mounted separately. This means the Navara doesn't employ struts in the traditional sense, and therefore, it does not incorporate strut mounts as you would find in vehicles with MacPherson strut suspension systems.

Why is this important? Strut mounts are specifically designed to sit between the vehicle's strut assembly and the chassis. They serve multiple functions: holding the strut in place, isolating road noise and vibrations from the cabin, and in some cases, allowing the strut to pivot when steering. Because the 2016 Nissan Navara utilises a double wishbone front suspension rather than struts, it doesn't have or need these strut mounts at the front.

At the rear of the vehicle, the suspension setup is generally a multi-link or leaf spring system, depending on the variant. Neither setup requires strut mounts either. Leaf spring setups clearly do not require struts or strut mounts, while multi-link setups have different types of bushings and mounts but not strut mounts as referred in strut suspension systems.

So, if you own a 2016 Nissan Navara, strut mounts are not a part you will worry about during servicing or maintenance simply because they are not fitted to your vehicle's suspension design.

That being said, it's still crucial to focus on the components that the Navara does use in its suspension, such as the coil springs, shock absorbers, control arm bushings, and ball joints. These parts play a key role in ride comfort, handling, and safety, and should be inspected regularly, especially if the vehicle is used for off-road driving or heavy loads.

While strut mounts are irrelevant for the 2016 Nissan Navara, if you compare it to vehicles with MacPherson strut designs, here's a quick look at what strut mounts would do if they were present:

• Support the weight of the vehicle on the suspension strut assembly
• Provide a pivot point for the steering mechanism to turn the wheels
• Isolate road shocks and vibrations to improve ride quality and reduce noise inside the cabin
• Help maintain correct alignment of the suspension strut for better handling and tyre wear

If you were to maintain or replace strut mounts on a vehicle that has them, the process usually involves inspecting for wear such as cracking, excess noise, or vibration while driving, especially over bumps. Worn strut mounts may cause clunking noises on turns, uneven tyre wear, or poor ride comfort. Replacement generally requires removing the strut assembly from the vehicle, which can be a bit labour intensive and best left to professionals if you're not comfortable with suspension work.

In short, when it comes to the 2016 Nissan Navara, spare yourself the confusion about strut mounts since they're simply not part of this truck's suspension setup. Focus instead on the components Nissan has designed the Navara with, and keep those serviced properly to enjoy a smooth, reliable ride anywhere you take this tough ute.