Parts for your 2016 Nissan Navara-Wheel hubs

2016 Nissan Navara wheel hubs

Technical sources confirm the 2016 Nissan Navara (D23/NP300) uses wheel hubs. The Nissan Navara D23 Workshop Manual (Front Axle: FAX, Rear Axle: RAX, Brake: BR) specifies bolt-on front hub-and-bearing units with integrated ABS encoder rings, and a hub/bearing arrangement at the rear live axle. The Nissan FAST parts catalogue for 2016 AU/NZ models likewise lists complete front hub assemblies and rear hub components. There are no manual free-wheeling hubs at the wheel face, 4x4 engagement is handled by the driveline (automatic disconnecting/front diff system), while the wheel hubs themselves are fixed units.

On a 2016 Navara, the wheel hub is the solid mounting point that carries the wheel studs and supports the sealed bearing. Up front it’s a cartridge-style hub and bearing assembly that bolts to the steering knuckle, with an ABS encoder built in to feed the wheel speed sensor. At the rear, variants use a pressed or bolt-on hub and bearing at the live axle. The job of the hub is simple but critical: keep the wheel running true, support vehicle loads, and let the brakes and ABS do their thing without wobble or noise.

Because these bearings are sealed, there’s no greasing or adjustment in regular servicing. What matters is inspection. At each service or every 20,000 km, a tech should:

• Check for play by rocking the wheel at 12 and 6 o’clock.
• Spin the wheel for roughness or a humming/growl.
• Look for heat discolouration, a torn seal, or grease escaping.
• Verify ABS readings if a warning light is on.
• Inspect studs and nuts for damage or stretch.

Common warning signs that a hub is on the way out include a speed-related hum that gets louder when loading one side in a bend, steering shimmy, uneven tyre wear, ABS faults, or warmth at the hub after a drive. Off-road use, corrugations, water crossings and heavy towing can accelerate wear.

When replacement’s due, the front hub/bearing comes out as a complete unit, it’s not serviceable. Quality parts, correct torque to workshop manual specs, and new single-use hardware (such as staked axle nuts or hub bolts where specified) are musts. Keep the ABS sensor clean and correctly seated, and don’t hammer on the new assembly. On the rear, procedures vary by axle type, pressing and correct bearing preload (where applicable) should follow the manual to the letter. A competent workshop will typically allow around 1–2 hours per front side, more if corrosion’s involved. After hub work, it’s smart to recheck alignment and road-test for noise and ABS operation.

Popular questions

Do 2016 Navaras have manual locking hubs?
No. The D23/NP300 uses a fixed front wheel hub with an automatic front axle disconnect system. There’s no manual hub dial at the wheel, 4x4 engagement is managed via the transfer case and front differential mechanisms.

How long do wheel hubs typically last on a 2016 Navara?
Many last 120,000–200,000 km or more on sealed roads. Heavy towing, mud, water crossings and corrugations can shorten that. If there’s humming, play, or ABS faults, get them checked sooner rather than later.

Can the wheel bearings be adjusted or re-greased?
No. The front hub bearings are sealed, non-adjustable units. When worn, the whole hub assembly is replaced. Rear setups vary by variant, but are also typically sealed or press-fit and replaced rather than serviced.