Parts for your 2016 Nissan Serena-Sway bars & links

2016 Nissan Serena sway-bars-&-links: what they do and how to look after them

Yes — the 2016 Nissan Serena is fitted with sway bars and links. This is confirmed by the Nissan Serena C26/C27 Service Manual (Front Suspension and Rear Suspension sections), the Nissan FAST parts catalogue, and common aftermarket catalogues that list front stabiliser (sway) bar links and D-bushes for this model. Front fitment is standard, rear fitment varies by grade and market, with many trims using a rear stabiliser on the torsion beam.

On a 2016 Serena, the stabiliser (sway) bar ties the left and right suspension together to resist body roll in corners. The links (also called drop links) connect the bar to the struts or control arms, while rubber D-bushes clamp the bar to the subframe. The result is flatter cornering, steadier lane changes, and more confident road manners — handy in a tall, family-focused MPV.

As these parts age, the rubber can perish and the small ball joints in the links can loosen. That’s when knocks over speed humps, light rattles on rough chip, and extra body roll start to creep in. Left alone, it won’t usually cause a dangerous failure, but it does make the Serena feel sloppier and can fatigue other suspension bits over time.

• Common symptoms: dull clunks at low speed over bumps, light steering shake on corrugations, extra body roll, and visible torn boots or squashed D-bushes.
• Inspection tip: check the link boots for splits and play, and look for polished metal on the bar where worn D-bushes have been moving.

Servicing is straightforward. Inspect sway bars, links, and D-bushes at each service or every 10,000–15,000 km, especially if the Serena lives with speed humps or gravel roads. Replace links and bushes in axle pairs to keep handling balanced. Use new self-locking nuts and torque with the vehicle at normal ride height to avoid preloading the bushes. A wheel alignment isn’t normally required for link or D-bush replacement on this platform, but it’s smart if other suspension work was done or if tyres show odd wear.

For replacements, quality OE-style rubber keeps the Serena quiet, firmer polyurethane D-bushes sharpen response but may add a touch of NVH. If the rear bar is fitted on the specific trim, treat it the same way as the front during inspections and replacements.

Popular questions

Does the 2016 Nissan Serena have sway bars front and rear?

All 2016 Serena variants have a front stabiliser bar with links. Rear fitment depends on grade and market, many 2WD torsion-beam models include a rear bar, while some rely on the beam’s built-in roll stiffness. A quick visual check under the rear or a VIN-based parts lookup will confirm what’s on a particular vehicle.

How do you know when the sway bar links or bushes need replacing?

Tell-tales include clunks over small bumps, light rattles on rough surfaces, and more body roll. If the link boots are torn or the D-bushes look flattened and shiny, they’re due. A technician can confirm by levering the link for play and checking the bar for movement in the bushes.

Do you need a wheel alignment after changing Serena sway bar links?

Not usually. The links and D-bushes don’t set alignment on the Serena. If control arms, struts, or tie-rods were also touched, or if the steering feels off-centre, book an alignment for peace of mind.