Parts for your 2018 Nissan Serena-Strut mounts

Understanding Strut Mounts on the 2018 Nissan Serena

The 2018 Nissan Serena is a popular people mover known for its spacious interior and smooth ride. If you're looking into the suspension components of this vehicle, you might wonder about the presence and role of strut mounts, especially since they are a common part in many modern vehicles' suspension systems. So, are strut mounts fitted to the 2018 Nissan Serena? Let's take a closer look from a technical perspective.

In vehicle design, strut mounts are typically found on MacPherson strut suspension setups. They serve as the interface between the vehicle's body and the strut assembly, providing both mechanical support and vibration isolation. However, the Nissan Serena, especially the 2018 model, employs a different suspension configuration on the front axle. Instead of MacPherson struts, the 2018 Serena uses a double wishbone suspension system at the front.

The double wishbone setup differs from the MacPherson strut design in that it separates the spring and shock absorber components and mounts them differently. Because of this, there is no single strut assembly as seen in MacPherson struts. Instead, the shock absorber and coil spring sit independently mounted to control arm linkages and the vehicle body. This design eliminates the necessity of a strut mount because the spring and shock absorber are not combined into a single strut unit that requires a mounting point with a bearing and isolator.

On the rear end, the 2018 Nissan Serena uses a torsion beam or multi-link suspension, depending on the variant, but still does not incorporate MacPherson strut-based assemblies that would require strut mounts.

So what does this all mean? For the 2018 Nissan Serena, the strut mount as a dedicated component is not used or relevant because the vehicle relies on suspension designs that separate the shock absorber and springs rather than combine them as a strut. The absence of strut mounts in the Serena is a design choice that reflects the type of suspension system chosen for improved handling, ride comfort, and packaging efficiency in an MPV.

Since the 2018 Nissan Serena does not have strut mounts, maintenance and servicing advice commonly associated with strut mounts does not apply. Instead, focus should be placed on other suspension components that are crucial in this vehicle, such as the shock absorbers, coil springs, control arms, ball joints, bushings, and associated linkage points.

Regular suspension checks should include looking for signs of wear or damage on the shock absorber mounts, inspecting the integrity of the coil springs, ensuring all rubber bushings are intact and not cracked, and checking that ball joints and control arms are functioning correctly. These components play the role of maintaining vehicle stability, absorbing road irregularities, and providing a comfortable ride, similar to what strut mounts do in MacPherson strut systems.

Owners of the 2018 Nissan Serena should also be mindful of the condition of suspension components after extended use or if the vehicle experiences rough road conditions regularly. Worn shocks, sagging springs, or worn bushings can cause poor ride quality, increased tyre wear, and negatively impact handling safety. Professional suspension inspections at regular service intervals, or when symptoms arise, help keep the Serena's suspension performing well.

In short, no strut mounts on the 2018 Nissan Serena means less complexity associated with that particular part but also means that other suspension elements take on the critical roles in ride and handling. Maintaining these parts is essential to keep the vehicle comfortable and safe on the road.