<em>Nissan Murano Z51</em>driveshaft: how to diagnose and fix problems

Cardan shaft in Nissan Murano Z51 - a critical transmission element responsible for transmitting torque from the gearbox to the rear axle. Despite its simple design, its malfunctions can lead to serious consequences: from vibrations at speed to complete immobilization of the car. Crossover owners often encounter wear on crosspieces, outboard bearings or spline joints, especially after 150–200 thousand kilometers.

In this article we will analyze the gimbal device Murano Z51, typical “symptoms” of breakdowns, diagnostic methods and replacement nuances. We will pay special attention to the selection of spare parts - original and analogues - and also consider when repairs can be done and when a complete replacement of the unit is required. If you notice knocking when starting, vibration at speeds of 80–100 km/h or play in the transmission, this information will help save time and money at the service station.

Cardan shaft device Nissan Murano Z51: scheme and features

Cardan shaft in Murano Z51 (2008–2014) is a two-section structure with an intermediate support. It consists of:

• 🔧 Front — connects to the output shaft of the gearbox (automatic transmission or variator) through an elastic coupling.
• 🔄 Cross — two or three (depending on modification), ensure mobility of connections.
• 🛞 Hanging bearing — shaft support that dampens vibrations. Often fails due to dirt or lack of lubrication.
• 🔗 Rear — connects to the rear axle gearbox through a flange.

Feature Murano Z51 - use collapsible cardan (unlike non-separable shafts in newer models). This makes it easy to replace individual components, such as spiders or bearings, without purchasing the entire assembly. However, the original parts (Nissan 37110-4M500 for the front and 37110-4M501 for the rear) are expensive, so many owners choose analogues from GKN or Febi.

It is important to consider that in all-wheel drive versions Murano Z51 The driveshaft works in tandem with the transfer case, which increases the load. In front-wheel drive versions (for example, for the US market), there is no shaft - instead, drive to the front wheels is used through CV joints.

Signs of a cardan failure: when to sound the alarm

Problems with the driveshaft appear gradually, but ignoring them is dangerous - this can lead to damage to the gearbox or gearbox. Main “symptoms”:

• 🚗 Vibration at speeds of 80–120 km/h, which disappears during acceleration or braking. More often caused by shaft imbalance or wear of the crosspieces.
• 🔊 Knocking or clicking noises when starting off or changing gears - a sign of play in the spline joint or outboard bearing.
• 🔄 Creaking or crunching when the shaft is rotated manually (checked on a lift) - indicates wear of the crosspieces.
• 💨 Lubricant leak from under the boots of crosspieces or bearings - leads to accelerated wear.

Critical point: if there is a metallic clang while driving or the shaft “hits” the body, use of the vehicle must be stopped immediately. This may indicate the destruction of the cross or a break in the shaft.

For diagnosis it is enough:

1. Drive the car onto an overpass or lift.
2. Manually rock the shaft in different planes - play of more than 1–2 mm is unacceptable.
3. Rotate the shaft and listen for any extraneous sounds.
4. Inspect the boots and outboard bearing for cracks or grease leaks.

Typical cardan failures Murano Z51 and their reasons

Analysis of owner forums and service station data shows that most often in Nissan Murano Z51 fail:

Malfunction	Reason	Consequences	Repair cost (RUB)
Wear of crosspieces	Lack of lubrication, water/dirt ingress	Vibration, play, shaft destruction	3,000–8,000 (replacement of 1–2 crosspieces)
Suspension bearing failure	Natural wear and tear, overload	Knock when starting, imbalance	2,500–5,000 (bearing + work)
Play in the spline connection	Spline wear, corrosion	Clicking noises when shifting gears	10,000–20,000 (replacement of shaft or section)
Shaft imbalance	Deformation after impact, manufacturing defect	Vibration at speed	5,000–15,000 (balancing or replacement)

The most common problem is wear of crosspieces. B Murano Z51 they often “die” by 150–180 thousand km, especially if the car was operated in off-road conditions or with frequent overloads. The outboard bearing lasts longer - up to 200 thousand km, but its service life is sharply reduced when moisture gets in or there is a lack of lubrication.

Play in a spline connection is a rarer, but more insidious malfunction. It manifests itself as a clicking sound when starting or shifting gears and is often misdiagnosed as a transmission problem. In advanced cases, the splines “lick off” and the shaft has to be completely replaced.

What happens if you drive with a broken crosspiece?

Driving for a long time with a worn spider leads to:

1) Destruction of needle bearings inside the crosspiece - fragments can damage the gearbox or gearbox.

2) Deformation of the driveshaft due to imbalance, which will require its replacement.

3) Damage to the flanges of the box or gearbox if the shaft “beats” during rotation.

Selection of spare parts: original vs analogues

When replacing the cardan or its components, owners Murano Z51 are faced with a choice: buy original parts from Nissan or analogues from third-party manufacturers. Let's look at the pros and cons of each option.

Original spare parts (Nissan 37110-4M500, 37110-4M501):

• ✅ Guaranteed quality and compatibility.
• ✅ Resource 150–200 thousand km with proper operation.
• ❌ High price: the assembled shaft will cost 40–60 thousand rubles, the crosspiece will cost 5–7 thousand rubles.
• ❌ Long delivery times (if ordered from abroad).

Analogues from trusted brands:

• 🔹 GKN (article GKN 371104M500) - the best price/quality balance. The resource is comparable to the original, but 20–30% cheaper.
• 🔹 Febi (article Febi 37110) is a budget option, but the crosspieces last less (up to 100 thousand km).
• 🔹 SKF or NTN — premium bearings and crosspieces, often used in tuning.

To save money, you can combine: for example, buy an original shaft, but install crosses on it GKN and bearing SKF. The main thing is to avoid cheap no-name spare parts, which can fall apart after 20–30 thousand km.

Play in the crosspieces (should be absent)|Condition of the boots (no cracks or leaks)|Integrity of the spline connection|Balancing (the shaft should not hit when rotating)|Condition of the flanges (no chips or corrosion)-->

Step-by-step replacement of the driveshaft: instructions for the garage

Replacing the cardan Murano Z51 You can do it yourself if you have tools and an inspection hole (or a lift). The work will take 3-5 hours depending on experience. You will need:

• 🔧 Set of sockets and keys (10–22 mm).
• 🔨 Puller for crosspieces (if you plan to replace them).
• 🛠 Torque wrench (for tightening flanges with a torque of 60–80 N m).
• 🧴 Lubrication Molykote G-Rapid Plus or Litol-24.

Work order:

1. Removing the shaft:
   1. Mark with a marker the position of the flanges relative to the box and gearbox (to maintain balancing).
   2. Unscrew the bolts securing the rear part of the shaft to the gearbox (4 bolts x 14 mm).
   3. Unscrew the bolts securing the front part to the box (also 4 bolts).
   4. Remove the shaft while holding the suspension bearing.
2. Disassembly (if required):
   1. Remove the locking rings of the crosspieces using a puller.
   2. Press out the crosspieces and clean the seats.
   3. Replace the outboard bearing (if necessary).
3. Assembly and installation:
   1. Install new crosspieces and lubricate them.
   2. Attach the shaft to the box and gearbox, observing the marks.
   3. Tighten the bolts with a torque wrench.

⚠️ Attention: After replacing crosspieces or bearings, be sure to check the shaft balancing on a bench. An imbalance of even 20-30 grams can cause vibration at high speeds.

If the shaft is replaced as an assembly, balancing is not required - the new parts are already balanced at the factory. However, during installation it is important to align the marks on the flanges, otherwise runout may occur.

Cost of work at a service station and ways to save

Prices for replacing a driveshaft in services vary depending on the region and level of the service station. Average prices for Murano Z51:

Type of work	Cost (RUB)	Time (hours)
Replacing crosspieces (2 pcs.)	4 000–7 000	2–3
Replacing the outboard bearing	3 000–5 000	1,5–2
Replacing the cardan assembly	8 000–12 000	3–4
Shaft balancing	1 500–2 500	0,5–1

You can save in the following ways:

• 💰 Buy spare parts yourself (services often charge a 30–50% markup).
• 🔧 Perform some of the work yourself (for example, removing/installing a shaft), and order balancing at a service station.
• 🔄 Look for used shafts in good condition (at disassembly sites or from trusted sellers).
• 📅 Plan repairs during the “dead season” (winter or early spring), when prices for services are lower.

⚠️ Attention: Cheap services may skimp on lubrication or not check balancing. This leads to repeated vibrations after 10–20 thousand km. Always check what materials are used and whether the work is guaranteed.

Prevention and increase in the life of the cardan shaft

Cardan service life Murano Z51 depends not only on the quality of spare parts, but also on operating conditions. To extend a node's resource:

• 🚿 Wash the underside of the car after off-road travel, dirt and salt accelerate corrosion of the crosspieces.
• 🛢 Check the anthers every 20 thousand km. Cracks or lubricant leaks are a signal for replacement.
• 🔧 Lubricate the crosspieces once every 50 thousand km (if the anthers are removable). Use Molykote or Castrol LMX.
• 🚗 Avoid overload — towing a trailer or constantly driving with a full load reduces the service life of the outboard bearing.
• 🔄 Check balancing after impacts on the suspension (for example, after hitting a hole).

If you do a lot of off-road driving, consider installing cardan protection (for example, from Ironman 4x4). It will prevent mechanical damage to the shaft when hitting obstacles.

It is also useful to check once a year play in the spline connection. To do this, just rock the shaft by hand at the junction of the front and rear parts. A play of more than 1–2 mm is a reason to replace the splined fork.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the cardan Nissan Murano Z51

Is it possible to drive with a broken crosspiece if there is no vibration?

No. Even if there is no vibration, a worn spider creates additional stress on the gearbox and gearbox. This can lead to damage to their internal mechanisms, the repair of which will cost several times more than replacing the crosspiece. At the first sign of play or creaking, the part must be replaced.

What is the resource of the original cardan? Murano Z51?

During normal operation, the original cardan serves 200–250 thousand km. However, crosspieces and suspension bearings may fail earlier - by 150–180 thousand km. The resource depends on driving conditions: in the city with frequent starts/stops, wear occurs faster than on the highway.

What is better: repairing the cardan or replacing the assembly?

If only the spiders or the suspension bearing are worn, repairs are sufficient. Replacing the shaft assembly is justified when:

• Deformation or cracks on the shaft.
• Worn spline connection.
• Severe corrosion making balancing impossible.

In other cases, repairs will cost 2–3 times less.

Why did vibration appear after replacing the cardan?

The reasons may be as follows:

• The marks do not match during installation (the shaft is unbalanced).
• Use of low-quality crosses or bearings.
• Wear of the elastic coupling between the cardan and the box.
• Incorrect tightening of flange bolts (torque wrench required).

Solution: check the balancing on the bench and inspect all connections.

Can I install a driveshaft from another Nissan model?

No. Cardan shaft Murano Z51 unique in length and fastenings. Even the shafts from Nissan Pathfinder R51 (closest relative) are not suitable due to different flanges and lengths. The only option is to search for a used shaft from a disassembly site or order an analogue according to the article number.