Crossover owners Nissan Murano second generation, known in the body Z51, often face the problem of increased vibrations and shocks in the body when the engine is running. In most cases, the culprit of these unpleasant phenomena is the failure of one or more engine mounts. These elements not only hold the power unit, they dampen vibrations, preventing their transmission to the frame and interior of the car.
Ignoring signs of bearing wear leads to serious consequences: from destruction of exhaust system elements to damage to the engine block or gearbox itself. It is important to understand that the design Nissan Murano Z51 a complex mounting system is used, where each point plays a critical role in the dynamics and ride comfort.
Many car owners mistakenly believe that if the car is still driving, then repairs can be postponed. However, a damaged support can completely lose its load-bearing capacity at any time, which will lead to displacement of the motor and jamming of the drives. Timely diagnosis and replacement is the key to long service life of the transmission and your peace of mind on the road.
Design features of VQ35DE mounts
Engine VQ35DE, which was installed on Nissan Murano Z51 in the period from 2003 to 2007, it is distinguished by its high power and specific nature of operation. To compensate for its vibrations, engineers used a system of three main supports: front, rear and right (side). Each of them has a unique design and its own wear characteristics that must be taken into account when repairing.
Particular attention should be paid to the right support, which is often the most loaded. It is located in the zone of maximum torque and often experiences dynamic loads during sudden starts or braking. Unlike simple rubber-to-metal elements, some mounts on this vehicle are equipped with hydraulic chambers filled with a special fluid, which makes them more efficient, but also more vulnerable to mechanical damage.
During inspection, it is necessary to check not only the integrity of the rubber, but also the absence of hydraulic fluid leaks. If you see oily marks on the support body, it means that the membrane inside is destroyed and the element has completely lost its damping properties. Such a part can only be replaced entirely, since repairing hydraulic supports is technically impractical.
Diagnostics: how to understand that a support requires replacement
The malfunction of the engine mounts can be determined both visually and by indirect signs that appear during operation. The most obvious symptom is a strong vibration in the steering wheel and driver's seat at idle, which disappears when you press the gas. This indicates that the engine begins to “walk” during operation and hit the body due to lack of damping.
- 🚗 The appearance of a characteristic metallic knock when changing gears or abruptly starting from a standstill.
- 🔊 Increased engine noise in the cabin, which was previously insulated.
- 🔧 Visual rupture of rubber or splash of liquid from the hydraulic part of the support.
- 📉 Engine displacement in the engine compartment when opening the hood and engaging the gear.
It is important to note that vibration can also be transmitted to the pedals. If you feel a pulsation in the brake or clutch pedal (on manual) at idle, this is a sure sign that gearbox support or the lower engine mount has died. These symptoms should not be confused with wheel imbalance, since in this case the problem is in the power plant.
For accurate diagnosis, it is recommended to use an inspection pit or a lift. You need to ask an assistant to press the gas hard and then quickly release the pedal while you watch the engine. If the engine makes a sharp jump of more than 1-2 centimeters, it means that one of the supports cannot support the load. You should also check the play where the support is attached to the body.
⚠️ Warning: If you find that the engine is too sideways, do not try to start it and drive it yourself. This can lead to misalignment of drives, rupture of CV joint boots and damage to the exhaust manifold.
- Up to 100,000 km
- 100,000 - 200,000 km
- More than 200,000 km
- I don't know the exact mileage
Selection of spare parts: original or high-quality analogues
Spare parts market for Nissan Murano Z51 offers many options, but not all of them are equally effective. Original supports from Nissan (catalog numbers often begin with the prefix 11202 or 11203) are considered the standard of quality, since they are designed for the specific loads of this particular engine. However, their cost can be quite high, and the service life in our conditions is often less than stated.
An alternative to the original can be high-quality analogues from trusted manufacturers, such as Lemforder, Febi or Mapco. These brands use similar technologies for the production of rubber and cermet bushings, providing an acceptable resource. However, you should avoid cheap Chinese copies, as their rubber quickly “dumbs” in the cold and cracks after just six months of use.
When choosing a spare part, pay attention to the type of support. If you have a hydraulic mount installed, do not attempt to replace it with a simple rubber "sandwich" unless your specific year's design allows for it. Incorrect selection can lead to a change in vibration frequency and the appearance of new, more unpleasant resonances in the cabin.
| Support type | Original article (example) | Popular analogues | Average resource |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right support (top) | 11202-ED000 | Lemforder 33348, Febi 24015 | 80-100 thousand km |
| Left support (lower) | 11203-ED000 | Mapco 20315, SWAG 10 92 4015 | 120-150 thousand km |
| Rear support (gearbox) | 11204-ED000 | Lemforder 33349, Koyo 11204 | 100-130 thousand km |
| Cross member support | 11205-ED000 | Febi 24016, CTR CVH-105 | 150+ thousand km |
It is worth remembering that when replacing one support, it is recommended to check the condition of the others. It often happens that the wear and tear of one part of the system leads to overload of neighboring ones, and they are also on the verge of failure. A complete replacement of all three supports at once will save you time and money on repeated dismantling in the future.
The original supports provide maximum comfort, but high-quality analogues from Lemforder or Febi can last no less if installed correctly and driven moderately.
Preparation for replacement and necessary tools
The process of replacing engine mounts Nissan Murano Z51 requires certain training and special tools. You will need a standard set of wrenches, wrenches with extensions, and a jack or stand to support the engine. Without reliable fixation of the motor, it is almost impossible to carry out high-quality work, since the fastening bolts are located in hard-to-reach places and require significant force to unscrew.
Before starting work, you must remove the battery and its platform to gain access to the top of the right support. It may also be necessary to remove the air filter and intake pipe if they interfere with loosening the bolts. Be sure to remember or photograph the location of all hoses and wires so you don’t forget to reconnect them.
- 🛠️ Set of socket heads (from 10 to 22 mm) and spanners.
- 🏗️ Hydraulic jack with a wooden block for support under the engine pan.
- 🔑 Wheel wrench and pry bar for moving the engine when removing old supports.
- 💧 Rags and degreaser to clean the mounting points from dirt and oil.
It is important to ensure work safety. Make sure the vehicle is securely on the parking brake and the wheels are supported by wheel chocks. The engine must be cold to avoid burns from contact with the exhaust manifold and other hot components. It is not recommended to work in a tight engine compartment without protective gloves and goggles.