Nissan Almera Classic — a popular sedan, known for its reliability and unpretentiousness. However, even such machines have weaknesses, one of which is rear shock absorber mounts. These parts wear out over time, leading to poor handling, knocking noises, and even body damage. In this article, we will look at how to identify a fault in time, which supports to choose for replacement, and how to carry out repairs yourself.
Rear shock absorbers Almera Classic (in the back N16) are attached to the body through rubber-metal supports, which dampen vibrations and ensure smooth running. Over time, the rubber hardens, cracks or peels off from the metal, and the bearing (if there is one in the design) may jam. Ignoring the problem will lead to accelerated wear of struts, damage to mounting points in the body and even violation of suspension geometry.
Signs of a faulty rear shock absorber mount
The first symptoms of bearing wear are often confused with breakdowns of the shock absorbers or springs themselves. However, there are a number of specific signs that directly indicate problems with the upper supports:
- 🔊 Knocking or squeaking in the rear of the body when driving over uneven surfaces (especially on small bumps). The sound often radiates into the cabin and resembles metal hitting metal.
- 🚗 Deterioration in handling: the car begins to “scour” along the road, holds its trajectory worse when cornering, and when braking, the rear end can drift to the side.
- 🔄 Uneven tire wear on the inside or outside of the rear wheels - a sign that the shock absorber is working at an angle due to a damaged support.
- 💧 Visible damage: cracks in the rubber, traces of corrosion on metal parts, or play when the car is rocked by the rear bumper.
The problems are especially pronounced in Almera Classic after 100–150 thousand km, but with aggressive driving or bad roads, the supports may fail after 60–80 thousand km. It is important to check their condition at every scheduled maintenance, especially if the car is operated in Russian winter conditions (rubber loses elasticity due to temperature changes).
⚠️ Attention! If you feel a vibration in the steering wheel or rear seat area when driving on a smooth road, this could be a sign destruction of the bearing in the support (if it is provided for by the design). In this case, replacement must be carried out as soon as possible - ignoring the problem will lead to damage to the shock absorber.
Rear shock absorber support design Almera Classic
On Nissan Almera Classic (2006–2012) two types of supports are used depending on the configuration and year of manufacture:
- Rubber-metal (without bearing) - installed on basic versions. They consist of a metal body, a rubber gasket and a fastening nut.
- With bearing - found on cars with improved suspension (for example, in trim levels with ABS). The bearing allows the shock absorber to rotate during suspension operation, reducing the load on the rubber elements.
The supports are attached to the body through three points: the central rod of the shock absorber passes through the support and is fixed with a nut, and the support itself is bolted to the body cup. It is important to consider that the left and right supports not interchangeable — they have different shapes for proper fit on the body.
| Support type | Article (original) | Applicability | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber-metal (without bearing) | 54310-4M000 (left), 54310-4M001 (right) |
Basic configurations | Simple design, cheaper to replace |
| With bearing | 54310-4M010 (left), 54310-4M011 (right) |
Options with ABS/ESP | More expensive, but more durable with intensive use |
| Universal (analogue) | Options from SASIC, Febi, Monroe | All versions | Often included with shock absorbers |
When choosing spare parts, pay attention to rubber quality - cheap analogues often use too hard material that cracks quickly. The best option is original supports or products from trusted brands (KYB, Sachs, TRW).
- Original (without bearing)
- Original (with bearing)
- Analogues (branded)
- Analogs (unknown manufacturer)
- I don't know
How to check the rear shock absorber mount without removing it
You can carry out diagnostics yourself, without resorting to a lift. Here is a step-by-step algorithm:
- Visual inspection: Open the trunk and remove the trim in the area where the shock absorbers are mounted. Look for cracks in the rubber, traces of rust or oil stains (if the shock absorber boot is damaged).
- Checking the backlash: ask an assistant to rock the car up and down by the rear bumper, and put your hand on the support. If you feel a knock or play, the support needs to be replaced.
- Cornering test: When driving at low speed (10–15 km/h), turn the steering wheel sharply left and right. Extraneous sounds from behind will indicate problems with the supports or bearings.
For more accurate diagnosis, you can use wheel alignment stand. If, after replacing shock absorbers or springs, the angles of the rear wheels cannot be adjusted to normal, the supports are to blame - they do not fix the strut in the correct position.
⚠️ Attention! On Almera Classic with mileage over 150 thousand km is often found deformation of body cups in the places where the supports are attached. This occurs due to long driving with damaged supports. In this case, straightening or installation of repair plates may be required.
Step-by-step instructions for replacing the rear shock absorber mount
You can do the replacement yourself with a minimal set of tools. The main thing is to follow the sequence and not disturb the threaded connections.
Lift or jack with stops|Wrenches 17, 19 and socket 22|Socket wrench for shock absorber rod nut|Spring puller (when replacing shock absorber)|WD-40 or similar lubricant|New supports and, if necessary, boots-->
Work order:
- Preparation: Put the car on the handbrake, lift the rear end on a jack and place the stands under the front wheels. Remove the rear wheel from the replacement side.
- Removing the shock absorber:
- Unscrew the two bolts securing the shock absorber to the lever (19mm wrench).
- In the trunk, remove the trim and unscrew the three bolts securing the support to the body (key 17).
- While holding the shock absorber rod from turning (head 22), unscrew the support fastening nut.
- Removing the old support: After removing the shock absorber, remove the support from the rod. If it gets stuck, use a puller or carefully knock it down with a hammer through a wooden spacer.
- Installation of a new support:
- Check the condition of the shock absorber boot - if damaged, replace it.
- Apply graphite lubricant to the threads of the shock absorber rod.
- Install a new support, tighten the nut to a torque of 40–50 Nm.
If you are replacing supports on both sides, it is recommended that you do so at the same time - even if the second support appears to be working. The rubber on them wears out at about the same rate, and after a short time the work will have to be repeated.
Before installing a new support, clean the seat on the body from dirt and rust. This will prevent corrosion and ensure a tight seal.
Selection of analogues: which supports are best for Almera Classic?
Original supports from Nissan They are expensive (from 2,500 rubles per piece), but last longer than their analogues. However, there are worthy alternatives on the market:
- 🏆 KYB (article
SM5183for supports with bearings) - optimal price/quality ratio, rubber is frost-resistant. - 💰 Sachs (article
802 320) - premium option, suitable for intensive use. - 🔧 Febi (article
22360) is a budget analogue, but the quality of the rubber is worse than the original. - 🚗 Monroe (complete with shock absorbers) - often come assembled, which simplifies replacement.
When choosing, pay attention to country of origin. For example, supports Febi German-made ones are more reliable than Turkish or Chinese ones. Also check the package contents - some analogues come without nuts or gaskets, which will have to be purchased separately.
How to distinguish a fake from the original?
Original supports Nissan have:
- Manufacturer's logo embossed on metal (not a sticker!).
- Black rubber with a matte tint (for fakes it is shiny).
- Marking of the article on the case, and not on a separate tag.
- Packaging with a hologram and barcode, which can be checked on the website Nissan.
Common replacement mistakes and how to avoid them
Even experienced car owners make mistakes that lead to rapid failure of the supports. Here are the most common:
- 🔧 Tightening the stem nut — leads to deformation of the support and accelerated wear of the rubber. Use a torque wrench (torque 40–50 Nm).
- 🚫 Ignoring the anther - if it is torn, dirt will fall on the shock absorber rod and damage the oil seal, which will lead to oil leakage.
- 🔄 Failure to follow the bolt tightening order — the fastenings of the support to the body must be tightened crosswise, otherwise it will be skewed.
- ❄️ Low temperature operation — the rubber on the supports becomes brittle and can be damaged during installation. The optimal temperature for replacement is above +10°C.
Another 典型 mistake - using old nuts and bolts. They often rust or become deformed when dismantled. Always use new fasteners (especially the shock absorber rod nut).
After replacing the supports, be sure to check the wheel alignment! Even a small play in the support could shift the wheel alignment angles, which would lead to uneven tire wear.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about rear shock absorber mounts
Is it possible to drive with a damaged support?
Short term - yes, but it is dangerous. A damaged support does not fix the shock absorber in the correct position, which leads to:
- Deterioration of the braking distance (the rear of the car becomes unstable).
- Damage to mounting points in the body (welding repairs may be required).
- Accelerated wear of tires and suspension elements.
The maximum mileage with a faulty support is 1–2 thousand km, but it is better to replace it immediately after discovering the problem.
Do I need to change the mounts when replacing shock absorbers?
Yes, this is recommended for two reasons:
- The service life of the supports approximately coincides with the service life of the shock absorbers (100–150 thousand km).
- When dismantling an old shock absorber, the support is often deformed or damaged.
An exception is if the supports were replaced separately less than 30 thousand km ago and are in perfect condition.
What tool is needed for replacement?
Minimum set:
- Jack and supports (or lift).
- Keys 17, 19, head 22.
- Socket wrench for the rod nut (preferably with an extension).
- Spring remover (if the shock absorber is not removed as an assembly).
- WD-40 for loosening stuck bolts.
For comfortable work, a flashlight and a mirror on a telescopic handle are also useful for inspecting hidden fasteners.
How much do supports for Almera Classic cost?
Prices are valid for 2026:
| Support type | Price per piece (RUB) |
|---|---|
| Original (without bearing) | 2 500–3 200 |
| Original (with bearing) | 3 500–4 500 |
| KYB/Sachs (analogue) | 1 800–2 500 |
| Febi/Monroe (budget) | 1 200–1 800 |
The cost of work in the service is from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles. for one side (depending on the region).
Can the support be repaired?
Theoretically, yes, but this is a temporary solution. Repair methods:
- Replacing the rubber gasket — if the metal part is intact, you can press out the old rubber band and install a new one (but it’s difficult to find it separately).
- Welding cracks - if the metal body is cracked, but this will weaken the structure.
- Installation of the repair sleeve — suitable for supports with a worn hole for the rod.
However, repairs are only justified as a last resort (for example, on the road). For continuous use, it is better to install a new support.