<em>Nissan Almera Classic</em>engine mounts: how to diagnose a fault and replace it yourself

Nissan Almera Classic (also known as Nissan Almera N16 in Europe) is one of the most popular sedans in Russia due to its reliability and ease of maintenance. However, even this “indestructible” car has weak points, and the engine mounts are one of them. The wear of the airbags does not appear immediately, but the problem cannot be ignored: vibrations, knocks and even damage to the body are just part of the consequences.

In this article we will look at how recognize faulty engine mounts on Almera Classic with motors QG15DE (1.5 l) and QG18DE (1.8 l), which original and similar parts choose and also give step-by-step replacement instructions with nuances for different years of production (2006–2012). We will place special emphasis on difference between front, rear and side supports — their service life and wear symptoms are different!

1. Signs of faulty engine mounts: when to sound the alarm?

Engine mounts (mounts) on Nissan Almera Classic designed for 80–120 thousand km, but actual service life depends on driving style and road quality. The first “bells” are often attributed to other problems - for example, wheel imbalance or transmission malfunction. To avoid mistakes, pay attention to these symptoms:

• 🔧 Vibrations on the body when starting or stopping the engine (especially noticeable on the steering wheel and gearshift lever).
• 🚗 Impacts in the front when starting off or changing gears (most often the culprit is right support).
• 🔄 Motor "bouncing" when releasing the gas suddenly (for example, in neutral after high revs).
• 🛑 Motor offset visually noticeable when the hood is open (the engine may “move” to the side).

On Almera Classic with Automatic transmission wear of the supports is more pronounced due to the greater mass of the power unit. For example, rear support (attached to the box) often “sags” first, which leads to selector lever play and difficulty shifting gears.

⚠️ Attention! If vibrations are accompanied knocking in the suspension when driving over uneven surfaces, check not only the supports, but also subframe mounting - on Almera N16 it often becomes loose due to corrosion of the bolts.

2. What supports are on Nissan Almera Classic: original vs analogues

On Almera Classic (2006–2012) are established three or four supports depending on the configuration:

1. Front support (upper, attached to the spar).
2. Rear support (lower, connects the engine to the gearbox).
3. Side supports (left and/or right, on some versions only one).

Original parts from Nissan have articles:

Support type	Article number (OEM)	Average price, ₽	Popular analogues
Front	11220-4M000	4 500–6 000	Febi (22725), Sidem (50425), GMB (EM4030)
Rear	11220-4M010	3 800–5 200	Corteco (2001030), Topran (101 725), Meyle (16-14 112 0004)
Lateral (right)	11220-4M020	3 200–4 500	Sasic (2001030), Hans Pries (8501030)

When choosing analogues, pay attention to rubber insert material:

• 🔹 Soft rubber (For example, Febi or Sidem) - dampens vibrations better, but wears out faster (resource ~60 thousand km).
• 🔹 Hard rubber (For example, GMB or Corteco) - lasts longer, but can transmit more vibrations to the body.

⚠️ Attention! On Almera Classic with power steering the right side support has additional bracket for mounting the pump. When purchasing an analogue, make sure that it is suitable for your modification!

3. Diagnostics of engine mounts: how to check without a lift

To check the supports for Nissan Almera Classic It’s not necessary to go to a service station—it’s enough visual inspection and simple tests. Here is a step-by-step algorithm:

Pay special attention front support - on Almera N16 it most often fails due to mounting bolt corrosion (article 08905-60010). If the bolt is rusty, you will have to cut it off with a grinder or use WD-40 heated by a gas burner.

For more accurate diagnosis, you can use endoscope (For example, Bosch USB) to inspect the lower supports without removing the protection. The photo below shows an example of a worn rubber insert (cracks and peeling are visible to the naked eye):

Photo of a worn support

A worn support shows deep cracks in the rubber, and the metal part often shows signs of corrosion. In severe cases, the rubber may completely peel off from the metal casing.

4. Step-by-step replacement of engine mounts: tools and nuances

Replacing supports with Nissan Almera Classic requires jack, supports (or wooden blocks) to fix the engine and a standard set of tools. Full list:

• 🔧 Spanners for 14, 17, 19 mm.
• 🔧 Socket heads with extension (for rear support).
• 🔧 Jack and engine support (can be used repair stand or board).
• 🔧 Penetrating lubricant (WD-40 or Liqui Moly Rostloser).
• 🔧 Torque wrench (for tightening bolts with a torque of 50–70 N m).

Work order (using the example of the front support):

1. Remove the negative terminal from the battery.
2. Place a jack under the oil drain plug (use a wooden spacer to avoid damaging the pan).
3. Unscrew the bolts securing the support to the spar and the engine (pre-treat WD-40).
4. Remove the old support and compare it with the new one - sometimes there are analogues different height, which leads to misalignment of the motor.
5. Install the new support, tighten the bolts criss-cross with a torque of 60 Nm.

For rear support You will need to remove the crankcase protection and disconnect the automatic transmission selector cable (on automatic transmissions). The main nuance is Don't raise the engine too high, otherwise you may damage the sensor pipes or wires.

5. Common mistakes when replacing supports: what not to do

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when replacing supports. Nissan Almera Classic. Here are the most common:

• ❌ Using non-original bolts — standard M10 bolts cannot withstand the load and break.
• ❌ Tightening bolts without a torque wrench — overtightening leads to deformation of the rubber insert.
• ❌ Replacing only one support - if one is worn out, the rest are also on the verge (exception: mechanical damage).
• ❌ Ignoring subframe check - on Almera N16 it often cracks where the supports are attached.

Another typical problem is incorrect choice of supports for automatic transmission. For example, the rear support for Manual transmission (article 11220-4M010) is not suitable for the machine - it has a different angle of inclination. As a result, after replacement there may appear vibrations at idle.

If vibrations do not disappear after replacing the supports, check:

• 🔹 Condition cardan shaft crosspieces (on rear-wheel drive versions).
• 🔹 Balance crankshaft and flywheel - if they are worn heavily, they can break.
• 🔹 Mount exhaust system — burnt-out rubber suspensions also give vibration.

6. Cost of replacing supports: service station vs self-repair

Cost of replacing supports Nissan Almera Classic varies depending on the region and type of service station:

Service type	Cost, ₽	Opening hours
Replacement of one support (STO)	1 500–2 500	1–1.5 hours
Replacing a set (3–4 supports, service station)	4 000–7 000	3–4 hours
Self-replacement (including parts)	3 000–9 000*	4–6 hours

*The cost depends on the choice of parts (original or analogues).

The savings when replacing yourself are obvious, but keep in mind hidden costs:

• 💰 Purchasing a specialized tool (for example, a head for a rear support).
• 💰 Possible replacement of bolts (original ones cost ~300–500 ₽ per piece).
• 💰 Risk of errors (for example, damage to pipes when lifting the engine).

If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to contact a service station with good reviews. For example, in Moscow and St. Petersburg there are specialized services for Nissan, where replacement of supports is done in 2–3 hours with a guarantee.

7. How to extend the life of engine mounts

Support resource for Almera Classic depends not only on the quality of the parts, but also on operating conditions. Here are some tips to help delay replacement:

• 🚘 Avoid sudden starts and braking - this increases the load on the front support.
• 🛣️ Try to go around deep holes at speed - impacts reduce the life of rubber inserts.
• 🔧 Check regularly fastening supports - Loose bolts accelerate wear.
• 🛢️ Follow oil condition — vibrations from “oil starvation” destroy rubber.

Also recommended once every 20 thousand km clean the supports from dirt and lubricate the rubber inserts silicone grease (For example, Liqui Moly Silicone-Fett). This prevents the rubber from cracking and drying out.

If you do a lot of off-road driving, consider installing polyurethane supports (for example, from Powerflex). They are more expensive (from RUB 8,000 per set), but last 2–3 times longer than standard ones.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about engine mounts Nissan Almera Classic

Is it possible to drive with worn out mounts?

Short term - yes, but this leads to:

• 🔧 Accelerated wear engine fasteners and a subframe.
• 🔧 Damage pipes and wiring due to motor misalignment.
• 🔧 Increased load on gearbox (especially on automatic transmission).

Recommended maximum - 1–2 weeks before replacement.

How to distinguish an original support from a fake?

Signs of the original support Nissan:

• 🏷️ Availability holograms and serial number on the package.
• 🔧 Tags NISSAN or Made in Japan on metal parts.
• 🔧 Rubber black with a matte tint (counterfeits are often shiny).

Counterfeits are usually lighter in weight and have a rougher metal finish.

Is it necessary to do a wheel alignment after replacing the bearings?

No, replacement of supports no effect on the wheel alignment angles. However, if suspension elements (for example, levers) were removed during repairs, then the wheel alignment necessarily.

Which supports most often fail on Almera Classic?

Fault statistics:

1. Front support — 60% of cases (due to load during braking).
2. Rear support — 30% (especially with automatic transmission).
3. Side supports — 10% (usually due to mechanical damage).

Is it possible to restore old supports?

Theoretically yes, but this temporary solution. Methods:

• 🔧 Rubber vulcanization (costs ~1,500 ₽, enough for 10–20 thousand km).
• 🔧 Installation polyurethane gaskets between metal and rubber.

However, the restored supports do not provide adequate depreciation and can burst at any moment.