Nissan Terrano 2 front suspension: design, diagnostics and do-it-yourself repair

Nissan Terrano II (internal designation R20) is a legendary frame SUV that is still in use on Russian roads due to its reliability and maintainability. However, even the most durable equipment requires attention, and the front suspension is no exception. This unit takes on the main loads when driving off-road, and therefore wear of its elements is a matter of time.

In this article we will analyze the front suspension design Terrano 2, typical “diseases” (from knocking to play), and we will also give step-by-step instructions for replacing key parts: shock absorber struts, levers, ball joints and silent blocks. We will place special emphasis on nuances of repair, which are not described in standard manuals, but are known to experienced craftsmen. If you plan to service the car yourself, here you will find answers to questions that usually remain “behind the scenes”.

Front suspension device Nissan Terrano 2 (R20)

Front suspension Terrano II built according to the classical scheme double wishbone (also known as suspension MacPherson with lower arm). This design provides good road stability and a long service life with proper maintenance. Main components:

• 🔧 Shock absorber struts (hydraulic or gas-oil) with springs.
• 🔗 Upper and lower arms (aluminum or steel, depending on the year of manufacture).
• 🔄 Ball joints (pressed into the lower arms or removable).
• 🛠️ Silent blocks levers and anti-roll bar.
• 🚗 Steering knuckles with wheel bearings.
• 🔩 Anti-roll bar with posts and bushings.

Feature Terrano 2 — availability adjustable upper arms, which allow you to correct wheel camber without using special spacers. This makes it easier to adjust the wheel alignment after repair. However, this design also has a disadvantage: over time, the threaded connections of the levers “stick” and their adjustment becomes a problem.

It is important to consider that the suspension Terrano II sensitive to quality of road surface. When driving off-road, it is recommended to install reinforced silent blocks (for example, from Polyurethane), and choose shock absorbers with increased stroke (for example, Kayaba or Monroe).

Typical faults: how to diagnose the problem

The first signs of wear on the front suspension Nissan Terrano 2 usually appear after 100–150 thousand kilometers, but with aggressive use they may appear earlier. Let's look at the main symptoms and their possible causes:

Symptom	Probable Cause	Diagnostic method
Knock when driving over bumps	Wear of silent blocks of levers, ball joints or shock absorbers	Rock the lever with a pry bar and check for play
Vibration in steering wheel when braking	Deformation of brake discs or wear of wheel bearings	Check disc runout, bearing play
Pulling the car to the side	Wheel alignment violation, wear of steering rods or levers	Checking suspension geometry on a stand
Creaking sound when turning the steering wheel	Worn ball joints or lack of lubrication in steering tips	Inspection of anthers and check of play

One of the most insidious defects is cracks in the levers. Aluminum levers (installed on early versions) can burst over time at the mounting points of the silent blocks. If even microcracks are found on the lever, it urgently needs to be replaced, since under load it can break completely, which will lead to loss of control.

⚠️ Attention: If after replacing shock absorbers or levers the car “steers” to the side, do not rush to go to the wheel alignment. First, check that the right and left parts are not mixed up - on Terrano 2 they are often symmetrical, but have different spring rates!

Replacing shock absorber struts: step-by-step instructions

Shock absorbers on Nissan Terrano 2 - a consumable that requires replacement every 80–100 thousand km (or earlier if leaks or knocks appear). To work you will need:

• 🔧 Set of sockets and keys (including 17 mm, 19 mm, 22 mm).
• 🔩 Spring remover (required!).
• 🛠️ Jack and stops.
• 🧴 WD-40 or a similar composition for unscrewing stuck nuts.

Procedure:

1. Raise the car and remove the wheel. Support the body with safety stands.
2. Unscrew the nut securing the shock absorber to the steering knuckle (19 mm). It may be necessary to hold the stem down with a wrench. 6 mm.
3. Remove the two bolts securing the strut to the body (14 mm). Be careful - the spring is under tension!
4. Using a puller, compress the spring and disassemble the strut. Replace the shock absorber, support bearing and bump stop (if worn).
5. Reassemble the stand in reverse order. When installing, make sure that the marks on the spring and cup matched - this ensures correct load distribution.

☑️ Preparation for replacing racks

Buy new shock absorbers (for example, Kayaba 334302)Check the condition of the springs and bump stopsPrepare the spring pullerTreat threaded connections with WD-40 in advance

Done: 0 / 4

⚠️ Attention: Never use an angle grinder (“grinder”) to unscrew stuck nuts on racks! The metal in these areas is often brittle and the threads in the body can be damaged. It is better to use a penetrating lubricant and heat the nut with a hair dryer.

After replacing the racks, be sure to check wheel alignment angles. Even if you haven't touched the arms, new shock absorbers can change the ride height, which will affect the camber.

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When purchasing shock absorbers for Terrano 2 pay attention to the length of the rod. Reinforced models (for example, Ironman 4x4) have an increased stroke, but may require modification of the anthers.

Repair of levers and replacement of silent blocks

Front suspension arms Terrano II - one of the most durable elements, but their silent blocks wear out much faster. Average life of rubber-metal bushings - 60–80 thousand km. Signs of wear:

• 🔊 Crunching or squeaking when passing speed bumps.
• 🚗 Play in the lever when checking with a mount.
• 🔧 Visible cracks or detachment of rubber from metal.

To replace silent blocks, the levers must be removed. Algorithm:

1. Unscrew the nuts securing the lever to the subframe (19 mm And 22 mm).
2. Remove the ball joint (if it is removable) or press it out of the lever.
3. Using a puller, squeeze out the old silent blocks. Press in new bushings using a mandrel, lubricating them with soapy water.
4. Reinstall the lever without fully tightening the nuts. Tighten only after the car has been lowered onto the wheels (under load!).

When replacing silent blocks, it is also recommended to inspect stabilizer bushings. They often wear out at the same time and can become a source of extraneous noise. For Terrano 2 fit bushings from Nissan Pathfinder R50 - they are identical in size, but often cheaper.

How to determine that the silent block is “tired”?

If during sharp braking or acceleration you hear a dull knock from the front, and when examining the lever you can see that the rubber of the bushing has cracked or “crept out” of the metal holder, the silent block must be replaced. Sometimes play only appears under load, so check the arms on the lift, simulating the movement of the suspension.

Ball joints: when to change and how to choose

Ball joints on Nissan Terrano 2 - weak point of the suspension. Their resource rarely exceeds 50–70 thousand km, especially when driving off-road. Main symptoms of a malfunction:

• 🔊 Crunching sound when turning the steering wheel at low speed.
• 🚗 Play in the wheel when checking “on a hanging” suspension.
• 🔧 The anther breaks and dirt gets inside the hinge.

On Terrano 2 two types of balls were installed:

1. Pressed (in the lower arm) - require pressing out with a special puller.
2. Removable (bolted) - found on later versions and easier to replace.

When choosing new supports, pay attention to the manufacturer. Well proven:

• 🏆 MOOG (article NK-800003) - reinforced structure.
• 💰 TRW (article JBJ730) - optimal price/quality ratio.
• 🔧 Febi (article 23630) - a budget option for urban use.

⚠️ Attention: If you are installing a ball joint with a removable boot (for example, MOOG), don't forget to add lubricant Litol-24 or Molykote into the hinge before assembly. This will increase its resource by 20–30%.

After replacing the balls, be sure to check camber angles. Even if you haven't touched the arms, the new mount may move the wheel position slightly.

Wheel alignment adjustment after repair

Any interference with the front suspension Nissan Terrano 2 (replacement of levers, struts, balls) requires subsequent adjustment wheel alignment. On this car, the setting has its own nuances:

• 🔧 Camber Adjustable by rotating the eccentric bolts on the upper arms. Standard value: -0°30' ± 30'.
• 🔄 Toe-in adjustable by changing the length of the steering rods. Norm: 0° ± 10'.
• 📏 Custer (angle of longitudinal inclination of the axis of rotation) on Terrano 2 is not regulated - it is built in constructively.

For precise adjustment you will need:

1. Place the car on a level surface (preferably on a wheel alignment stand).
2. Check and, if necessary, adjust tire pressure (2.0–2.2 bar).
3. Loosen the eccentric nuts on the upper arms and rotate them until the desired camber is achieved.
4. Adjust the toe-in by changing the length of the tie rods (use a special wrench for the tie rods).

If after adjustment the car still “pulls” to the side, check:

• 🔧 Condition wheel bearings (backlash is not allowed).
• 🚗 Tire pressure and tread wear uniformity.
• 🔄 Body geometry (may be violated after serious accidents).

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On Nissan Terrano 2 camber and toe are interconnected. If after adjusting the camber the toe-in changes (or vice versa), the procedure will have to be repeated. This is normal for this suspension.

Strengthening the off-road suspension: what can be done

If you are exploiting Terrano 2 in difficult conditions (dirt, stones, deep ruts), the standard suspension may not cope with the loads. Let's look at popular improvements:

Modification	Effect	Cost (approx.)
Reinforced springs (e.g. Old Man Emu)	Increased ground clearance by 30–50 mm, better load capacity	15 000–25 000 ₽
Gas-oil shock absorbers (Bilstein B46-2497)	Tougher work, no breakdowns on bumps	8,000–12,000 RUR per couple
Polyurethane silent blocks (Powerflex)	Reducing backlash, increasing control accuracy	3,000–5,000 ₽ (set)
Crankcase and lever protection (metal sheets)	Preventing damage from contact with obstacles	5 000–10 000 ₽

When installing the lift kit (springs + shock absorbers), keep in mind that:

• 🔧 Will need replacement steering rods to elongated ones (standard ones will work at the wrong angle).
• 🚗 The load on CV joints — their resource will be reduced by 20–30%.
• 🔄 May need some work brake hoses (installation of extended ones).

If you're planning a major boost, consider installing suspension from Nissan Pathfinder R51. Levers and racks from this model are interchangeable with Terrano 2, but have greater strength.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about the front suspension of Nissan Terrano 2