Replacing shock absorbers Nissan...

Replacing shock absorbers with Nissan Almera G15 - a task that sooner or later faces every owner of this popular sedan. Faulty struts not only impair ride comfort, but also directly affect safety: braking distance increases, cornering control deteriorates, and during sudden maneuvers the car can behave unpredictably. In this article we will look at everything you need to know: from signs of wear to step-by-step instructions, taking into account the features of this particular model.

Feature Almera G15 (2012–2018 production) is that its suspension is adapted for Russian roads, but even this does not save the shock absorbers from premature wear. The average service life of the original struts is 80–100 thousand km, but when driving on broken roads or with overload, it is reduced to 50–60 thousand km. We won’t convince you to go to a service center - if you have a garage, a set of tools and a couple of hours of time, you can handle it yourself. The main thing is to follow a clear algorithm and not miss critical points that many Internet “gurus” are silent about.

Signs of faulty shock absorbers on a Nissan Almera G15

The first symptoms of strut wear are often attributed to “road conditions” or “this is how it should be.” But if you notice at least 3-4 signs from the list below, it’s time to make a diagnosis:

🔴 Increased body roll when turning (the car “leans” to one side more than usual).
🔴 Suspension breakdowns on small bumps - dull blows are heard, as if the car is being “punched” all the way.
🔴 Deterioration in braking: when you press the pedal sharply, the nose of the car “pecks” down, and the braking distance increases.
🔴 Uneven tire wear — “bald patches” appear on the inside or outside of the tread.
🔴 Oil stains on the shock absorber body (visible during visual inspection).
🔴 Vibrations on the steering wheel when driving over uneven surfaces, even at low speeds.

Particular attention should be paid to rear shock absorbers - their wear and tear Almera G15 often appears less noticeable than the anterior ones. You can check them with a simple test: press firmly on the rear bumper and release. If the body makes more than 1-2 vibrations, it’s time to change the struts. Another warning sign - the appearance of a knock in the rear suspension when driving over speed bumps at speeds above 40 km/h. This indicates that the shock absorber has lost its damping properties and is acting like a stiff spring.

⚠️ Attention: If the knocking noise does not disappear after replacing the struts, check the support bearings and silent blocks of the levers. On Almera G15 they often wear out at the same time as the shock absorbers, but many “masters” ignore this connection.

📊 How often do you check the condition of the suspension?

Every season
Once a year
Only when problems arise
Never checked

Which shock absorbers to choose for Nissan Almera G15: original vs analogues

Original racks from Nissan (items: 56210-4M000 for the front ones, 56211-4M000 for the rear ones) will cost 8–12 thousand rubles apiece. Their main advantage is guaranteed compatibility and resource, but the disadvantage is the high price and the risk of running into a fake. An alternative is analogues from trusted brands, which are often not inferior in quality, but are cheaper.

Brand	Article (front/back)	Price per piece, ₽	Features
KYB (Excel-G)	`341336` / `341337`	4 500 – 6 000	Softer than the original, good for city driving
Monroe (Reflex)	`72246` / `72247`	5 000 – 7 000	Reinforced design, suitable for aggressive driving style
Sachs (Super Touring)	`315 384` / `315 385`	5 500 – 7 500	Optimal balance of comfort and handling
Boge (Pro-Gas)	`10-050254` / `10-050255`	4 000 – 5 500	Budget option, tougher than the original

When choosing, pay attention to shock absorber type:

🔹 Oily - cheaper, but less durable, suitable for quiet driving.
🔹 Gas-oil - more expensive, but cope better with loads and last longer.
🔹 Sports (For example, KYB Ultra SR) - tough, for lovers of dynamic driving.

Important nuance: on Almera G15 with engine 1.6 HR16DE (109 hp) front struts are different from the version with a motor 1.5 K4M (98 hp). Make sure you choose the parts that suit your modification! The part numbers may be the same, but the internal design is not.

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Before purchasing, check the shock absorbers for fakes: original Nissan struts have a laser engraved logo and a hologram on the packaging.

Required tools and supplies

To replace shock absorbers with Nissan Almera G15 you will need:

For consumables, prepare:

🔧 New shock absorbers (4 pieces - must be replaced in pairs!).
🔧 Support bearings (if there is any play or creaking).
🔧 Anthers and bumpers (often included with stands).
🔧 Fastening nuts (disposable, cannot be reused!).

Pay special attention spring puller. On Almera G15 The front strut springs are under high tension, and attempting to disassemble the strut without a puller can result in injury. If you do not have experience, it is better to rent a tool or buy an inexpensive kit (from 1,500 ₽).

⚠️ Attention: Do not use an angle grinder (“grinder”) to cut nuts! On Almera G15 Attachments of struts to the knuckle often stick, but cutting metal can damage the threads in the hub, which will lead to expensive repairs.

Step-by-step instructions: replacing front shock absorbers

Let's start with the front suspension, since replacing it is more difficult and takes more time. Proceed only after the car is securely supported on jacks or a lift and the wheels are removed.

Unscrew the strut rod nut.
It is located under the hood, in the body glass. Use the head on 17 mm and an extension cord. Don't unscrew it completely - just loosen it, otherwise the spring may “shoot”.
Disconnect the brake hose and ABS sensor.
Carefully remove the clips and move the hose to the side so as not to damage it. On Almera G15 The ABS sensor is attached to the strut with one bolt on 10 mm.
Unscrew the fastening of the strut to the steering knuckle.
Two bolts on 19 mm (bottom mount). If they are stuck, apply WD-40 and wait 10-15 minutes. If necessary, use a hammer and chisel, but do not be fanatical.
Remove the stand.
After unscrewing all the fasteners, carefully remove the strut assembly with the spring. Be careful - the spring is under tension!
Disassemble the rack.
Clamp it in a vice and use a spring puller to compress the spring until the support bearing is free. Unscrew the stem nut completely and disassemble the assembly.
Install a new shock absorber.
Transfer all the parts (spring, bumper, boot) from the old rack to the new one. Make sure that the spring is installed correctly - its ends should coincide with the grooves on the cups.
Reassemble everything in reverse order.
When tightening the stem nut, use a torque wrench (tightening torque - 20–25 Nm). Tighten the nuts securing the knuckle firmly 80–100 Nm.

After replacement be sure to check the wheel alignment! Even if you carefully put everything back together, the suspension geometry may have changed.

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On a Nissan Almera G15, after replacing the front struts, it is also recommended to check the condition of the ball joints and steering ends - they experience increased load when the shock absorbers are worn out.

Replacing rear shock absorbers: features and nuances

Rear pillars Almera G15 change is easier, but there are pitfalls. The main difficulty is access to the top mount, which is hidden under the trunk trim. Get ready to remove the plastic panels.

Replacement algorithm:

Remove the trunk trim from the right or left side (depending on the rack being replaced). It is attached to plastic clips - pry it carefully so as not to break it.
Unscrew the shock absorber rod nut (head on 14 mm). Here, too, you don’t need to unscrew it completely - just loosen it.
Raise the car on a jack and remove the wheel. Unscrew the lower fastening of the rack to the beam (bolt on 17 mm).
Remove the shock absorber along with the spring. On the rear axle the spring is less tense, but the puller will still be useful.
Disassemble the strut, transfer the spring and bump stop to the new shock absorber. Pay attention to the condition of the rubber bushings - if they are cracked, replace them.
Install the new rack in reverse order. When tightening the top nut, hold the rod with a wrench 6 mmso that it doesn't scroll.

Important point: on the rear axle Almera G15 often wear out trailing arm silent blocks. If, when replacing the struts, you notice play in these units, it is better to change them immediately - otherwise the new shock absorbers will last less.

What to do if the lower bolt of the rear strut cannot be unscrewed?

If the bolt is stuck and does not budge even after WD-40, try the following method:

1. Heat the mount with a hair dryer (do not overheat!).

2. Use a socket with an extension and a lever (pipe) to increase torque.

3. As a last resort, drill out the bolt with a drill, but be prepared to replace the threaded bushing in the beam.

Common mistakes when replacing shock absorbers

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes, which later turn into problems. That's what can't do when replacing racks with Nissan Almera G15:

❌ Change shock absorbers one at a time. Always a pair on the same axis! Otherwise, the car will “steer” to the side, and the suspension will wear unevenly.
❌ Use old nuts and bolts. This is especially true for attaching the strut to the steering knuckle - they are deformed when tightened.
❌ Ignore wheel alignment. Even if the wheels are visually straight, the installation angles may have changed.
❌ Tighten the nuts without a torque wrench. Over-tightening leads to deformation of the silent blocks, under-tightening leads to play.
❌ Do not check the support bearings. On Almera G15 they often fail at the same time as the racks, but many “save” and leave the old ones.

Another common mistake is incorrect spring installation. On the front struts, its lower coil must rest against the protrusion on the cup, otherwise, when compressed, the spring may move and damage the bump stop. On the rear pillars, pay attention to color marks on the coils - they should coincide with the marks on the cups.

⚠️ Attention: If, after replacing the shock absorbers, the car begins to “bounce” on bumps, check whether you have mixed up the struts. On Almera G15 The right and left front struts are interchangeable, but the rear ones may have differences in rigidity (especially on models with the “Sport” package).

Cost of replacing shock absorbers: service vs self-repair

Price for replacing racks Nissan Almera G15 in service depends on the region and level of the service station. On average the prices are:

Type of work	Cost, ₽ (for 1 rack)	Opening hours
Replacing the front shock absorber	1 500 – 2 500	1–1.5 hours
Replacing the rear shock absorber	1 200 – 2 000	40–60 minutes
Replacing the support bearing	500 – 1 000	Additional 30 minutes
Wheel alignment adjustment	1,500 – 2,500 (for both axles)	30–40 minutes

In total, for replacing all four racks in the service you will pay 10–15 thousand rubles only for labor (excluding spare parts). Do-it-yourself repairs will be cheaper, but require time and tools. If you have never worked on suspension, it is better to practice on the rear struts - they are easier to replace.

Savings when replacing yourself:

💰 On the front pillars: 3–5 thousand rubles (per pair).
💰 On the rear pillars: 2–4 thousand rubles (per pair).
💰 On wheel alignment: if you have a friend with a stand, you can save another 1.5–2 thousand rubles.

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When choosing between service and replacement yourself, consider not only the price, but also the warranty. Many service stations provide a 6-12 month guarantee on work, whereas with self-repair, all risks fall on you.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing shock absorbers on Nissan Almera G15

Is it possible to drive if the shock absorber is leaking, but it still “holds”?

If the shock absorber has lost its tightness (leaked), its damping properties have already been compromised, even if it has not yet “broken through”. The oil leaks out gradually, and over time the rack will stop working altogether. In addition, oil smudges get onto the brake pads and discs, reducing their effectiveness. We recommend replacing within 1-2 weeks after a leak is detected.

Do the springs and shock absorbers need to be replaced?

Definitely not. Springs on Almera G15 serve much longer (150–200 thousand km). They only need to be changed if:

🔹 Cracks or deformation of the coils are visible.
🔹 The height of the spring has decreased by more than 10 mm compared to the new one.
🔹 The car sank even after replacing the shock absorbers.

In other cases, it is enough to transfer the old springs to new struts.

How can I check if the shock absorbers are original on my Almera G15?

Original Nissan struts have:

🔹 Laser engraved logo Nissan on the body.
🔹 Hologram on the package with a unique number.
🔹 Labeling Made in Japan or Made in Thailand (for G15).

Analogues from KYB or Monroe often supplied in original Nissan packaging - this is normal as they are official suppliers.

How long does it take to replace all four shock absorbers?

If you have experience and tools:

🔹 Front struts: 3-4 hours per steam (including disassembly and assembly).
🔹 Rear struts: 2-3 hours for a couple.
🔹 Wheel alignment: another 30–40 minutes.

If you are doing this for the first time, reserve a whole day - there may be hiccups with stuck bolts or searching for hidden fasteners.

Is it possible to install shock absorbers from another Nissan model?

Theoretically on Almera G15 suitable racks from Nissan Note (E12) or Nissan Micra (K13), but there are nuances:

🔹 The length of the rod and stiffness may differ, which will affect controllability.
🔹 Fasteners may not match in diameter or location of holes.
🔹 Electronics (for example, ABS sensor) may conflict.

We recommend sticking to original articles or certified analogues from our table above.

Replacing shock absorbers on a Nissan Almera G15: a complete guide with photos and nuances