Car Nissan Murano the second generation (Z51 body) is a comfortable crossover, which, during long-term use, faces problems typical of SUVs. One of the most common suspension problems is wear on the front hub assembly. A characteristic hum, which intensifies when turning, and wheel play indicate that the bearing life has been exhausted.
Ignoring this problem can lead to wheel jamming while driving or brake disc destruction, which can lead to a serious accident. Owners Murano Z51 It is important to understand that replacing a unit requires not only physical strength, but also knowledge of the specifics of mounting ABS levers and sensors. You can do the repair yourself if you prepare the right tools and study the nuances of dismantling.
Diagnosis of faults and selection of spare parts
Before you start disassembling, you need to make sure that the problem is exactly in hub. Owners often confuse the knocking sound of a worn hub with sounds from broken silent blocks of levers or ball joints. To check, you need to lift the car on a lift and shake the wheel with your hands at the top and bottom. Play when rocking indicates a bearing defect.
Sound cues are also very revealing. If, when driving at speed, a steady hum is heard, which changes tone when the trajectory of movement changes (to the right or left), this is a sure sign of a dying bearing. When turning in the direction opposite to the faulty wheel, the load on the hub increases and the sound becomes louder.
Selecting a new part is a critical step. Presented on the market as original spare parts Nissan, and high-quality analogues from brands SKF, SNR or Timken. The original hub is often supplied complete with an ABS sensor, which simplifies installation, but significantly increases the cost of repairs. Low-quality analogues may not have the required accuracy class, which will lead to repeated failure of the unit after a couple of thousand kilometers.
Pay attention to the condition of the oil seal and boot. If they have cracks, dirt has already entered the mechanism. Installation A new hub without eliminating the causes of contamination (for example, a torn CV joint boot) is pointless. It is critical to check the condition of the ABS sensor before purchasing a hub, as some models come without one and the old sensor may not fit the new part.
⚠️ Attention: Never try to hit the hub end or bearing directly with a hammer during removal. This destroys the inner race and makes the part unsuitable for reuse, even if visually it appears intact. Use special pullers.
Necessary tools and preparation
Replacement process Nissan Murano Z51 requires a serious set of tools. A standard jack and a set of wrenches may not be able to remove rusted caliper and control arm bolts. You will need a powerful impact wrench or a long ratchet with sockets 17, 19 and 21 mm.
Pay special attention to squeezing the hub out of the steering knuckle. A hydraulic press is ideal for this, but in garage conditions they often use a special puller or the “pressing out” method through an attachment. You will also need a torque wrench to tighten the critical bolts, since a violation of the tightening torque can lead to the wheel coming off.
Don't forget a penetrating lubricant like WD-40 or similar. Thoroughly treat all threaded connections an hour before starting work, especially the bolt securing the lever to the steering knuckle, which is on Murano often sticks tightly. If you plan to change the brake pads, prepare a tool for pressing them in.
- 💧 Treat all bolts generously with penetrating lubricant 30 minutes before starting work.
- 🔧 Prepare jack stands, as working under the car on jacks alone is prohibited by safety precautions.
- ⚙️ Take a new hub assembly (or a separate bearing and oil seal) to ensure completeness before dismantling.
- 🔨 It is necessary to have a circlip remover or ball joint remover to safely separate the units.
- Impact wrench
- Long ratchet
- Hydraulic press
- Hand tools
Step-by-step instructions for dismantling the unit
We start by lifting the car and removing the wheel. Loosen the hub mounting bolts (if there are any, but more often the hub is held on the axle nut) and the brake caliper mounting bolts. Remove the caliper and hang it on a wire to avoid damaging the brake hose. The brake disc must also be removed if it blocks access to the bolts securing the hub to the steering knuckle.
Next, you need to disconnect the steering tip. Unscrew the locknut and knock out the tip pin from the steering knuckle using a special puller. Don't hit the thread! After this, unscrew the lower bolt securing the steering knuckle to the suspension arm. This is the most difficult moment and requires a lot of effort.
When all fastenings are loosened, the steering knuckle must be moved to the side. Disconnect the ABS sensor, if it is integrated into the hub, or carefully remove the wire from the mounts. Remove the hub nut (center nut). If it is tightened to a torque of more than 200 NmIt may be necessary to use an air tool or a very long lever.
Now the hub itself. If you are changing the assembly, simply remove it from the steering knuckle. If only the bearing is changed, you will need to press out the old part and press in the new one. Be careful not to damage the seat in the steering knuckle. Any scratch can lead to rapid wear of the new part.
☑️ Preparation for dismantling
⚠️ Attention: When unscrewing the hub nut (central), be sure to have an assistant press the brake pedal to secure the shaft, or block the disc through the caliper gaps. Otherwise, the shaft will spin and you will tear off the splines or will not be able to unscrew the nut.
Installation of a new hub and assembly nuances
Installation of a new hub occurs in the reverse order. Before installation, clean the steering knuckle seat from dirt and rust, but do not use abrasives that could change the geometry. Lubricate the outer race of the bearing with a thin layer of graphite grease or lithol to facilitate entry into the seat.
An important point is the tightening of the central hub nut. On Nissan Murano Z51 this moment is very critical. Insufficient tightening will lead to rapid destruction of the bearing due to play, and excessive tightening will lead to deformation of the parts. Use a torque wrench and tighten to the torque specified in the service book (usually approx. 230-250 Nm).
After assembly, be sure to check for any play. Turn the wheel with your hands - it should rotate freely and silently. If you hear a crunching sound or feel resistance, the bearing is installed crookedly or damaged. Also check the operation of the ABS sensor by connecting a diagnostic scan tool.
- 🛠️ Apply a little grease to the axle splines before installing the hub to make installation easier.
- 🔒 Use a new arm mounting bolt, as old bolts often stretch and may not provide a secure fit.
- 📏 Check the gap between the ABS sensor and the hub magnetic ring to avoid errors on the dashboard.
What to do if the hub nut does not unscrew?
If the nut is stuck, try heating it with an industrial hair dryer or blowtorch (be careful with brake fluid!) while trying to unscrew it. You can also use a penetrating lubricant and leave it overnight. As a last resort, use a grinder, but carefully so as not to damage the threads of the axle shaft.
Comparison of repair options and costs
There are two main approaches to repair: replacing the hub assembly and replacing only the bearing. Replacing the assembly takes less time, since it does not require complex equipment for pressing out. However, the cost of such a part is higher. Replacing only the bearing is cheaper in terms of spare parts, but requires a press and time to work.
The cost of the original hub assembly for Murano Z51 can reach significant amounts, while a high-quality analogue will cost 2-3 times less. It is important to consider that cheap Chinese analogues often have defects in the form of misalignment, which causes vibration in the steering wheel. The table below shows average prices for popular options.
| Part type | Brand | Approximate price (RUB) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hub assembly (Original) | Nissan | 15 000 - 22 000 | High quality, ABS sensor included |
| Hub assembly (Analog) | SKF / SNR | 6 000 - 9 000 | Excellent value for money |
| Bearing only | Timken | 3 000 - 5 000 | Specialist required installation tool |
| ABS sensor (separate) | Nissan / Denso | 2 500 - 4 000 | Required when replacing only the bearing |
Replacing the hub assembly is the most rational choice for garage repairs, as it eliminates the risk of errors during pressing and saves time, despite the higher cost of the part.
Technical nuances and common errors
One of the common mistakes is incorrect installation of the ABS sensor. If the sensor wire is stretched or kinked, it may come off while the vehicle is moving. Always leave a small supply of wire and secure it in standard clips. Also make sure that the magnetic ring on the hub is not damaged.
Another important aspect is the tightening of the control arm bolts. After replacing the hub, the car must be lowered onto the wheels and the lever bolts must be tightened to the torque specified in the manual under load. If you tighten them by weight, the rubber bands of the silent blocks will twist, which will lead to their rapid destruction and changes in wheel alignment.
Don't forget about wheel alignment. Any intervention in the suspension associated with the disconnection of levers or steering rods requires adjustment of the wheel alignment angles. Ignoring this procedure will result in uneven tire wear and the vehicle pulling to the side when driving in a straight line.
Before starting work, take a photograph of the location of the wires and clips of the ABS sensor. This will help you quickly and correctly lay the wire after installing the new hub, avoiding mistakes.
Confinement and safety
Replacing the front hub with Nissan Murano Z51 - a task of medium complexity that can be done with your own hands if you have basic tools and knowledge. The main thing is not to rush, use a torque wrench and high-quality spare parts. Saving on the hub can result in repeated repairs or a dangerous situation on the road.
After completing the work, be sure to test drive at low speed, checking for any unusual sounds or vibrations. If the noise remains, perhaps the problem is not only in the hub, but in the ball joints or levers. Regular suspension diagnostics will help prevent similar breakdowns in the future.
Remember that safety on the road depends on the serviceability of all components of the car. Suspension plays a key role in controllability and stability. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to entrust the work to professionals who have experience working with Japanese crossovers.
How often should I replace the front hub on a Nissan Murano Z51?
The service life of the hub depends on operating conditions and road quality. On average, the resource ranges from 80,000 to 120,000 km. However, when driving off-road or on bad roads, this period can be reduced to 50,000 km. It is recommended to check the condition of the hub at every maintenance.
Is it possible to drive with a faulty hub?
Strongly not recommended. Bearing wear can cause it to seize, causing the wheel to lock and loss of control. In addition, a damaged bearing can damage the brake rotor and steering knuckle, which will significantly increase the cost of repairs.
Is it necessary to do a wheel alignment after replacing the hub?
Yes, definitely. When replacing a hub, you often have to disconnect the tie rod or suspension arms, which inevitably changes the wheel alignment. Without wheel alignment correction, the tires will begin to wear out quickly, and the car may pull to the side.
Which nut holds the hub and what is its tightening torque?
Central hub nut on Nissan Murano Z51 usually has a turnkey size 30 or 32 mm. The tightening torque is from 230 up to 250 Nm (check the exact value in the service book for your engine modification). This nut is disposable and is recommended to be replaced every time it is disassembled.
Is it possible to replace only the bearing and not the hub assembly?
Theoretically yes, but it's more complicated. You will need to press out the old bearing and press in the new one using a hydraulic press. You also need to buy an ABS sensor separately if it does not come with the bearing. For most car enthusiasts, it is easier and more reliable to replace the hub assembly.