Rear pillars Nissan Sunny (especially in bodies B14 And B15) is one of the most vulnerable suspension elements after 100–150 thousand km. Their wear is manifested not only by a deterioration in comfort, but also by dangerous “pecking” of the stern on bumps, an increase in braking distance and uneven tire wear. Car repair shops charge from 4 to 8 thousand rubles per pair for replacement, but if you have tools and minimal skills, you can do the job yourself in 2–3 hours.
In this article we will look at all stages of replacement - from fault diagnosis to final adjustment. You will find out which struts are better to choose (original vs analogues), how to do without a special spring remover, and why after replacement you definitely need to check the wheel alignment - even if you didn’t touch the suspension arms. The material is relevant for models Sunny 1995–2006 model years, but many principles apply to other platform vehicles Nissan B.
Signs of wear on the rear struts on a Nissan Sunny
The first symptoms of “dying” shock absorbers are often attributed to bad roads or tire wear. However there is 7 key signs, which directly indicate the need for replacement:
- 🚗 Body rocking after driving over bumps (more than 2-3 vibrations).
- 💨 Rear sag when loading the trunk or passengers.
- 🛑 Extended braking distance due to the “peck” of the stern.
- 🔊 Knocks or squeaks in the area of the rear wheels when driving over small bumps.
- 🌑 Uneven rear tire wear (especially along the inner edge).
- 💦 Oil leaks on the rack body (visible upon visual inspection).
- 🌀 Deterioration in handling when cornering (rear axle skidding).
If you notice at least 3-4 items from the list, stand no longer perform their function. You can check their condition without a lift: just press hard on the rear bumper and quickly release. If the body continues to sway, it’s time to change the shock absorbers. On Nissan Sunny With a mileage of more than 150 thousand km, the rear struts often “die” in pairs, so it is recommended to change them at the same time.
⚠️ Attention: If visible on the counter dent on the rod or crack in the body, it must be replaced immediately - even if there are no external leaks. Such defects lead to sudden jamming of the shock absorber while driving.
- Every 10 thousand km
- Once a year
- Only when knocking occurs
- Never
Which racks to choose: original or analogues?
Original rear struts for Nissan Sunny are produced under articles 54300-4M000 (right) and 54300-4M001 (left). Their average price is 8–12 thousand rubles per piece, which makes replacing a pair quite expensive. However, the original guarantees compliance with factory specifications and a resource of 100–150 thousand km.
Among the analogues, the following have proven themselves well:
| Brand | Article | Price (per piece), ₽ | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| KYB | 343308 |
4 500–6 000 | Stiffer than the original, suitable for aggressive driving |
| Monroe | G4502 |
5 000–7 000 | Soft, comfortable for the city |
| Sachs | 315 319 |
5 500–7 500 | Improved tightness, long service life |
| Febi | 23900 |
3 500–5 000 | Budget option, average quality |
When choosing analogues, pay attention to gas type: oil struts (Monroe, Febi) softer and more comfortable, but less resistant to overheating. Gas-oil (KYB, Sachs) are stiffer, but hold the road better at high speeds. For Sunny with engines GA14DE or GA16DE the optimal balance would be KYB Excel-G - they are close in characteristics to the original, but are 30–40% cheaper.
⚠️ Attention: Don't buy stands without anthers and bumpers included! On Nissan Sunny These elements often wear out at the same time as the shock absorbers, and replacing them separately will cost RUB 1,500–2,000 per set.
Tools and materials for replacement
To work you will need:
- 🔧 Set of sockets and keys (10, 12, 14, 17, 19 mm).
- 🔨 Socket wrench with extension (for the upper rod nut).
- 🔩 Spring puller (you can rent or make a homemade one from belts).
- 🛠️ WD-40 or similar cleaner (for rusty bolts).
- 🧲 Magnet on telescopic handle (so as not to lose the nuts in the arch).
- 🔧 Torque wrench (to tighten to the correct torque).
- 🚗 Jack and stops (or lift).
If you don’t have a spring puller, you can get by slings or belts, but it's less secure. Also prepare new nuts and bolts - on Sunny they often “stick” and break during dismantling. Fastener articles:
08905-6010A— rod nut (M12).08905-6040A— lower fastening bolt (M10).
Loosen the wheel nuts|Raise the car and secure it on supports|Treat all threaded connections with WD-40|Prepare new struts and fasteners|Check for a spring puller-->
Step-by-step instructions for replacing rear struts
The replacement process is the same for both racks, so let's look at it using one side as an example. Important: start with the least worn post to use as a reference for assembly.
1. Dismantling the old rack
Lift the rear of the car and remove the wheel. Then:
- Unscrew bottom bolt fastening the strut to the lever (19 mm wrench). If it doesn't work, use
WD-40and a hammer for gentle tapping. - Remove in the cabin plastic plug above the upper pillar mount (under the rear seat).
- Hold the rod with a 6 mm wrench and unscrew top nut (17 mm head). This is where a magnet comes in handy - the nut often falls into the arch.
- Remove the strut assembly with the spring.
2. Disassembly and installation of a new rack
The most important stage is spring compression. If you don't have a puller, use safety straps, but remember:
- 🔴 Never compress a spring without fixing it - it can “shoot” and cause injury.
- 🔴 Do not use wire or rope - they cannot withstand the load.
After compressing the spring:
- Unscrew the stem nut and remove support bearing, boot And bumper.
- Transfer all parts to the new rack, don't forget to check the condition of the bearing (it should rotate without play).
- Reassemble the stand in reverse order evenly tightening the stem nut (torque - 20–25 Nm).
What to do if the rod nut is spinning?
If the nut rotates along with the rod, fix it special wrench for shock absorbers (or use pliers through a soft pad). Do not use excessive force - the rod may be bent!
3. Installation and final assembly
Place the stand in place, starting with top mount (do not tighten the nut completely!). Then:
- Secure the bottom bolt, but do not overtighten it.
- Install the wheel and lower the car to the ground.
- Tighten all the nuts are final (torque for the lower bolt - 80–100 Nm, for the upper nut - 20–25 Nm).
Nuances and common mistakes
Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing racks with Nissan Sunny. That's what can't do:
- 🚫 Use pneumatic tools to unscrew the nuts - it breaks the thread.
- 🚫 Tighten the fasteners by weight - this leads to misalignment of the bushings.
- 🚫 Ignore spring check - cracks in the coils can cause them to break.
- 🚫 Install racks without bumpers - this reduces their resource by 2 times.
Pay special attention support bearing. On Sunny it often “dies” along with the stand, but they forget to replace it. Symptoms of bearing wear:
- 🔊 Crunch when turning the steering wheel in place.
- 🌀 Backlash the rack rod when swinging.
If the bearing is faulty, its replacement part number is 54340-4M000 (original) or SKF VKBA 3563 (analog).
After replacing the racks necessarily check the wheel alignment! Even if you didn't touch the levers, changing the suspension height affects the wheel alignment angles.
How much does a service replacement cost?
The cost of work in car repair shops in Moscow and the regions varies depending on the complexity:
| Service type | Price for 1 rack, ₽ | Price per pair, ₽ | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official dealer | 3 500–5 000 | 7 000–10 000 | 3–4 hours |
| Mid-level service station | 2 000–3 500 | 4 000–7 000 | 2–3 hours |
| Garage craftsmen | 1 500–2 500 | 3 000–5 000 | 1.5–2 hours |
Usually included in price not included:
- 💰 Suspension diagnostics (500–1 000 ₽).
- 🔧 Replacing support bearings (+1,500 ₽ per pair).
- 📏 Wheel alignment adjustment (1 500–2 500 ₽).
Self-replacement will only cost the cost of spare parts (8-15 thousand rubles for a pair of racks + 2-3 thousand rubles for consumables). Savings - up to 70% compared to the dealer.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing rear struts
Is it possible to drive if one strut is leaking and the other is intact?
No! Different stiffness of shock absorbers leads to unpredictable handling (especially on wet roads) and accelerated wear of the second strut. You only need to change in pairs.
Do new struts need to be bled before installation?
Yes, if these are oil shock absorbers (Monroe, Febi). To do this, turn the stand over with the rod down and smoothly compress/uncompress it 3–5 times. Gas-oil (KYB, Sachs) no need to pump.
How often do you replace rear struts on a Nissan Sunny?
Service life depends on operating conditions:
- 🏙️ City riding — 100–150 thousand km.
- 🛣️ Route + cargo — 80–120 thousand km.
- 🏔️ Bad roads — 60–100 thousand km.
Check the condition of the struts every 20 thousand km.
What happens if you don't replace worn struts?
Consequences of ignoring the problem:
- 🚗 Deterioration in braking by 15–30%.
- 🔥 Overheating of brake discs due to uneven pressure.
- 🌀 Tire wear over 1–2 seasons (especially the inner edge).
- 💥 Risk of loss of control at speeds over 80 km/h.
Is it possible to install racks from Nissan Almera N16?
No! Despite the external resemblance, Almera N16 has different rod length and spring stiffness. Using non-native racks will lead to incorrect suspension operation and accelerated wear of silent blocks.