Engine mount <em>Nissan AD</em>: symptoms of malfunction, diagnosis and DIY replacement

Engine mounts are those parts that drivers only remember when they fail. In cars Nissan AD (especially popular in Japan and the CIS secondary market), these elements are subject to natural wear, but their malfunction is often confused with transmission or suspension problems. Why? Because vibrations on the body, knocking noise when starting or uneven engine operation may also occur during other failures.

In this article we will analyze unique features of engine mounts on Nissan AD - from design to replacement nuances. You will learn how to distinguish bearing wear from problems with the gearbox, which spare parts to choose (original vs analogues), and why on some modifications AD A special tool is required for dismantling. And also detailed instructions with photos and tips on how to avoid mistakes when installing new pillows.

Design and location of engine mounts on Nissan AD

Depending on the year of manufacture and modification (AD Van, AD Wagon or AD Expert) cars are equipped with 3–4 engine mounts. Classic scheme for most versions:

• 🔧 Right pillow (passenger side) - attached to the side member and cylinder block. Most often it fails first due to loads when starting off.
• 🔧 Left pillow (driver's side) - connected to the gearbox. On cars with automatic transmission it may have a hydraulic damper.
• 🔧 Rear support — installed on a subframe or body. On Nissan AD with diesel engines (CD20, TD27) a strengthened version is often found.
• 🔧 Top cushion (optional) - present on some modifications with motors SR20DE or QR25DE.

The material of the supports is usually a rubber-metal composite (rubber + steel body), but on models after 2005 you can find hydraulic cushions with a liquid damper. They dampen vibrations better, but are more expensive and more difficult to replace.

Feature Nissan AD — asymmetrical arrangement of supports. For example, on versions with all-wheel drive (4WD) the rear airbag is attached to the transfer case, not to the body. This makes access difficult when replacing, especially without a lift.

Signs of faulty engine mounts: how not to confuse them with other breakdowns

The main symptom of bearing wear is vibration on the body, but it manifests itself differently depending on which particular pillow is damaged:

Faulty airbag	Symptoms	What can be confused with
Right (passenger)	Knock when starting, vibration on the steering wheel	CV joint wear, steering rack play
Left (driver's)	Jerks when switching the automatic transmission, “bouncing” of the engine	Problems with the gearbox, clutch wear
Rear	A dull thump when releasing the gas, vibration on the brake pedal	Driveshaft play, suspension malfunction
Top (if any)	Dashboard rattling, "humming" at idle	Loosening of body fastenings, wear of silent blocks

Key Point: Pillow Vibrations increase with load (acceleration, braking, cornering), while problems with the transmission or suspension often appear constantly. For example, if a knock is heard only when starting from a stop, with a 90% probability the right support is to blame.

Another test: open the hood, start the engine and try to rock the engine up and down with your hand. If the play exceeds 1–1.5 cm, the supports are worn out. But be careful: Nissan AD with diesel engines (TD27) the play may be greater due to the weight of the motor.

Engine Mount Diagnostics: Tools and Techniques

For an accurate diagnosis you will need:

• 🔦 Flashlight or portable lamp (to inspect the supports from below).
• 🔧 Mount or long screwdriver (to check the play).
• 📸 Endoscope (optional, for examining the rear cushion without a hole).
• 👓 Gloves (rubber on old supports may crumble).

Check procedure:

1. Place the car on a flat surface (preferably on a viewing hole or a lift).
2. Stop the engine and apply the handbrake.
3. Inspect each pad for cracks, tears in the rubber, or traces of oil (if the pad is hydraulic).
4. Try moving the engine with a pry bar (through a wooden spacer to avoid damaging the block). Play of more than 1 cm is a sign of wear.
5. Start the engine and listen for any abnormal noise as the speed changes.

What to do if there is no inspection hole?

You can use a jack, but be sure to put chocks under the wheels and secure the car with stands. Lift the machine only at the points indicated in the repair manual. Nissan AD (usually these are special eyes on the thresholds).

On Nissan AD with automatic transmission (RE4F03A, RL4F03A) pay special attention to the left cushion - it is connected to the automatic transmission mount. If the rubber part of the support delaminates, this may cause skewed box and accelerated shaft wear.

⚠️ Attention: On diesel versions Nissan AD (especially with a motor TD27T) the rear cushion often “sticks” to the subframe due to corrosion. Do not try to rip it off by force - use a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40 Specialist) and give it time to work (at least 30 minutes).

Selection of spare parts: original vs analogues for Nissan AD

Original engine mounts for Nissan AD are produced under catalog numbers:

• 🔢 Right support: 11210-4M000 (for gasoline engines) or 11210-4M010 (for diesel engines).
• 🔢 Left support: 11211-4M000 (universal for most modifications).
• 🔢 Rear support: 11212-4M000 (may differ for all-wheel drive versions).

The cost of original parts is from 8,000 to 15,000 rubles per set. But there are proven analogues:

Manufacturer	Article	Approximate price (per piece)	Features
Febi	22386	3 500–4 500 ₽	Good quality rubber, but may be harder than the original.
Sidem	803001	4 000–5 000 ₽	Soft, dampen vibrations well, but have a shorter lifespan.
GMB	EM4010	2 800–3 800 ₽	Budget option, suitable for temporary replacement.
Tokico	NS-ME003	5 000–6 500 ₽	The quality is close to the original, but is rarely found in stores.

When choosing analogues, pay attention to:

• 🔹 Rubber material - on cheap pillows it can become tanned after 20,000 km.
• 🔹 Availability of metal bushings — without them, the support will quickly break the seat.
• 🔹 Compatible with box type — for automatic transmission and manual transmission may differ.

If you buy used supports (for example, from a disassembly shop), check:

• 🔍 No cracks or tears in the rubber.
• 🔍 Backlash between metal parts (should not exceed 0.5 mm).
• 🔍 Condition of the bolts - if they are rusty or deformed, it is better to replace them.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing engine mounts on a Nissan AD

To replace you will need:

• 🔧 A set of sockets and keys (required) 14 mm, 17 mm, 19 mm).
• 🔧 Jack and supports (or lift).
• 🔧 Penetrating lubricant (WD-40, Liqui Moly MoS2).
• 🔧 Torque wrench (for tightening with the correct torque).
• 🔧 Mount or puller (for rear support).

Work order (using the example of the right pillow):

Disconnect the battery (remove the negative terminal)|Jack the car and install jack stands|Clean any dirt from the airbag mountings with a wire brush|Apply penetrating lubricant to the bolts and nuts-->

1. Remove the engine protection (if equipped). On Nissan AD it is secured with 4–6 bolts 10 mm.

2. Support the engine with a jack through a wooden spacer (so as not to damage the pan). The lifting should be minimal - only to remove the load from the support.

3. Unscrew the nuts securing the cushion to the side member and cylinder block. There are usually 3 bolts on the right support: two for the body and one for the engine.

4. Remove the old cushion and clean the seats of rust and dirt. If the bolts are soured, use a puller or heat them with a hair dryer.

5. Install the new support, but do not fully tighten the bolts. First you need to lower the engine and check the alignment of the holes.

6. Tighten the fasteners with a torque wrench to:

   • Bolts to the cylinder block: 60–70 Nm.
   • Bolts to the body: 40–50 Nm.

To replace the left pillow you will additionally need:

• 🔧 Remove the air duct and battery (they interfere with access).
• 🔧 Disconnect the box mounting bracket (on the automatic transmission).
• 🔧 Check the condition of the hydraulic damper (if there is one).

⚠️ Attention: On Nissan AD with all-wheel drive (4WD) the rear airbag is attached to the transfer case. When replacing it, be sure to check the oil level in the transfer case - if the support was leaking, the oil could leak out through the oil seal.

After replacing all pillows:

1. Start the engine and check for vibrations.
2. Drive 5–10 km, then tighten the bolts again (the tires will “shrink”).
3. Check the engine angle - it should be parallel to the body.

Typical replacement mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that lead to repeated repairs. Here are the most common:

• ❌ Incorrect bolt tightening - if you overtighten, the rubber of the cushion will quickly crack. If you don't tighten it enough, there will be a backlash.
• ❌ Ignoring checking the box fastenings - on Nissan AD With an automatic transmission, the left cushion is connected to the transmission mount. If it is not adjusted, the box may “go” to the side.
• ❌ Replacing only one pillow - if one support is worn out, the rest are also close to the limit. It's better to replace it as a set.
• ❌ Using non-original bolts - on Nissan AD The mounting bolts for the cushions often have a special anti-corrosion coating. Regular bolts can rust within a year.

Another typical problem is engine misalignment after replacement. This happens if:

• 🔹 The engine stops are installed incorrectly.
• 🔹 The pillows are not tightened in the correct sequence (first to the block, then to the body).
• 🔹 Supports of different rigidity were used (for example, the left one is original, and the right one is analogue).

What should I do if new vibrations appear after replacement?

If vibrations appear immediately after replacement, check:

1. Correct installation of the pillows (is there any misalignment).

2. Tightening bolts (especially on hydraulic supports).

3. Condition of the gearbox mounts.

4. Balancing the crankshaft (on diesel Nissan AD After replacing the cushions, re-balancing is sometimes required).

On diesel versions (TD27, CD20) after replacing the pillows it may be necessary checking crankshaft angles. If the engine has moved relative to the body, this may affect the operation of the fuel injection pump.

Cost of replacing engine mounts: yourself vs service station

Prices for replacing pillows Nissan AD vary depending on the region and type of service station:

Service type	Cost of work (for 1 pillow)	Cost of work (set)	Opening hours
Official dealer	2 500–3 500 ₽	8 000–12 000 ₽	3–4 hours
Unofficial service	1 500–2 500 ₽	5 000–7 000 ₽	2–3 hours
Garage foreman	1 000–1 800 ₽	3 000–4 500 ₽	2–5 hours
On your own	0 ₽ (spare parts only)	0 ₽ (spare parts only)	4–6 hours

Average cost of spare parts (set of 3 pillows):

• 💰 Original: 25,000–35,000 ₽.
• 💰 Analogues (Febi, Sidem): 12 000–18 000 ₽.
• 💰 Used from disassembly: 5,000–10,000 ₽ (risk of rapid wear).

Self-replacement is beneficial if you have:

• 🔧 Access to a viewing hole or lift.
• 🔧 Experience working with cars (at least basic).
• 🔧 Tool (torque wrench required!).

If at least one of the items is missing, it is better to contact the service. This is especially true for diesel engines Nissan AD, where the rear cushion often “sticks” to the subframe, and its dismantling without experience can result in breakage of the fasteners.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Nissan AD engine mounts

Is it possible to drive with worn engine mounts?

Short term - yes, but this leads to:

• 🔹 Accelerated wear of gearbox mounts.
• 🔹 Damage to the radiator (due to excessive vibrations).
• 🔹 Risk of breaking the cooling system pipes.

On Nissan AD with automatic transmission, driving with broken airbags can lead to torque converter failure due to misalignment.

How often should engine mounts be replaced?

Service life depends on operating conditions:

• 🔹 In city mode: 80,000–100,000 km.
• 🔹 When driving off-road: 50,000–70,000 km.
• 🔹 On diesel versions: 60,000–80,000 km (due to the greater weight of the engine).

It is recommended to check the condition of the airbags every 20,000 km or when vibrations occur.

Is it possible to restore old pillows?

Theoretically yes, but this is a temporary solution. Methods:

• 🔹 Rubber vulcanization - Suitable for small cracks only.
• 🔹 Installation of polyurethane inserts - increases rigidity, but can transmit more vibrations to the body.
• 🔹 Replacing the rubber part - requires special press and skills.

On Nissan AD With hydraulic cushions, restoration is almost impossible - it’s easier to buy new ones.

Which airbags most often fail on a Nissan AD?

Model statistics:

• 🔹 On AD Van with motor SR20DE — right pillow (due to the loads when transporting goods).
• 🔹 On AD Wagon with QR25DE — left (connected with the automatic transmission mount).
• 🔹 On diesel versions (TD27) - rear (due to engine weight and vibrations).

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

No, replacing engine mounts no effect on the wheel alignment angles. However, if you touched the suspension or steering rods when removing the supports, it is better to check the toe.