Suspension bearing <em>Nissan Murano Z51</em>: diagnostics, replacement and selection of analogues

Nissan Murano Z51 - a crossover with all-wheel drive, which is famous for its reliability, but even it has weak points. One of them is driveshaft suspension bearing, which wears out over time, especially during active off-road use or with a trailer. If you hear a vibration or hum under the bottom at a speed of 60–90 km/h, most likely this is the problem.

In this article we will look at how diagnose the problem yourself, select an original spare part or a high-quality analogue, and replace the bearing without contacting service. We will pay special attention to typical repair mistakes that can lead to damage to the driveshaft or transmission.

What is a suspension bearing and why is it needed? Murano Z51

Suspension bearing (aka intermediate or supporting) is an element of the cardan transmission that fixes the shaft in one position, preventing it from sagging and vibration. B Nissan Murano Z51 with all-wheel drive ATTESA E-TS this unit experiences increased loads as it transmits torque to the rear axle.

Structurally, the bearing is a metal housing with a rubber damper and a ball or roller cage inside. Over time, the rubber part becomes tanned, the lubricant dries out, and the balls wear out - this leads to:

• 🔊 Hum or howl at speed (especially noticeable during acceleration).
• 🌀 Vibrations on the body or steering wheel, which intensify with increasing speed.
• 🔧 Backlash cardan shaft (you can check it by hand by shaking the shaft up and down).

On Murano Z51 The outboard bearing is located towards the rear of the driveshaft, under the bottom of the vehicle. Its average resource is 100–150 thousand km, but when driving on bad roads or with overload, it can be reduced to 60–80 thousand km.

Signs of a problem: how to recognize the problem at an early stage

The main danger of a worn outboard bearing is risk of driveshaft destruction while driving, which may lead to an accident. Therefore, it is important to notice the symptoms in time:

⚠️ Attention! If, when driving at a speed of 80–100 km/h, you feel pulsating vibrationwhich disappears when the engine brakes, this is a sure sign of critical bearing wear. Operate the vehicle in this condition it's impossible — urgent replacement is required.

Main features:

• 🚗 Vibration on the body during acceleration or steady movement (most often in the range of 60–90 km/h).
• 🔊 Rumble or grinding noise from under the bottom, which increases with load (for example, when towing a trailer).
• 🔧 Cardan shaft play (you can check by jacking up the rear of the car and shaking the shaft by hand).
• 💥 Sharp blows when starting off or changing gears (indicates severe wear).

For an accurate diagnosis it is recommended:

1. Raise the car on a lift or overpass.
2. Manually rotate the driveshaft and check for play.
3. Inspect the bearing housing for cracks or grease leaks.

Original articles and analogues: what to choose for replacement

For Nissan Murano Z51 (2008–2014) original outboard bearing has part number 37110-4M000 (for models with engine VQ35DE 3.5 l). However, depending on the year of manufacture and configuration, other numbers may also appear:

Article	Applicability	Note
37110-4M000	Murano Z51 (2008–2014)	Original, price ~5,000–7,000 RUR
37110-4M00A	Murano Z51 (facelift)	Improved version with reinforced housing
37110-AL500	Pathfinder R51 (analogue)	Fits in size, but may differ in mounting

If the original is too expensive, you can consider high-quality analogues:

• 🔹 NTN (KIT-CVJ37110) - Japanese manufacturer, resource comparable to the original.
• 🔹 SKF (VKBA 3603) - Swedish quality, but more expensive than analogues.
• 🔹 GMB (630-1030) - Korean brand, good price/quality ratio.
• 🔹 Febi (28600) - German budget option, suitable for temporary replacement.

⚠️ Attention! When purchasing an analogue, be sure to check seat dimensions (shaft and mounting diameter). Some bearings for Pathfinder R51 they are similar in appearance, but have a different internal diameter, which will lead to play.

How to distinguish a fake original bearing?

Original bearing Nissan has:

- Clear marking of the article on the case (without blurry symbols).

- Rubber damper with a uniform structure (without pores or cracks).

- Factory grease without foreign inclusions (on fakes it often turns yellow or has lumps).

- Packaging with a hologram and barcode, which can be checked at the official dealer.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing an outboard bearing

Replacing the outboard bearing with Murano Z51 - a task of medium complexity. If you have tools and an inspection hole, you can do it yourself in 3–4 hours. You will need:

• 🔧 A set of sockets and keys (especially for 12, 14, 17).
• 🔨 Bearing puller (or press).
• 🛠 WD-40 or similar penetrating lubricant.
• 🔥 Gas burner (for heating the case during difficult dismantling).

Work order:

1. Removing the driveshaft:
   • Jack up the rear of the car and install jack stands.
   • Unscrew the bolts securing the cardan to the rear gearbox (4 bolts per 14).
   • Disconnect the driveshaft from the transfer case (you will need a key for 12 for the retaining ring).
2. Removing the old bearing:
   • Clamp the cardan in a vice, having previously wrapped it with a soft cloth.
   • Cut off the rubber damper with a grinder or hacksaw.
   • Using a puller or press, press the bearing off the shaft.
3. Installing a new bearing:
   • Clean the seat on the shaft from rust and old grease.
   • Heat the new bearing in oil (80-100°C) to facilitate installation.
   • Press the bearing onto the shaft, ensuring alignment.
4. Assembly and balancing:
   • Install the cardan in place, tighten the bolts to torque 80–100 Nm.
   • Check for vibration while driving (balance if necessary).

The most common mistake when replacing is incorrect bearing pressingwhich leads to misalignment and premature wear. If there is still play after installation, check:

• Alignment of bearing and shaft.
• The integrity of the rubber damper (it should not be pinched).
• Tightening the mounting bolts (loose bolts cause vibration).

Typical replacement mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes that shorten the life of a new bearing or lead to breakdowns. Here are the most common:

⚠️ Attention! If you use a hammer when pressing the bearing, blows should only be applied to the outer ring through the soft spacer. Impacts on the inner ring will lead to destruction of the clip!

Mistake 1: Ignoring the state of the crosses

The suspension bearing is often replaced together with the cardan crosspieces, since their service life is approximately the same. If you leave worn crosspieces, the vibrations will remain, and the new bearing will last 2-3 times less.

Error 2: Lack of lubrication during installation

Many people forget to apply lithium or graphite grease onto the shaft seat before pressing. This leads to corrosion and makes future dismantling difficult.

Error 3: Incorrect tightening of bolts

The bolts securing the cardan to the gearbox and transfer case must be tightened criss-cross with the moment 80–100 Nm. Failure to comply with this rule leads to distortion and vibration.

Mistake 4: Neglecting balancing

Even if the old cardan did not have an imbalance, after replacing the bearing it definitely need to check at the stand. A new bearing may shift the center of gravity.

- Condition elastic coupling (at the front end of the cardan).

- Backlash in rear axle CV joints.

- Correct installation retaining rings on splines.-->

Cost of service replacement vs self-repair

The cost of replacing an outboard bearing in service depends on the region and level of the service station. On average the prices are:

Service	Cost (₽)	Note
Cardan shaft diagnostics	1 000–1 500	Includes bearing and spider checks
Replacing the outboard bearing	3 500–5 000	Does not include the cost of spare parts
Cardan balancing	1 500–2 500	Mandatory after replacement
Replacing crosspieces (set)	2 000–3 000	It is recommended to do it together with a bearing

If you replace it yourself, your costs will be limited only to the cost of the spare part (from 2,500 ₽ for an analogue to 7,000 ₽ for an original) and possible rental of tools (puller, press). However, please note:

• 🔧 Without experience working with cardan shafts, the risk of error is high.
• ⚖️ Poor balancing can lead to vibrations.
• 🛠 You will need an inspection hole or a lift.

If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better to entrust the work to professionals. This is especially true for owners Murano Z51 with a mileage of 150 thousand km - in such cars other transmission elements are often worn out (crosspieces, CV joints, elastic coupling), which need to be checked comprehensively.

Prevention: how to extend the life of an outboard bearing

The service life of an outboard bearing directly depends on operating conditions. To delay its replacement:

• 🚗 Avoid overload - Towing a trailer or constantly driving with a full load will accelerate wear.
• 💦 Wash the underbody regularly — Dirt and salt cause corrosion of the bearing housing.
• 🛣 Avoid potholes — impacts on the cardan shaft reduce the bearing life by 2–3 times.
• 🔧 Check the play every 20 thousand km (just shake the shaft by hand on an overpass).

Also recommended:

• 🔹 Apply once every 50 thousand km lithium grease onto a rubber damper (prevents cracking).
• 🔹 When changing the oil in the transfer case, check the condition cardan oil seals (an oil leak destroys the bearing).
• 🔹Use anti-corrosion treatment for bearing mounts.

If you do a lot of off-road driving or towing a trailer, consider installing reinforced bearing (for example, from Nissan Patrol Y61 with article number 37110-4W000). It has a more durable body and increased service life, but may require modifications to the fasteners.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about outboard bearing Nissan Murano Z51

Is it possible to drive with a humming bearing if there are no vibrations?

No! The hum indicates initial stage of destruction bearing. If you ignore the problem, the race may fall apart, which will lead to the driveshaft jamming while driving. It is recommended to replace the bearing within 1-2 weeks after the noise appears.

Which bearing is better - original or analogue?

Original bearing (37110-4M000) is guaranteed to fit in size and last longer, but its price is high. Among analogues, the optimal choice is NTN or SKF (resource 80–90% of the original). Budget brands (Febi, GMB) are suitable for temporary replacement.

Do I need to balance the driveshaft after replacing the bearing?

Yes, necessarily! Even if the old driveshaft was not unbalanced, the new bearing may shift the center of gravity. Balancing costs ~1,500 ₽, but prevents vibrations at speed.

Is it possible to replace the bearing without removing the cardan?

Theoretically it is possible, but in practice it is extremely inconvenient and fraught with errors. For a quality replacement you need complete shaft dismantling, cleaning the seat and pressing using a press.

What happens if the bearing is not replaced on time?

In case of critical wear, the bearing may:

• 🔥 jam, which will lead to the cardan breaking.
• 💥 Collapse, damaging the transfer case or gearbox.
• 🌀 Provoke vibrations, which will destroy the crosspieces.

Repair in this case will cost 20–30 thousand rubles (replacement of the cardan, gearbox or transfer case).