Removing the front bumper on a Nissan Murano: instructions with photos and secrets of the masters

Removing the front bumper Nissan Murano - a task that every owner of this crossover faces sooner or later.hether you plan headlight replacement, repairs after an accident, installation of additional equipment (for example, parking sensors or a winch), or you just want to get to hidden fasteners - you cannot do without removing the bumper. Car services charge from 3 to 8 thousand rubles for this procedure, but if you have the tools and patience, you can do it yourself.

The main difficulty is numerous hidden latches and fastenings that are easy to break if handled carelessly. In this article we will look at the process step by step - from preparing tools to final assembly - and also talk about unique nuances of the Murano Z51 (2015-2021), where the mountings differ from previous generations of the Z50. If you have Murano Z52 (2022+), the principles are the same, but the location of some clips may differ slightly.

Preparation: tools and working conditions

Before you begin dismantling, make sure you have everything you need. Work better in dry, well-lit place - garage or flat area in front of the house. If you remove the bumper on the street, avoid windy conditions: plastic parts may accidentally fly away or be scratched on the asphalt.

Minimum set of tools:

• 🔧 Socket wrenches by 10 mm and 12 mm (for bolts under the wing and frame)
• 🔨 Plastic installation tool (or a flathead screwdriver covered with electrical tape to prevent scratching the plastic)
• ✂️ Knife or stationery cutter (for trimming sealant at joints)
• 🔦 Flashlight or portable lamp (required for lighting hidden fixtures)
• 🧲 Magnet on telescopic handle (so as not to lose bolts and nuts in the engine compartment)

Also prepare marker or tape for marking removable parts - this will simplify reassembly. If you plan to work with pneumatic tools, make sure that the compressor produces no more than 2-3 bar: excess pressure can damage the plastic clips.

Step-by-step instructions: removing the front bumper

Let's start with battery disconnection - This is a mandatory step to avoid short circuits when working with electronics (for example, if you accidentally touch the parking sensor wires). Next we proceed according to the algorithm:

1. Removing the front wheel (optional, but makes it easier to access the bolts under the arch). It is enough to remove one wheel - on the driver's or passenger's side, depending on your convenience.
2. Removing the fender liners. They are attached to 4-5 plastic clips and 2-3 screws. Carefully pry the clips with the mounting tool, starting from the bottom edge.
3. Unscrewing the bolts under the wing. Here you will find 2-3 10 mm bolts (on Murano Z51 sometimes there are 12 mm bolts under the frame).
4. Removing the radiator grille. It is secured with 4 latches on top and 2 bolts on the bottom (under the license plate). Be careful: the latches are fragile!

Now let's move on to main bumper mounts:

• 🔩 Two 10 mm bolts on the sides (under the headlights, hidden by plastic plugs).
• 🔧 Four 12 mm bolts from the bottom (two in the center and two at the edges).
• 🕳️ Six plastic clips along the top edge (under the hood, they press the bumper to the body).

After unscrewing all the fasteners, the bumper will be held only by the clips on the sides. Gently pull it towards you, starting from one of the corners. If the bumper does not budge, check whether there are any unnoticed fasteners - people often forget about clips under foglights or bolts near the towing eyes.

Nuances for different generations of Murano

Bumper design Nissan Murano changed depending on the generation. Here are the key differences:

Generation	Years of manufacture	Bumper mounting features	Typical problems
Z50	2002–2007	10mm bolts, clips without metal cores	Fragile plastic radiator grille latches
Z51	2008–2014	Added 12mm bolts under the frame, clips with metal inserts	Bottom bolt corrosion (requires WD-40)
Z51 (facelift)	2015–2021	Changed the location of the clips under the headlights, added mounts for a 360° camera	Difficulty dismantling parking sensors (fragile connectors)
Z52	2022–present	Bolts with anti-corrosion coating, clips with reinforcements	Requires front panel removal to access some fasteners

On Murano Z51 facelift (2015+) frequently installed ProPILOT system, and the bumper may have additional mounts for radars and cameras. If your car is equipped with such a system, before removing the bumper be sure to disconnect the sensor connectors (they are located behind the radiator grille). Otherwise, an error may occur in the control unit.

What to do if the clip breaks?

If the plastic clip is cracked, do not try to “squeeze” it - this will lead to breakage of the fastening on the body. It’s better to immediately replace the clip with a new one (article number for Murano Z51: 90510-4M000). Temporary solution: use appropriately sized strap ties, but this does not guarantee a secure fit.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when removing a bumper. Here are the most common:

⚠️ Attention! Never pull the bumper down sharply - this will break the clips under the headlights. The correct direction is: first towards you, then slightly upward to release the upper latches.

• 🔧 Ignoring hidden bolts under the fog lights. They are often forgotten to unscrew, which leads to deformation of the plastic.
• 💡 Damage to parking sensor wiring. Before removing the bumper, disconnect the connectors (they are usually black or gray).
• 🔩 Tightening the bolts during reassembly. The maximum tightening torque for plastic fasteners is 5 Nm.
• 🧹 Loss of small parts. Use a magnet or container to store bolts and clips.

Another typical problem is bolt sticking at the bottom of the bumper (especially on cars older than 5 years). If the bolt does not come off, do not use excessive force: treat it WD-40 or liquid key and wait 10–15 minutes. If this does not help, try heating the bolt with a hair dryer (but do not overheat the plastic!).

Reassembly: nuances and verification

The bumper is installed in reverse order, but there are a few key points:

1. Start with top clips under the hood - they fix the bumper in the correct position.
2. Tighten the bolts diagonallyto avoid skew.
3. Before final tightening, check gaps between the bumper and the wings - they should be the same on both sides (optimally 3–5 mm).
4. Connect the sensor connectors and check their operation until complete assembly (turn on the ignition and activate the rear view camera or parking sensors).

After assembly, be sure to check:

• 🔦 Job all headlights (low/high beam, turn signals, fog lights).
• 📶 Signal parking sensors (put your hand near each sensor - a beep should sound).
• 🚗 Absence extraneous noise when moving (crunching or squeaking may indicate incorrectly installed clips).

⚠️ Attention! If the light comes on after assembly Check Engine or a warning about a system malfunction has appeared ProPILOTMost likely, you forgot to connect one of the sensor connectors. Check the wires behind the radiator grille.

When is the best time to contact the service?

Although removing the bumper Nissan Murano - the task can be done with your own hands, in some cases it is better to trust the professionals:

• 🚗 If the bumper deformed after an accident — it may “drive” during installation and will require straightening.
• 🔧 If you have never worked with car electronics (risk of damage to sensors or control units).
• ⚡ If during dismantling there were body mounts damaged (for example, the ears for the clips broke off).
• 🛠️ If required replacing the bumper with a new one — the service center will be able to fit it according to the gaps on a special stand.

The cost of work in the service depends on the region and complexity of the task. On average:

• Removing/installing the bumper — 3,000–5,000 rub.
• Replacing clips and small fasteners - 500–1,500 rub.
• Calibration of cameras and sensors - 2,000–4,000 rub.

If you decide to contact the service, choose proven stations with experience working specifically with Nissan Murano. The fact is that on this model there are often non-standard fastenings (for example, clips with metal inserts), and not every master is familiar with them.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about removing the bumper on Murano

Do I need to remove the headlight to remove the bumper?

No, on most versions Murano There is no need to remove the headlights. However, if you need to get to lamps or headlight adjustment mechanism, it is better to remove the bumper - this will give full access to the mounts.

Is it possible to remove the bumper without a pit or lift?

Yes, but it's less convenient. You will have to work lying under the car, which makes it difficult to access the lower bolts. If there is no hole, use jack with stands and raise the machine to a safe height.

What sealant should I use to seal the bumper?

For Nissan Murano recommended silicone based sealant (For example, Dow Corning 7091 or Permatex 81160). Do not use aggressive adhesive sealants - they can damage the plastic.

What should I do if after installation the bumper does not fit well?

There may be several reasons:

1. The bolts are unevenly tightened - check the tightening torque (5 Nm for plastic fasteners).
2. Clips are deformed - replace them with new ones.
3. Body misalignment is a serious problem that requires diagnostics at a service center.

If the gaps are small (1–2 mm), they can be eliminated adjustable clips.

Is it possible to wash the engine after removing the bumper?

Yes, but with caution. Before washing:

• Close sensor connectors polyethylene or tape.
• Use contactless car wash with minimal pressure.
• After washing, dry the engine compartment compressed air.