Nissan Murano Z50 — a crossover with a comfortable suspension, but even that doesn’t last forever. Stabilizer struts here are classified as “consumables” that wear out faster than the main elements of the chassis. If a knock appears on bumps, and the car becomes less “obedient” when cornering, they are often the culprit.

In this article we will look at how independently diagnose the malfunction of the stabilizer struts on Murano Z50, which symptoms should not be ignored, and how to choose quality spare parts. And also - detailed replacement instructions with nuances that are not written about in standard manuals.

Why are stabilizer links needed and how do they work?

Racks (aka “bones” or “links”) connect anti-roll bar with levers or shock absorber struts. Their job is to transfer forces between these elements to reduce body roll when cornering. On Murano Z50 racks are installed both front and rear, but the front ones fail more often due to the greater load.

Structurally, it is a hinge mechanism with rubber boots, inside of which there is a bearing or bushing. Over time, the lubricant dries out, the boot cracks, and the hinge begins to play. The result is knocking noises when driving over bumps and deterioration in handling.

  • 🔧 Front struts - more loaded, often break first.
  • 🔄 Rear pillars - last longer, but also require attention.
  • ⚠️ Anthers — if they are torn, the stand “dies” 2-3 times faster.
⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z50 With a mileage of 80 thousand km or more, stabilizer struts often “die” in pairs. If one knocks, get ready to change both - the second one will not take long to appear.

Signs of a malfunction: when is it time to go for diagnostics

Racks rarely break suddenly - they usually “signal” problems in advance. Here are the key symptoms for Nissan Murano Z50:

1. Knock when driving over bumps. The sound comes from the front or back, similar to a metallic click. More often it appears on small bumps or speed bumps. It may disappear at high speed - this is due to the characteristics of the load on the hinges.

2. Deterioration in controllability. The car begins to “float” in turns, especially at high speed. It seems as if the crossover “does not obey” the steering wheel. This is due to the fact that the stabilizer ceases to effectively dampen roll.

3. Backlash when swinging. If you hold the stabilizer strut with your hand and shake it up and down, the serviceable element should not “dangle”. Play of more than 1-2 mm is a reason for replacement.

📊 How often do you check the chassis of your Nissan Murano?
  • Once every 10 thousand km
  • Only when knocking occurs
  • Before long trips
  • Never checked
  • 🚗 Knock on small bumps - a classic sign of wear on the hinges.
  • 🔄 Pulling the car to the side when braking or accelerating.
  • 💨 Anthers creaking - a signal that replacement will soon be required.
  • 🔧 Visible damage (cracks, ruptures of anthers, traces of corrosion).
⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z50 with the system 4WD worn stabilizer links can provoke ABS false alarm on uneven surfaces. This is due to changes in suspension geometry and uneven load on the wheels.

Which stabilizer links to choose for Nissan Murano Z50

Original racks from Nissan have articles:

  • Front: 54501-4M000 (left) and 54500-4M000 (right).
  • Rear: 54501-4M100 (left) and 54500-4M100 (right).

The price for a pair of original racks is from 8 to 12 thousand rubles. But there are worthy analogues:

Brand Article (front) Article (rear) Price per pair, ₽ Features
Febi 22720 22721 4 500–6 000 Good price/quality ratio, reinforced anthers.
Moog K90451 K90452 7 000–9 000 Increased service life, suitable for aggressive driving.
Sasic 2005010 2005011 3 000–4 500 A budget option, but the anthers are thin.
TRW JTS634 JTS635 6 000–8 000 Original quality, often installed on the assembly line.

On Murano Z50 with mileage over 150 thousand km, it is recommended to install racks with reinforced boots (for example, Febi or Moog), since standard ones quickly tear due to aging rubber.

When choosing, pay attention to:

  • 🔍 Availability of lubrication in the hinges (should be thick, not dry).
  • 🛡️ Anther quality - they should not be hard or have microcracks.
  • 🔧 Hole alignment - if they are offset, the stand will play.
💡

Before purchasing, check that the kit includes new nuts and bolts - on Murano Z50 they often “stick” to old racks and require replacement.

Step-by-step instructions for replacing stabilizer struts

Replacing the front struts with Murano Z50 takes about 1–1.5 hours (if the bolts are not stuck). To work you will need:

  • 🔧 Spanners for 14 And 17 (or ratchet heads).
  • 🔨 Hammer and penetrating lubricant (WD-40 or Liqui Moly).
  • 🛠️ Jack and stops (or lift).
  • 🧤 Gloves - the racks are usually dirty, and the hinges can be sharp.

Disconnect the negative battery terminal (for safety)|Jack the car and install jack stands|Apply penetrating lubricant to the bolts 10-15 minutes before starting work|Check that new nuts and bolts are included in the kit-->

Step 1. Dismantling the old rack.

Raise the car and remove the wheel. Find the stabilizer link - it is attached with one bolt to the lever and the other to the stabilizer. Usually the bolts stick, so:

  1. Lubricate the joints generously.
  2. Wait 10–15 minutes.
  3. Gently tap the head of the bolt with a hammer (not the thread!).
  4. Unscrew the nuts while holding the bolt with a wrench.

Step 2: Install a new rack.

Compare the new and old racks - they should be identical in length and shape. Install the new part in reverse order:

  1. Attach the strut to the stabilizer (bolt at the top).
  2. Screw the bottom bolt to the arm, but do not fully tighten it.
  3. Make sure the boots are not twisted.
  4. Tighten the bolts to torque 40–50 Nm (without fanaticism, so as not to break the thread).

Step 3. Check after replacement.

Lower the car and rock it to the sides - there should be no knocking noises. Drive on rough roads: if the struts are installed correctly, the knocking will disappear and the handling will improve.

What to do if the bolt breaks?

If the strut bolt breaks off, don't panic. First, try drilling it with a thin drill (⌀3–4 mm), then with a threaded tap. If this does not help, you will have to remove the lever or stabilizer (depending on where the bolt broke off). On Murano Z50 The lower bolts break more often - they can be drilled out without completely disassembling the suspension.

⚠️ Attention: After replacing the racks be sure to check the wheel alignment. On Murano Z50 Even small changes in suspension geometry can cause uneven tire wear.

Common replacement mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that lead to rapid failure of the struts. Here are the most common:

1. Tightening the bolts. If you tighten the fasteners more 50 Nm, you can damage the threads or deform the boot. The consequence is that the strut will start knocking after 5–10 thousand km.

2. Ignoring anthers. If the boot on the new strut is torn or has cracks, it is better to replace it immediately - dirt will quickly destroy the hinge.

3. Mismatch of articles. On Murano Z50 front and rear struts are different! Installing the rear pillar in front (or vice versa) will lead to play and knocking.

4. Lack of lubrication. If the stand comes without lubrication in the hinges, you need to add it yourself (for example, Molykote or CV joint-4).

  • 🔧 Do not use a percussion instrument To unscrew the bolts there is a risk of stripping the threads.
  • 🔄 Do not mix racks of different brands on one axis - this can lead to uneven operation of the stabilizer.
  • ⚠️ Don't forget about the cotter pins (if they are included in the kit) - they secure the nuts from unscrewing.
💡

The most common mistake is saving on anthers. Even if the rack is in order, a torn boot reduces its life by 2-3 times.

Rack service life: when to expect the next replacement

Lifetime of stabilizer struts Nissan Murano Z50 depends on several factors:

Operating conditions Service life, thousand km
City driving on flat roads 80–100
Mixed cycle (city + highway) 60–80
Aggressive off-road driving 30–50
Extreme conditions (salt, dirt, temperature changes) 40–60

You can extend the life of racks if:

  • 🚿 Wash the pendant regularly (especially in winter, when the roads are sprinkled with reagents).
  • 🛣️ Avoid sharp impacts about curbs and holes.
  • 🔧 Check the anthers every 20 thousand km.
  • 💨 Use joint lubricant (For example, CRC Multi-Lube).

On Murano Z50 with a mileage of more than 200 thousand km, stabilizer struts may require replacement every 30–40 thousand km - this is due to wear of the silent blocks of the levers and changes in the suspension geometry.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to drive with broken stabilizer links?

Technically possible, but not advisable. Worn struts impair handling, especially at high speeds in corners. In addition, this accelerates the wear of other suspension elements (stabilizer bushings, control arm silent blocks). In rain or on wet roads, the risk of skidding increases.

How much does it cost to replace racks in the service?

Cost of replacing front struts Murano Z50 in service - from 1,500 to 3,000 rubles per pair. Rear struts are replaced less frequently, but the work will cost about the same amount. If the bolts are stuck and require drilling, the price can rise to 4,000–5,000 rubles.

How to check stabilizer links without a lift?

You can do this on level ground:

  1. Grab the counter with your hand and try to rock it up and down. Play of more than 1–2 mm is a sign of wear.
  2. Ask an assistant to rock the car to the sides, and listen for yourself to see if there are any knocking noises.
  3. Inspect the boots for cracks or tears.

If the stand is “dangling” or knocking, it’s time to change it.

Which racks are better - original or analogues?

Original racks Nissan They last longer (on average 20–30% more than analogues), but they also cost 1.5–2 times more. Analogues (Febi, Moog, TRW) are often not inferior in quality, especially if you buy from trusted suppliers. The main thing is to avoid cheap brands like Sasic or Patron, since their resource rarely exceeds 30 thousand km.

Do I need to do a wheel alignment after replacing the struts?

On Murano Z50 replacing stabilizer struts does not affect directly on the wheel alignment angles, since they are not adjusting elements. However, if during replacement it was necessary to remove levers or extensions, a wheel alignment must be done. Also check the alignment if, after replacement, the car begins to “steer” to the side.