Front hub <em>Nissan Murano Z51</em>: how to select and replace without errors

Front hub Nissan Murano Z51 (2009–2014 model year) is a critical component on which not only ride comfort, but also safety depends. Bearing wear or deformation of the hub housing leads to vibrations in the steering wheel, uneven tire wear and even the risk of the wheel seizing at speed. In this article we will look at how correctly diagnose the malfunction, choose an original or high-quality analog part, as well as replace the hub yourself without the mistakes that 80% of car owners make.

Feature Murano Z51 - the use of hubs with an integrated bearing (the so-called hub assembly), which simplifies replacement, but requires precise selection according to VIN code or catalog number. We analyzed data from forums Nissan Club Russia and service manuals to collect up-to-date information: from hidden defects of Chinese analogues to the nuances of compressing the hub nut with a torque wrench. If you hear a hum at a speed of 60–80 km/h or notice wheel play, this article will help you save on diagnostics and avoid common mistakes during repairs.

Signs of a bad front hub Murano Z51: when is it time to change

The first signs of wear on a wheel bearing or the hub itself are often ignored until the problem becomes critical. On Nissan Murano Z51 with a mileage of 100,000 km or more, the signs appear gradually, but their combination is a direct signal for replacement:

• 🔊 Hum or howl on the wheel side, intensifying at speeds of 60–90 km/h. The sound may disappear when turning the steering wheel (for example, a hum on the right disappears when turning left - this indicates the right hub).
• 🌀 Vibration on the steering wheel or body, especially when braking. Often confused with wheel imbalance, but vibration from the hub is more “ragged” and depends on the load.
• 🔄 Wheel play when rocking in a vertical plane (checked on a jack). Even minimal play (1–2 mm) is a reason for replacement.
• 🔥 Hub overheating after the trip (you can check it with your hand - the operating temperature should not burn).
• 🚗 Uneven tire wear on the one hand, even with the correct wheel alignment.

On Murano Z51 with all-wheel drive (4WD) hub wear occurs 20–30% faster due to increased load on the front axle. Critical moment: if the bearing begins to “crunch” when the wheel is rotated manually (checked with the wheel hanging up), its life is exhausted and replacement is required in the next 500–1000 km.

⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z51 with the system VDC (stability control) a faulty hub may cause false positives ABS And ESP. If the icon lights up on the dashboard SLIP for no apparent reason - check the wheel bearings first.

Catalog numbers and analogues: what to choose for Murano Z51

Original front hub for Nissan Murano Z51 (2009–2014) has catalog number 40520-4M000 (right) and 40520-4M001 (left). These parts are interchangeable with models Nissan Rogue (first generation) and Infiniti EX35, which expands the choice of analogues. However, it is important to consider three key parameters:

1. Bearing type: The original uses double row ball bearing with seal Koyo or NTN.
2. Bore diameter: 54 mm (for Murano Z51 with AWD).
3. Number of splines: 27 (for connection to the drive shaft).

Among proven analogues (according to reviews from owners and craftsmen):

Brand	Article	Country of origin	Average price, ₽	Features
NSK	VKBA3505	Japan/Romania	8 500–10 000	The best analogue in terms of price-quality ratio. Bearing with reinforced seal.
Timken	HA590045	USA/China	7 000–9 500	A good alternative to the original, but there are fakes.
SKF	VKBA 3505	Sweden/Poland	9 000–11 000	Durability is at the level of the original, but there is a higher risk of running into counterfeit goods.
Febi	22610	Germany	6 500–8 000	A budget option, but the resource is 20–30% lower than the original.
GMB	710-0150	South Korea	5 500–7 000	Often comes complete with a new hub bolt. Quality varies by batch.

When choosing an analogue, be sure to check presence of ABS magnetic ring - on Murano Z51 it is integrated into the hub. Cheap Chinese options (for example, FPK or Optimal) often have a weak seal, which leads to water ingress and rapid bearing failure. The service life of the original Nissan hub is 150-200 thousand km, for high-quality analogues (NSK, Timken) - 100-150 thousand km.

Replacement tools: what you need besides a jack

Replacing the front hub with Murano Z51 requires a specific tool. Without it, the risk of damaging new parts or suspension elements increases significantly. Here's the full list:

• 🔧 Torque wrench with a range of 50–200 Nm (for tightening the hub nut).
• 🔨 Wheel bearing puller (For example, Lisle 58700 or equivalent).
• 🔩 32mm socket (for the hub nut) and 19 mm (for the ball joint bolts).
• 🔧 Ratchet wrench with extension cord.
• 🛠️ Hammer and drift (for knocking out the old hub).
• 🔧 Slotted screwdriver (to remove the ABS retaining ring).
• 🧲 Magnet (so as not to lose washers or bearing balls).

If you plan to work without a lift, you will need wheel stop (eg shoes) and safety stand under the threshold - the jack does not provide sufficient security. For Murano Z51 with AWD It is also recommended to drain some of the oil from the transfer case (about 200 ml) to reduce the load on the drive shaft when removing the hub.

⚠️ Attention: Do not use an impact wrench to loosen the hub nut! Sharp impacts can damage the threads on the drive shaft, which will require replacing the CV joint (from 15,000 ₽).

Loosen the hub nut with the car standing (tightening torque - 180–200 Nm)

Remove the wheel and brake caliper (hang it on a wire so as not to damage the hose)

Disconnect the ABS sensor and connector (carefully so as not to break the wires)

Remove the cotter pin and unscrew the steering wheel nut

Remove the ball joint (you will need a puller or a hammer with a drift) -->

Step-by-step instructions for replacing the hub: from A to Z

Front hub replacement process Murano Z51 takes 2–3 hours if you have the tools. Below are detailed instructions taking into account the nuances of the model:

1. Removing the old hub:

   After dismantling the wheel and caliper, unscrew the hub nut (180–200 Nm). If it does not budge, use a penetrating lubricant (for example, WD-40 Specialist) and let it run for 10–15 minutes. Then remove the brake disc and disconnect the hub from the steering knuckle. This may require a puller or gentle hammering through the wood spacer.

2. Installing a new hub:

   Before installation, clean the seat from dirt and rust. The new hub should fit in easily - if pressure is required, check the spline alignment. Make sure that the ABS magnetic ring is positioned correctly (the gap between the sensor and the ring should be 0.5-1mm).

3. Nut tightening:

   Tighten the hub nut in two stages: first to 100 Nm, then tighten to 180–200 Nm. After this, turn the wheel by hand - it should rotate smoothly, without jamming. If resistance is felt, loosen the nut and retighten.

After replacement, be sure to check brake fluid level (when removing the caliper it could go into the system) and do ABS error reset (if the lamp on the tidy comes on). You can use a scanner for this ELM327 or reset the battery terminal for 10 minutes.

Typical replacement mistakes: what not to do

Even experienced craftsmen make mistakes when working with hubs Murano Z51. Here are the most common and their consequences:

• 🔧 Retightening the hub nut (more than 200 Nm) - leads to premature wear of the bearing and the risk of jamming.
• 🌀 Using a percussion instrument to unscrew the nut - damages the threads on the CV joint.
• 🔩 Installing the hub without cleaning the seat - Dirt or rust causes the wheel to wobble.
• 🚗 Ignoring backlash check after replacement, even a new bearing may have a defect.
• 🔥 Lack of lubrication on the drive shaft splines — leads to corrosion and difficult dismantling in the future.

Another common mistake is buying a hub without taking into account the side (left/right). On Murano Z51 They are visually similar, but have different hole locations for the ABS sensor. Installing a “mirror” hub will lead to incorrect operation of the system ABS/VDC.

⚠️ Attention: After replacing the hub, be sure to check wheel alignment! Even if you haven't touched the suspension arms, changing the steering knuckle geometry can disrupt your wheel alignment.

What should I do if there is still a hum after replacing the hub?

If the hum persists, check:

1. **Quality of the new bearing** - defects are possible (especially with cheap analogues).

2. **Tightening the hub nut** - loosen and retighten to the correct torque.

3. **Condition of the drive shaft** - CV joint wear can also give similar symptoms.

4. **Wheel balance** - imbalance is manifested by vibration, not hum, but sometimes the symptoms coincide.

If the problem remains, record the sound on video and show it to the technician for an accurate diagnosis.

Cost of work in the service vs independent replacement

Front hub replacement cost Nissan Murano Z51 in services in Moscow and the regions varies depending on the level of the service station and the need for additional work:

Type of work	Cost, ₽ (Moscow)	Cost, ₽ (regions)	Lead time
Replacing one hub (without removing the caliper)	3 500–5 000	2 500–3 500	1.5–2 hours
Hub replacement + brake pads	5 000–7 000	3 500–5 000	2–2.5 hours
Replacing two hubs + wheel alignment	10 000–14 000	7 000–10 000	3–4 hours
Suspension diagnostics (when replacing the hub)	1 000–1 500	500–1 000	30–60 minutes

Self-replacement will only cost the cost of parts (from 5,500 ₽ for an analogue) and tools (if there are none). However, keep in mind hidden costs:

• 🔧 Purchase of a torque wrench (from 2,000 ₽).
• 🚗 Possible replacement of hub mounting bolts (they often stick).
• 🔩 Lubricant and consumables (for example, copper paste - 300–500 ₽).

If you do not have experience working with suspension, it is better to entrust the replacement to professionals. Installation errors may result in damage to the CV joint (from 15,000 ₽ per replacement) or ABS failure (diagnostics + repair - from 5,000 ₽).

Prevention: how to extend the life of hubs Murano Z51

Wheel bearing life for Nissan Murano Z51 depends not only on the quality of the parts, but also on the operating conditions. The following measures will help increase their service life:

• 🚿 Avoid deep puddles at speed - water hammer destroys the bearing seals.
• 🌀 Check wheel balancing — imbalance accelerates hub wear.
• 🔧 Check play every 20,000 km (just rock the wheel on a jack).
• 🚗 Don't overload the car — Murano Z51 sensitive to excess load capacity (maximum 2,000 kg with trailer).
• 🔥 Monitor hub temperatures after long trips - overheating indicates wear.

If you frequently drive off-road or in high humidity conditions, every 50,000 km is recommended wash the hubs (for example, by means Liqui Moly Bremsen-Anti-Quietsch) and renew the seal lubrication. This is especially true for Murano Z51 with mileage over 150,000 km.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about hubs Nissan Murano Z51

Is it possible to drive with a walking hub? How long?

Driving with play in the hub is extremely dangerous. With a play of 1–2 mm, the bearing may fall apart after 500–1,000 km, which will lead to the wheel jamming at speed. If the play is more than 3 mm, movement is prohibited even to a service station (risk of an accident). Temporary measure: Reduce speed to 60 km/h and avoid sharp turns.

How to spot a fake hub NSK or Timken?

The original hubs of these brands have:

• Clear engraving of the logo and article number (no blurring).
• Even coloring of the body (counterfeits often show paint smudges).
• Complete set: the original comes with a new nut and cotter pin.
• Packaging with a hologram and verification code (can be checked on the manufacturer’s website).

Counterfeits are usually 100–200 grams lighter due to the use of low-quality metal.

Do I need to replace the hub as a pair?

Not necessary if the second hub is in good condition (no play, hum, overheating). However, if the car's mileage exceeds 150,000 km, it is recommended to change both - the second one may fail in the next 20-30 thousand km. Exception: if one hub is original, and the second is an analogue with a shorter resource.

What happens if you don't tighten the hub nut?

A loose nut results in:

• Accelerated bearing wear (play appears after 5–10 thousand km).
• Vibrations in the steering wheel due to wheel beating.
• Risk of the nut unscrewing itself and the wheel losing while moving.

Optimal tightening torque for Murano Z51 — 180–200 Nm. After 500 km, check the tightening again.

Is it possible to restore the hub (replace only the bearing)?

Technically possible, but impractical. Hub Murano Z51 comes complete with bearing (hub assembly), and its replacement requires a press and specialized tools. The cost of work (3,000–5,000 rubles) is comparable to the price of a new analogue hub. The exception is rare cases when the hub body is in perfect condition, but the bearing has failed due to water ingress.