Rear struts of the <em>Nissan Almera G15</em>: how to select, diagnose and replace yourself

Rear shock absorber struts Nissan Almera G15 (2013–2018) is a critical element of the suspension, on which not only comfort, but also control safety depends. Over time, even original struts lose effectiveness: knocking noises appear, handling on uneven surfaces deteriorates, and braking distance increases by 10–15%. Owners often face a dilemma: to buy expensive originals from Nissan (article 56210-BM400) or save on analogues from Kayaba, Monroe or SACHS?

In this article we will analyze signs of wear on the rear struts, compare popular brands in terms of price/quality ratio, and also give step-by-step replacement instructions taking into account the nuances of the design Almera G15. We will pay special attention to typical mistakes that are made during self-repair - for example, incorrectly tightening bolts or ignoring the check of springs. If you notice that the car “squats” on the rear axle during sharp braking or at a speed of over 80 km/h it begins to “drive” in a rut, this is a direct signal for diagnosis.

Signs of faulty rear struts Nissan Almera G15

The first symptoms of rear shock absorber wear often go unnoticed, as degradation occurs gradually. However, ignoring the problem leads to accelerated wear of other suspension elements — silent blocks, stabilizer bushings and even wheel bearings. Here are the key signs to look out for:

• 🚗 Increased braking distance — the struts do not support the body, and the weight of the car shifts forward, reducing braking efficiency.
• 🌀 Body rocking after passing speed bumps or potholes - if the car makes more than 2-3 vibrations, the shock absorbers have lost their damping properties.
• 🔧 Knocks in the rear suspension on uneven surfaces - often caused by destruction of the strut bushings or play in the fastenings.
• 💨 Oil leakage on the rack body - visible traces of liquid indicate depressurization and loss of performance.
• 🛑 "Sagging" of the rear when loading the trunk, healthy racks should maintain ground clearance even under load.

On Almera G15 With a mileage of over 80,000 km, combined wear often occurs: at the same time, the strut seals leak and the support bearings are destroyed. This results in loose steering and uneven wear on the rear tires. You can check the condition of the shock absorbers yourself: press firmly on the rear bumper and release. If the body bounces more than once, the struts require replacement.

⚠️ Attention: On Almera G15 with automatic transmission, worn rear struts can provoke jerks when changing gears - this is due to a change in the angle of the gearbox due to sagging of the rear axle.

Comparison of original racks and analogues: what to choose?

Original rear struts from Nissan (article 56210-BM400 for left and 56211-BM400 for the right one) will cost 8,000–10,000 rubles per pair. They are guaranteed to be suitable in terms of rigidity and service life (the stated mileage is 100,000 km), but the price often seems too high. Alternatives from trusted brands allow you to save up to 40% without losing quality.

Brand	Article	Price per pair, ₽	Features	Resource, km
Nissan (original)	56210-BM400/56211-BM400	8 000–10 000	Perfect compatibility, soft operation	90 000–100 000
Kayaba (Excel-G)	349141/349142	5 500–6 500	Stiffer than the original, suitable for aggressive driving	80 000–90 000
Monroe (Reflex)	E3506	6 000–7 000	Good damping, but can creak in cold weather	70 000–80 000
SACHS (Super Touring)	315 384/315 385	7 000–8 000	Optimal balance of comfort and handling	85 000–95 000
Fenox (ASB201)	ASB20131L/ASB20131R	3 500–4 500	Budget option, resource is 30–40% lower	50 000–60 000

For most owners Almera G15 the best choice would be racks SACHS Super Touring - they are close to the original in terms of characteristics, but are 20-25% cheaper. If you prefer a stiffer suspension (for example, for driving on dirt roads), pay attention to Kayaba Excel-G. But from Fenox It’s better to avoid other budget brands as well – they quickly lose effectiveness with intensive use.

Diagnostics of rear struts: how to check without a lift?

Full diagnostics of shock absorbers is carried out on a vibration stand or lift, but a preliminary check can be performed independently. You will need: a flashlight, a pry bar (or a long screwdriver) and an assistant. Follow this algorithm:

Visual inspection for oil leaks

Checking play in the upper and lower fastenings

Body sway test (pressing the bumper)

Listening to knocking noises when driving over bumps

Checking the uniform wear of the rear tires-->

1. Visual inspection: Raise the car on a jack (or drive it into an inspection hole) and inspect the racks. Oil smudges on the body, rust on the rod or cracks in the rubber boot are signs of an imminent replacement. Please note support bearing (upper part of the rack) - if it is loose, it will also have to be changed.

2. Sway test: Press firmly on the rear bumper and release quickly. Normally, the body should return to its original position in 1 oscillation. If there are 2–3 vibrations, the racks are worn out by 50%; more than 3, an urgent replacement is required.

3. Checking the backlash: Have a helper rock the machine up and down while you hold onto the stand. Any extraneous sounds (creaks, knocks) or noticeable play indicate a malfunction. Also check fastening bolts - they often weaken over time.

⚠️ Attention: On Almera G15 after 2016 production, the rear pillars are used reinforced bushings (article 56225-BM400). If you buy racks separately, make sure that new bushings are included - old ones are not reused after removal!

Step-by-step instructions for replacing rear struts

Replacing rear struts with Almera G15 takes 2–3 hours and does not require special tools except spring ties And torque wrench. Work is performed on a flat surface using a jack and stops. Here is the detailed algorithm:

Required tool:

• 🔧 Socket set (10, 12, 14, 17 mm)
• 🔧 Torque wrench (tightening torque 50–60 Nm)
• 🔧 Spring ties (minimum 2 pieces)
• 🔧 WD-40 or similar penetrating lubricant
• 🔧 Crowbar or long screwdriver

Work order:

1. Preparation: Jack up the rear of the vehicle and place jack stands on the front wheels. Remove the wheel and clean any dirt from the strut mounts.
2. Unscrewing the bottom bolt: Using a 17 mm socket, unscrew the bolt securing the strut to the suspension arm. Pre-treat the threads with WD-40 - on Almera G15 these bolts often stick.
3. Removing the upper fasteners: In the cabin, remove the plastic cover above the pillar (it is held on by clips). Using a 12 mm socket, unscrew the 3 nuts securing the strut to the body.
4. Removing the rack: Carefully remove the strut along with the spring. Do not remove the ties from the spring until completely dismantled - this can result in injury!
5. Disassembly and replacement: Compress the spring with zip ties, unscrew the rod nut (17 mm wrench) and disassemble the strut. Transfer all the parts (boot, bump stop, spring) to the new strut.
6. Assembly and installation: Reassemble the rack in reverse order, reinstall and tighten all bolts to 50–60 Nm.

After replacement, be sure to check wheel alignment — even if you didn’t touch the tie rods, changing the height of the rear suspension can affect the wheel alignment angles. On Almera G15 with a mileage of more than 100,000 km, it is recommended to replace it at the same time stabilizer bushings (article 54501-BM400) and rear control arm silent blocks (54520-BM400).

Typical replacement mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners make mistakes when replacing rear struts, which leads to rapid failure of new parts or the appearance of extraneous noise. Here are the most common mistakes and how to prevent them:

• 🔩 Insufficient bolt tightening - leads to play and knocking. All threaded connections on Almera G15 should be tightened with a torque of 50–60 Nm.
• 🔄 Ignoring spring checks - if the spring sag or has cracks, it needs to be replaced (original article number - 56200-BM400).
• 🛠️ Reusing Old Bushings — rubber bushings lose elasticity and can cause vibrations. Always install new ones.
• 🚫 No spring ties — trying to disassemble the rack without ties is dangerous (the spring can “shoot” and cause injury).
• 🔧 Incorrect assembly - for example, mixed up right/left struts or an incorrectly installed bump stop.

Another common problem is squeaks after replacement. They arise due to:

• Lack of lubricant between the spring and the strut cup (use graphite lubricant).
• The anthers are of poor quality (on cheap racks they quickly crack).
• Incorrectly installed support bearing (it should be oriented with the arrow pointing upward).

⚠️ Attention: On Almera G15 with the system ESP after replacing the racks an error may appear C1130 (rotation angle sensor malfunction). This is due to changes in suspension height. To reset the error, it is enough to drive 10–15 km or reset it through a diagnostic scanner.

When should you replace racks in pairs, and when can you replace one?

The manufacturer recommends replacing the rear struts in pairs, even if only one is faulty. This is due to the fact that new and old shock absorbers have different stiffness, which leads to:

• Uneven tire wear.
• Deterioration of controllability at high speeds.
• Increased load on a working rack (it will fail faster).

However, there are exceptions when replacing one rack is justified:

• 🚗 If the car's mileage is less than 50,000 km, and the second strut is in perfect condition (no leaks, no backlash).
• 💰 If you have a limited budget, but in this case it is better to choose a new stand of the same brand as the one you have.
• 🛠️ If the stand was damaged mechanically (for example, in an accident).

On Almera G15 with mileage over 100,000 km, replacing one strut almost always leads to suspension imbalance. In this case, savings on the second rack will result in additional costs for premature wear of other elements (silent blocks, balls, bearings).

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Is it possible to drive with faulty rear struts?

Technically it is possible, but it is dangerous. Worn struts increase braking distance by 10–15%, impair cornering control and lead to uneven tire wear. At speeds above 90 km/h the car can “float” along the lane. In addition, other suspension elements suffer: silent blocks, stabilizer bushings and wheel bearings.

How often should rear struts be replaced? Almera G15?

Service life depends on operating conditions:

• The original struts last 80,000–100,000 km.
• High-quality analogues (Kayaba, SACHS) - 70,000–90,000 km.
• Budget racks (Fenox, TRW) - 40,000–60,000 km.

When driving on bad roads or with constant overload, the service life is reduced by 20–30%. It is recommended to check the condition of the struts every 20,000 km.

Is it possible to restore the racks (rebuild them)?

Theoretically, yes - some workshops offer replacing oil seals and adding oil. However, on Almera G15 This is impractical for three reasons:

1. The cost of restoration (3,000–4,000 rubles per rack) is comparable to the price of a new analogue.
2. The quality of restored struts is unpredictable - they can leak after 10,000–20,000 km.
3. Modern shock absorbers use gas-oil technologies, which are difficult to correctly reproduce during repairs.

The exception is collectible or rare models where the original stands are not available.

What happens if you don’t do a wheel alignment after replacing the struts?

On Almera G15 the rear wheels have a small camber (about 1°), which ensures uniform tire wear. After replacing the struts, the suspension height changes, which leads to:

• Uneven tread wear (usually eats away at the inside of the tire).
• Deterioration of directional stability at high speeds.
• Increased load on wheel bearings.

Even if the car visually “drives straight”, it is recommended to check the wheel alignment angles on the stand.

Which stands are best for Almera G15 with gas-cylinder equipment (GBO)?

Cars with LPG have a displaced center of gravity (the cylinder is usually installed in the trunk), so the rear pillars experience increased load. In this case:

• Optimal choice - Kayaba Excel-G (article 349141/349142), as they are stiffer than standard ones and handle the extra weight better.
• Alternative - SACHS Super Touring, but their resource will be reduced to 60,000–70,000 km.
• Original racks Nissan not recommended - they are too soft for HBOT.

Also note reinforced springs (For example, 56200-BM410), which compensate for suspension sagging.