Replacing front stabilizer bushings on a Nissan Murano Z51: a detailed guide with photos and tips

Front stabilizer bushings Nissan Murano Z51 - one of those suspension elements that often fail after 80-100 thousand kilometers. Their wear is manifested by knocking in the front part of the body when driving over uneven surfaces, deterioration of handling and increased roll in corners. Many owners Murano they put off replacement, attributing the symptoms to “trifles,” but this is fraught with accelerated wear of the stabilizer struts and even deformation of the stabilizer itself.

In this article we will look at how to correctly diagnose a malfunction, which bushings to choose (original vs analogues), what tools will be needed, and provide step-by-step instructions with photos for self-replacement. We will pay special attention to typical mistakes that beginners make and give recommendations for extending the service life of new parts. If you have never worked with a suspension, don’t worry: the operation does not require special skills, but it will require accuracy and patience.

Signs of wear on stabilizer bushings on a Nissan Murano Z51

The first signal that the bushings require replacement is characteristic knock front when hitting bumps, speed bumps or during sudden braking. The sound is usually dull, plasticky, and can easily be confused with wear on the shock absorber struts. However, there are key differences:

• 🔊 The knock appears even on small irregularities (for example, asphalt joints), while faulty struts “respond” only to serious impacts.
• 🚗 When driving in a straight line at a speed of 40-60 km/h, you may feel vibration on the steering wheel, especially if the bushings have failed unevenly.
• 🔄 When turning, the car starts "prowl" - this is due to the play of the stabilizer, which is no longer fixed by bushings.
• 👀 Visually: visible on the bushings cracks, tears or deformation, and the stabilizer itself may have traces of corrosion at the contact points.

On Murano Z51 With a mileage of more than 100 thousand km, bushing wear is often accompanied by shock absorber leakage - these problems “go hand in hand”. If you ignore knocking noises, the consequences will be more serious: from play in the steering to rupture of the stabilizer attachment to the subframe (such cases were recorded on owner forums).

⚠️ Attention: Do not confuse the knocking of bushings with crunch of CV joints! The crunching occurs when turning with the steering wheel turned, and the knocking of the bushings occurs when driving straight over uneven surfaces. To accurately diagnose the problem, try rocking the stabilizer by hand (with the wheel hanging up) - play of more than 2-3 mm indicates critical wear.

Which bushings to choose: original or analogues?

For Nissan Murano Z51 (2015-2021) original front stabilizer bushings are under the article number 54501-4M00A (set of 2 pieces). Their average price at official dealers is 1,800-2,200 rubles. However, many owners choose analogues, which are cheaper, but not always inferior in quality.

Brand	Article	Price (per set), ₽	Features
Nissan (original)	54501-4M00A	1 800–2 200	Soft rubber, long life, perfect fit
Sasic	2005020	800–1 000	Tougher than the original, but wear-resistant
Febi	36720	1 200–1 400	The quality is close to the original, often included in repair kits
Meyle	316 050 0016	1 500–1 700	Improved rubber compound, suitable for aggressive driving
TRW	JBU1144	1 100–1 300	Good price/quality balance, often recommended by experts

When choosing analogues, pay attention to material: Cheap bushings made of hard rubber or polyurethane can cause vibrations in the steering wheel. The best option is Febi or TRW, if you want to save money without losing quality. For those who drive on bad roads, it is better to take Meyle - their rubber is more elastic and retains its shape longer.

Necessary tools and preparation for replacement

To replace bushings with Murano Z51 You don’t need a specialized tool—a standard set is enough. Here's what you'll need:

• 🔧 Socket wrench or socket on 14 mm (for bushing bracket mounting bolts).
• 🔧 Socket wrench on 10 mm (to remove the engine protection if it is in the way).
• 🔧 Extension cord and ratchet handle (for ease of work in hard-to-reach places).
• 🧲 Magnet or telescopic gripper (so as not to lose the bolts when removing).
• 🧴 WD-40 or similar penetrating lubricant (bolts often stick).
• 🔨 Hammer with a rubber nozzle (for carefully removing old bushings).
• 🛠 Jack and stops (or lift, if possible).

Before starting work:

1. Place the car on flat surface and secure the rear wheels with chocks.
2. Loosen the wheel bolts (but do not remove them completely!).
3. Raise the front of the car and Be sure to place it on reliable supports (don't just work on the jack!).
4. Remove the wheel from the side where you will change the hub (you can do it one at a time).

⚠️ Attention: On Murano Z51 The bushing bracket mounting bolts often become stuck due to corrosion. If you can’t unscrew it, do not use excessive force so as not to break the thread. Apply generous amounts of WD-40 and wait 10-15 minutes, then try again. As a last resort, use gas burner for local heating (but carefully - there are plastic parts nearby!).

Loosen the wheel bolts|Raise the car and secure it on supports|Remove the wheel|Treat the bracket bolts with WD-40|Prepare new bushings and tools-->

Step-by-step instructions for replacing stabilizer bushings

The replacement process is the same for both sides, so let's look at it using the example of the left bushing. The main rule is take your time and ensure that the stabilizer does not sag after removing the bracket.

Step 1: Removing the Old Bushing

1. Locate the bushing mounting bracket on the subframe (it is located next to the stabilizer link).
2. Unscrew the two bolts securing the bracket with a wrench on 14 mm. If the bolts do not budge, use an extension for the lever.
3. Remove the bracket and carefully remove the old bushing. If it gets stuck, pry it off with a screwdriver or lightly tap it with a hammer with a rubber tip.

Step 2: Install the New Bushing

1. Clean the seat on the stabilizer and subframe from dirt and rust (you can use a wire brush).
2. Apply to the inside surface of the new bushing silicone grease (this will make it easier to install and extend its service life).
3. Place the bushing on the stabilizer, aligning it with the grooves on the bracket. Make sure it sits straight, without distortion.
4. Reinstall the bracket and tighten the bolts. Don't tighten them right away! First tighten both bolts, then tighten crosswise firmly 25-30 Nm.

Step 3: Check and Assembly

1. Rock the stabilizer by hand - there should be no play. If the bushing "walks", it means that it is installed incorrectly or the bracket is not tightened enough.
2. Install the wheel and lower the car. Ride 5-10 km and listen to the sounds - the knocking should disappear.

1) Tightening the bracket bolts (they may have become loose).

2) Condition of the stabilizer struts (their service life is 60-80 thousand km).

3) Play in the silent blocks of the levers (on the Murano Z51 they also often fail).-->

Typical mistakes when replacing bushings and how to avoid them

Even experienced car owners sometimes make mistakes that lead to the recurrence of knocking noises or accelerated wear of new bushings. Here are the most common of them:

• 🔧 Re-tightening the bracket bolts. If you tighten the bolts more 30 Nm, the bushing will deform and quickly crack. Use a torque wrench!
• 🧴 Lack of lubrication. Without silicone lubricant, the bushing rubber will “stick” to the stabilizer, which will accelerate its wear.
• 🔄 Incorrect tightening sequence. The bracket bolts need to be tightened criss-cross, otherwise the bushing will sit crookedly.
• 🚗 Ignoring check after replacement. Always test the car while driving - sometimes knocking noises return due to unnoticeable play.

Another common problem is buying the wrong bushings. On Murano Z51 there are fakes of the original article 54501-4M00A, which are visually indistinguishable, but are made of low-quality rubber. To avoid being scammed:

• Buy spare parts from authorized dealers or trusted sellers (for example, Exist.ru, Autodoc).
• Compare the weight and density of the rubber - the original is soft but elastic, while fakes are often too hard.
• Check the packaging for holograms and protective stickers.

How to distinguish an original bushing from a fake?

Genuine Nissan bushings have:

1) Clear marking of the article on the rubber (not on a sticker!).

2) Smooth edges without burrs.

3) The specific smell of high-quality rubber (counterfeits often smell like “chemicals”).

4) The set includes branded packaging with the Nissan logo and a barcode, which can be checked on the official website.

When should stabilizer links and bushings be replaced?

On Nissan Murano Z51 Stabilizer struts (aka “bones”) have a service life of about 80-100 thousand km - about the same as bushings. However, their wear manifests itself differently:

• 🔊 Loud metallic knock when driving over uneven surfaces (as opposed to the dull knock of the bushings).
• 🔄 Strong body roll when turning, as if the car is “falling” to the side.
• 👀 Visual damage: cracks on the boots, oil leaks, play in the hinges.

If you notice at least one of these signs when replacing the bushings, the struts also need to be changed. On Murano Z51 original racks go under the article number 54520-4M00A (left) and 54521-4M00A (right). Good analogues - Febi (22520), TRW (JSB1145) or Meyle (316 050 0017).

⚠️ Attention: If you replace only the bushings without touching the struts, and they are already worn out, then after 10-15 thousand km the knocking will return. The fact is that play in the struts creates additional load on the bushings, accelerating their destruction. It is optimal to change everything in a comprehensive manner: bushings + struts + checking the silent blocks of the levers.

How to extend the service life of stabilizer bushings?

Even the best quality bushings will not last long if you do not follow simple operating rules. Here's what will help increase their resource:

• 🚿 Wash your pendant in winter. Salt and reagents corrode the rubber of the bushings, causing cracks. It is enough to wash the arches and subframe with warm water once every 2 weeks.
• 🛣 Avoid sharp impacts. Drive over speed bumps and potholes at minimum speed - this will reduce the load on the stabilizer.
• 🔧 Check the tightness of the bolts 1,000 km after replacement. The rubber of the bushings “shrinks” and the bolts may become loose.
• 🧴 Lubricate the bushings with silicone once every 20 thousand km. This will prevent squeaking and drying out of the rubber.

Another important point - correct parking. If the car is often parked with the wheels turned out (for example, on a curb), the stabilizer is in a tense state, which accelerates the wear of the bushings. Try to park on a level surface with straight wheels.

On Murano Z51 with a mileage of more than 150 thousand km, it is also worth paying attention to lever silent blocks And ball joints. Their wear creates additional load on the stabilizer, which leads to premature destruction of the bushings. Regular suspension diagnostics (every 30 thousand km) will help avoid costly repairs.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing bushings on Nissan Murano Z51

Is it possible to drive with knocking stabilizer bushings?

Technically yes, but it's dangerous. Worn bushings do not fix the stabilizer, which leads to:

• Deterioration in handling (the car “yaws” in corners).
• Accelerated wear of stabilizer struts and silent blocks of levers.
• Risk of deformation of the stabilizer due to strong impacts.

We recommend replacing the bushings within 1-2 weeks after the knocking noise appears.

Do I need to remove the stabilizer to replace bushings?

No, it is not necessary to remove the stabilizer. It is enough to unscrew the bushing mounting bracket, move it to the side and replace the rubber element. However, if the bushing is “stuck” and cannot be removed, it may be necessary to partially loosen the stabilizer fastenings to the subframe (bolts on 17 mm).

How long does it take to replace bushings?

If you have the tools and experience - approx. 1-1.5 hours on both sides. It may take up to 3 hours for beginners, especially if the bolts are stuck. We recommend starting work in the morning so as not to rush.

Can polyurethane bushings be used instead of rubber bushings?

It is possible, but with reservations:

• ✅ Pros: more durable than rubber, not afraid of oil and reagents.
• ❌ Cons: transmit vibrations to the body, can creak, are more difficult to install (require lubrication).

For Murano Z51 Polyurethane bushings are fine if you're willing to put up with the stiffness. Popular brands: Powerflex (PFF5-601) or Whiteline (W62019).

What should I do if the knocking noise remains after replacing the bushings?

The reasons may be as follows (check in order):

1. The bracket bolts are not tightened enough (tighten firmly 25-30 Nm).
2. The stabilizer links are worn (check the play).
3. The silent blocks of the levers or ball joints are damaged.
4. The stabilizer is deformed (needs replacement).
5. New bushings are defective (check their fit).

If you are not sure, sign up for a suspension diagnostic.