Replacing rear shock absorbers on Nissan Almera Classic: Complete analysis of the process

Operation Nissan Almera Classic inevitably leads to wear on the suspension elements, and the rear struts often become the “Achilles heel” of this car. Noise over bumps, roll when cornering, or even oil leaks are all signs that shock absorbers have used up their resources. Many owners believe that replacing rear struts is a complex procedure requiring a lift and specialized equipment, but with a basic set of tools and an understanding of the design, the task can be completed in a regular garage.

Ignoring a problem with the suspension leads not only to discomfort, but also to accelerated wear of other components, such as springs and bumpers. In this article we will look at how to choose the right spare parts, what nuances exist when dismantling Nissan Almera Classic and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to repeated repairs after a short mileage.

Selection of spare parts and preparation of tools

Before you begin any physical work, you must ensure that you have the correct components. The auto parts market offers a huge selection, but for Nissan Almera Classic It’s better to focus on trusted manufacturers. Standard factory racks are often replaced with higher quality replacements that can withstand harsh road conditions.

When choosing, you should pay attention to the type of shock absorbers: oil, gas or gas-oil. Gas struts provide stiffer suspension and better handling, but may be less comfortable on poor roads. Oil options are softer, but overheat faster during active driving.

• 🛠️ Keys: Set of sockets (including 12, 14, 17, 21 mm) and ratchet.
• 🔧 Special tools: Spring ties (required!), WD-40 or similar penetrating lubricant.
• 🛡️ Protection: Mounting shovel, pry bar, jack and reliable stands for the car.

Do not forget that it is strongly recommended to replace the stands together with support bearings and rubber bumpersif they have visible defects. An old seal can cause knocking even on new shock absorbers.

⚠️ Attention! Never use racks with visible signs of oil leakage or mechanical damage to the housing. Even the slightest loss of tightness reduces the effectiveness of damping.

Removing old shock absorbers

Work begins with preparing the car. Install Nissan Almera Classic on a flat surface, apply the handbrake and place chocks under the front wheels. Raise the rear of the car with a jack and be sure to place a safety stand under the sill or side member. Working under a machine without insurance is strictly prohibited.

The upper shock mount is accessible through the trunk. Remove the plastic floor covering to get to the fasteners. Unscrew the nut securing the shock absorber rod. If it gets stuck, use a penetrating lubricant and give it time to work. Do not try to turn the rod with a wrench to avoid damaging the threads.

• 🔩 Unscrewing: The upper nut is unscrewed with a 12mm wrench, and the rod is fixed with a hexagon or a 6mm wrench.
• 🛑 Bottom mount: Loosen the lower mounting nut by 14 mm, but do not unscrew it completely until the spring is removed.
• 🔨 Beats: To knock out the lower fastening pin, use a hammer and drift, but hit it carefully so as not to damage the thread.

The most crucial moment is removing the rack from the arch. The spring is under high tension. Damper spring may come loose abruptly if zip ties are not used. If you do not use zip ties, the post may fly out with great force.

After the bottom bolt is removed, gently compress the spring with zip ties until it no longer puts pressure on the shock absorber. Only after this can the assembly be completely removed from the arch.

⚠️ Attention! When using spring ties, make sure they are placed on opposite coils and securely secured. Do not unscrew the zip ties until the new shock absorber is fully installed.

Disassembly and replacement of components

You have an old assembled unit on your table. The first step is to fully compress the spring with zip ties to remove the load from the support bearing. Unscrew the rod nut, remove the upper support, boot and bump stop. Inspect all the parts: the rubber bushings should not have cracks, and the metal of the support should not be corroded.

Assemble the assembly on the new shock absorber. Important to install bumper and boot in the correct order, as they stood on the old one. If you only replaced the shock absorber itself, but the bump stop remains old, make sure that it is not deformed or has lost its elasticity.

• 🔄 Assembly: Place the boot and bump stop on the new shock absorber, then install the spring.
• 🔩 Fixation: Install the upper support and tighten the stem nut to the torque recommended by the manufacturer.
• 🛠️ Check: Make sure the spring sits tightly in its seats on the shock absorber support and cup.

Sometimes a situation arises when the spring has residual deformation. In this case, it is better to replace it to avoid body sagging and disruption of suspension geometry. Springs on Nissan Almera Classics are color coded to indicate their toughness.

How to check a spring for subsidence?

Place the car on a flat surface and measure the distance from the center of the wheel to the top of the arch. Compare the indicators on the left and right sides. If the difference exceeds 1-2 cm, the spring requires replacement.

Installing new racks on a car

The installation process is a mirror image of dismantling, but requires greater care. Place the assembled assembly into the arch so that the rod fits into the hole in the upper support. This often requires the help of a partner to hold the spring from the outside.

Place the stem nut on top, but do not tighten it completely. Move to the bottom of the shock absorber. Insert the fastening pin into the eye of the lever and tighten the nut. Make sure washers and bushings are installed correctly.

• 🔩 Puff: Tighten the lower nut first, then lower the vehicle to the ground and finally tighten the upper rod nut.
• 🚗 Load: Tighten the bottom bolt under load when the wheels are on the ground, so as not to twist the rubber bushing.
• 🛡️ Control: Check that the spring does not move and is firmly attached to the support cups.

After installing both struts, carefully inspect the suspension. Make sure all bolts are tightened properly. Don't forget to remove the spring ties if you haven't removed them beforehand (although it's best to do this before installation).

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The lower bolt of the shock absorber must be tightened strictly under the load of the vehicle, otherwise the rubber bushing will twist and quickly collapse.

Subtleties of adjustment and wheel alignment

Many owners Nissan Almera Classic wondering whether a wheel alignment is needed after replacing the rear struts. Technically, unless you changed the arms or changed the suspension geometry, the wheel alignment angles should not change. However, practice shows that replacing suspension elements often makes adjustments.

The rear suspension on this model is a semi-independent beam, which makes it less sensitive to changes than an independent one. However, if after replacement you notice uneven tire wear or the car is pulling to the side, a visit to the stand is required.

Parameter	Standard value	Permissible deviation
Rear wheel camber	-1°30'	±0°40'
Rear wheel alignment	0°12'	±0°20'
Custer	Not regulated	—
Longitudinal tilt angle	Not regulated	—

Please note that adjusting the camber on the beam is only possible by replacing the eccentric bolts, if they are provided for in the design, or by replacing the washers, which is done extremely rarely. In most cases, it is enough to make sure that the beam is level.

⚠️ Attention! If, after replacing the struts, you notice that the car “bounces” on the same wavelength, this may indicate that the springs are installed with different stiffness or one of them has sagged.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

When replacing parts yourself, mistakes are often made that lead to rapid failure of new parts. One of the most common problems is the top support not being properly tightened. If you tighten the rod nut without load, the rubber cushion inside the support may twist on the first ride.

Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the stabilizer bushings. When removing a strut, you often have to touch the anti-roll bar. If the bushings are worn out, a characteristic knocking sound will appear on small irregularities, which can be mistaken for poor installation of the struts.

• 🚫 Distortions: Do not allow the spring to skew during installation, otherwise it may jump out of its seat.
• 🔧 Tool: Do not use an impact wrench to tighten the threaded connections on the suspension without then tightening it with a torque wrench.
• 🧼 Cleaning: Before installing a new rack, clean the mounting areas of dirt and rust to ensure reliable contact.

It's also worth remembering that shock absorbers sold in pairs. Even if one rack still looks normal, they must be replaced on both sides. Different suspension stiffness will lead to car instability when braking and cornering.

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Before starting work, swap the wheels or mark them with chalk so that when installing new wheels (if you change them too) you do not confuse the direction of rotation, if this is important for your drive.

Final Recommendations

After all work is completed, take it for a test drive. Pay attention to the car's behavior when braking, cornering and driving over bumps. Knocking, squeaking or uneven operation of the suspension is a reason to return to checking the tightening of the bolts.

The break-in period for new struts is about 500-1000 km. During this period, try to avoid extreme loads and do not overload the car. This will allow the suspension parts to “get used to” and reach operating mode.

Regular inspection of your suspension will allow you to notice problems early. Wipe the racks from dirt and check them for oil leaks. Timely replacement of consumables will extend the life of the suspension and ensure traffic safety.

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Replacing the rear struts in pairs is the golden rule of suspension repair, ensuring symmetrical behavior of the car and safety.

Is it necessary to do a wheel alignment after replacing the rear struts on an Almera Classic?

In most cases, if the levers and beam have not been changed, a wheel alignment is not required. However, if you notice uneven tire wear or car drift, it is recommended to check the wheel alignment angles on a stand.

How can you tell if the struts are worn out?

The main symptoms: a knocking sound in the rear when driving over bumps, strong body swaying after pressing a corner, traces of oil on the shock absorber body, deterioration in handling at high speed.

Is it possible to replace only one shock absorber?

No, it is strongly not recommended to replace just one stand. This will create an imbalance in the suspension, which will lead to vehicle instability and accelerated wear of other components. Be sure to change the racks in pairs.

How long does it take to replace rear struts?

For an experienced technician, replacing two rear struts takes from 1.5 to 2.5 hours. For a beginner, taking into account the preparation and search for tools, the process may take 3-4 hours.

What tools are required for the job?

Required: socket set, jack, stands, spring ties (required!), pry bar, WD-40 and a torque wrench for final tightening.