Rear pillars Nissan Sunny FB15 - one of the key suspension elements responsible for driving comfort and safety. Over time, shock absorbers wear out: knocking noises appear, handling deteriorates, and the car begins to “sag” on bumps. If you notice these signs, it's time to think about replacement. In this article we will look at how to change the rear struts to Sunny FB15 with your own hands, without resorting to expensive services.

The replacement process does not require professional skills, but has a number of nuances: from the correct selection of spare parts to fixing the springs during dismantling. We will describe each stage in detail, indicate the necessary tools and warn against common mistakes. You will also learn which racks are better to choose - original or analogues, and how to check their performance after installation.

Signs of wear on the rear struts on a Nissan Sunny FB15

The first signal about the need for replacement is a change in the car's behavior on the road. Main symptoms faulty shock absorbers:

  • 🔊 Knocks or squeaks in the rear of the body when driving over uneven surfaces. Most often the sound comes from the wheel arch area.
  • 🌊 "Rocking" of the body after overcoming potholes or speed bumps, the car cannot stabilize for a long time.
  • 📉 Rear sag when loading the trunk or passengers. Normally, the clearance should remain the same.
  • 💧 Oil leaks on the rack body - a sign of depressurization and loss of performance.
  • 🚗 Deterioration in handling when cornering or when braking sharply (the car “yaws”).

If you notice at least 2-3 signs from the list, it is recommended to conduct a diagnosis. The simplest test: press hard on the rear bumper and release. If the body makes more than 1-2 vibrations, it’s time to change the struts. Also note Even rear tire wear — with faulty shock absorbers, the tread wears off in spots.

📊 How often do you check the condition of the suspension?
  • Once a year
  • Only when problems arise
  • Before long trips
  • Never

Which racks to choose: original or analogues?

For Nissan Sunny FB15 (2010–2017) original rear struts have the article number 56210-4M000 (right) and 56210-4M001 (left). Their average price is from 8,000 to 12,000 rubles per piece. However, many owners choose analogues from trusted brands that are not inferior in quality, but are 30–50% cheaper.

Popular alternatives include:

  • 🔧 KYB (Excel-G) is a Japanese brand known for reliability. Articles: 344403 (right), 344404 (left). Price: ~5,500 rub./piece.
  • 🔧 Monroe (Reflex) — good price/quality balance. Article: TR562 (universal). Price: ~4,800 rub.
  • 🔧 Sachs (Super Touring) - German quality, but more expensive than analogues. Article: 315 525. Price: ~7,000 rub.
  • 🔧 Febi (Bilstein) - budget option. Article: 23330. Price: ~3,500 rub.

When choosing, pay attention to rack type: for FB15 only suitable gas-oil (not oily ones!). Also check the package - the box should contain a stand, boot, bumper and fastening nut. If you plan to change only the shock absorbers and not the strut assemblies, you will need spring puller (article 57310-4M000 for original springs).

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Before purchasing, compare the length of the new struts with the original - even trusted brands have deviations of 1-2 cm, which will affect the ground clearance.

Necessary tools and preparation for work

To replace rear struts with Nissan Sunny FB15 you will need:

Tool/material Purpose Note
Jack and stops Lifting the car Use only a flat surface!
Keys for 17, 19, 21 mm Unscrewing the fastening nuts It is better to take cap or end
Spring puller Spring compression during dismantling Mandatory when disassembling the rack!
WD-40 or equivalent Treatment of rusted connections Apply 10–15 minutes before work
Torque wrench Tightening nuts to the correct torque For FB15 torque - 80–100 Nm

Before starting work, complete the following steps:

Loosen the wheel nuts (do not remove!)

Jack up the car and place jack stands on the front wheels.

Remove the rear wheel and clean the arch from dirt

Treat all rack threads with WD-40

Prepare new racks and components -->

Important: if you are changing stands for the first time, Be sure to take photographs of each stage of disassembly - this will help avoid errors during assembly. Also check in advance whether the new struts have holes for the ABS sensor (some analogues do not have them, you will have to drill them).

⚠️ Attention: Do not start work unless you have a spring puller!

Step-by-step instructions for replacing rear struts

The replacement process is the same for both racks, so let's look at it using one side as an example. The average work time is 2–3 hours for a beginner and 1–1.5 hours for an experienced master.

Step 1: Removing the old rack

  1. Remove the wheel and clean the wheel arch from dirt.
  2. Unscrew the nut securing the strut to the hub (19 mm wrench). You may need to hold the bolt from the back with a 17mm wrench.
  3. Disconnect the brake hose from the bracket on the rack (carefully, without jerking!).
  4. In the passenger compartment, remove the plastic plug above the upper pillar mount (under the rear seat).
  5. Unscrew the three nuts securing the strut to the body (14 mm wrench). Hold the stand so it doesn't fall!
  6. Remove the strut through the wheel arch.

Step 2. Disassembling the strut (if you are only changing the shock absorber)

If you purchased the stand assembly, skip this step. To replace only the shock absorber:

  1. Place the stand in a vice and compress the spring with a puller until a gap appears between the coils.
  2. Unscrew the top nut of the rod (21 mm wrench), holding the rod from turning.
  3. Remove the support bearing, bump stop and boot. Inspect them for wear and replace if necessary.
  4. Remove the shock absorber and install a new one, observing the orientation (rod up!).

Step 3: Install the new rack

  1. Thread the rack into the arch and align the holes of the upper mount with the body.
  2. Tighten the three top mounting nuts (do not fully tighten!).
  3. Align the lower strut mount with the hub and tighten the nut.
  4. Connect the brake hose to the bracket.
  5. Install the wheel and lower the car from the jack.
  6. Tighten all nuts with a torque wrench (torque - 80–100 Nm for the lower fastening and 25–30 Nm for the upper).
What to do if the stem nut does not unscrew?

If the shock absorber rod nut is stuck, try the following methods:

1. Spray it generously with WD-40 and wait 15–20 minutes.

2. Tap lightly with a hammer through a soft spacer (such as a block of wood).

3. Use an impact wrench or a socket wrench with an extension to increase leverage.

4. As a last resort, cut off the nut with a grinder (carefully so as not to damage the thread of the rod).

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced craftsmen sometimes make mistakes when replacing racks. Here are the most common:

  • ❌ Incorrect tightening of nuts. If you overtighten the top nuts, the support bearing will quickly fail. If you don't tighten it enough, the stand will play.
  • ❌ Ignoring the boot and bump stop. Many people install new racks, but leave the old, cracked boots. This reduces the life of the shock absorber by 2–3 times.
  • ❌ Failure to follow the assembly order. For example, they forget to install a gasket between the support bearing and the body, which leads to squeaks.
  • ❌ Working without a spring puller. This is extremely dangerous - the spring can jump off and cause serious injury.

Another common problem is uneven replacement of racks. If you change only one rack (for example, due to a leak), the second one will soon also fail due to different resistance. It is recommended to replace the racks in pairs, even if the second one is “still standing.”

⚠️ Attention: After replacing the racks, be sure to check wheel alignment! On Nissan Sunny FB15 Even minor changes in rear suspension geometry result in uneven tire wear.

Checking the operation of new racks and running in

After installing new racks, you need to check their functionality:

  1. Visual inspection: make sure there are no oil leaks, all nuts are tightened, and the boots are intact.
  2. Sway test: Press firmly on the rear bumper - the body should return to its original position in 1 oscillation.
  3. Check on the go:
    • Drive on uneven roads and there should be no knocking or squeaking noises.
    • Make several sharp turns - the car should not roll or "yaw".
    • Brake at 40-50 km/h - the rear end should not squat too much.

For the first 100–200 km after replacement, avoid aggressive driving - the new struts should “get used to”. Also follow ground clearance: If the rear end sags a week after replacement, the struts may be defective or incorrectly installed.

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If, after replacing the strut, a creaking noise appears when turning the steering wheel, most likely the problem is in the support bearing or lack of lubrication between its plates.

Cost of service replacement vs self-repair

Prices for replacing rear struts in services vary depending on the region and level of the service station:

Service type Cost of work (for 1 rack) Cost of work (per pair) Note
Official dealer Nissan RUB 3,500–5,000 6,000–9,000 rub. 1–2 year warranty, but high price
Independent service 1,500–2,500 rub. 2,500–4,000 rub. Quality depends on the craftsman
Bus mounting 1,000–1,800 rub. 1,800–3,000 rub. Low price, but often without guarantee
Self-replacement 0 rub. 0 rub. Requires tools and skills

Taking into account the cost of spare parts (from 6,000 rubles for a pair of analogues to 20,000 rubles for an original), DIY replacement saves 30–50% budget. However, if you do not have experience or a special tool (for example, a spring remover), it is better to contact the service - errors during installation can result in expensive repairs.

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If you decide to change the racks yourself, watch video instructions in advance for Nissan Sunny FB15 on YouTube - this will help you avoid common mistakes.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions about replacing rear struts on a Nissan Sunny FB15

Is it possible to drive if one strut is leaking?

Theoretically it is possible, but it is extremely undesirable. A leak means that the shock absorber has lost its tightness and does not perform its functions. This leads to:

  • Deterioration in handling (especially on wet roads).
  • Accelerated wear of other suspension elements (silent blocks, balls).
  • Uneven tire wear.

If the strut is leaking heavily, it is better not to delay replacement.

Do I need to change the springs along with the struts?

Not necessary if the springs are in good condition. Check them out at:

  • Cracks or corrosion.
  • Subsidence (compare the height of the new and old spring).
  • Deformation of turns.

On Sunny FB15 springs last longer than struts, but if their height has decreased by more than 10 mm, it is better to replace them.

How often should rear struts be replaced?

Service life depends on operating conditions:

  • With a quiet ride on good roads - 80,000–120,000 km.
  • For aggressive driving or bad roads - 50,000–80,000 km.
  • With constant overload (for example, taxi) - 40,000–60,000 km.

It is recommended to check the condition of the struts every 20,000 km or once a year.

Which is better: gas-oil or oil struts?

For Nissan Sunny FB15 Only gas oil struts are suitable. Oil (hydraulic) ones will not provide the required rigidity and will quickly fail. Gas-oil struts:

  • They hold the road better at high speeds.
  • They “sag” less under load.
  • More durable (gas prevents oil from foaming).
Is it possible to restore old racks?

Theoretically yes, but in practice it is impractical. Restoration (overhaul) costs 60–70% of the price of a new rack, and the service life after repair is only 30–50% of the original. The exception is rare stands that are difficult to find on sale.