Front Strut Replacement for Nissan Versa Note 2014 (2nd generation 2012-present)

11113 Views 18 Replies 10 Participants Last post by tutti57, 11 mo ago

Eric.Deardorff

Discussion Starter · Oct 17, 2018 (Edited)

3

My girlfriend has a Nissan Versa Note 2014 (2nd generation 2012-present) and the front passenger strut is leaking fluid and the rubber dust boot is damaged (see photo). I’m planning on either doing it myself or taking it to a shop to have it done. I would be replacing both front struts for her and using the springs that are on there while replacing at least the damaged dust boot.  

Does anyone know the procedure for doing it and have photos or video (I’ve looked here on the forum and on YouTube/Google but haven’t found it for the 2nd Gen cars)? I ask because every tutorial I’ve seen for Versas are for the 2011 and earlier that have 3 bolts at the top of the strut (like nearly every other car), whereas the 2012-present only have 1 bolt at the top (see photo).

There isn’t a lot of clearance at the top of the strut either so I was going to use a pass through socket and allen wrench to hold the strut shaft in place. If anyone has tips please feel free to share.  Thank you for any assistance!

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1 - 19 of 19 Posts

amc49

· #2 · Oct 17, 2018

You got it. The OEMs keep shifting back and forth between a single big bolt in the center or the multi-bolt plate type like you mentioned.

The biggest issue is getting the struts apart to get the springs off and putting them on the other struts...........

DonViper

· #3 · Jan 16, 2020

Hey guys, I know this is an old post, but I have a quick question. Is the single bolt the only thing holding this strut up after removing everything from below/behind the wheel? There isn't any other bolts holding it in? Once I have everything loose down below, and I loosen this bolt at the top of the strut, will the strut just drop down? I cannot find a single good video on YouTube or the web for that matter for my 2015 Versa Note. I may have to record my own this weekend.

amc49

· #4 · Jan 21, 2020

Yes, the one center bolt only releases the top of strut.

Sorry I was so late.

Reactions: 1

Yardie Garage

· #5 · Feb 10, 2020

Ive done this a few times... Even rebuilt the struts. Pretty easy job once you have tools like an 18 and 21 mm socket and a breaker bar

Gfx260

· #6 · Dec 31, 2021

Hello, looks like i’m going to dig this back up
just need to know, can it be removed without loosening the ONE center bolt at the top? I bought pre-assembled units with new springs. I don’t have spring compressors and would prefer not to go out and buy them if i don’t have to.

the new units come with another rubber donut mount… can i just press the old ones out without disassembly?

rvw3675

· #7 · Feb 27, 2022

Eric.Deardorff said:
My girlfriend has a Nissan Versa Note 2014 (2nd generation 2012-present) and the front passenger strut is leaking fluid and the rubber dust boot is damaged (see photo). I’m planning on either doing it myself or taking it to a shop to have it done. I would be replacing both front struts for her and using the springs that are on there while replacing at least the damaged dust boot.  

Does anyone know the procedure for doing it and have photos or video (I’ve looked here on the forum and on YouTube/Google but haven’t found it for the 2nd Gen cars)? I ask because every tutorial I’ve seen for Versas are for the 2011 and earlier that have 3 bolts at the top of the strut (like nearly every other car), whereas the 2012-present only have 1 bolt at the top (see photo).

There isn’t a lot of clearance at the top of the strut either so I was going to use a pass through socket and allen wrench to hold the strut shaft in place. If anyone has tips please feel free to share.  Thank you for any assistance!

rvw3675

· #8 · Feb 27, 2022

Hey Eric this has nothing to do with this forum but I thought this odd.My grandfather was a Deardorff and that name is super uncommon around these here parts where we are from.my mother as well was a Deardorff.my name is Richard Willis.If at all possible text me back.would like to converse with you of at all possible.thanks 903-601-1114.

sparky60

· #9 · Mar 19, 2022

New to this forum as I have a daughter who bought a 2017 Versa SV and visits from out of town frequently and I have always done maintenance on her vehicles when she comes home. During the last oil change, I noticed her drivers side strut is leaking pretty bad. Ordered some KYB quick struts for her next visit home and have a question concerning the single nut bushing mount pictured at the top of this thread. Once I get that top nut removed and the strut itself removed, does that rubber mount pop out pretty easily or is it some kind press fit into the hole in the car body? I just want to be ready for what I'm up against as she will only be home for the weekend. Appreciate any input you guys have who have done this before. Thank you.

tutti57

· #10 · Mar 22, 2022

It's way easier than others you've done before, just take the nut off on the top. You'll see.

sparky60

· #11 · Mar 22, 2022

tutti57 said:
It's way easier than others you've done before, just take the nut off on the top. You'll see.

So once the top nut is removed and I've dropped the strut out the bottom does the rubber mount on top just pop out of the hole pretty easy?

tutti57

· #12 · Mar 24, 2022

It's been a long time since I've done one, but I remember it being very easy.

sparky60

· #13 · Mar 25, 2022

tutti57 said:
It's been a long time since I've done one, but I remember it being very easy.

Ok, thank you so much for your reply. I'll post a follow up once I swap them out.

Reactions: 1

SlickVersa

· #14 · 12 mo ago

sparky60 said:
Ok, thank you so much for your reply. I'll post a follow up once I swap them out.

So much for a follow up promise...

Reactions: 1

tutti57

· #15 · 12 mo ago

That top nut just holds the strut up to the tower. There's another nut on the strut holding it all together like you normally see. You just can't see it until the strut is out.

bhampton316

· #16 · 11 mo ago

I see that there is a hex bolt within the bolt that is holding the strut to the car. Does this hex bolt need to be removed as well? Or only the 18mm bolt?

tutti57

· #17 · 11 mo ago

Just take off what you see and the strut will fall down. You can't see the other nut until it's out

bhampton316

· #18 · 11 mo ago

Ok. There is an 18mm bolt and a 6mm hex key. Do I take both off? Do I hold the key bolt while I unscrew the 18mm bolt? Does anyone have a video of this? I cannot find any.

tutti57

· #19 · 11 mo ago

The hex key is only there to stop that stud from spinning if it does spin with the nut. It may or may not. If it does, you'll have to put a wrench on the nut and an Allen in the hex to hold it. If you've ever done struts before, this will be among the easiest.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

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