I have a 2011 SV, no sport package. I have been having an issue with rough ride and on the pass side car is making a weird pop noise when hitting certain bumps ..like when the suspension has to make quick up and down movements, or washboard... it sounds like something is loose and pops. Nissan couldn't find anything wrong with it, so I took it to a trusted mechanic, he heard the noise, had it all day today. Checked everything out and didn't really see anything. He does think from the noise it's making that it is a shock, but not 100% sure. The car only has 33,000 miles on it. Has anyone ever had to replace shocks that early ? If i do replace them, I want the most comfortable ones I can get, what do you recommend...Oem...Monroe...KYB?? Looking for comfortable ride rather than sportiness.
Thanks !!

 

Sorry, meant to say shocks on title !

 

That's strange. Your shocks shouldn't be bad at only 33k plus your mechanic should be able to test that out if that's the case. Either way best of luck...and I'd say stick with oem if you replace them

 

There were some TSBs for cracked or defective strut mount/insulators in the early 7th gens, but I really don't now if that applies specifically to your vehicle. Also, if it is coming more from the back, there was also a TSB or two about the rear sway bar bushings causing that racket.

Re what to replace the shocks / struts with? I personally just ordered the Monroe brand from RockAuto with the strut mounts/bearings and bellows as I am about to put my 4th set of tires on my 09 (this set has about 105,000 on them ) and while I don't see any excessive wear or bad ride, I thought I would be a bit proactive and replace them and the front lower ball joint assembly on the fronts (I noticed a slit boot (probably unnoticed from when I was attacked by tire carcass a few months back) and rather than wait for it to fail, replace them before the new tires are put on next week.

I wish I had more definitive news for you but look forward to hearing what the issue was.

 

I went by and got the estimate from the mechanic today (to send to my warranty to see if they will cover it) He is going to replace the strut assembly, left and right, the springs and the spring insulators. He said that without completely taking apart the whole shock/strut assembly it isnt possible to see if the bushing in there is bad, so once he gets them apart to change them out, if the bushing looks bad, we will replace those too and will look at strut insulators and possibly replace those too, if needed.. Im hoping this will all be covered under my aftermarket warranty, and will get the ok before starting on this.
What is happening is a popping noise when hitting certain bumps, harsh ride and sometimes when going highway speeds if I hit a larger bump it throw the car to the side.
Also, when looking at Nissan OEM parts, it looks like there are superseded parts for the strut assembly's. Does that mean they have improved them and I should have him order the new part #, or should I just stick with what is already on there. I want a comfortable ride, and dont want to compromise that.
Thanks again