Hey Guys,

So last week the Murano started having a light vibration during my 65 mile trek to work. I drove it for a day or so, and finally took it to the dealer last wednesday to have them tell me what the heck is wrong with it.

They said the Wheel Hub and Tie Rod on the drivers side front wheel are shot and need to be replaced.

I was going to have them do it, until they tried to add in a $250 charge to replace the lower radiator hose (which they claim is in "dire" straights).

So i drove it home, and now i have 2 questions which i'm not sure how to answer on my own

Does anyone know if there are any special tools required to change the Wheel Hub and/or Tie Rod on a Nissan (specifically the Murano)? I'm pretty sure i can do it myself, so long as i don't have to spend hundreds on a special tool.

If there is, or on an aside, does anyone know of any good shops (read: trustworth) in the Fall River area? Supposedly the Tie Rod is on its last legs, so i'm not trying to drive it very far. I just have a feeling the dealer down there is going to try and overcharge me like the one in marlboro, thought maybe someone on here would know of a good place to go.

Just for reference, i'm sure this is no suprise, the dealer wanted about 750 to replace, i can get the parts for 250 shipped. As long as its not crazy difficult or involved (read: special tool) i can spend my weekend doing it.

Thanks in advance for any/all input!

not positive if theres a special tool needed but if there is, go to autozone and rent one. you pay full price for the tool but when your done just bring it back and get your money back

autozone should let you rent a tool called a pitman arm puller that you'll need to do the tie rod ends. As for the wheel hub assembly, normal shop tools should be required, again anything you don't have will have to be bought or borrowed. DO NOT forget an alignment when you're done. You can approximate threads on the tie rod but it will still be off.

Lower radiator hose, if you can get the lower plastic shroud off should be able to be done by you at home. Just make sure you do it when the car is cold, have a catch bin for the coolant and enough coolant to refill it and burp it when you're done.

That being said, if you're AT ALL less than confident in doing the repair yourself, DONT DO IT. Shop around a little and you'll be able to find a shop to do it for you. If you're willing to go to north providence, Tech 1 auto is very good and very affordable. When other shops were ready to charge me 500 dollars to install coilovers on my lexus (direct drop in, no compressing of springs nothing), tech 1 quoted me 250 or 300, i can't remember exactly. Look them up, they do great work. they're attached to Village Auto sales.

Inner or outer tie rods? Inners are kinda a bitch and the outers can be done in 10 minutes(granted if they are all rusted they wont come off so easy)

i'm guessing if the wheel hub is also bad it'd be the outer tie rod...excess play in it would screw up the geometry and extra stress would be put on the hub no?

well from when I worked in a garage the wheel bearing(which would be the hub) tended to go out on the murano's. Along with outer tie rods.

I think you could get the job done in an hour to an hour 1/2 working straight.

Wow guys. I really appreciate the time and input.

I think i'm going to put it up on jackstands and take the wheel off this weekend, see what i'm working with. The diagrams i pulled offline as well as looking at the parts online it seems like its definetly something i can do.

If that doesn't work out i'll pm you Rod

Thanks again guys!