Nissan Murano 2009-2014 3.5L CVT Transmission Mount Kit

A 2009-2014 Nissan Murano that shakes the steering wheel at a stoplight in Drive, thumps when you pull away, or shudders on light throttle is often blamed on the CVT. On the second-generation Murano and the 2011-2014 Quest, both powered by the 3.5L VQ35DE, worn engine and transmission mounts produce exactly those complaints, and a mount kit costs a fraction of any transmission repair. This four-piece kit replaces the right hydraulic engine mount, the rear hydraulic engine mount with its vacuum port, the rear upper torque strut and the left transmission mount in one order.

What the mounts do on a Murano with the CVT

The V6 and the Jatco CVT sit sideways in the engine bay as one assembly, hung on these four mounts. The right and left mounts carry the weight at each end of the engine and transaxle. The rear mount and the upper torque strut stop the assembly from rocking forward and back as torque goes in and out. The hydraulic mounts have a fluid-filled chamber that damps idle vibration, and the rear mount adds a vacuum port that ties it to the engine's vacuum supply. A CVT holds engine speed steady under load, so when a damper fails there is no gear change to break up the vibration: you feel a steady buzz or a surge through the floor that is easy to mistake for belt judder.

Symptoms of worn mounts

• Heavy vibration at idle in Drive or Reverse that smooths out in Park or Neutral
• A clunk or thump when pulling away, stopping, or shifting from Drive to Reverse
• Shudder on light acceleration that feels like a CVT problem but shows no stored transmission code
• Oily residue under the right side or rear mount where the damping fluid leaked out
• Cracked, collapsed or separated rubber on the torque strut
• The engine visibly lifting when a helper brakes and shifts between Drive and Reverse

How to confirm before buying

With the parking brake set and your foot on the brake, have a helper shift between Drive and Reverse while you watch the engine with the hood open. Excess lift or a bang points at the mounts. Then look under the car at the rear mount and along the right side for wet residue. If the mounts check out and you still have judder or a delayed engagement, scan the transmission and every other module before condemning the CVT. Our Jatco CVT Nissan problems guide covers the transmission side, and the harsh or delayed shift walkthrough separates engagement faults from mount clunk.

Fitment

This kit is listed for the 2009-2014 Nissan Murano V6 3.5L FWD and the 2011-2014 Nissan Quest V6 3.5L with the CVT automatic. Nissan's own catalog confirms the left driver side mount 11220-1AA0A and the torque rod 11350-JP00B for the 2009-2014 Murano and 2011-2014 Quest. Be careful with the long cross-reference list: a few Nissan numbers printed with it, such as 11210-9N00A and 11320-9N00A, are catalogued by Nissan for the Altima and Maxima, and 11210-3KA0A is a 2015-and-later Murano part, so do not use those to match your car. Match by vehicle, engine and drive type, and compare the shape and bolt pattern of the old mounts. If your Murano is AWD, or you are unsure, send your year and VIN before ordering. The first-generation 2003-2007 Murano mount kit is a different set. More CVT parts are on the CVT collection page.

Install notes

Support the engine and transaxle from below with a jack and a block of wood under the oil pan, and change one mount at a time so the assembly never loses its position. Connect the vacuum line to the new rear mount. Snug every bolt, lower the car onto its wheels and let the engine settle, then torque the through-bolts to Nissan's factory values so the rubber is not pre-loaded in a twisted position. If the CVT has to be moved far enough to disturb lines, or the fluid has never been changed, this is a good time to service it with NS-2 type CVT fluid and a new JF010E CVT filter; never top off a Nissan CVT with conventional ATF. Road test over the same stop-and-go route that produced the complaint.

Does this kit fit the 2015 and newer Murano?

No. The 2015-on Murano is a different platform with different mounts. This kit is listed for the 2009-2014 Murano 3.5L FWD and the 2011-2014 Quest 3.5L.

Can bad mounts feel like a CVT problem?

Yes. A failed hydraulic mount or torque strut lets the engine shake and rock under load, which feels like judder or a clunk from the transmission. Check the mounts first, especially if no transmission code is stored.

Do I need to replace all four mounts at once?

Not always, but the hydraulic mounts and torque strut usually wear together, and when one fails the others carry extra load. Replacing the set restores the original balance and avoids a second job.

Does the rear mount need the vacuum line connected?

Yes. The rear hydraulic mount has a vacuum port. Reconnect the line to the new mount or it will not damp idle vibration the way it was designed to.

What fluid does the Murano CVT use if I service it at the same time?

The 2009-2014 Murano with the JF010E CVT uses Nissan NS-2 CVT fluid. Do not use ATF or manual transmission fluid in a Nissan CVT.

• JATCO CVT Nissan Problems and Fixes: The Complete Shop Guide
• CVT Harsh or Delayed Shifts: A Diagnostic Walkthrough
• CVT Transmission Failure Patterns: What Breaks Across Every Brand
• CVT Slipping Under Load: Root Causes and Fixes