As a result of long-term use of the vehicle or premature breakdown, the vehicle owner may need to replace the front and rear struts. On VAZ 2108, 2109 and 21099 models, the service life of shock absorbers varies between 50-100 thousand kilometers and depends on driving conditions. It is prohibited to drive a car with faulty shock absorber struts, as failure can lead to an accident. Therefore, it is important to at least imagine in theory how the replacement is made.
Purpose of shock absorbers
The main function of shock absorbers is to keep the vehicle on the road no matter the condition of the road surface. Due to the struts, control is not lost when hitting bumps, which ensures a comfortable ride. Also, the front and rear struts do not allow the car to roll too much when entering a sharp turn.
Both the rear and front shock absorber struts of the VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 consist of two elements - the shock absorber itself and the softening spring. The shock absorber is a cylindrical pipe with smooth inner walls, filled with working fluid. While the car is moving, the spring prevents the shock absorber from falling too low.
Front suspension elements: 1 — protective cap; 2 — compression stroke limiter of the support; 3 — upper support of the rack; 4 — upper support bearing; 5 — upper spring cup; 6 — front suspension spring; 7 — adjusting bolt; 8 - eccentric washer; 9 — protective casing; 10 - compression progress buffer
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If you conduct a small test, taking five front-wheel drive vehicles produced by VAZ at random and simply rocking the cars, then it will not be so easy to find a car without knocking or noticeable play. Four machines show either large backlashes or backlashes with a knock. All this speaks to the low quality of the manufactured parts, but it is the strut that is the weak point in the front suspension, which is the main source of the car’s rumble transmitted into the cabin. Even if the knocking starts to show itself only due to unevenness, soon the rack will really rattle, and it is better to get ahead of the repairs and do preventive maintenance in advance.
Reasons and signs of the need to replace racks
Failure of shock absorber struts in VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars can be determined by a number of signs. Including:
- a characteristic knocking sound from under the car's bottom, which occurs due to wear of the fastening;
- the presence of black streaks on the shock absorber body, which can be easily detected by visual inspection;
- ineffective vibration damping, leading to excessive sway of the car body on uneven roads;
- strong shaking when hitting bumps.
To obtain reliable information about the technical condition of VAZ 2108, 2109 or 21099 shock absorbers, test the car on a vibration stand. The computerized stand takes into account the design features of the struts of a specific car model and performs testing by simulating various road conditions. The test results allow you to find out about the serviceability and remaining life of shock absorbers.
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Heat
This is the least popular verification method among motorists. Although it has good accuracy rates.
It consists of checking the shock absorbers according to their degree of heating. The downside is that you have to work very quickly until the signs disappear due to natural reasons.
The point is this. You need to drive the car, then park on a pit or overpass, get to the shock absorbers and feel them with your hands. The thing is that during operation the shock absorbers heat up, generating a large amount of thermal energy. Feel all the elements. If one of them is cold or warm, although all the others are hot, the shock absorber has lost its functionality. It needs replacement or repair.
Bench diagnostics
If you want to get professional advice and a more accurate answer, you can contact a car service center where there is a special stand. The method is fast, not very expensive and informative if carried out correctly.
Required Tools
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You can remove faulty racks and install new ones in their place yourself. To do this you will need the following set of tools and accessories:
- Socket head for 17 and 19.
- Mount.
- Socket wrench.
- Jack.
- Pliers.
- Ratchet handle.
- Collar.
- Wrenches for 17 and 19.
- Penetrating lubricant.
- A key to keep the shock absorber rod from accidentally turning.
A special wrench prevents the nut from turning while unscrewing
Repair kit: main components
If you decide to repair the installed shock absorber strut, then you will need to purchase a special repair kit. It includes all the most necessary components of the shock absorber itself: oil seals, gaskets. In any case, you will need to purchase additional items such as boots, bolts, nuts, and support bearings. If you plan to install new racks, then you should consider one feature. Springs tend to lose elasticity. If the springs on your car have sagged very much, it is advisable to install new ones.
How to change the rear ones on a VAZ 2109 with your own hands
Replacing the rear shock absorber strut on VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 models involves sequentially performing a number of stages. To ensure proper operation of the shock absorber, the following instructions should be followed.
- Open the trunk of the car and remove the protective cap from the side where the rack is located. After this, hold the shock absorber rod firmly to prevent rotation, and use a spanner to unscrew the fastening nut.
Remove the cap and tighten the fastening nut - Use a jack to raise the vehicle to gain access to the rack.
- Using wrenches, unscrew the bottom bolt that secures the shock absorber. To do this, hold the fastening nut of the bolt with one key, and with the second, unscrew the lower rack clamp and remove it.
Unscrew and remove the lock - Pull out the bottom of the strut and lower the shock absorber down. After this, remove the protective rubber pad and iron washer from the rod.
Lower the stand and remove the cushion and washer - Remove the faulty rack and install a new one in its place in the reverse order. When installing the iron cover onto the protective cover, it is important to check that the flange is tucked into the lip on the cover.
The replacement may need to be done in pairs - After completing the installation of the strut, check whether the shock absorber rod is inserted into the specially designated glass, then put the rubber cushion back on and secure the metal washer.
Video: how to replace it with a VAZ 21099
Replace completely or repair?
A rather controversial question: change the racks or make repairs? If you come across high-quality repair kits, then why not restore them? The cost of work can be reduced by more than two and a half times. But this is only relevant for racks that have a collapsible design. But if the repair kit is of dubious quality, then it is better not to risk it and install new racks. It is also worth mentioning one small feature. If you do not fill in enough oil, the shock absorber will not work effectively. If you fill in too much oil, the oil seal in the upper part of the housing will most likely be destroyed. The error when pouring should be minimal. Therefore, a complete replacement of the front struts of the VAZ-2109 will be the most effective repair option.
How to remove and install the front ones on the “nine”
It is somewhat more difficult to remove the front strut from the car and change it, so when performing work it is important not to deviate from the prescribed instructions. To replace the front shock absorber, you must perform the following steps.
- Remove the protective cap of the desired pillar under the hood of the car. The cap, which prevents dirt from penetrating the rack, can be removed without additional tools - just grab it and apply a little force.
Removing the plug - After removing the cap, loosen the nut located inside the shock absorber rod. To do this, put the small part of the removable key on the rod and install the larger part on top.
Loosen the stem nut - Raise the car with a jack and remove the wheel from the side where the faulty shock absorber strut is located. Then use pliers to remove the cotter pin.
We take out the cotter pin - Unscrew the nut that secures the ball joint, and then remove it from the hole.
Removing the ball joint - Move the brake hose away from the bracket to avoid damaging it.
It is better to hide the bracket hose - Remove the front steering knuckle and all the components located on it. Next, unscrew the mounting nut on the top of the shock absorber and remove the strut.
Dismantling the rack - Following the reverse procedure, install the new shock absorber strut in place. Once the process is complete, perform a wheel alignment and camber check.
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After replacing shock absorber struts, it is important to check the secure fit of all fasteners. In this case, even if all parts are secured, the check should be repeated after 100 kilometers of the vehicle.
Preparing for repairs
Before replacing the front strut shock absorber of the VAZ-2109 begins, preparations must be made. The most important thing is to securely position the car so that it does not roll away. It is enough to raise one side of the car above the ground, the one on which the repair is being carried out. If you plan to replace the entire rack, then no additional manipulations are necessary. But in the event that repairs take place, it is advisable to mark the position of the strut relative to the front wheel hub. For this purpose, you can use a marker, a can of paint, a metal scriber, or even a nail. It is not advisable to use chalk, since it can simply be erased during repairs.
Manufacturers
As you know, parts for VAZs are produced by many companies under contract. And although they seem to be the same, there is still a difference in quality and driving characteristics.
You can purchase simple oil shock absorbers from any manufacturer. As a rule, they do not differ much in quality. Gas-oil options are practically not produced by domestic manufacturers, so we have to look for options from foreign manufacturers. Most often you can find the following brands in stores:
- Kayaba
; - Sachs
; - Koni
.
It should be noted that these are not all manufacturers, but only those more widely represented on the market. If you find a product from other manufacturers, it is advisable to look for detailed information about them.
Conclusion
. The shock absorbers on the classic are quite reliable. Their replacement is required quite rarely, especially when driving on smooth roads. But you still need to know which shock absorbers are best installed on the VAZ 2107. After all, sooner or later there will be a need for replacement. You can notice the malfunction of this structural element by the smooth rocking of the car, even at low speeds.
In order for the VAZ “Seven” to be driven not only conveniently, but also safely, the condition of the suspension must be periodically monitored. An important element in its design are shock absorbers, which can be replaced by every owner of this car.
Bench testing
If you are unsure of the accuracy and correctness of your own conclusions regarding the proper operation of the racks, it is recommended to rely on specialists who perform diagnostics on a vibration stand. Naturally, the verification procedure is paid, but with the help of verification, you can get an opinion from specialists and precise instructions for the next action.
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To avoid wasting money, you should use the following tips:
- Check the computer settings by technicians to diagnose a specific vehicle model.
- Taking into account the age of the machine, the weight of the body, settings and standards may have certain discrepancies.
- Check wheel alignment and tire pressure before the test.
- Contact a good service center that suits you individually.
Checking the racks is not as simple as it might seem initially; it is a very difficult and laborious process, taking into account every little thing and detail.
Malfunctions
- Failure of shock absorbers, together with wheel imbalance, leads to sudden wear of tires, and wheel bearings are subject to destruction.
- Traveling a couple of thousand kilometers with faulty struts leads to breakdown of the support bearing.
- A properly functioning shock absorber helps increase the life of the brake pads.
- In case of malfunctions, the braking system does not work properly as the braking distance increases, thereby increasing the likelihood of an accident on the road.
Modern intervention allows you to save your car from various breakdowns, reduce the likelihood of an accident, and significantly save the car owner’s budget. Replacing struts is much cheaper in cost at the first symptomatic signs than after repairing the brake and chassis.
Consequences of wear
If there is a skid, we can conclude that the shock absorber has become unusable.
Consequences Failure of the shock absorber system can lead to the following troubles:
Diagnosis
The slightest suspicion of a malfunction requires immediate diagnostic work. There are measures that a car enthusiast can do on his own, which will be the first test of the struts.
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Some car owners do without testing at the stand and spontaneously rock their vehicles in order to determine the shock absorbers. True, this check is very ineffective, since the weakening and performance of the racks does not affect the swaying of the vehicle, in the end it seems that everything is in order.
