Our car enthusiasts are well familiar with the high quality of products manufactured by Kraft for cars. Many components are used in cars of both Russian production VAZ and GAZ, and cars of foreign companies. All parts are required to undergo multi-stage quality testing. Among domestic car enthusiasts, the Kraft branded clutch is in greatest demand.
All kits have their own identification number, guaranteeing control and service. All mechanisms are classified, which makes it possible to select them for any car.
Distinguishing Features
Clutch systems from the German company Kraft tech are manufactured in Turkey under license. If you want to completely forget about the problems with this unit, then by installing the kit from Kraft, you will not go wrong.
It has practically no disadvantages inherent in domestically produced clutch systems, and in many respects they are superior to most imported ones. First of all, it is necessary to note the exceptionally soft ride; you don’t have to worry that the system will overheat in traffic jams, since the flywheel is very reliable.
But there is one drawback - it is not a very reliable release bearing, despite the fact that it has been modified several times, its usual service life is 30-50 thousand kilometers.
In contrast, the average resource of the basket and disk is more than 120,000 kilometers. Some cars equipped with the proprietary Krafttech clutch system travel 130,000 kilometers or more without problems. It must be said right away that a lot here depends on the skills and driving style of the car owner. With skillful driving, a VAZ 21102 car with this clutch covers 200,000 kilometers and continues to be used further. Although there are also cases when the Kraft clutch was damaged and could not be repaired after just one day of use. The driver got stuck in a hole on a country road and, trying to get out, simply tore the clutch and motor. After dismantling the system, many were simply shocked when they saw a picture of a disk torn to shreds, most of the springs were either broken or bent.
Kraft clutch
The Krafttech clutch must be installed on a new flywheel.
The Kraft branded clutch set consists of:
- baskets;
- disk;
- release bearing;
- guide device;
- gloves
Without a doubt, the Kraft clutch system has a lot of advantages when compared with traditional systems:
- The basket, made of high-quality stainless steel, has an extended service life.
- The linings have special notches, the purpose of which is to remove friction products and provide excellent ventilation.
- The price of the system is higher than domestic analogues, but significantly exceeds them in quality and convenience.
Covers or seats?
For many, buying new car seats is associated with the desire to transform the appearance of the interior of their car. That is, they care little about the issue of comfort or they have only recently started driving. That’s why they don’t think about the issue of convenience.
If you have ever driven modern cars from top manufacturers, you have probably felt the difference between the seats. But you can’t buy such a car for yourself yet. So why not bring your fourteenth to this level of comfort by purchasing new seats? Good idea.
The covers only create the appearance of a beautiful, cozy interior. The landing was uncomfortable and will remain so.
Set your priorities and think about what is more important to you - a healthy back or a beautiful picture. In addition, by replacing the seats, you can put very beautiful covers on them.
Video “Video review of the Kraft kit”
This video review provides a detailed overview of the Kraft clutch kit.
Before examining the question of which clutch is better for the VAZ 2114, you should first talk about the general principles of operation of this mechanism. The clutch, which is the subject of our conversation, operates on the friction principle (unlike a number of clutches on other machines that use hydraulics in their operation).
Its main design and operating features can be expressed as follows:
- a dry single-disc clutch is used;
- a pressure spring is involved in the process of disengaging the clutch;
- the driven disk has a built-in vibration damper;
- The cable-type drive has no gaps between the bearing and the petals of the diaphragm spring.
As for the sizes, the Samara model has a clutch with a clutch diameter of 19 cm, and Samara 2 - 20 cm. In addition, later types of clutches have special dampers that make it possible to suppress uneven loads when rotating the crankshaft not only at idle, but also under load .
When purchasing a clutch in a store, the first thing you should do is carefully examine the box (take into account the quality of the fonts, paint, and its material) - this will help you protect yourself from buying a fake at the very first stage of your choice.
Washer problems
For optimal and efficient operation of windshield wipers, they require a constant supply of water. To automate this process, engineers have developed a device called a washer.
Washer system diagram
Breakdowns and ways to fix them are different. Let's get to know them in more detail.
- The steering column switch does not work. Make sure of this by closing two contacts under the steering wheel - front contact 53ah-w, rear - 53ah-wh, and then measure the resistance. If it is low, the switch is replaced with a new one.
- There is no water flowing through the washer pump. It should also be replaced.
- Dirt has formed in the injectors. Use a sharp needle to clean them.
- The wire that connects the pump and the switch has broken. You understand that the only option is replacement.
- Relay K3 is faulty. Again, you have no choice but to change the relay.
- The hose ruptured and its integrity was compromised. What do you think should be done in such a situation? Absolutely right - change the hose.
Which clutch to choose and how to do it?
Such an important issue as choosing a clutch for a VAZ 2114 requires a very serious approach. So, when you come to a car store to buy a new set, you should be careful - the number of fakes on the auto parts market is now very high (and clutch mechanisms are no exception). The first thing you need to pay attention to is the box.
If it is very “flimsy” and the fonts on it are not printed clearly, then it is better to refrain from purchasing. The same rule applies to boxes, the design of which can be erased with a finger - this is an obvious fake. If everything is in order at this stage of the purchase, then we move on to the next one - we evaluate the mechanism itself.
First, let's inspect the clutch disc. It must have the correct round shape, and its surface must be absolutely flat - without burrs, pits or chips. It is worth paying attention to the damper springs.
If the products are original, then they will always be either painted in some color or covered with colorless varnish. Even the manufacturers themselves advise checking originality in this way.
Having examined the disk, we move on to the bearing. To the question - which release bearing is better for the VAZ 2114, you can answer absolutely unequivocally - of course, steel!
But very often there are situations when even branded clutches have plastic bearings. This situation can be solved in two ways - refuse the purchase and purchase a kit from another company, or make a purchase and then replace the bearing with a standard one.
Leaving a clutch with a plastic bearing (even if it is made by a very well-known company) is not worth it. Over time, such bearings begin to wear out and make strange sounds while driving, or even completely fall apart.
Of course, you can generously lubricate the bearing, which will help to avoid rapid wear and noise for a short time, but this is not the best solution.
The last thing you will need to inspect before purchasing is the clutch basket. The alphanumeric codes on it should be clear and easily readable, and the paint should not rub off when touched. The petals of the basket should be even and located at the same levels.
If at least one of the petals turns out to be crooked, the car will constantly jerk, and strong vibration will be transmitted through the clutch pedal. That is why, if any defects are noticeable in the basket, you should immediately refuse the purchase, even if all other parts of the mechanism are of excellent quality.
Useful video
You can get more information from the video below:
For anyone who has decided to start changing the clutch on their own, having already had experience in purchasing a kit for a Lada 2107 , it is unnecessary to give any advice. A novice motorist probably shouldn’t take on such a task, but experienced VAZ drivers usually have an established opinion on this matter. However, the supply of information can unexpectedly fail even an experienced car enthusiast, because technology does not stand still. Therefore, information based on research results and the experience of domestic car enthusiasts will come in handy.
Briefly about the Lada Samara torque transmission system
Before discussing which clutch is better on the VAZ 2114, it would be useful to consider the design features of the friction mechanism. The designers decided to abandon the classic hydraulic drive circuit for controlling the release fork, and developed a mechanical type drive based on a cable for front-wheel drive cars. Constructive nuances can be expressed in the following points:
- A single-disc dry clutch is a permanently closed type device.
- The shutdown process involves a diaphragm pressure spring.
- The driven disk is equipped with a torsional vibration damper.
- Cable clutch drive without gaps between the pressure spring petals and the bearing.
The Samara model is equipped with a clutch with a diameter of 190 mm (2109-1601085), Samara 2 has a clutch with a diameter of 200 mm (2110-1601085). New designs have softer dampers, which makes it possible to effectively smooth out uneven crankshaft rotation not only at idle, but also during load and engine braking. The owner can only determine which clutch is best to install on the VAZ 2114, and choose a high-quality kit from the mass of offers.
Subject to compliance with the operating rules, some copies work out their service life of up to 100-150 thousand km. If previously car owners preferred to buy exactly those clutch parts that had failed, in recent years there has been a change in priorities towards the purchase of kits. This is due to the increasing qualifications of our drivers; many have realized that comprehensive repairs are much more profitable financially.
Why the wipers don't work
In this article, we will analyze the main possible malfunctions of wipers and find ways to solve the problem.
The windshield wiper is a very important element of the car, due to its malfunction, movement is prohibited, according to traffic regulations, and in general, it is life-threatening.
It is worth noting that the mechanism is designed for a long service life. Therefore, malfunctions usually arise due to improper operation. It is also worth taking into account that most breakdowns of the glass cleaning system occur in the winter.
This is probably the most basic mistake of all car enthusiasts; many will remember themselves “in their youth.”
It’s winter, I get into the car, start it, turn on the wipers, they jerk a little and that’s it. In this case, the breakdown could have occurred either electrically (for example, a fuse in the electric motor) or mechanically (the motor itself), and it occurred due to the fact that the blades froze and stuck to the windshield.
Practice: which clutch is better to buy for a VAZ 2114 car and how to determine it?
When evaluating a friction clutch and its components, the experience of friends and acquaintances who have purchased them at least once is very useful. For example, a novice car enthusiast who decides to independently replace the clutch on a VAZ 2110 will certainly be helped by the recommendations of experienced motorists.
As practice shows, when purchasing a clutch kit, the owner is mainly concerned about the issue of fakes and defects. Therefore, let’s look at some interesting points separately.
Package
What do we immediately pay attention to when making any purchase? That's right, on the packaging. The same pattern applies here. The box itself and its quality are not evidence of a fake, but still two points should be paid attention to:
- No self-respecting manufacturer will package their products in a flimsy box with crooked text and errors.
- If the letters on the package are erased by the touch of a finger, then feel free to put it back and leave this store.
Driving style and clutch: choosing a set
Still haven't figured out what to buy to replace the coupling? Let's look at one more aspect - driving style, because each of us prefers to move in a manner unique to him. Conventionally, we divide the number of driving styles by four. Based on reviews and operational experience, we will try to create sets of companies that would correspond to a particular driving style. Thus, we will try to answer the question, which clutch is best installed on the VAZ 2114 and why.
Calm style
This driving style provides low revs, smooth shifting and the same acceleration. Products from the following brands are suitable here:
- Luk is a reliable kit that provides smooth and comfortable shifting without jerking.
- Valeo is a comfortable kit, it shows its best sides in traffic jams, there is a good reserve of torque.
Standard style
- KraftTech is a fairly comfortable set with an average service life.
- Sachs is a moderately tight clutch for such driving with a good reserve of torque, allowing you to ride in both an active and relaxed manner.
- VIS is a domestic product of good quality, but is sensitive to clutch control experience.
Dynamic style
Involves rapid acceleration and sharp gear changes with constant clutch throwing, which operates at high speeds most of the time. In this case, the following kits are suitable:
- Pilenga – use the kit not with metal ceramics. The stiffest clutch, in order to avoid jerking, you have to raise the speed and quickly release the clutch.
- Sachs is the best kit for this type of riding, moderately tight with minimal jerking.
Sport style
Based on the use of maximum acceleration, as well as sharp gear changes and regular clutch drop. As in the previous style, to the question of which clutch is best to install on a VAZ 2114 car, the answer will be to use the following kits:
- Pilenga - without ceramics! As mentioned, the clutch is stiff, resulting in a stiff pedal. However, in the end the driver gets instant traction.
- Sachs - according to many, the best choice for such riding, moderately tight with a good service life.
Most car enthusiasts choose the Sachs kit, but change the release bearing to a VAZ one, considering this option to be optimal for all cases. The recommendations are not binding and are the result of processing many opinions and reviews from our motorists.
Washer problems
Washer system diagram
Breakdowns and ways to fix them are different. Let's get to know them in more detail.
- The steering column switch does not work. Make sure of this by closing two contacts under the steering wheel - front contact 53ah-w, rear - 53ah-wh, and then measure the resistance. If it is low, the switch is replaced with a new one.
- There is no water flowing through the washer pump. It should also be replaced.
- Dirt has formed in the injectors. Use a sharp needle to clean them.
- The wire that connects the pump and the switch has broken. You understand that the only option is replacement.
- Relay K3 is faulty. Again, you have no choice but to change the relay.
- The hose ruptured and its integrity was compromised. What do you think should be done in such a situation? Absolutely right - change the hose.
