Features of shock absorber struts on the VAZ-2110
Where is that shock absorber strut hidden in the shadow of the wheel?
Depending on the intensity of use of the vehicle and the quality of this suspension unit, the struts need to be replaced. The procedure for replacing this suspension part is familiar to most VAZ-2110 owners. The standard period for maintenance of “tens” shock absorbers is about 35,000 km . This depends on the care of the driver, the manufacturer of the part and the operating conditions. In rural areas, the replacement interval is much shorter.
How to determine when it's time to change the struts? Signs of wear
Oil leaks on the strut housing.
Since disassembling a car's suspension is quite a labor-intensive task, before you undertake repairs, you need to determine whether the problem is really in the strut. To do this, you need to focus on the following indirect signs:
- A strong beating is felt on the steering wheel of the car.
- Body vibration increases significantly. Particularly strong vibration comes from the side of the faulty rack.
- The car begins to stop worse when braking.
- When turning, the car starts to skid.
- If you let go of the steering wheel on a flat road, the car will drift strongly to the side.
- Even with a visual inspection, you can notice oil leaks on the shock absorber.
- If you ask someone to drive slowly and listen yourself, you can hear strange knocks and noises in the shock absorber, which is under suspicion.
Checking the racks
Checking racks at the diagnostic center.
It is clear that these problems do not always indicate a malfunction of the racks , so in order to make sure, you can do the following.
Vibration stand
The easiest way is to take the car to a service station, where the condition of the shock absorbers will be checked on a stand. The car owner should know that a vibration stand can show 75% of the service life even on completely new shock absorbers . But if the indicator is less than 50%, it is worth addressing the problem.
Diagnostics at a service station are inexpensive, so many recommend doing diagnostics there, and then eliminating the consequences yourself.
With your own hands
The beginning of the strut shock absorber leakage can be seen if you look under the boot.
Since service stations will charge money for diagnostics, many owners make do with the more popular method of checking.
This method consists of manually rocking the car yourself . The “ten” needs to be strongly shaken, and then the hands must be sharply removed. If the rocking of the body does not stop immediately, then most likely they have exhausted their service life.
Removing and replacing the front shock absorber strut VAZ 2110, 2111, 2112
Various problems with the suspension are the most common reason for calling the service for diagnostics and repairs. Alas, Russian roads in some places of our Motherland are more like a tank training ground, or something that remains of a road in the usual sense of the word. In any case, you have to drive on any roads, which results in a number of suspension problems that any car owner faces.
In this article we will analyze in detail the removal and replacement of the front shock absorber strut on a VAZ 2110, 2111, 2112 with our own hands. The instructions include a step-by-step guide for repairing this suspension unit.
Typically, struts are changed at a mileage of 50-60 thousand km, but from experience we can say that these figures may not correspond to the realities in which the car is used. It’s one thing if the owner constantly drives on high-quality asphalt to and from work. And it’s a completely different matter when the car is used on different roads, most of which cannot be called roads. In the latter case, the suspension elements, including the front shock absorber strut of the VAZ 2110, 2111, 2112, become unusable at 30 thousand kilometers or earlier. Therefore, everything is individual. Carry out diagnostics periodically if you notice a deterioration in handling and overall suspension performance.
Removing, replacing and adjusting the fuel pump on a VAZ 2107 with your own hands
In addition, you need to decide on the type of shock absorbers:
- Gas is an expensive option. The car becomes very rigid and, as a result, maneuverable, with sharp steering. They are usually used on sports, tuned cars.
- Oil ones are also not cheap. The opposite of the previous ones. Soft, the car even feels like it's too rough. The unevenness of the Russian road is almost completely hidden.
- Ordinary shock absorbers. We will talk about this unpretentious and most affordable type of shock absorber strut in the article.
You will need: 13″, 19″ wrenches, a key to hold the rod.
So, instructions for replacing the front shock absorber strut of VAZ 2110, 2111, 2112.
Option #1
Using a wrench to hold the stem
Loosen the nut using wrenches.
Tighten these 3 nuts
Next, remove the hub, steering rod with ends, and finally the shock absorber strut.
Option No. 2
Mark the position of the adjusting bolt
Next, unscrew the top and bottom nuts.
We take out the bolts
We release the shock absorber strut by moving the fist to the side.
Unscrew the remaining upper bolts and remove the rack completely
We begin to assemble the ties for the springs
Disassembled suspension strut for VAZ 2110, 2111, 2112. We replace the necessary components. We collect.
The danger of worn struts
Some car owners believe that failure of the front shock absorbers is not a problem, especially if the car does not even tilt to one side. In fact, problems with the front suspension can lead to the following troubles:
- The support bearings will fall apart , which can lead to an accident.
- The tires will begin to wear unevenly , and you can forget about wheel alignment. In addition, so-called “bumps” may appear on the tires.
- Wheel bearings won't last long either.
- Brake performance will become unsatisfactory because the pads will wear unevenly.
It turns out that one problem that is not corrected in time can lead to serious damage to the car.
Preparing the tools
To successfully replace the front struts on a VAZ-2110 with your own hands, we will need:
- Set of socket heads (from 13 to 19 inclusive).
- A set of spanners (for 17, 19 and 22).
- Mount.
- Hammer.
- Open-end wrench 9.
- Ballonnik.
- Liquid Key lubricant.
- Wire brush (if necessary).
- Spring ties (at least two).
- Factory jack.
You don't need a lift or pit to replace the front shock absorber. You just need to lift part of the body. To successfully repair the front pillar of the VAZ-2110, it is enough to place it on a flat, hard surface.
Which ones to choose (items)
Original VAZ-2110 stand.
In the case of spare parts for the VAZ-2110, original consumables are not always the best choice. As for the most popular shock absorbers, they have the following article numbers:
- The front left shock absorber on the VAZ-2110 has the article number 21100-2905403-30;
- Right - article 21100-2905402-30.
The article number is stamped on the rack body.
Factory analogues can be recommended to those drivers for whom rigidity indicators are important. It is the original A-pillars that do an excellent job of transporting cargo, although for comfortable movement in the city they are clearly inferior to their softer counterparts.
Some drivers install sports struts that are significantly more rigid than even the factory parts. So they are trying to increase the life of this suspension unit. In any case, it is not recommended to install sports spare parts, since they are designed for completely different operating conditions.
Some praise Samara spare parts, which are known as SS-20 . They can be either oil or gas. Oil shock absorbers are much cheaper, but gas shock absorbers can operate over a wider temperature range. For example, in winter the rigidity of cheaper parts will increase significantly, although for some car owners this does not matter.
Front struts SS-20 series “Comfort” assembled.
Analogs
In addition to domestic parts, you can install front struts from other manufacturers, which will cost much more:
- Sachs;
- Monroe;
- Brillstein;
- Kayaba;
- KONI.
Although installing expensive parts on domestic cars is not always economically justified, some people prefer to spend a large sum once, but then do not have to worry about replacement for several years.
Aston racks are another analogue of domestic production.
Choosing which ones to buy
It is impossible to say unequivocally which front struts are best to choose for the VAZ 2110. Some choose factory ones because they are not rigid enough for them, others prefer analogues for their softer and more comfortable behavior.
Some people even want to install a sports version of struts , since they are the stiffest and the springs are the thickest.
Sports
Focus on what you want to get out of driving. But from the point of view of manufacturers, Samara CC20 devices have proven themselves to be excellent. If necessary, you can figure out how to pump up such racks.
The choice is between oil and gas (gas-oil, actually). The former are more affordable from a financial point of view, but they do not have such a wide temperature range, which is why the shock absorbers become stiffer in winter.
Gas analogues have a more complex design, a high price, but an excellent “tenacity” indicator.
Among the manufacturers, in addition to CC20, the following manufacturing companies can be distinguished:
- KONI
- Sachs
- Kayaba
- Monroe
- Brillstein.
All of them have approximately the same devices, so there should be no problems with selecting suitable parts.
