Front hub and its parts
In a VAZ 2109 car, replacing the front hub is necessary if it is worn out. The hubs, in turn, play a very important role. Without them, the wheels will not rotate at the required speed, which will first lead to damage to the brake system, and then to failure of the entire car. Therefore, if there are any problems with the front hubs, they need to be diagnosed in advance so that later it is not too late. Replacing the front hub of a VAZ 2109 is a difficult and responsible task, but you can handle it in your garage yourself.
Front hub wear
Replacing the front hub on a VAZ 2109
Typically hub wear manifests itself in the following ways:
- There is play in the hub bearings, that is, they wobble slightly.
Note: the play should not be allowed to be too strong, as this will require replacing not only the hub, but also the bearing.
- The bearings are “humming”. While driving, strange sounds are heard coming from the wheels. As a rule, with increasing speed they become even more pronounced. After this, when the speed decreases, the noise does not become less quiet.
Note: If the hum is heard on only one side, then only one hub needs to be replaced. If it occurs in both wheels, both hubs need to be replaced immediately.
- Bearings This can cause the caliper to overheat as well, causing it to fly off as well. In addition, the brake fluid also boils too quickly. This leads to rapid failure of the braking system.
Causes of hub wear
Replacing the front hub on a VAZ 2109
Usually there are the following reasons due to which the hub wears out:
- The wheel bearing has completely fallen apart. Perhaps it is only in the early stages of destruction. In any case, it will have to be changed, but after appropriate diagnostics.
Replacing the front wheel hub of a VAZ 2109
- The wheel bearing nut is not tightened properly. Such an oversight can cause backlash. In this case, you can get by by simply screwing in this nut all the way. That is, you should not change the hub or its bearing.
- The steering tip does not work well.
- There are shortcomings in the operation of the upper or lower ball joint.
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We take out the brake pads and remove the caliper (see Replacing the front wheel brake caliper).
We hang the caliper in the wheel well so that the brake fluid supply hose is not strained.
If necessary, if the outer bearing cage is damaged along the way, we do not press out the outer ring of the bearing, but replace only its inner part. However, at the first opportunity we install a new bearing assembly.
Carefully, trying not to damage the cuff, remove the hub together with the brake disc from the steering knuckle axis.
In order not to disturb the mutual balancing of the disk and the hub, it is better not to disconnect the disk unnecessarily, and when removing it, mark its original position on the hub.
Using a 12mm wrench, unscrew the two guide pins and...
...remove the brake disc and spacer from the hub.
We clean the inner cavity of the hub from old lubricant, wash all parts with kerosene and add fresh lubricant.
To remove the outer race of the outer bearing, secure the hub in a vice. Using a beard, trying not to damage the hub, we apply light blows along the perimeter of the outer ring of the bearing and...
...knock it out of the hub.
We take out the hub cuff by prying it off with a screwdriver.
A spacer bushing is installed under the cuff.
We remove the inner bearing from the hub in the same way as the outer one.
We press the outer rings of the bearings in a vice, using the corresponding rings from old bearings.
The old rings should be oriented with a smaller cone diameter inside the hub to facilitate their removal after pressing in the new rings.
Using caution, the outer bearing rings can be pressed in by lightly hammering them through the spacer.
We put about 40 g of Litol-24 lubricant into the inner bearing separator and the inner cavity of the hub. Cover the new cuff with the same lubricant.
Install the inner bearing into the hub. Install the spacer bushing.
Carefully press in the new cuff using a hammer and a suitable tool (installation blade).
Trying not to damage the cuff, install the hub on the steering knuckle axle.
Lubricate and install the inner ring of the outer bearing, the washer and tighten the hub nut.
We adjust the clearance in the hub bearings (see Adjusting the clearance in the front wheel hub bearings) and install the protective cap. Before installing it, put Litol-24 lubricant in the hub cap.
How to diagnose bearing play
VAZ 2109 front wheel hub
In fact, this process is very simple, and even a beginner can do it. For this:
- Raise the car using a jack to the optimal distance.
Note: It is much easier to diagnose using an inspection hole, but if you don’t have one, a jack will also work.
- Bleed the wheel. This should be done according to a certain pattern: hold the wheel on both sides, squeezing it as much as possible. You should swing your arms in the same direction (preferably away from you). By the way, this procedure is also carried out in car services, so it is advisable to attend it in order to be prepared for its implementation later.
VAZ 2109 front hub
- If there is slight play, the bearing nut should be tightened as much as possible.
Note: if this does not eliminate the play, then the hub or its bearing must be replaced.
- You should still hold the wheel on both sides. However, now you need to pump it not in one, but in different directions. What does it mean? You just need to press the wheel towards you with your left hand, and away from you with your right. If play is also observed, then the reason is not in the hub. In this case, the steering tip is faulty. It should be replaced.
Note: In some cases, tie rod ends are sold complete with tie rods. However, these thrusts do not always need to be changed either. They can be left, replaced if they break soon.
- Pull the wheel, placing maximum emphasis on the top of the wheel. If in this case there is also play in the bearing, then the upper ball joint should be replaced.
VAZ 21093 front hub
- Pull the wheel by the bottom. Accordingly, if there is still play, then the lower ball joint needs to be changed.
Note: if only one bearing has failed, then it is better to immediately change the second one, since it will most likely also break very soon.
Useful tips
By following these guidelines you will ensure that your new bearings last longer:
- when replacing a damaged part, place a new one on both front wheels, so the entire system will work more stable (after the procedure, the wheel alignment is checked);
- the bearing is cooled before use, and the rotating mechanism, on the contrary, is heated, this will allow pressing to be carried out with minimal labor costs;
- try to buy new spare parts in stores with a good reputation that have the necessary certificates of conformity and other documents confirming the quality of the products sold.
Replacing the front hub
Necessary:
- Unscrew the wheel nut with a 30 mm socket.
- Raise the car on a jack.
- Remove the wheel.
- Remove the brake caliper.
- By removing the brake disc, you will have access to the front hub.
- Unscrew the hub nut. It is secured with three bolts. The bolts are too close to each other, so the head becomes very tight here and is difficult to rotate.
Note: You can loosen these bolts slightly and then remove them. If the bolt is very tight, you can warm it up.
- Using a screwdriver, pull the hub out of its seat.
Mounting the front hub on a VAZ 2109
- Thoroughly clean the seat.
- An oil seal must be inserted into the hub housing. It needs to be pryed off, as it will get in the way (it can be inserted into a new hub). To make it fit better, its seat should be lubricated with oil.
- Traces of dirt will remain under the oil seal, so that in the future dirt does not get under the new oil seal, it is necessary to lubricate it with a special liquid.
- Put the hub in place. Lightly tighten the hub nut so that the hub does not fall out.
- Press it in.
- Tighten all the necessary screws on the reverse side.
Symptoms of a problem
In particular, the breakdown is indicated by:
- the appearance of noise in the front (where the racks are located) when driving;
- a fairly strong vibration is felt in the cabin (it usually occurs if the lubricant dries out or if the bearing is excessively dirty);
- a crunching or metallic grinding sound is heard (element breaking).
To confirm your suspicions, test the node in the following simple way:
- the problematic side is lifted on a jack;
- remove the wheel;
- the disc is scrolled manually.
Its smooth movement indicates serviceability; the presence of the characteristic sound of rolling balls indicates that the bearing has become unusable.
When starting to replace the above-mentioned part, choose one of the methods described in this article that is most suitable for you.
How to change a part on a VAZ 2109 using method No. 3 without removing the rack and without using a puller
The rotating mechanism assembled with the hub is dismantled. Then the hub itself is knocked out of the axle (possibly with a removable device or a press). It will be necessary to do a wheel alignment.
Execution order:
- After dismantling the caliper, unscrew the two bolts securing the strut.
- Just as described above, we dismantle the rotating mechanism from the ball joints and remove the CV joint. Then, on the table, unscrew the drum from the hub (or do this in advance).
- Remove the protective cover.
- We free the fist from unnecessary elements and clamp it in a vice.
- We knock out the hub, and then the old wheel bearing, or use a vice, press or puller.
- We install the new product, clamp the structure in a vice without distortions, as shown in the photo, and press it into place.
The process is shown in more detail in the video:
Minimum list of tools and spare parts:
- flat screwdriver,
- chisel,
- hammer,
- spanners,
- socket wrench or 30mm socket,
- wd-40,
- jack,
- wheel wrench,
- small mount,
- lubricant for bearings (CV joint, lithol),
- new bearing,
- puller
Pullers come in different types. For example, a universal puller. That's why their sizes are different. When purchasing, take the one you find convenient.
Wheel hub puller for VAZ 2109
