How to independently replace the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

You can guess that the driveshaft crosspiece needs to be replaced by the characteristic knocking and vibration coming from outside when the car is moving at a certain speed. The cause of problems that arise is most often an increase in play in the connection of the gear flange with the main gear. Its appearance can be caused by heavy loads when driving over rough terrain or excessive axle loads.

If the backlash is not eliminated initially, over time it can turn into severe runout.

It should also be noted that the driveshaft crosspiece is subject to constant exposure to dust, dirt, and water, since it is located close to the road surface.

Diagnostics of faults does not require serious knowledge or professional equipment. In addition, based on its results, it will become clear whether the driveshaft crosspiece needs to be replaced or can be dispensed with.

Diagnostics of malfunctions of the VAZ 2101 driveshaft

First of all, you need to install the car on a viewing hole or lift. Hold the shaft with one hand and fix the drive gear flange with the other. Holding the connection with both hands, try to turn it (as if twisting them in opposite directions). If you succeed, or if play becomes obvious, you can conclude that the crosspiece is badly worn and needs to be replaced. Delayed repairs in this case will only worsen the situation (the outboard bearing will perform its functions worse, and this will lead to even more serious breakdowns and greater financial costs).

Self-diagnosis of VAZ 2101 driveshaft faults

All work is carried out on a pit or a lift. With one hand you need to grasp the shaft, with the other you need to fix the drive gear flange. Holding this connection with both hands, try turning it, as if twisting them in opposite directions. If during the test you are able to turn the connection even a little or you find some play, rest assured that there is serious wear in the crosspiece, therefore you simply cannot avoid replacing it. If you ignore or delay repairs, you can significantly worsen the situation. For example, due to runout, an outboard bearing may fail, which means more serious repairs and additional financial costs.

If replacing the crosspiece is unavoidable, you have the opportunity to do it yourself or entrust it to service station specialists. For those who chose the first option, my article today will be an excellent assistant and will serve as detailed instructions. As you may have guessed, today I will talk about how to replace the driveshaft crosspiece of a VAZ 2101 with your own hands.

Spare parts needed for this work:

1. Cardan shaft crosspiece.
2. Retaining rings.
3. If the outboard bearing is in poor condition, then buy that too.
4. Also don't forget about new mounting bolts and nuts for the driveshaft. There are often cases when it is not possible to unscrew them, the edges become licked off and then they have to be cut off.

Required tools:

1. Phillips screwdriver.
2. Soft metal attachment (copper or aluminum).
3. Hammer.
4. Keys: “12″, “13″, “27″ (socket and open-end).
5. Special pliers for removing retaining rings.
6. Replacement of the cardan shaft cross must be carried out on a lift or inspection pit.

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the replacement of the crosspiece to a service station specialist or do it yourself at home. Next, we will consider the actions of the car owner who chooses the 2nd option.

Preparing for work

You can't do any job without the right tool. You should prepare:

1. Wrench No. 13. It is better with a head and a ratchet to unscrew the hanging device, and for a flange connection, a spanner or open-end wrench is best suited.
2. Hammer - preferably bronze or copper.
3. A flat blade screwdriver.
4. Pliers.
5. A special puller, if, of course, there is one. Whether to buy it on purpose or not is up to each car owner. You can use a punch.
6. A product like WD-40. In the absence of such, you can also use kerosene, for example, together with an oil can (medical syringe) and a brush.

And, of course, it is better to carry out the work on a lift, overpass or inspection ditch - it will be both more convenient and safer.

If work is carried out on the first two structures, then you need to fix the wheels by placing blocks under them, which will prevent unwanted rolling of the car forward or backward. You must always remember safety precautions before removing the crosspiece from the VAZ-2107 cardan or performing any other work under the car.

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1. Unscrew the fastening nuts where the rear axle shank connects to the cardan. It is better to immediately put marks in order to avoid possible future beating or vibration of an inaccurately installed cardan.

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

1. Using pliers, dismantle the cardan shaft crosspiece and remove the retaining ring.

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

1. Unfold the cardan so that the cross hangs. Use a hammer and a mandrel to knock out her cup.

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

1. Clean the eyes from dirt and corrosion, and take care of the grooves for the locking wheels. Only after this can you proceed to replacing the cross.

Information on how to replace the silent blocks of the VAZ front suspension can be found here

Choosing a universal joint for VAZ 2105

I once had an argument with a mechanic. He argued that crosspieces should not have an oil nipple, since it provides an extra hole for dirt to enter. The hinge quickly becomes clogged and fails. I insisted that without a grease can there would be no way to lubricate the crosspiece - it was somewhat offensive, since before that I had found an almost new screw syringe for lubrication in my grandfather’s garage. “Why, if each part has its own resource,” my opponent answered, “if the lubricant runs out, change the part, especially since it is inexpensive. It is better to pay attention to the seals (O-rings). If they dry out, new lubricant will not save.” Indeed, it is so.

This is interesting: VAZ body repair: how to repair the body of a VAZ 2106, painting, important nuances

When purchasing new crosspieces for the VAZ 2105, you should be guided by the following points.

1. CCs should not be too expensive, since they have to be changed quite often.
2. Spare retaining rings must be included with the CC. On sale you can find kits without rings, consisting only of the cross itself and a rubber seal.
3. For the VAZ 2105, old and new crosspieces are available. It is not recommended to install new reinforced crosspieces on old-style cardan forks - this will reduce the rigidity of the joints. “Sevens” produced after 1990 are equipped with modern driveshaft forks. On such cars you can safely install reinforced joints with additional stiffening ribs on the cups, an increased number of bearing needles (one more than in a conventional joint) and improved characteristics of the seals.

Reinforced crosspieces can be installed on VAZ 2105 produced after 1990.
Among the manufacturers of crosspieces, the following companies have proven themselves to be the best:

• GKN (Germany);

  
  GKN crosspieces are considered the most reliable

• VolgaAvtoProm LLC;

  
  Crosspieces produced by VolgaAvtoProm LLC are of good quality at a low price

• JSC AVTOVAZ.

  
  AVTOVAZ installs crosspieces of its own production on its cars

The price of the crosspiece and the cost of replacing it at the service

The estimated cost of replacing one crosspiece at a service is about 500-600 rubles. Replacing two crosspieces with removing the driveshaft costs about 1,500 rubles.

The cost of one cross is about 250-300 rubles . There are both domestically produced and imported crosspieces on sale (China, Germany, the Netherlands).

When purchasing a crosspiece, you should inspect it for manufacturing defects. All working surfaces must be perfect, without any chips or nicks; all 4 plugs of the cross must have seals.

The seals must also be perfect. If all these requirements are met, the crosspiece will last a very long time.

Installation of a new driveshaft crosspiece VAZ 2101

1. Remove both cups from the cross.
2. Install the cross into the eyes.
3. Slowly put on the cup (while making sure that the needles from the cup do not fall apart).

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

1. Squeeze the cup until a groove is formed for the retaining ring (a soft metal socket is useful here).
2. Install the locking ring, rotate the cardan, moving the cross towards the cup, and put it on.
3. Compress the cup and install the retaining ring.

At this point, the replacement of the VAZ 2101 crosspiece can be considered successfully completed.

Replacing the VAZ 2101 driveshaft crosspiece - installation

1. You need to remove both cups from the cross.
2. Install the cross into the eyes.
3. Slowly, moving it to the side, put on the cup, while making sure that the needles do not fall off from the cup.

1. It is necessary to squeeze the cup until it forms a groove for the retaining ring, to do this, use a soft metal attachment.
2. Install the locking ring, turn the cardan very carefully, while moving the cross forward towards the cup, and put it on. Squeeze the cup and install the retaining ring.

Replacing the VAZ 2101 crosspiece is completed!