Replacing ball joints on a VAZ-2104-2107

Ball joints are an element of the front (in some models and rear) suspension of a car, designed to provide a rigid but movable connection of the arms with the wheel hubs.

Their main function is to hold vertically rotating wheels in a certain position relative to the horizontal plane.

The “seven” ball joint consists of a cover (housing), a ball pin with a boot that protects it from dirt and moisture, as well as a pressure plate.

The pin on one side has a rounded shape, and on the other there is a thread with which it is attached to the suspension arm. When the car moves, it “swings” in the cover, tilting at a certain angle in different directions. All components of the structure are made of steel.

The front suspension of the VAZ 2107 is equipped with two pairs of ball joints: two supports for each wheel (lower and upper).

Malfunctions

During the operation of the car, especially on our roads, the suspension is subjected to significant load, most of which falls on the ball joints. Naturally, over time they wear out, which leads to an increase in the gap between the spherical surface of the finger and the bottom of the case. The reasons for premature failure of ball joints are:

damage to the anthers, resulting in moisture and dirt getting inside the structure;

• lack of lubrication inside the support;
• high dynamic loads when driving off-road.

You can determine that the ball joint has failed by the following signs:

• knocking in the front suspension while driving on rough roads;
• difficulty turning the steering wheel, accompanied by creaking;
• “wobble” of the steered wheels when driving, vibration in the steering rack, and as a result, uneven tire wear.

How to independently determine the malfunction

If your car shows signs of ball joint malfunctions, have them diagnosed. There are two ways to do this at home, but it is better to approach this issue comprehensively, using them in turn.

First, let's look at the most accurate method. The cover of the original VAZ ball has a technological hole at the bottom, through which you need to measure the distance between the surface of the cover and the edge of the spherical surface of the finger. This can be done using a special depth gauge or an ordinary thin rod and ruler. If the depth gauge enters the support more than 11.8 mm, it is time to change the support.

The next method is to determine the amount of play between the finger and the cover without any tools. You just need to touch the support body and your finger with your hand at the same time, and loosen the front part of the car. If there is play, you will definitely feel it.

Do I need to change ball joints and when to do it?

The average service life of ball joints for the VAZ 2107, depending on their quality and operating conditions, is 30-100 thousand kilometers. If the car has traveled 100 thousand km and the supports have not made themselves known, it is still better to replace them. Replacement is also necessary if any signs of malfunction appear.

Untimely diagnosis and replacement of these suspension elements will lead to the fact that at one point the wheel or wheels of the car will simply turn outward and lay the car on its “belly”. In this case, the entire suspension will have to be repaired.

How much do ball joints cost, and how much will it cost to replace them?

If one ball is faulty, it is recommended to replace all the others. Prices for a set of supports, depending on the manufacturer, can vary from 1100 to 3000 rubles. When choosing a kit, pay attention to the manufacturer, and do not skimp. The catalog number of the original upper ball joint for the VAZ 2107 is 21012904192, for the lower one – 21012904082.

The cost of replacing 4 balls at a service station is from 800 rubles.

https://youtu.be/https://youtu.be/Aw1H8p2Kc1E
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Symptoms of ball faults on a VAZ 2101-07

The very first sign of a problem can be considered a knocking sound when driving over uneven surfaces. It may indicate pin wear or lack of lubrication in the joint. If the knocking appears when it is cold and disappears as you move further, then there is nothing to be afraid of.

Other signs of trouble:

• creaking when turning the steering wheel;
• tight steering wheel;
• car yaw on the road;
• crunching sound when turning the wheel

If these symptoms appear, you need to drive into a pit or lift and check the play in the hinges. Lift the wheel, ask your partner to hold down the brake pedal and rock it vertically; if there is play, the ball joints need to be replaced. You can accurately determine a faulty ball joint using a long installation:

Replacement

Required tool:

• open-end wrench 22;
• open-end wrench 13;
• special puller for ball joints;
• jack;
• wheel wrench;
• metal brush;
• rust remover (VD-40 or equivalent);
• special lubricant for ball joints.

Work order for replacing the upper ball joint

1. We place the car on a flat horizontal surface and engage the gear.
2. We jack up the desired side of the car and remove the wheel.
3. We place a log or bricks under the bottom and remove the jack.
4. We get rid of dirt and rust on the upper support fastening elements using a metal brush.
5. We treat the support mounting nuts with an anti-rust agent.
6. Jack up the lower suspension arm.
7. Using a 22mm wrench, unscrew the nut on the ball pin a few turns.

   

8. Use a special puller to squeeze the finger out of the steering knuckle.
9. Unscrew the nut 22 completely and pull the finger out of the fist.
10. Using a 13mm wrench, unscrew the nuts securing the ball joint housing (3 pcs).
11. We dismantle the upper ball joint.

    

12. We check whether there is enough lubricant in the new ball. If there is not enough lubricant, apply it to your finger and stuff it under the cover.
13. We install the ball joint in the reverse order.

Work order for the lower ball joint

1. Remove dirt and rust with a wire brush.
2. We clean and treat the fastening elements of the lower support with an anti-rust agent.
3. Using a 22mm wrench, unscrew the ball pin mounting nut a few turns.
4. Using a puller, squeeze the pin out of the steering knuckle.
5. Unscrew the pin nut.

   

6. Using a 13mm wrench, unscrew the nuts securing the ball housing to the suspension arm.
7. We remove the support.
8. Carefully lubricate the pin and body with new ball grease.
9. We install the new lower ball joint in the reverse order.

Replacing the ball joint VAZ 2101 - 2107

Replacing the ball joint itself is not difficult and comes down only to the difficulty of removing the ball joint pin from the steering knuckle. Everything there is made to fit a cone, which gives a very tight connection.

Let's start looking at everything in order. First you need to tighten the handbrake, install the wheel chocks, and turn on first gear. Next, you need to remove the wheel and, raising the car higher using a jack, place a log or timber under the lower arm. It is advisable to use a wooden backing, as the wood will not slip and the car will not move.

Then we move on to the direct replacement of the ball. We will need a 22mm wrench with which we need to unscrew the nut securing the ball joint pin.

After you have unscrewed the nut, you need to remove the support pin from the tapered hole. For this I found 3 ways:

1. Just hitting it with a hammer (where exactly to look in the picture below). This method is reliable, but it is not so easy to manage to deliver a good sharp blow.
2. Using the tutorial. It is very convenient (for me personally) to use a finger from a tractor caterpillar as an attachment. You can use any tool convenient for you.
3. The easiest, but most difficult to do, is to use a special puller.

It would also not be amiss to add that sharp blows must be delivered. The finger will not jump out from sluggish and many blows; it may take one, but strong and sharp. After the support pops out of the fist, you can unscrew the 3 bolts that secure the support to the lever.

Installing a new ball joint is done in the reverse order.

Here's a quick rundown of replacing the top mount. The lower support is replaced in almost the same way, you just have to remember that you need to limit the lever when the support is removed, otherwise the spring may jump out and cause unnecessary problems...

Recommendations for servicing the VAZ 2101 suspension

• In the absence of personal experience in servicing a car, use the services of certified service stations and workshops that provide a guarantee for the work performed;
• Buy and install parts exclusively from original, factory-produced parts;
• Do not violate the installation algorithm;
• Do not neglect the recommendations of the experts, take a moderate driving style as a rule;
• Try to operate the car on roads with a smooth surface, with a minimum number of holes and potholes.

Subject to compliance with the proposed recommendations, subsequent maintenance of suspension elements after 10,000 km, replacement after 30 - 35 thousand. A number of service station mechanics advise not to reach the specified interval, but to carry out preventive work already at around 7 - 8 thousand km. For domestic transport, 10,000 km is a long mileage. Diagnostics in later periods is not always effective and helps prevent breakdowns. Considering that the model has long been discontinued, and the average age is 30 - 35 years, the car must be inspected every two weeks.

Replacement of ball joints VAZ 2107

Ball joints allow the front wheels to move horizontally while restraining vertical movement. A breakdown while driving can cost the lives of the driver and passengers. Therefore, every driver of the “Seven” should know the methods for diagnosing ball joints, as well as imagine the process of replacing ball joints on a VAZ 2107.

How to determine the malfunction?

There are several ways to determine the condition of the ball joints:

1. With an assistant, we rock the car by pressing the front wings one by one. An uncharacteristic sound will come from the side where the balls are worn.
2. Jack up the wheel and ask an assistant to press the brake pedal. We grab the wheel and try to swing it to the sides. When the wheel is locked, play is immediately felt.
3. On the VAZ 2107 of the last years of production, holes appeared in the ball joints for diagnosing pin wear. To check the lower ball joint, insert the rod of a caliper into the hole as in the diagram below.

Required parts:

Original support numbers: upper - 21012904192

, lower -
21012904082
.

However, we do not recommend buying original balls. It is better to look towards manufacturers such as TRW or Lemforder. They cost more, but last many times longer. The service life of such ball joints is from 20 to 100 thousand kilometers, depending on use.

Lemforder support numbers: top - 37320 01

, bottom -
37315 01
.

Tool needed for work

• wheel bolt wrench;
• jack;
• spanner for thirteen, twenty-two;
• head at thirteen;
• knob;
• torque wrench;
• hammer;
• metal brush;
• mount;
• penetrating lubricant;
• puller for ball joints and steering ends.

Upper and lower ball joint replacement process

First, it is worth noting that the process of replacing the upper and lower ball joints of the VAZ 2107 is identical. Below in the instructions we will describe replacing the upper support.

1. Jack up and remove the wheel.
2. We turn the steering wheel to its extreme position to make it more convenient to work.
3. Spray three ball mounting bolts and one pin bolt with penetrating lubricant.
4. Unscrew the nut securing the pin to the knuckle using a twenty-two wrench.
5. Unscrew the three nuts securing the ball joint to the lever. Thirteen head nuts.
6. We install the puller and press the finger out of the fist.
7. We lift the upper lever using a pry bar and completely remove the finger from the fist.

Let's summarize

For the first time, without experience, replacing supports takes approximately one hour. The price for replacing VAZ 2107 ball joints at a service station is from 800 to 1500 rubles. Calculate how much money you can earn in an hour and decide whether you need to change the ball joints yourself.

See the procedure for replacing ball joints on a VAZ 2107 in this video:

What's good about the VAZ 2101?

Let's start with the fact that the car is morally outdated. Today it is very difficult to find the famous penny in normal condition. But, oddly enough, it has advantages. However, like the entire VAZ 2101-2107 model range. It is rear-wheel drive (in the good sense of the word). It is worth noting one feature - all expensive car models have rear-wheel drive! Some, of course, are complete, but their cost turns out to be even higher. And, despite the fact that the VAZ 2101 BU costs about 20-30 thousand rubles (taking into account all the crises and other adversities), it can safely be classified as an elite car.

Yes, about 30 years ago this model was successful, it really was elite (after the Volga and ZIL). But the designers didn’t take into account the cost of production. After all, it turns out that making a car with front-wheel drive is much cheaper than making a car with rear-wheel drive. A cardan shaft with crosspieces, as it turns out, increases production costs. The VAZ 2101 levers, which are an integral part of the suspension, do the same. And if you remember about the rear gearbox and axle shafts? In short, citizens, it’s much cheaper to supply four grenades! That's it, we have already classified the kopeck as an expensive car, now it is on a par with such global auto giants as BMW and Mercedes. But let's take a closer look at the features of the front suspension of the VAZ 2101?