The main task of shock absorbers is to keep the wheel in constant contact with the road to avoid loss of control over the car. Currently, a large variety of shock absorbers from different manufacturers are offered for the Lada Granta/Kalina family. Let's figure out which shock absorbers are better to choose: original or analogue.
Part Description
The racks (they are most often called telescopic) absorb shocks and impacts that are directed at the car body. For example, when you are driving on a rough road or off-road.
The part includes a shock absorber, spring and several other parts. Since struts are considered an important element of the entire suspension system, their malfunction leads to emergency situations on the road.
Thanks to the stabilizer struts, comfort is maintained, maneuverability and control are ensured, regardless of how fast the vehicle is moving. In addition, they firmly connect the wheel mechanism and the body itself.
Symptoms of a problem
Which struts are best to install on Priora and Kalina (+ Station wagon), first you need to make sure that it’s really time for you to change the shock absorbers. Surely they can tell you this in a service equipped with a special stand. But, there are also folk methods of determination. A sign of problems with this unit is a “breakdown” of the rack. At the same time, you will feel a shock when passing an obstacle.
Knocks may also be observed, but this may be a consequence of malfunctions of other components. In garage conditions, you can use the following method. To do this, press on the corner of the car and release. With a good stance, the car will make 1.5 moves and calm down. If more, then you can safely change the part. Please note that racks are replaced in pairs.
The original shock absorbers on Priors and Kalinas are oil-based. They are quite tough and often not very hardy. Depending on the operating conditions, they can travel 60-80 thousand kilometers. Experienced car enthusiasts do not recommend using original parts for replacement. If you want to use this type of rack on your car, then it is best to purchase analogues. They are more reliable and provide greater comfort.
Gas shock absorber struts are not used as standard. But this does not prevent you from installing them when replacing them. Cars with such shock absorbers hold up well on the road, even at low speeds. Therefore, they are preferred by drivers who love speed. Gas-oil shock absorbers have mixed characteristics. For everyday driving, mechanics often offer clients this option.
Troubleshooting
As mentioned above, malfunctioning struts are a common problem, especially for novice drivers. Immediately after detecting the primary symptoms of a breakdown, it is recommended to replace the part with a similar one.
The most noticeable “symptom” is oil leakage. Oily spots may appear under the car. If everything is in order with other elements, it is worth replacing the racks. Make sure there is no external damage: any cracks or chips.
If the car body sways strongly when driving, it does not stay in the rut and “wobbles,” which means that the stabilizer is not working correctly. This can lead to you flying into the oncoming lane or falling into a ditch if you often drive on intercity highways.
Note that the stabilizer strut is a consumable part, which is useless to repair. The most rational solution is to purchase a new spare part and install it instead of the faulty one. Moreover, now you can choose almost any part, the main thing is that it matches the dimensions of the car. Let's consider several replacement options.
We are finalizing the system
Such a tuning event aims to achieve the following qualities:
- create a durable suspension that at the same time provides sufficient comfort;
- increase ground clearance, which means installing special spacers or replacing (stretching) springs with the installation of extended struts;
- replace the “original” racks with collapsible analogues.
Faulty shock absorber struts can cause the ABS system to not function correctly. LADA Kalina is initially equipped with racks that do not require their repair.
To avoid the need to systematically replace the entire rack due to a failed shock-absorbing element, we produce collapsible versions of the products.
- We dismantle the standard rack and free it from the support and spring.
- We clamp the product in a vice and saw off the top part.
- Next, we weld a glass with a threaded part for a special nut to this place.
- We purchase liners (shock absorbers).
- Pour a sufficient portion of oil inside the rack and install the liner. Screw the indicated nut on top. It is advisable to seal it to prevent the risk of spontaneous unscrewing. If the length of the liner turns out to be less than the size of the modernized rack, then we grind out rings of the required thickness, which we immerse in the rack after installing the liner.
- We install the new product on the LADA Kalina car. The main thing is to decide in advance which shock absorbers to install in the car.
Original spare parts
Most vehicle owners prefer to install only original parts from the manufacturer that were originally supplied with the car. Factory spare parts for Lada Kalina Universal are marked with article number 2110-290540203. Their cost varies from 2200 to 2500 rubles. The racks are produced by the Skopinsky Automotive Aggregate Plant, that is, they are domestic.
Owners of Lada cars note that it is better to immediately replace the original parts with foreign-made analogues immediately after purchasing the vehicle, as they are of much better quality. However, it all depends on you. Some people, on the contrary, only like racks from SAZ.
Parts are often counterfeited. In order not to stumble upon non-original spare parts, make sure of the quality of the product. Ask for accompanying sales certificates and carefully inspect the packaging.
All barcodes and names must be printed clearly. The presence of extraneous logos is unacceptable. The parts should be free of burrs, chips and cracks of paint, and other external defects. Unless, of course, you purchase used parts.
In general, models of the category “Standard 1118 (1119)”, “Sport 1119” and “Highway 1118”, “Optima 1119” are considered the standard choice. Highway and Sport are narrowly focused struts, so they are not practical for city driving. The most common option is the Optima category racks. Note: they are good both off-road and on high-quality trails.
Original parts are covered by a warranty; the kit must contain a coupon. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase them from an official dealer or trusted reseller.
Which struts to take: oil or gas?
Since each person’s concept of good is different, each motorist has his own criteria for “good racks.” For example, some install only high-tech gas shock absorbers on a vehicle. Although they cost a little more than oil ones, they also have a longer service life. Some people prefer oil shock absorbers, which are softer. But these elements have one drawback - at low temperatures the racks become rigid. We have already talked in more detail about replacing struts on Lada Kalina here.
SAAZ oil struts were installed on Kalina from the factory. Some people immediately after purchasing a car purchase new racks of imported or domestic production. This could be, for example, ss-20 or Kayaba.
Shock absorber manufacturers
Today, many manufacturers make racks for cars that can also be installed on Kalina
Among the variety of racks and their manufacturers, attention should be paid to the following:
- SAAZ. Installed on the car at the factory. They are not reliable and have a long service life. Factory SAAZ rack
- Kayaba. Manufacturer – Japan. The racks have good performance. When choosing shock absorbers of this brand, you need to be careful, since most of them are currently produced in China, and therefore they are of worse quality compared to the original Japanese ones. Kayaba stance - rigid but reliable
- ASOMI. Domestic manufacturer of racks for VAZ and GAZ cars. The manufacturer makes good racks, but the disadvantage of the product is that the warranty on it is one year, and then only on condition that the racks were installed at a specialized service station. ASOMI racks are a very popular alternative among Kalinovodov
- SS. Domestic manufacturer. Makes spare parts for the chassis of domestic cars. Most Lada Kalina owners prefer to install shock absorbers from this particular manufacturer on their cars. With such struts, the car will be moderately rigid, and it will also hold the road well when maneuvering. Warranty – 2 years. You can install the racks yourself. In this case, the warranty also applies to them.
Currently, the following types of racks are sold for Kalina:
- Highway 1118.
- Standard 1118.
- Standard 1119.
- Sport 1119. Complete suspension kit for front and rear - KALINA SPORT
- Optima 1119.
Standard racks from these categories are practically no different from the factory ones. Highway and Sport are narrowly targeted, and therefore few people choose to install them on their car. The last option is the most common and popular. They are installed on cars that are used under normal conditions. They performed well when driving both on bad roads and on the highway. The driver will also find a warranty card in the package along with the racks.
It is recommended to buy all parts and spare parts for the chassis only from trusted sellers, and preferably from an official dealer of the manufacturer.
Analogs
You can save on consumables by purchasing non-original parts. They may be a little more expensive, but the quality will be much better than the factory ones. The following options for replacing front struts are in greatest demand among experienced drivers:
| Company name | vendor code | Price, rub.) |
| KYB | 343357 | 2000 |
| Monroe | D0309 | 3750 |
| Mando | EX546512S000 | 3450 |
| Tokiko | B3086 | 3360 |
| Fenox | A51121 | 3100 |
As you can see from the table, the price range is large. You should not think that similar options will fail faster - the reason for the low price is that they are produced by little-known brands. In general, all offered auto parts have decent, proven quality.
The situation is the same with the rear struts. It is advisable to order front and rear struts from the same manufacturer to minimize risks. It is also strictly forbidden to change only one rack, or use the right and left racks from different companies.
Models most suitable for Lada:
| Company name | vendor code | Price, rub.) |
| LYNXauto | O12426LR | 1500 |
| Maxtrac | MCD0556R | 4010 |
| ZF Sachs | 314048 | 3980 |
| TiGuar | 9701423-GT | 1770 |
| Monroe | 26529 | 2500 |
Of course, even parts from little-known companies can be counterfeited by Asian manufacturers. The safety rules when choosing are still the same - carefully examine the packaging and compare it with the original one. Check that the parts are in excellent condition - without visible external defects such as paint chips, cracks, scratches, or various damages.
"ASOMI"
This manufacturer offers two lines of parts. They are more versatile than the SS20 described above. This allows you to use spare parts without worrying about operating features:
- Gas-oil struts “Comfort PRO” can be used on roads with any surface. At the same time, shock absorbers have an excellent resource;
- Comfort CLASSIC, these are classic oil struts. Due to their high rigidity, they show good behavior at high speeds.
This manufacturer attracts attention with a combination of relatively low price and high quality.
The process of replacing the front struts on a Lada Kalina
Now it's time to figure out how to properly replace the front stabilizer links. To do this, it is not necessary to dismantle the stabilizer itself. To work, we need a socket head or wrench for 17 and 19, a mallet (rubber hammer) and a compound suitable for lubrication. Be prepared to use a jack.
The process itself takes little time and will be simple even for a beginner. Let's get started:
- Having opened the hood, carefully turn the nut securing the strut to the support using a spanner. We don’t completely get rid of the part, we just loosen the fastening. We jack up the car by hanging the front wheel. It will have to be removed. We install wheel chocks under the two rear wheels.
- We move the brake hose to the side, releasing it from the mounting groove. We generously lubricate all connections (including the steering tip, rack mounts, and steering knuckle). We wait 5-10 minutes.
- Let's move on to dismantling outdated parts. Unscrew the steering tip nut and disconnect the cotter pin. We use a hammer. Now remove the dismantled parts from the previous place of fixation.
- Using sockets 19 and 17, unscrew the connection between the steering knuckle and the strut. If the fastener remains in place, we will again have to generously lubricate it and knock it out. Now all that remains is to disassemble the stand, then get rid of the support nut and the support itself.
- We put the boot and bumper on the new part, then (optionally) install new sound insulators and a spring. Check that the top of the spring is in place. After removing the ties, install the parts in the reverse order. It is advisable to secure the new rack with new bolts, but the diameter should be identical.
Please note: it is recommended to replace the front struts at the same time. It is unacceptable to use right and left racks from different manufacturers, as well as install faulty parts or spare parts that are not suitable for a specific Lada model.
The process of replacing rear struts on Lada Kalina
The order of work differs slightly. To replace the rear struts you must:
- Put the car on the handbrake and park it on a level surface. The rear wheels are suspended alternately.
- Having prepared a flat-head screwdriver, reclining the rear seat in advance, get rid of the pillar cap (it covers the rod). Using a socket wrench size 17, get rid of the fastening. The rod must be held with a 6 key. Remove the nut along with the engraver and washer.
- We tighten the spring using zip ties. The lower mount of the rack is unscrewed using a 19mm wrench. If the nut or bolt is stuck, lubricate it with WD-40.
- Install new components in reverse order. Don’t forget to replace the bolts, boots, bumpers, and rubber bands with new ones.
This completes the process of replacing components. No alignment is required.
