Replacing the VAZ 2107 radiator grille - simple solutions to a big problem

The radiator grille of the VAZ 2107 is a part that is one of the first to be replaced when tuning the “Seven”. By changing this element, the driver solves two problems at once - it significantly improves the appearance of the car and promotes faster cooling of the engine by allowing more air to reach the latter.

Replacing the radiator grille of a VAZ 2107

The grille performs several functions:

— protects the radiator from damage by foreign objects;
— directs air flow, improving radiator airflow;

— prevents contact with a hot radiator;

— protects the radiator from direct sunlight;

- improves appearance, being an important design element.

Tuning

The radiator grille is one of the first components of the VAZ 2107 that undergo tuning. This decision of car owners is explained by the fact that when creating the chrome-plated radiator grille of the VAZ 2107, the designers did not take into account the fact that the hood quickly begins to rust under it. This is due to its shape. The radiator grille is the “face” of every car, so car owners want to give it an original look.

Do-it-yourself tuning of this design from 2107 is carried out using 2 methods.

1. An expensive but simple option is to purchase a ready-made grille for the VAZ 2107 radiator in specialized stores or showrooms. Here this design is presented in different variations - made of chrome, plastic, with a matte finish and in any color. As for installing this element, this process is not labor-intensive and can easily be done independently. VAZ 2107 radiator grilles are mounted on a standard analogue or instead of it. Due to the presence of mounting holes, they are easily fixed.
2. A cheap but difficult way is a hand-made VAZ radiator grille.

The second method involves dismantling the old structure. Tuning the radiator grille on the 2107 with your own hands is carried out using the following equipment: a jigsaw, scissors, cardboard or plastic, fiberglass. The central part of the part is cut out using a jigsaw. As a result, holes will appear at the fixation points. Next, you will need a thin but flexible material with which you can go around the inner contour of the workpiece. For this, experts recommend using plastic or cardboard. These are used to create a blank for a new radiator grille. Excess material is cut off.

The workpiece will initially need to be coated with fiberglass and epoxy resin in several layers. The contact points are first degreased and sanded. After the last layer has dried, the plastic or cardboard will need to be removed. The joints are puttied, sanded, primed and painted. The last stage involves tightening the grid with a mesh.

Replacement

1. The first thing you need to do is wash the car. This will make it easier for you to remove and install a new radiator grille.

2. To remove the radiator grille, use a Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the six self-tapping screws securing the radiator grille.

3. Remove the radiator grille from the VAZ 2107 car.

4. To remove the upper part of the radiator grille, use an 8 mm socket wrench to unscrew the four nuts securing the radiator grille to the hood.

5. Remove the radiator grille from the hood.

6. Installation of the radiator grille on a VAZ 2107 car is performed in the reverse order.

How to remove

First of all, open the hood, take the 8 key and unscrew the 4 nuts that secure the radiator grille on top

After this, you need to unscrew 3 screws from the bottom and 3 screws from the top on the front side of the radiator grille

Now we remove the grille from the car

2 Making your own accessory

The second option is more difficult to implement, but it is entirely worth the amount of money spent. We are talking about making the part yourself. For this we need:

• fiberglass;
• plastic;
• cardboard;
• scissors;
• jigsaw

Making your own radiator grille
Having all the materials at your disposal, you can start tuning. First you need to make the base of the radiator grille. After this, holes are made in it for fixation. Next, you need to find a flexible and thin material with which you can bend the workpiece along its internal contour. Experts recommend using cardboard or plastic for this purpose. The resulting workpiece is tried on the old part, after which all excess parts are cut off.

In order to “finish” our grille, we will need to apply epoxy resin and fiberglass to it. In this case, at least 2-3 layers of resin are needed. Before application, do not forget to degrease and sand the workpiece. Once the last layer of resin has dried, the remaining cardboard must be removed. All joints must be sanded, primed and painted. At the last stage of tuning, our radiator grille is covered with a mesh. To do this, you can use regular fine mesh chain-link mesh from a hardware store.

Replacing the grille

Regardless of what goals are pursued when replacing the radiator grille, the old element will in any case have to be removed from the car.

How to remove the cladding

To dismantle the decorative element, you will need a minimum set of tools, consisting of an 8-mm wrench and a Phillips screwdriver. The work consists of the following actions:

From the engine compartment, use a key 8 to unscrew the fasteners of the upper part of the grille, after which it is removed from the hood.

In addition to decorative, the radiator lining also has a protective function. Thus, this element is an integral part of every car, including the VAZ 2107. A wide selection of radiator grilles allows you to transform and highlight the car. If you can’t find a suitable option from ready-made products, you can do the cladding yourself.

Features of the decorative grille of the VAZ 2107

It is worth considering that when making the VAZ 2107 grille it is impossible to imagine any intended shape. When developing a sketch, you need to build a standard lattice design. The simplest option. make a lattice out of plastic. To make gratings, the presence of a soldering iron, a hacksaw and paint is no worse than the factory one.

The work begins with creating the frame. You can take it from the old grate, removing the excess. After starting work inside. Here you can apply both parts of standard grids, as well as individual elements made by yourself. Large holes or the entire area can be covered with steel mesh. When calculating the pattern, it should be noted that the size of the grid must be larger than the size of the frame to be closed. This is necessary to fix the mesh on the inside of the grille. To secure it, you can apply silicone, U-shaped clamps, glue, plastic clamps. It is better not to tighten the mesh with screws and washers - this fastening is very short.

Read:

Silicone adhesive is ideal for attaching letters, stickers and other decorative grille elements.

Setting up the grid. it's a creative process. It can be fantasy and use all available materials. The design of the grille can vary and take on the most original shapes. Only the skeleton should remain unchanged. The VAZ 2107 grille, the customization of which is complemented by changes in the bumper design, can significantly improve radiator cooling.

What are they like?

On the seven you can install a new radiator grille, which can be factory-made or made by yourself. The DIY method is much more difficult, but the owner will receive a unique shape and design of the device. Materials such as carbon, plastic, chrome steel, aluminum and others are used for manufacturing. We will look at each version of radiator grilles on the VAZ 2107 in more detail below.

Regular

The sevens that came out of the Volga plant were equipped with plastic grilles with a chrome finish. In its central part there is a radiator grille emblem. The chrome coating of the product makes the front of the car stand out, but even despite this, many decide to replace the device with a tuned design. Standard installations have article number 2107-8401014.

Aluminum

The standard lining of the seven can be replaced with an aluminum structure. Aluminum has more advantages than chrome-plated plastic, which is why very often owners opt for aluminum radiator grilles. To enhance strength and corrosion resistance, the aluminum structure is made using silicon.

Stainless

Stainless steel products are also popular, as their main advantage is their resistance to corrosion. In addition, the stainless steel radiator grille on the VAZ 2107 is cheaper than an aluminum structure. The advantages also include the ease of processing of stainless steel, which ultimately allows you to get a design no less attractive than the standard one with a chrome frame.

Carbon

Carbon fiber radiator grilles are almost impossible to make yourself, so there is only one option here - buying a ready-made factory product. Carbon fiber devices are lightweight and highly durable, which has a positive effect on their service life.

Plastic

Plastic products have become very popular due to the low cost and availability of this material. The black radiator grille of the VAZ 2107 has an original look and resembles the VAZ 5 Series model. The plastic structure can be painted in any other color, for example, to match the car body, thereby achieving a unique appearance for the car.

Solid

The solid radiator grille is popular among young people and is a design that covers the entire front part of the car. Under the solid structure are the front headlights, which of course reduces the quality of road surface lighting. The use of a solid structure allows you to greatly change the appearance of the car and make it unique.

To make a version of a solid design, you will need a VAZ 2105 radiator grille, and in triplicate. They are connected, puttied and painted, resulting in a finished product that remains to be attached to the car. To secure the finished product, you will need to make a grille mounting bracket.

Homemade

You can make a unique installation for the radiator of the seven yourself. Moreover, this does not require spending a lot of time and effort, and the final installation is sometimes better than factory products. The easiest way to make a homemade radiator grill is to additionally equip it with a steel mesh with small cells or honeycombs. This mesh is located under the main cladding installation, and, if necessary, is painted chrome or black.

To connect the standard radiator grille with its complementary mesh, you must use silicone, glue or plastic clamps. The result is a modernized installation, through which the appearance of the car significantly changes.

Despite the fact that the production of the 7 stopped quite a long time ago, today a lot of not only spare parts are produced, but also decorative elements for tuning. Particularly popular today are the Fighter and Azard radiator grilles.

Material for customized radiator grille

Read:

There are several types of radiator grilles:

• Aluminum. This versatile, durable material is used in luxury cars and off-road vehicles. The presence of silicon in the alloy increases strength and protects against corrosion.
• Stainless steel grates are less expensive than aluminum and the material is easier to process. The chrome-plated stainless steel radiator grilles look especially good. The composition can be complemented by LED lighting.
• Carbon gratings are characterized by a combination of low weight and high strength and durability. It is impossible to make a carbon steel grate at home, so you can only buy the finished product.
• Plastic gratings are the most common due to their low price and sufficient strength. Plastic allows you to experiment with the appearance of the car without significant damage to the family budget. To improve the appearance of the plastic, you can paint it in a suitable color.

Tips for tuning radiator grilles

Several recommendations from this article will help you during the tuning process.

Use self-tapping screws to attach the metal mesh to the plastic grille. To prevent the grate from splitting, heat the screws with a lighter, burner or blowtorch before tightening them. At temperatures of 150 - 200 degrees, they are easily screwed into any plastic and do not lead to cracks.

Attach the plastic mesh with superglue. To do this, apply a drop of glue to the grid, place the grid on top, and a piece of cellophane film on top of it and press firmly with your finger or palm for 5 - 10 seconds. The film will protect your hand from contact with the glue. After you stop pressing, the film can be cut off using a sharp knife or scissors. The remaining glue that is squeezed out during the pressing process will not have time to harden during this time, so it will not be difficult to remove them with a clean, lint-free rag.

If you couldn't find the necessary tuning elements in a car store, don't despair. Many online stores sell various tuning elements for all car models, as well as materials for their manufacture.

Before you start tuning, make a plan and a drawing that shows what you want to achieve. This will help you choose the right materials and the necessary technology. Carefully read descriptions of such types of tuning on the Internet, this will help you avoid many mistakes.

Tuning VAZ 2107

Car tuning is a way to improve the performance of a vehicle. Moreover, this applies not only to its driving performance, but also to its exterior trim and interior. Such actions can be carried out in special showrooms (tuning studios), or independently, by car owners.

As a result of successful tuning, you can increase the power of the car without significant technical changes and give it an exclusive appearance.

Content

Despite the fact that the VAZ 2107 has already been discontinued, the popularity of this model does not decrease. First of all, this is the last representative of the classics. Affordable price also plays an important role. In addition, competent modification allows you to eliminate all shortcomings. And most importantly, most of the work can be done with your own hands. So such cars will be seen on our roads for several more decades.

What areas of VAZ 2107 tuning exist? Most often, such work is divided into three types:

• exterior tuning;
• interior tuning;
• improvement of the technical part.

External tuning

The minimum that car owners decide to do is to independently make certain changes to the appearance of the vehicle. The original bumpers of the 7& are made of plastic, so they are not very reliable or aesthetically pleasing. There are two ways to solve this problem:

• reinforcement of the finished bumper with a metal L-shaped profile;
• production of a new reinforced bumper.

During installation, the distance to the body must be increased. Such tuning will not only help make the appearance of the car more impressive, but will also protect the car from light impacts.

The next step is head optics. There are several options here: replacing the standard optics with new headlights from more modern vehicle brands. Additionally, you can equip your VAZ with anti-fog optics; replacement of only individual elements (incandescent lamps, reflectors, glass itself, etc.). One of the most popular operations is installing a lens from an additional Oka rear light; addition of optics with special decorative stickers, rims and other components.

Replacing the radiator grille will help to effectively complete the modification of the exterior. To do this, in addition to the original grille, you will need another new one. The sequence of actions is as follows:

1. cut out the logo and 5 vertical strips from the first grille;
2. from the second - 5 horizontal and 4 small pieces;
3. solder small elements into the original grille in place of the manufacturer’s badge;
4. install horizontal strips;
5. paint the finished structure in the desired color.

Of course, external tuning is not limited to just these events. You can create an individual shape for the hood, change the design of the 7 door, etc. Some car owners like to apply original designs to their car using airbrushing. However, it is recommended to order it from artists who have experience in such work. You can find quite a lot of photos of interesting options on the Internet.

Interior tuning

Even fans of this brand note that the interior of the VAZ 2107 is not particularly comfortable or beautiful. Many people immediately after purchase try to replace the interior trim with more modern materials. If financial capabilities allow, then you can perform sound insulation. This immediately improves ride comfort.

Other changes affect:

• steering wheel;
• dashboard;
• seats;
• stove.

The need to replace the steering wheel is caused by the fact that it is simply inconvenient to control the car. Preference is usually given to sports steering wheels with a diameter of up to 320 mm. The installation is not too complicated, but it is responsible. Therefore, you first need to carefully study the progress of the work, watch a video about tuning the steering wheel.

The Seven has many options for upgrading the dashboard. The easiest way is to purchase and install in place of standard elements a ready-made set of accessories. If the budget is small, then the best solution is to replace the needles and scales of instruments. You can create new samples yourself, or you can purchase designer stickers.

Interior modification is rarely complete without installing lighting. LEDs can be installed on the dashboard instead of standard light bulbs. A more radical option involves a complete replacement of the backlight throughout the entire period of the panel. The main thing is that during such tuning it is worth checking that the polarity is observed and that the LEDs correspond to the voltage of the on-board network. For the seven it is 12 volts.

Those who spend a lot of time in the car will definitely replace the seats. You won’t be able to limit yourself to reupholstering them, since this measure will help improve the appearance, but the level of comfort will remain the same. It is best to give preference to sports models that follow the curves of the human body and are equipped with lateral supports. A less expensive option is to buy used seats from a good foreign car.

The operation of the stove in this VAZ model raises many complaints. The radiator itself gives off enough heat. The main problem is airflow. The left pipe does not blow through the driver's window and in winter this turns into a real disaster. The easiest option is to install a 50mm computer fan. To do this, the deflector is removed from the left pipe. A hole is cut in it to the size of the fan. After connecting the cooler to the wires, it is necessary to seal the opening as tightly as possible.