Adjusting the steering mechanism of the VAZ 2107

In classic cars, such as the VAZ 2107, the main element of the steering mechanism is the gearbox. Thanks to it, the rotational movements of the steering wheel are transmitted through the rod system to the front wheels. Repairing a VAZ 2107 gearbox is a fairly rare occurrence. The only case is the replacement of the steering worm pair due to its significant wear.

In other cases, you can get by with the standard steering system maintenance procedure. These operations are not particularly difficult and can be easily done with your own hands. As part of maintenance, the manufacturer recommends checking the level and periodically changing the steering gear oil. To do this, it is not necessary to remove it from the car; all operations are performed without disassembly.

Level control is carried out using a thin, clean screwdriver. Using a 8 key, unscrew the plug and use a screwdriver to check for the presence of oil. Its level should be just below the filler hole. If the level is less than required, you need to add oil.

To replace, you must first drain the old lubricant. This can be done by removing the steering gearbox cover, which is secured with four bolts. After all the oil has flowed out, the cap is put back in place and new oil is poured through the filler hole. At this point, replacing the lubricant in the steering wheel can be considered complete.

In addition to the issue of oil control, it is periodically recommended to check for play in the VAZ 2107 steering mechanism. If it is present, adjustment is performed. To work, you will need a large flat-head screwdriver and a 19 mm wrench. It is also advisable to involve an assistant; together, the work will be completed much faster.

To adjust, use a 19-mm wrench to loosen the locking nut and use a flat-head screwdriver to gradually tighten the adjusting screw. In this case, the assistant checks the play while inside the car. After completing the adjustment, hold the screw with a screwdriver and fix its position using a locknut.

If adjustment to eliminate backlash does not help, then the worm pair has too much wear and repair is necessary. In this case, only replacing it can solve the problem. This work can also be done with your own hands, without the help of specialists.

Here you will need to completely remove the gearbox from the VAZ 2107:

Disconnect the rod ends of the steering system - unscrew them and tighten the nuts with a 22mm wrench.
Release the clamp that secures the column and gearbox.
Unscrew the three bolts that secure the gearbox to the body.

Further removal and repair will not cause any difficulties. You just need to remember a few basic rules:

The worm pair is replaced as a set, both elements at the same time.
After disassembly/assembly, adjustments must be made.
It is better not to fill in the old lubricant, but to replace it with a new one.

After the repair is completed, the gearbox is assembled and installed in the reverse order.

Hello). If you got an old Zhiguli car from your Father or Grandfather; or maybe you yourself already bought a Zhiguli; then perhaps you are familiar with this problem, which is actually widespread among old VAZ cars.

As you understand, from the title of the page that I visited, I’m talking about an unadjusted steering gearbox. How does this problem manifest itself?

Main syndromes – 2; - this is a very tightly clamped steering wheel (so tightly that some people turn it not only with two hands, but also help themselves in this with the weight of their own body).

Agree, the situation is very unpleasant, especially in the summer, somewhere in a traffic jam). And in winter it’s probably not good either. And if, when the driver turns such a tight steering wheel, he becomes muscular and strong, then a tight steering wheel definitely has a negative effect on the health of the car; — the resource of such a gearbox will be several times less than what is normally adjusted.

Do you think nothing could be worse with the steering gear)? Now imagine that you are turning the steering wheel (and by the way, it rotates very, and even very easily), but the wheels do not turn at all). By the way, I heard stories where the steering gear was so worn out that even when the steering wheel was turned 180 degrees, the wheels did not even think of moving.

Of course, the last case is completely neglected, and here the usual adjustment will certainly not help. But imagine; - you are driving along the highway 80 - 100 km per hour, the steering wheel is at the zero point, you turn it by 10 degrees, and - the car goes straight. Agree, this is also not at all pleasant.

Adjusting the Steering Gear VAZ 2101 – VAZ 2107

So, take a look at the photo of Rulevogo Reductor - a; - Do you see the nut (by the way, it is 19-size), and the pin with a slot - coming out through exactly that nut? The nut is a lock nut that locks the one we need and directly performs the adjustment - the stud.

Let's assume that the steering gearbox of your VAZ 2101-2107 is too tight. Then, you should take a wrench or a 19-point socket, loosen the nut (which we mentioned above), remove the locking gasket, and Unscrew the Pin with the Slot. This reduces the load on the steering mechanism of the column. Did you unscrew it? — try the steering wheel now.

Malfunction of the steering gearbox.

The VAZ 2107 gearbox does not require excessive intervention. The main condition for normal operation is the presence of lubrication.

Creaks or extraneous sounds in the structure are common damage. Since in this model the steering wheel is attached to the shaft using splines tightened with a nut, if the fastening is loosened, the splines will be most subject to wear, and the steering wheel will dangle. Squeaks may be heard from the driveshaft crosspieces, which appear as a result of wear of the mechanism parts or lack of lubrication.

Also, damage to the steering wheel play is common.

The driveshaft may come off and, as a result, a gap appears. To adjust the steering column, a bolt with a lock nut is provided. The nut is pulled back and the bolt is screwed in until the play returns to normal. This nut is then tightened and secured in position. After this process, the steering wheel will turn much tighter, but the play will be reduced.

Before you start checking the steering mechanism malfunction, subject to the identified symptoms, you need to adjust the gearing. If the adjustment is unsuccessful (for example, the steering wheel rotates tightly, but the play has not disappeared), then you should disassemble the gearbox to find faulty or non-functional parts of the mechanism.

Causes of knocking in the steering column

The steering column does not have a very complex design, however, this does not mean that the system is trouble-free and does not require attention. Regular checking, adjustment and restoration of the functionality of this mechanism will help preserve the life and health of the driver, passengers and pedestrians. The knocking noise may be accompanied by the steering wheel beating when braking. Such manifestations can appear unexpectedly and are caused by:

deformation of system parts;
looseness of fasteners;
leakage of working fluid from the mechanism or lack of lubrication in it;
loosening the ball joint nuts;
increasing the gap between the gear and the rack;
backlash;
weakening the density of connections.

At the same time, there is a kickback on the steering wheel, and this is a problem that needs to be solved. A knocking sound in the column is also possible for other reasons. There are not many of them, as it seems at first glance. Sometimes it is only possible to make an accurate diagnosis when you remove and disassemble the steering wheel. Such sounds appear where the steering parts, instead of fitting tightly to each other, have lost this density.

Often, the detection of a knock when turning the steering wheel is a consequence of misalignment of the steering rack. The malfunction can be removed by tightening it with a special wrench. There are known cases when a knock in the column comes from the electric power steering. Some defects can be conditionally determined visually and by detecting displacements at the joints of the steering column parts.

In this way, a faulty bearing is often detected. However, auto mechanics receive complete information about the causes as a result of professional diagnostics. Only she can specifically indicate where the knocking in the steering column comes from. Sometimes this is a consequence of failure or wear of the bearing located in the steering column bracket, or the needle bearing of the steering shaft crosspiece.

Step-by-step adjustment of the worm gear.

In order to independently adjust the steering gear of a VAZ 2107 car, you need a flat screwdriver, a 19mm wrench, the help of another person and follow the step-by-step work:

In order for the steering mechanism to be adjusted efficiently, the car must be placed on a flat surface, and the wheels must be in a straight position.
Next, open the hood and clean the gearbox from dirt. Then you need to find the adjusting screw located in the center of the crankcase cover. This screw is covered mostly by a plastic plug. Before removing it, the plug must be pryed off with a flat screwdriver.
Then you need to use a 19mm wrench to loosen the nut located on the adjusting screw.
After loosening the nut, the assistant intensively turns the steering wheel in both directions. At this moment, together with it, it is necessary to start rotating the adjusting screw so that the necessary clearance appears in the meshing of the gears. Free play should be minimized and steering wheel rotation should become much easier.
After the gap is adjusted, it is necessary to tighten the lock nut tightly, while holding the screw with a screwdriver.

Elimination

The fight against backlash should begin by checking and tightening all threaded connections. Often the reason is here

Particular attention should be paid to the nut securing the column to the gearbox. With frequent trips on dirt roads and worn-out asphalt, this fastener regularly becomes loose.

If you do not respond to the problem in a timely manner, you risk getting more serious steering problems. The nut may unscrew entirely, leading to complete failure of the steering. This also leads to increased wear of all parts of the mechanism.

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Adjusting the gearbox also helps combat backlash. To do this you will have to look under the hood. There you will see a gearbox. There is an adjustment screw on it. To get to it, you will have to remove the plug. The screw is protected from turning with a 19mm locknut. It is slightly loosened with an open-end wrench. After this, adjustment is made with a screwdriver. The task is to reduce the backlash. If you can’t do this, then it’s time to change the gearbox. It's easier to do the job with two people.

Checking the steering gear.

After adjusting the steering gear of a VAZ 2107 car, axial displacement of the steering wheel is possible. It can be detected if the front wheels are placed in a straight position and at this moment you pull the steering wheel up, in which case the shaft will move.

Increased play in the VAZ 2107 steering wheel is a fairly common problem, characteristic of the entire “classic” family. In most cases, you can fix the problem yourself without resorting to complex, expensive repairs. It is only important to correctly diagnose and localize the causes of play in the steering mechanism.

Sounds from the cabin

In modern cars, the steering wheel is not only needed to turn the car. It often houses controls for certain devices, from changing gears to turning on headlights or adjusting the audio system. Therefore, the driver has a natural concern when clicks appear in the steering column when turning the steering wheel. It is typical that the sound comes from inside the cabin from the area of the horn button.

In this case, there is no need to panic. First, you should check the correct installation and condition of the plastic lining of the column. The possibility of plastic deformation cannot be ruled out. A common reason for this phenomenon is a malfunction of individual elements of the steering column switch that produce such sounds. You can check the quality and fastening of the plastic, and replace the faulty switch. Often this is enough so that when you turn the steering wheel you won’t hear a click in the steering column.

Checking the steering play of the VAZ 2107

Large play in the VAZ 2107 steering wheel is a vague concept. Meanwhile, the permissible steering play has established standards. For “classics” it is 5 degrees. To check the play, a special device is used at the service station - a play meter. At home you can do without it. To do this you will need a ruler, chalk (or wire) and the help of a partner. Checking the amount of play is carried out as follows:

place the machine on a level surface;
check the tire pressure and inflate them if necessary;
align the steering wheel so that the wheels are directed parallel to the axis of the car;

Causes of steering play in VAZ 2107

If you notice unacceptable play in the VAZ 2107 steering wheel, the reasons may be as follows:

The central nut securing the steering wheel to the axle is not tightened;
the nut securing the steering column to the gearbox is loosened;
The worm gear of the steering mechanism is not adjusted;
the steering pendulum bushings are worn out;
The tie rods are damaged or their ends are worn.

All of these problems require immediate intervention. Otherwise, the steering mechanism may fail and the car will lose control.

How to guarantee safety

The safety of a vehicle on the road requires regular checking of the serviceability of vehicle controls. After all, bumps on the road, impacts, braking and other factors negatively affect the technical condition of the steering controls. Steering play and increased wear of parts negatively affect vehicle controllability and road safety. A knocking sound in the steering column and a worn rack are indicators that it's time to work on the car.

Quite a few car enthusiasts, in order to save money, try to put their car control mechanisms in order with their own hands. If this does not apply to new VAZ cars, and the driver is able to perform the work at a professional level, this approach is acceptable. But, if there is a need to repair and maintain the steering control of modern car models, it is advisable to entrust this work to experienced car service technicians.

One of the main devices of a car responsible for control is the gearbox. In the VAZ 2107 car it is made in the form of a cardan. The driveshaft is the most reliable for the driver, since as a result of a frontal collision, it folds without causing harm.

How to remove steering play on a VAZ 2107

You should begin work by checking the tightness of the threaded connections of the steering mechanism and the condition of the steering rods (tips). Bent rods or worn tie rod joints must be replaced. To do this, you will have to use a puller and a 22mm wrench. You should not try to align the rods or repair the ends. For safety reasons, these parts should always be replaced with new ones. Next, you should check the condition of the pendulum and the adjustment of the worm gear. Worn pendulum bushings must be replaced with new ones. To do this, you need to unscrew the steering rods from it (use a 22mm wrench and a puller) and remove the pendulum from the car by unscrewing the mounting bolts. Clamp the pendulum in a vice, remove the cotter pin and unscrew the adjusting nut. Once the nut is unscrewed, you can disassemble the pendulum and replace the worn bushings with new ones. When assembling the pendulum, it is necessary to tighten the adjusting nut so that its bipod rotates with a force of 1-2 kilograms. If all parts are replaced or in good condition, and the threaded connections are tightened, the VAZ 2107 steering play is adjusted by adjusting the steering gearbox. To do this, you will need a 19 mm wrench and a powerful slotted screwdriver. The adjustment is carried out as follows:

In this way, you can adjust the play of the VAZ 2107 steering wheel in accordance with the limits established by the manufacturer.

In other cases, it will be enough to carry out maintenance of the steering system. These activities do not cause any particular difficulties and can be done by hand. The manufacturer’s specialists recommend monitoring the oil level and periodically changing it in the steering gearbox. There is no need to remove it from the car for this; all actions are carried out without disassembly.

The level is checked with a clean thin screwdriver. Using an 8 mm wrench, unscrew the plug and measure the presence of oil. Its level should be slightly below the filler hole. If the level is less, you need to add oil.

To replace, you first need to drain the old lubricant. This can be done by removing the gearbox cover, which is secured with four bolts. After the liquid has completely drained out, the lid is put back in place and a new one is added through the filling hole. At this point, the oil change in the steering system is considered complete.

In addition to monitoring lubrication, it is recommended to periodically check for play. If there is one, adjustment is made. For work, use a large flat screwdriver and a 19 mm wrench. It is advisable to find an assistant, as it is much faster to regulate with two people.

To carry out the process, you need to loosen the clamping nut with a wrench and gradually tighten the adjusting screw with a screwdriver. The assistant simultaneously checks the play while inside the car. After completing the adjustment, hold the screw with a screwdriver and fix its position with a lock nut.

If the procedure performed did not help eliminate the backlash, then this indicates that the worm pair is badly worn and requires repair. In such a situation, the problem is solved by replacing it. This work can be done independently, without the help of specialists.

Here it is already necessary to remove the gearbox from the VAZ-2107:

the tie rod ends of the system are disconnected - they are unpinned, and the nuts are twisted with a 22 mm wrench;
the clamp that secures the gearbox and column is released;
Unscrew the three bolts securing the gearbox to the body.

Device

The steering system on the VAZ 2107 is quite reliable. With its help, a sufficient level of controllability is achieved. Of course, the comfort of the car cannot be compared with modern models, but in general, this model is comfortable to drive.

Control is carried out by transmitting force from the steering column to the wheels. This happens through a gearbox with a worm gear. The steering column itself on the VAZ 2107 is composite. It consists of two parts connected by a universal joint. This allows it to fold up in the event of an accident, and leads to less injury.

The gearbox has an aluminum housing attached to the left side member (in some export versions to the right side). The body contains a globoidal worm. It is combined with a double-ridge roller. The gear ratio of this gearbox does not exceed 16.4. This allows the force to be transmitted as accurately as possible. The design also includes 2 ball bearings. They allow you to avoid increased wear of elements. Worm mechanisms are very sensitive to friction, so the gearbox contains gear lubricant. It must be checked regularly and added if necessary.

The steering mechanism also includes the following elements:

Middle tie rod;
Pendulum arm;
2 lateral (short) pulls.

The middle link is connected directly to the gearbox. This is a fairly reliable structural element. Failures of the long tie rod are rare. A pendulum lever is attached to it on the right. It ensures the stability of the entire system. Small tie rods have ball joints at the ends. This allows you to transfer force to the steering knuckle as efficiently as possible and without heavy loads. These levers are prefabricated. Thanks to the screw thread, it is possible to adjust the wheel alignment angles. The service life of these parts is from 10 to 15 thousand kilometers. When replacing, the new rods are made similar in length to the parts removed.

Conclusion

. The steering on the Zhiguli has its own characteristics. At the same time, such solutions are practically not used on modern cars. Therefore, the question of how to remove steering play on a VAZ 2107 is not uncommon. In general, fixing the problem is not difficult. But, in some cases, the adjustment does not help, then the gearbox will have to be replaced.

Welcome! Steering wheel play is a fairly common problem in almost all cars, especially cars of the “Classic” family. Backlash can occur for various reasons, ranging from a banal collision with a bump and ending with a malfunction in the steering system itself, so in order to remove the backlash you will have to make an effort that you will appreciate in the future.

Note! To adjust the backlash you will need to stock up on: A screwdriver and also a wrench set to “17”!

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What can cause backlash? In fact, it occurs for various reasons, some of which were described above. But if play occurs, this may be to blame: A loose or heavily worn fastening of the steering mechanism, as well as the pendulum arm and the steering rods themselves.

Note! Before sinning on all these items of the steering mechanism, it is first recommended to check and, if possible, correct the increased gap that can be found in the engagement of the roller with the worm of the steering mechanism - we will do this adjustment!

Further repairs will not be a problem.

You only need to follow a few rules:

the worm pair is changed simultaneously, as a set;
after assembly/disassembly, adjustments need to be made;
Do not use old oil, but replace it with new lubricant.

After the repair is completed, the gearbox is assembled and mounted in the reverse order.

The steering gearbox is a rather old mechanical device that is now used mainly on cars of the classic LADA family. Today you will learn what a steering gearbox is - repair, replacement, adjustment with your own hands.

Video - Steering gear repair

In most cases, this unit is not repairable, since it is relatively inexpensive and consists of only two main parts. However, the manufacturer left the option for car technicians to purchase a repair kit.

Before repairing the steering gear, let's determine the malfunctions.

Firstly, it can be repaired if the steering wheel rotates but the wheels do not. This means that there are defects on the threaded part of its shafts that prevent the two interacting parts from touching.
The second type of fault is oil seals. If they have reached critical wear, then the oil from the gearbox will certainly leak, which already leads to its accelerated wear. If there are other mechanical damages, the gearbox must be replaced.

First, remove the faulty unit from the car. After this, press the bipod off its shaft using two hammers. Drain the oil from the gearbox through any technological hole. Now unscrew the four bolts that secure the cover and remove it. To access the worm shaft, you need to unscrew a similar cover on the other side of the mechanism. Pull out the remaining parts and replace the faulty ones. These may include oil seals and damaged shafts. After this, reassemble the gearbox in the reverse order. Don't forget to add oil!

Quick Guide

The main reason for tapping is the formation of a gap in the joints. In the steering system, there may be knocking on the tips, ball joints of the rods, the rack, the “cardan” in the column, the steering wheel on the shaft, or the auto-folding system in case of an accident. The metallic sound is distinct and can be heard in place when rocking the steering wheel.

It is quite possible to mistake problems in the suspension for problems in the steering, since the initial stages of wear of bearings and supports only make themselves felt when cornering at speed. In the suspension part, the cause of the knock should be sought in the wheel bearings, ball joints and “supports”.

How to change the steering gear on a VAZ 2107

If there is more serious damage, the steering gear must only be replaced. To do this, you need to purchase a new VAZ 2107 gearbox and immediately fill it with transmission oil. Now you need to remove the faulty gearbox from the car.

Disconnect the tie rod ends from the tie rods. To do this, first unscrew them, and then unscrew the fastening nuts using a 22mm wrench. To pull them out, you need to use a special puller, which is available in any auto parts store.
Go inside the car and loosen the clamp that secures the steering shaft to the steering gear. Pull the shaft out of engagement with the gearbox.
All that remains is to unscrew the three bolts that secure the mechanism to the engine compartment of the car.
Install the new gearbox in reverse order. Before you start operating the car, do not forget to adjust it.

Adjusting the VAZ gearbox

Adjustment of the steering gear is carried out to get rid of play in the steering wheel, as well as all kinds of discrepancies when it rotates with the position of the wheels. The car wheels must first be aligned.

To adjust the steering gear, you need to unscrew the lock nut on its cover from above and loosen the special adjusting screw. Ask your partner to sit behind the wheel and rotate the steering wheel in different directions with energetic, but not wide movements, while you gradually tighten the adjusting screw. As soon as the steering wheel begins to rotate tightly and the wheels move with the slightest movement, the locknut is tightened.

This completes the adjustment of the steering gear. As you can see, this procedure is not long at all and can be performed with just a 19-mm wrench and a regular flat-head screwdriver.

Adjustment of the steering gear mechanism on a VAZ 2107 car is carried out in cases where the steering wheel becomes difficult to rotate, jamming occurs during rotation, or in the case when axial movements of the steering shaft appear when the wheels are in a straight position. To adjust the mechanism, you will need the help of an assistant, a nineteen wrench and a flat-head screwdriver. To obtain a high-quality result, it is necessary to place the car on a flat horizontal plane with the front wheels aligned straight. Open the hood and wipe off any dirt. The adjusting screw is located in the center of the crankcase cover and is closed with a plastic plug, which must be removed by prying it off with a screwdriver.

The adjusting screw is secured against loosening using a locknut. Loosen the locknut with a nineteen wrench. Now ask your assistant to start turning intensively in both directions, and in the meantime you rotate the adjusting screw and achieve the desired clearance in the gear mesh, at which the steering wheel will rotate as easily as possible (as much as possible), and so that the free play decreases . After adjustment, hold the screw with a screwdriver and tighten the locknut. During operation of the steering gear, worm gears wear out and as a result, axial movement may appear, which manifests itself when the wheels are in a straight position. With the wheels straight, pull the steering wheel up; if the shaft moves, it means there is sufficient wear.

You can try to eliminate it by placing additional gaskets under the steering gear cover. To do this, unscrew the four bolts securing the cover and place one or two gaskets, 0.1-0 thick.

Steering wheel play

The appearance of steering play can be caused by two reasons. First, the nut securing the steering wheel to the shaft is loosened. If the nut is not tightened promptly, the splines on the handlebar and shaft will become damaged over time and one of these parts may need to be replaced. The second reason may be wear of the worm gear. To eliminate this malfunction, a special device is provided - an adjusting bolt with a lock nut.

In order to adjust the worm gear, the nut is released, the screw is turned using a screwdriver until the backlash is eliminated, after which the nut is tightened to prevent spontaneous unscrewing. If it is impossible to eliminate the backlash by adjustment, it means that the gearbox needs to be repaired and the worm pair replaced.

To prevent premature wear of gearbox parts, periodic monitoring of the oil level and its replacement is recommended. Level control is carried out as follows:

Using a 8 key, unscrew the filler plug;
Use a screwdriver or other object to check the oil level. It should be level with the bottom edge of the filler hole.
If necessary, add oil using a special supercharger until it begins to flow out of the hole.

To change the oil, unscrew the screws securing the gearbox cover, having previously placed a container under it to collect used oil. Since complete removal of the cap is not required, it is moved to the side and the oil is drained. This operation is best performed on a hot engine. Warm oil has greater fluidity and drains faster. After all the oil has drained out, the cap is screwed into place and new oil is poured into the gearbox using the method described above.