What is needed to replace the rear shock absorbers of a VAZ 2115

How to check the rear struts for functionality on a VAZ 2114, 2115, 2109, 2108.

Unlike the front struts, the rear struts don’t fail as often, but it does happen. Usually in such cases a knock is heard when driving over bumps from the rear of the car. How can you understand that it is the rack that is knocking? There are three ways to check:

• Inspection of the rack.
• Rocking the car.
• The feeling of driving a car.

Inspection of the knocking rack.

By lifting the car on a lift, you can see the rack and what condition it is in. If the stand is damp (moistened with oil), this means it’s time to change it. In such cases, they say that the stand has leaked. You can also look at the strut rod. It should be free of burrs and scratches. If the strut rod is damaged, the strut also needs to be replaced.

Rocking the car.

Approach alternately from the left and right sides of the rear of the car and begin to press on it from above, as if rocking it. Five compressions and releases will be enough. After the last release, the machine should not continue to rock.

The feeling of driving with faulty struts.

You can understand that your shock absorbers are faulty while driving the car. When driving on the highway, notice whether the car continues to rock after passing a section of the road laid by the wave. If the car continues to rock, the shock absorbers should be replaced.

Shock absorber struts, ideal for the “tenth family” of Lada

For those who still do not know which racks are best to install on a VAZ 2110 or models of the VAZ 2112–2115 series, they can use the material below, which will describe to a potential consumer all the advantages and disadvantages of all racks created by the most popular manufacturers. Experienced drivers know that this element of the vehicle periodically fails and, accordingly, needs to be completely replaced. The malfunction occurs due to driving on “high-quality” roads or using inexpensive components. More often than anyone else, car enthusiasts are looking for specialized racks for Lada Priora and Kalina. You should not assume that the owners of these vehicles encounter some problems when selecting the necessary components, since the buyers of new racks are those who simply do not want to regularly replace a standard worn-out unit, preferring to replace it ahead of schedule with a more expensive, high-quality alternative. Some consumers are interested in new struts due to the creation of a unique and attractive tuning, which is not possible with the use of original shock absorbers that are not designed for maximum loads.

How to remove rear shock absorbers on VAZ 2114, 2115, 2109, 2108.

Begin dismantling the rear shock absorber by removing the plastic plugs located in the trunk.

Having removed the plastic, we will see the nuts screwed onto the shock absorber rod. We unscrew them with a special key. If it is not there, then we use a 17 socket wrench and a 6 wrench or an adjustable wrench.

Having unscrewed the top nut, remove the washer and cushion that stood between the nut and the body.

Before unscrewing the lower shock absorber mounting bolt, lift the wheel on a jack. The racks can be removed very easily if the bolts securing the rack to the beam can be unscrewed without any problems.

What to do if the shock absorber bolt is soured.

Removing the struts can be complicated by souring of the bolts with silent blocks. If you encounter such a problem, then you will not be able to remove the shock absorber without a grinder.

Just carefully file off the head of the bolt and knock it out with a hammer.

If the bolts are not soured.

If the bolts securing the rack to the beam have not soured, you are very lucky. Simply unscrew them and remove the stand from the eye.

Ready! Let's move on to installing the new part.

How to install a rear pillar on a VAZ 2114, 2115, 2109, 2108.

1. We pump up the rack.
2. We put on a duster.
3. We put the bump stop on the rack rod.
4. We place a washer with a cushion on the rod.
5. We put on a spring with a pillow attached to it.
6. We put the stand in place by screwing the top first and then the bottom.

The process of installing a rear shock absorber is not complicated, but everything has its own subtleties.

First of all, we pump the racks before installation. Usually the instructions for bleeding come with the strut, but if there is none, just squeeze the strut rod 5 times until the end and remove it. and do not turn it over after pumping (after pumping, the stand should always be in a vertical position).

One more important detail. If the washers that secure the strut rod with the body are installed incorrectly, we will get a creaking of the rear strut of the VAZ 2114. In order to prevent creaking in the strut , it is necessary to install the lower washer with the cup down, and the upper one, on the contrary, with the cup up. In this case, there will be no creaking in the rear of the car .

When to change shock absorbers and struts

The first reason for replacement is leakage. Its appearance is accompanied by various types of knocking noises in the front and/or rear suspension. It's quite easy to check this yourself. Firstly, you need to carefully monitor the operation of the shock absorption system. Secondly, you need to approach the front wheel of the car from the side, put your hands on the hood or fender, and then rock it 2-3 times. When the shock absorber compresses to its lowest point, you must suddenly remove your hands. Most likely, everything is fine with the stand if the car rocks easily once and then stops.

We press on the body. There shouldn't be any hesitation

The shock absorber/strut must be replaced if cracks appear on the surface of the part. In addition, it is better to purchase new parts if it is clear that the car has different stiffness on the right and left sides. The suspension should work equally well on all sides and not knock. Defects also appear in the form of shaking when driving.

This is interesting: Porsche Cayenne GTS

Do-it-yourself replacement of rear struts of VAZ 2113, 2114, 2115

If you hear dull sounds characteristic when driving on uneven sections of the road, and upon inspection you find deformation of the spring, damage to the rod and/or leakage of fluid, your car needs to replace the rear struts of the VAZ 2114, 2115 or 2113. Unlike the elements on the front of the car, they they break down less often, but if problems are detected, they need to be replaced as soon as possible, since strong vibrations do not have the best effect on all parts and assemblies of the machine. Restoration measures are simple; in this case, DIY repairs are possible even for a beginner. How to fix it will be discussed in this article, but first you need to familiarize yourself with the structure of the unit.

Tools required for work

For events with stands you will need the following tool:

• jack;
• wheel keys;
• hammer;
• a set of keys;
• screwdrivers;
• vice;
• pliers;
• puller;
• lubricant for cleaning parts;
• rags.

Do-it-yourself work is fully justified by saving time on a trip to a car service center and money. There, measures to replace the rear shock absorber will cost an average of 1 thousand rubles (as of May 10, 2019). This amount will allow you to purchase spare parts of the best quality. At the same time, you can conduct an audit of your car.

Order of Operations

Removing old shock absorbers and installing rear struts of the VAZ 2114 and other models can be done without an inspection hole or overpass - just jack up the car. But before you lift the car, you need to remove the assembly plugs located in the trunk. So:

You need to remove the trunk shelf, bend back the upholstery and use a screwdriver to pull out the plug. The rod nuts are located under them; they need to be unscrewed and the washer and plate removed.

Now you need to jack up the car. This is necessary so that the lower rack lock is accessible. This bolt is most often tight, so it is better to pre-coat it with a special lubricant. If after this you cannot unscrew the fastener, you need to knock it out with a smaller bolt.

Now you can remove the stand, be sure to support it - it may fall. It's easier to do this if you move the end towards the rear of the car. Note! After dismantling the stand, a rubber gasket remains in the glass. It needs to be removed because the material has lost its elasticity. A new spacer must be installed, which is purchased separately from the assembly.

You can begin installing the new unit. The rod element must be fully extended. We install the bushing, cover, its cover, and bump stop on the rack. The spacer and spring are assembled after all other parts. On a note! It is advisable to bleed the shock absorbers before assembly. This will increase their functionality and service life. The procedure is performed by turning the device over. This will allow the oil to spread evenly throughout the entire assembly.

• Installation is performed in reverse order.

Then all the above operations are repeated on the other side of the machine. Difficulties may arise during assembly:

Read also:  VAZ-2107. Fan switch sensor: installation, repair, replacement
• if the unit does not want to be placed in its normal place, you can use the jack beam;
• if the old parts have lost their integrity, they need to be replaced, if they are in order, wipe them with kerosene;
• if the support bearing comes out separately during dismantling, this is normal;
• to install the spacer without any problems, you need to glue it to the spring with masking tape;
• Some experts believe that when final tightening the fasteners, you first need to remove the car from the jack.

Let's summarize

As you can see, the procedure is not complicated, you just need to know what and how to do. For a beginner, the event will take up to 4 hours, but if you have the skills, you can complete it in 1.4-2 hours. It is advisable to check the results of work performed for the first time using the wheel alignment method or go to a car service center and use a special stand. The price of the service is affordable, but you will be convinced of your competence as a repairman. There is no definite answer to how regularly rear struts require replacement - it all depends on the quality of spare parts, intensity and care of operation, and driving style.

Source

Replacement nuances

As soon as the driver removes the rear strut, which is screwed to the inside of the glass, a special hard rubber gasket usually remains here. There is no need to leave it, because the elastic band has already lost its elasticity. When purchasing an original stand, be sure to purchase an appropriate rubber spacer. When installing the spring, make sure that its last coil fits into the stand cup. You should also check whether the end of the spring extends beyond the cup. Once the installation is complete, the end of the spring should be facing away from the wheel. Before starting work, you need to put on the elastic band located on top and fix it to the coils of the spring. A rope will help with this. This is done to prevent jumping off.

Installing new front and rear struts on VAZ 2113, 2114 and 2115 is not a regular task. Nevertheless, the driver is obliged to check the condition of these components from time to time, both visually and technically. The procedure for replacing a set of front/rear struts, as a rule, takes up to 3-4 hours of free time. After installation, it is recommended to contact a service center to check the toe-in/camber angles and adjust them according to the manufacturer’s requirements.

Installation procedure

The rear suspension must have springs of the same class.

1. 
   Before putting the shock absorber in place, you need to secure the rubber gasket to the spring with electrical tape or tape.

2. Install the spring on the shock absorber and fully extend the rod. We put a spacer sleeve and a lower cushion on the rod.

We install the shock absorber so that the end of the lower coil of the spring faces the wheel.

3. Insert the shock absorber rod into the hole in the body. At this moment, the assistant puts the upper cushion, support washer on the rod and tightens the rod nut.

Raise the lever to align the holes in the beam bracket and in the shock absorber. Insert the lower fastening bolt and tighten the nut.

5. Put the wheel in place and lower the car onto the wheels. We press the rear of the car several times so that the suspension elements fall into place.

6. Tighten the shock absorber rod mounting nut to a torque of 50–61.7 Nm (5.1–6.3 kgf m).

7. Tighten the nut of the shock absorber lower mounting bolt to a torque of 66.6–82.3 N·m (6.8–8.4 kgf·m).

Shock absorber: its role in suspension operation

An automobile shock absorber is a mechanism in the suspension of a car that serves to partially dampen the swaying (damping) that occurs during movement or completely absorb it.

Giving the car a smooth ride, shock absorbers act as protection for the car's chassis from overloads when driving on uneven roads and rough terrain. In the suspension, the shock absorber acts as an element to increase its elasticity along with the spring and torsion bar.

Shock absorbers are divided according to their types:

• gas single-pipe;
• gas two-pipe;
• oil two-pipe.

On the VAZ-2115 model, standard oil shock absorbers are installed at the factory. Later, when using the car, owners often replace them with gas ones, depending on their driving style.

There are 3 types of racks with different characteristics. You need to choose them based on the roads on which traffic occurs. Oil (hydraulic) – quite elastic. Designed for drivers who prefer a calm, measured ride or frequent trips on unpaved roads.

Russian "Plaza"

In order not to make a mistake with the choice of shock absorbers that are guaranteed to fit Priora or Kalina, you should first of all pay attention to the parts produced by the St. Petersburg Shock Absorber Concern. Due to the fact that the organization operates in Russia, the quality of the elements it produces fully satisfies modern standards. So, in order to know which parts are of Russian origin, it is enough to inspect the product; the discovered “QTK” stamp will be evidence that the potential consumer is in the hands of a high-quality device that is not a defective product. Today, the manufacturer offers motorists 4 models of oil struts. Which of them to prefer is up to the direct consumer to choose:

• the softest option is Soft-Drive, which is identical in terms of driving characteristics to the original parts. Despite the fact that the car will still sway, the new devices will last many times longer;

The Sport model is suitable for those who need the most rigid struts, their characteristics are 80% higher than the factory ones. Thanks to their qualities, the car holds the road excellently, of course, if you don’t get carried away with driving over potholes and bumps. The line is notable for the presence of shortened shock absorbers that lower the vehicle;

• X-Drive shock absorbers are especially practical when operating in the northern part of Russia;
• The last one in the lineup is the standard, which is the most stringent option. The oil in such a vehicle will freeze even if the thermometer drops slightly.

Determining the malfunction of the rear shock absorbers of the VAZ-2115

The role of shock absorbers in ensuring the safe operation of a car is often not taken into account by many, especially novice car enthusiasts. And this can lead to unpleasant and even tragic events. If the shock absorber fails, or even partially fails, the car wheel loses contact with the road.

And, as a result of this, the braking distance increases in case of emergency braking. When cornering, the stability of the car deteriorates, the chassis and tires are subject to greater load, which leads to their wear, and so on.

SS20 devices

The Russian Lada Priora or Kalina will be perfectly suited to products from a domestic Samara company, which has been manufacturing a huge number of products that contribute to the tuning of Russian vehicles for several years. SS20 racks have an optimal price-quality ratio. To choose the right part, you need to know which shock absorbers are available in a standard version and which in a shortened version:

• The rigid Highway unit will allow you to easily enter a turn even at high speed. It makes sense to avoid purchasing for those who constantly drive on dirt roads;
• the Standard model is characterized by excellent performance in any weather, which is why it can become the best option for motorists from areas where harsh climates dominate;

• The Comfort Optima variant is the best-selling product due to its versatility. It is characterized by medium rigidity, which will provide a comfortable ride on all types of roads with any driving style;
• Sport parts naturally fall into the category of the stiffest struts. Such devices are not adapted for driving within the city, but they hold the car well even during sharp turns.

How to determine if a shock absorber is faulty

The first thing to do is conduct a visual inspection. Oil stains on the shock absorber itself, boot or rebound buffer warn that it needs to be replaced. Also, uneven tire wear may be an indication of problems with the rear suspension strut.

When driving at a speed of more than 80 kilometers, the car's handling noticeably deteriorates, the steering reacts late to road irregularities, and the car's swaying does not subside.

But the most reliable way is to inspect it at a specialized service station stand.

Kayaba stands

The parts produced by the Kayaba plant occupy a special place among the rest of the products presented. Domestic car enthusiasts jump at the opportunity to install shock absorbers from this company not only on Priora, but also on Kalina. This happens due to the fact that Kayaba racks are an unofficial standard of quality. However, it is better to avoid purchasing such parts on the car market; the likelihood of buying a fake is very high; you can protect yourself by ordering from an official dealer. If the owner of the car does not know what racks he needs for the “tenth family”, he can rely on models such as:

• EXCEL-G, which is a gas shock-absorbing part based on nitrogen. The soft device is suitable for those who prefer comfortable, slow movement;

• Ultra SR, which is a sports shock absorber, has excellent road holding, ideal contact with low-profile tires and rubber with a radial imprint on the tread;

• Premium, which has the appearance of a hydraulic strut - a typical analogue of a standard device supplied at the manufacturer. Premium is made from high-tech materials that increase the service life of the product.