Gear shift actuator for Lada Vesta / VAZ Vesta from 2015

A robotic gearbox, also called an automated manual transmission (AMT), combines the comfort of an automatic with the reliability and fuel efficiency of a manual.

However, the operating experience of AMT shows that failures also occur in its operation. The most common problem is the occurrence of squeaking when changing gears. The reason for this phenomenon is the gradual depletion of lubricant in the clutch actuator.

This mechanism is an electromechanical device designed to compress the spring of the release disk.

If there is a lack of lubrication in the actuator gearbox, not only extraneous noise occurs, but also shocks, and the time interval between gear changes increases.

Disassembling the clutch mechanism and lubricating the actuator helps solve this common problem. This is much cheaper than replacing the entire assembly.

Let's look at how to carry out this procedure yourself using the example of a Lada Vesta car equipped with AMT.

How to lubricate the AMT clutch actuator and get rid of squeaking on a LADA

Owners of Lada Vesta, XRAY, Granta, Priora and Kalina cars with an automated transmission (AMT or “robot”) may encounter a creaking actuator (especially in hot weather) that presses the clutch fork. The problem can be solved by lubricating it. We'll tell you how to perform this procedure yourself.

How to detect a creaking AMT actuator

:

1. turn on the ignition;
2. turn on the gear;
3. press and release the brake pedal;
4. If there is a squeak, then it is the actuator.

The process is also shown in the video:

Procedure

:

1. Remove the clutch actuator (see these instructions).
2. Remove the actuator cover by unscrewing the fastening bolts.
3. Lubricate all load points and hinges with special lubricant (for example, Liqui Moly 3352 or LIQUI MOLY Thermoflex Spezialfett)

To lubricate the actuator, there is no need to disassemble the mechanism itself, therefore, after reinstalling the actuator, its adaptation (training) is not required. The whole process will take no more than 3 hours. By the way, actuator lubrication is done at a service station, the price of the service is about 2,000 rubles.

Another reason for a squeaking clutch may be a rusty release lever stop. Lubricate it with Bechem High-lub L2 MO (photo by premoy).

Let us remind you that we previously told you how to check the technical condition of the AMT box in case of problems.

Categories of products that may be of interest to you based on the article “How to lubricate the AMT clutch actuator and get rid of squeaking on a LADA”:

Third option

It consists of unscrewing the bracket itself from the gearbox. To do this, you need to unscrew 4 bolts - 2 at the bottom, 2 at the top.

All that remains is to remove the actuator wire connector. You need to pull the yellow lock towards you, press on the sides and pull it out.

Now the device is in our hands and available for use. I disconnected it from the bracket. The screws are easy to remove. This is a cover with a gasket.

Inside the case, wear on the hinge or darkening of the lubricant is visible.

You can also see some wear on parts and metal shavings on the spring. Although the grease is also visible.

Lada X Ray Cross automatic - new equipment

Lada Vesta repair books

Products from the Dustershop77 range on the topic of the article:

Automated transmission design

The main difference from a manual transmission is the replacement of the clutch pedal and gear shift knob with corresponding electromechanical type switches. To manage them, the following have been additionally implemented:

• Control block.
• Shaft speed sensor.
• Fork position sensor.
• Interior gear selector position lock.

AMT has one significant disadvantage of the operational plan: the electromechanical drive processes commands with a delay. A hydraulic alternative, unfortunately, is not available due to its high cost.

When should adaptation be made?

Adaptation of AMT should be done in the following situations:

You have a pre-production car, and you need to update the settings to more recent and correct ones.

The fact remains that the first cars turned out to be a little damp and there’s nowhere without it, but fortunately AvtoVAZ quickly solves the problem, as it has already done with bushings and stabilizer struts, with the clutch.

When replacing the clutch

It turned out that the Turkish Valeo clutch, which was installed on the first cars, is not suitable for the weight of the car. As a result, the owners of the first West felt the clutch slipping, felt that the car was moving poorly and needed to increase the speed. When replacing the clutch with a new one, adaptation is carried out. If for some reason you changed the clutch not from an official dealer but on your own, do not be afraid to move on the new clutch without adaptation as necessary. But it will need to be done.

Every 15,000 km

AvtoVAZ recommends adapting the robot’s clutch as it wears out, i.e. every 15 t.km for correct and resourceful operation.

Consequences of resetting the ECU

The clutch is not working stably: firstly, the electronic control unit will set a new reference point, as a result of which discrepancies may arise in the operation of the clutch disc. There is a great danger of severe wear of the clutch - the ECU will update the sensor readings, which will no longer display the actual degree of wear of the clutch disc. Well, if the clutch is badly worn, then errors and breakdowns associated with the robotic gearbox may occur. The speed of movement of the disk will also decrease, and this leads to the appearance of error P0810.

The result of all of the above malfunctions is the inability to move in such a car.

Clutch device

On the Lada Vesta, as well as on all its modifications, including the X-RAY crossover and Cross versions, a standard unit with one disk is installed. The contact of the friction and drive disk occurs under the action of a spring. The main difference between the Vesta clutch and other AvtoVAZ models is the drive.

Structurally, the Vesta clutch is designed according to the standard type and consists of a pressure and driven disc that interact with each other. A pressure disk is installed in the basket; the basket itself is a steel body. The pressure plate in the basket is pressed using a special device in the form of a spring. The clutch basket is installed directly on the flywheel of the power unit and is firmly attached to bolted connections.

A disc with friction linings is placed between the flywheel and the drive disc. The driven clutch disc is also called a friction disc due to special linings attached to both sides. A damper with springs is installed in the center of the hole, designed to eliminate vibrations when the clutch is engaged. The friction disc is mounted through the hub onto the engine input shaft.

Features of the Vesta clutch hydraulic drive

The hydraulic drive consists of pipelines and two cylinders (worker and main). From the master cylinder, the pressure from the rod is transferred to the working one. This, in turn, exerts an influence on the clamping device through pipelines. The working cylinder is a module where the release bearing is also located. All this is mounted in the clutch housing.

Brake fluid performs the functions of working fluid. To ensure the reliability and performance of the hydraulic drive, it is necessary to promptly change the working fluid in accordance with the regulations. Problems with the hydraulic drive most often result from air in the system. In advanced cases, it will simply be impossible to change gears on the car.

Features of the electric clutch drive on Vesta

The electric drive, unlike the hydraulic one, is designed slightly differently; it acts directly on the clutch fork. When the fork is turned, the force puts pressure on the release bearing, which, in turn, presses on the petals of the pressure plate spring. The release bearing is reinforced and is constantly in operation, and the spring is always pressed against the coupling due to the absence of any gaps.

The release bearing does not require periodic maintenance, i.e. no lubrication is needed, the manufacturer took care of this too. The bearing lasts a long time and is simply replaced if it fails. You can recognize this by the characteristic noise. The release plate must also be replaced when replacing the driven or pressure disks, regardless of whether the bearing is in good condition or not.

Malfunctions in the operation of the hydraulic drive can be easily eliminated with your own hands; often it is enough to bleed the system and get rid of the air. But with an electromechanical drive, troubleshooting is much more complicated. A similar procedure on automatic and robotic gearboxes is called adaptation, and it is impossible to perform it without knowledge, skills and equipment. In such cases, the only correct decision is to contact an official dealer.

Today, the AvtoVAZ plant is actively introducing modern technologies into its cars, this also applies to clutches. Nowadays, structural elements that meet international quality standards are used for this. Friction linings and springs are much more reliable and durable.