The best shock absorbers for VAZ cars in 2022

Shock absorbers in a car provide controllability and comfortable movement, smoothing out the impact of the suspension on uneven roads. There are a lot of products on the market from a variety of manufacturers of racks that can be installed on domestic VAZ models.

The huge assortment is divided into naturally formed categories based on price and product quality, and for the convenience of the reader, our review repeats this gradation. The rating of models is based not only on the manufacturer’s characteristics, but also on practical operating experience, which owners kindly share in their reviews.

SACHS

Longest warranty Country: Germany

The largest European manufacturer of shock absorbers and clutches is the German company SACHS Handel GmbH. Production facilities are located in 17 countries around the world. Its range includes more than 6,000 types of spare parts. The company provides a two-year warranty on all products. Thanks to this responsible approach, such well-known automakers as Mercedes, VW, Volvo, and BMW have become consumers. Manufacturers of shock-absorbing struts and the domestic auto industry also paid attention. There are two versions to choose from. The standard blue stripe shocks are from the SuperTouring series. Stiffer struts with a red Advantage stripe are designed for sporty riding.

Those who installed these gas shock absorbers on VAZ cars note the good stability of the car on any road. When purchasing, it is important not to buy a fake in hopes of saving some money.

Bilstein

Bilstein is a well-known foreign manufacturer in the mid-price category. Previously, it was considered premium, but today the brand’s factories have appeared in Spain and China, where the products are not famous for their quality. It’s not worth buying such products, so it’s always important to check the country of production. It is noteworthy that spare parts of this brand are popular not only in Russia, but also in many other countries of the world.

The shock absorbers are incredibly durable and have balanced characteristics, making them suitable for different types of drivers and different needs. There are modifications for almost all car models. The brand has two product lines: standard and sports. The latter provides more confident handling and has a record-breaking service life. Such racks can easily withstand significant loads, but even standard parts have a very long service life. It often exceeds 300,000 kilometers. They are suitable for both regular roads and off-road use. And sports products are even suitable for participation in competitions. Spare parts of this brand cost from 2100 rubles. Products from Chinese and Spanish factories may have a lower price. Some car enthusiasts consider these shock absorbers to be too expensive, but this is not at all true. After all, you shouldn’t skimp on quality! In addition, you can find fakes on sale.

Tokiko

You can safely give preference to the products of the Japanese brand Tokico. The manufacturer produces products for many popular Japanese automakers. His products are widely known in many countries around the world. The shock absorbers are incredibly high quality and durable. They provide excellent handling and confident car behavior even on very rough roads. Help prevent skidding and similar dangerous situations even when cornering at very high speeds. The parts have a huge resource even in Russian conditions. They are able to adapt to the characteristics of the road surface. Shock absorbers installed on SUVs provide confidence and excellent handling even on significant off-road conditions. But such use may reduce their resource. This brand is not very popular in our country. Many motorists consider its spare parts to be expensive, although this is not entirely true. Their cost starts from approximately 2100 rubles. There is an excellent selection for most VAZ models. The products are practically not counterfeited, but sometimes it is quite difficult to find them on sale.

FENOX

Best price Country: Belarus
The Belarusian concern FENOX Global Group unites a number of enterprises that specialize in the production of spare parts for cars. The first parts were made for VAZ cars. Oil racks are produced for timeless classics, Niva SUVs, eights and nines. The products have an affordable price and good quality. The consumer is offered both front and rear shock absorbers. All parts are subject to strict control at the factory, so you rarely hear about defective racks.

Domestic motorists note the good stability of their cars when installing Belarusian shock absorbers on them. The car behaves better on the road and allows you to take turns at higher speeds. Oil models stand up well to the test of Russian winter. Frequent off-road driving may limit the service life to one year. Also among the disadvantages, car owners note the rapid appearance of oil leaks.

Koni

Products of the foreign brand Koni are considered premium. It is actively used by numerous famous Western automakers. All parts undergo special tests at the factory, and their quality is controlled at the highest level. This achieves incredible efficiency and amazing durability of the products. They are able to successfully withstand up to 200,000-300,000 kilometers. Perhaps in our country, due to very bad roads, this figure may be somewhat lower, but it is still very high. At the same time, the manufacturer provides a long-term guarantee for its products. A distinctive feature of the struts is the ability for the car owner to adjust the level of rigidity. This ensures optimal driving comfort and reduces wear and tear.

The line includes many modifications, including those for the VAZ 2115, as well as other AvtoVAZ cars. Shock absorbers provide amazing controllability, stability and safety even when driving at high speed and high-speed cornering. They work stably and perfectly in any conditions. Spare parts are suitable for active and extreme use. They are adapted to Russian conditions. Experts recommend installing such racks only as a set, since otherwise there will be practically no effect from the product. They are very expensive. The minimum cost is now about 4,000 rubles, but it can be much higher, depending on the chosen modification.

"Plaza"

Behind this very pleasant name is the St. Petersburg Shock Absorber Plant. In itself, the fact that this is a domestic company speaks of production taking into account current standards. All products have the “QTK” stamp, which reduces the risk of defective parts reaching store shelves. All shock-absorbing struts produced by the plant are oil-based, which, however, does not reduce their quality. A total of 4 rack options are offered:

• Soft-Drive
  , these are the softest shock absorbers offered by the manufacturer; in terms of driving performance, they are practically no different from the original ones. The car will still rock, but their service life will be much longer;
• Sport. The rigidity of these racks is almost 80% higher compared to the original ones. In this regard, they perfectly hold the road. But, when traveling over bumps, the movement will not seem too comfortable to you. This line includes shortened racks designed to lower the car;
• The X-Drives
  are quite rigid and do a good job. The manufacturer recommends them for use in the northern regions of our country;
• The standard is perhaps the toughest of the entire line. The disadvantage is that the oil freezes even in slight frost. It takes a considerable amount of time to “roll out” the car.

Types of shock absorbers. Their advantages and disadvantages

Today, the automotive market offers consumers a huge range of shock absorbers. However, the question of which struts (gas-hydraulic or oil) are the safest and most reliable does not lose its significance and relevance.

The hydraulic (oil) shock absorber consists of:

• compensation chamber;
• working cylinder;
• bushing guide;
• rod with piston;
• shock-absorbing fluid.

The oil strut significantly reduces the amplitude of suspension vibrations that occur during tension and compression. The movement of the oil emulsion from one part of the capsule to another provides the effect of leveling the destructive force of vibrations. The disadvantages of oil racks include:

1. Low or excessive presence of air in the compensation chamber. In the first case, the efficiency of the unit tends to zero, and in the second, resistance inside the structure almost completely disappears.
2. When driving on uneven surfaces, the effectiveness of the shock absorber is significantly reduced. This occurs due to the fact that when the working piston moves too actively, the oil substance mixes with air bubbles and loses viscosity. Therefore, regular driving on country roads can lead to rapid wear of the hydraulic struts.
3. During prolonged continuous driving, the oil overheats and becomes less viscous. This significantly reduces the efficiency of the shock absorber.

Boge

When wondering which racks are best to install on a VAZ 2114, you can consider products from the Boge brand. They are optimal in cost and quality. Their price is from 1800 rubles and above. It depends on the place of purchase and the model of vehicle. The manufacturer from Germany produces parts for the needs of many large foreign automakers. But at the same time, they are perfect for domestic cars and Russian conditions. Shock absorbers are known for their thoughtful characteristics and can really improve handling, which is noted not only by the drivers themselves, but also proven by professional tests. Some experts believe that products of this brand are superior in quality even to Japanese spare parts, for example, Kayaba. But the popularity of the Germans in our country is somewhat lower than that of the Japanese. The production is very extensive.

They produce parts for almost all cars, including, say, the VAZ 2112. The manufacturer has five main series: Nivomat (for cars that constantly experience significant loads on the suspension), Pro-Gas (two-pipe gas struts designed for ensuring maximum comfort and excellent handling in all conditions), Turbo24 (products for all-wheel drive vehicles used off-road), Turbo-Gas (struts for sports cars and speed enthusiasts), and Automatic (gas shock absorbers for relaxed motorists). The parts are famous for their excellent build quality and can withstand even very severe frosts. But sometimes their durability turns out to be a little lower than expected. They are found in most auto stores in the country. But you should buy them only in large and reputable retail outlets, since the number of fakes is very large.

Monroe

Monroe struts will fit the VAZ 21099 and many other models of the domestic automaker. The cost of Belgian products in our country starts from approximately 2,300 rubles. They are famous for their incredible durability, endurance and reliability. The parts are very durable and significantly improve handling. They can be used for frequent travel on bad roads, but are not recommended for use in regions with very harsh winters. Shock absorbers allow you to overcome even significant unevenness more comfortably. The build quality is considered very high. When choosing products of this brand, you must take into account their purpose and not use racks that are not suitable for such use.

The line includes six varieties of products: Reflex (gas-hydraulic shock absorbers that provide incredible ride comfort, but do not have a very long service life), Original (gas or gas-hydraulic parts similar to factory ones, available in many types for different car models), Sensa-Trac (struts gas, giving confidence during sharp maneuvers, ideal for fans of high-speed and sporty driving), Adventure (spare parts for those who often travel on bad roads or minor off-road), Ride-Leveler (parts created for cars that often transport heavy loads, operated with trailers) and Van-Magnum (designed for the most serious off-road conditions, but their service life may sometimes not exceed 50,000 kilometers). The downside of the brand’s products is the lack of instructions allowing you to correctly select the appropriate modification. Therefore, it is advisable to buy them in the presence of an experienced consultant. Counterfeit goods are often found on the Russian market, so you should purchase products only from trusted places.

Finwhale

It’s not for nothing that Finwhale racks made it into our top. They are, of course, not cheap. The cost of the product can start from approximately 2800 rubles. But at the same time, German shock absorbers are famous for their unsurpassed quality, durability and incredible comfort and movement. They are very durable, efficient and perform well even in the harshest conditions. Spare parts are famous for their moderate rigidity. Many modifications are ideal not only for the highway and the city, but also for off-road or extremely bad roads. They are considered ideal for Russia. There are products for almost all domestic models. Moreover, many shock absorbers are suitable for several cars at once. They are universal.

The manufacturer has been selling its products in our country since 1998, so it is not surprising that it is well known to many Russians. All types of shock absorbers now come with an extended warranty of two years. In this case, the parts are serviceable. The Germans produce replacement cartridges for them, which can significantly extend their service life. These elements are much cheaper than new racks. And changing them is not at all difficult. The cartridges are currently presented on the Russian market. Unfortunately, spare parts of this brand are counterfeited much more often than parts from other manufacturers, so you should not buy them from dubious places.

Which racks are better to install on VAZ 2110, 2112, 2114 and 2115? Detailed analysis

Quite often you can hear from drivers the question of which struts are best to install on the VAZ 2110, 2112, 2114 and 2115. This is due to the fact that this structural element often fails. This happens due to the poor quality of roads and components. Therefore, every owner of any of these models, at least once, was faced with the need to replace the racks. This is not a difficult matter, but no one has any particular desire to do this work regularly. Therefore, more and more car enthusiasts are looking for an alternative to standard racks. This question is also of interest to tuning enthusiasts. After all, the original shock absorber struts are not designed for heavy loads. Original parts
Which racks are better to install on VAZ 2110, 2112, 2114 and 2115?

To answer this question, we must first consider why people are not satisfied with racks that are initially installed at the factory. It would seem that engineers specially created these components taking into account the characteristics of a particular car, and they should fit it perfectly. But in practice it looks different.

To begin with, the original racks are not very durable. They quickly break down, even when driving on almost perfect roads, and we don’t have many of those. Most of the time we have to cross holes and potholes. Therefore, the service life of native nodes is reduced even more. Most often, the oil seal fails and oil begins to flow through it.

Cars of this family are equipped with oil shock absorbers. There is another drawback associated with them, which is noted by almost all motorists. At high speeds the car sways. When cornering, you generally get the feeling that the car is entering it on two wheels. This is very annoying for those who like to drive fast. Moreover, this effect can be observed already at a speed of 100 km/h. Here, in fact, of these two reasons, drivers abandon native parts in favor of analogues.

Rack types

Before choosing specific brands and models of racks, you need to figure out what interests you. There are 3 types of racks. They have quite different characteristics. You should select them depending on where you travel most often and how this happens.

• Oil-based, sometimes called hydraulic, are quite soft. They are well suited for people who prefer a measured, not fast ride. And also for those who, for some reason, often drive on dirt roads;
• Gas ones are tougher. They prevent the car from swaying at high speeds and when cornering. But, using them on a primer quickly leads the suspension to a deplorable state;
• Gas-oil ones have average performance between both types of racks.

An article on the topic “Which shock absorber is better, gas or oil.”

Thus, knowing your driving style and the roads you drive on most often, you can easily choose the most suitable shock absorber struts for your case.

Analogs

. So, you have decided to replace your original racks with similar ones. Let's assume that you have already decided which type of shock absorbers is ideal for you. All that remains is to select a specific product and purchase it. It should be noted that there are several well-known manufacturers of shock absorber struts on the market for the “tenth Lada family.” Therefore, let’s take a closer look at all the proposed options. Their positive and negative sides.

"Plaza"

Behind this name, quite pleasant to the ear, lies the St. Petersburg Shock Absorber Plant. In itself, the fact that this is a domestic company speaks of production taking into account current standards. All products have the “QTK” stamp, which reduces the risk of defective parts reaching store shelves. All shock-absorbing struts produced by the plant are oil-based, however, this does not reduce their quality. A total of 4 rack options are offered:

• Soft-Drive
  , these are the softest shock absorbers offered by the manufacturer; in terms of driving performance, they are practically no different from the original ones. The car will still rock, but their service life will be much longer;
• Sport. The rigidity of these racks is almost 80% higher compared to the original ones. In this regard, they hold the road remarkably well. But, when traveling over bumps, the movement will not seem too comfortable to you. This line includes shortened struts designed to lower the car;
• The X-Driv
  e are quite rigid and do a good job. The manufacturer recommends them for use in the northern regions of our country;
• The standard is perhaps the toughest of the entire line. The disadvantage is that the oil freezes even in slight frost. It takes a significant amount of time to “rock” the car.

Kayaba

The products of this manufacturer are in great demand among drivers. It is these shock-absorbing struts that are considered the standard of quality. At the same time, there are plenty of fakes on the market, so always order products only from official dealers. The range of products produced is large. 3 models of racks are perfect for the “tenth family”:

• EXCEL-G
  is a gas shock absorber strut. It uses nitrogen. As a result, the knot turns out to be quite soft. This will be appreciated by those who like a comfortable and not too fast ride;
• Ultra SR
  are sports shock absorbers. With their help, the car holds the road perfectly. Possible use in conjunction with low profile tires. And also together with rubber, which has a radial tread pattern;
• Premium
  is a hydraulic shock absorber. It is a complete analogue of the factory one. But, at the same time, it is made of higher quality materials. And what is typical, it lasts much longer.

SS20

This is probably one of the most popular domestic companies among our car lovers. After all, this company, located in Samara, produces a fairly large range of products for tuning domestic cars. In addition, these shock absorbers have the best price-quality ratio. We will look at 4 options for racks. It should be added that all these shock absorbers are offered both in standard and shortened versions:

• Highway
  , these are pretty tough racks. This indicator ensures optimal cornering at high speeds. This is a popular model among buyers. Not very suitable for driving on dirt roads;
• The standard
  ones perform well both in the sun and in severe frost. Perfect for car enthusiasts in regions with harsh climates;
• Comfort Optima
  is the most popular rack of the entire line. This is due to their versatility. They are medium hard. Therefore, they are suitable for almost any road surface and driving style;
• Sport
  is the toughest stance. They are practically not intended for driving around the city. But at the same time, it perfectly keeps the car from swaying in the sharpest and most dangerous turns.

You can look at their office for more details. website https://autosystem.ru/

Conclusion

. As you can see, the choice of shock absorber struts for the “tenth family” is not limited to factory parts. All proposed options have their own characteristics. Therefore, the final choice of which racks are best installed on the VAZ 2110, 2112, 2114 and 2115 must be made by each car owner independently. Paying attention first of all to your driving style. And also on the features of vehicle operation.

BelMag

BelMag is a domestic manufacturer of inexpensive spare parts. It produces front struts for many Russian models and rear struts for most of our popular cars. With fairly high quality, the cost of such products is low. It starts at approximately 1,400 rubles, depending on the car model or place of purchase. Oil shock absorbers are very reliable and durable. They are suitable for fans of frequent off-road trips, for example, for Niva owners. The parts provide excellent handling on uneven roads and make the ride more comfortable and enjoyable. At the same time, they practically do not suffer from such extreme exploitation. The shock absorbers are a little soft. This can lead to excessive body sway when driving at high speeds. Therefore, some experts do not recommend spare parts of this brand for inexperienced motorists, since this feature can cause unpleasant situations on the road.

How to check a shock absorber

Before checking the operation of shock absorbers, you need to assess their condition visually.

Important! The presence of oil stains, even covered with a layer of dust, indicates that the inside of the case is empty. The stand will no longer work correctly.

Also pay attention to the presence of mechanical damage, the condition of the spring and other suspension elements. It is best to carry out diagnostics after a long trip, so that the oil in the struts (if it is still there) warms up.

There is no need to remove the stands. Sequencing:

1. Place the car on a level surface.
2. Vigorously swing one corner up and down, applying force to the top of the wing.
3. Release and observe the behavior of the body. If the shock absorber is working properly, the car will swing up and down 1-2 more times, after which the body will stop. If three vibrations occur, this indicates that the rack is in good condition, but still it is not in very ideal condition and will have to be replaced soon.

All other shock absorbers are checked in the same way. Pay attention to the presence of dips, jamming, and extraneous sounds when swinging.

You can diagnose the removed shock absorber. To do this, you will need to fully stretch and compress it several times. If it is working properly, then it will pump without failures, smoothly. There should be no noise or looping. When stretching, you need to apply more force than when compressing - this indicates normal operation of the rack.

Models

Now let's name several of the most popular, popular models of shock absorbers that are in demand among VAZ 2109 owners. This, perhaps, will allow you to decide which struts are best for you.

Model

Peculiarities

A hybrid stand with many positive reviews. Moderately hard, the ride is quite soft. With active use they will last 1-1.5 years. With rare use the car will last for years

A hybrid that is in many ways superior to the previous version in terms of rigidity. But the car holds perfectly on the road. They can withstand heavy use for a year, but then often leak oil. Price higher than Kayaba

Oily soft struts that fans of hard riding will not like. In many ways it is superior to the standard VAZ 2109 system, but in terms of road control it is inferior to Blisten and Kayaba. The price is close to the latter, lasts about 1 year

Gas shock absorbers, which are chosen mainly by street racers, racers, and fans of very hard riding. That’s why reviews among ordinary drivers are mostly negative. The rigidity is very high, but it lasts quite a long time

A budget option for racks for those who cannot afford the high costs of their own car. In many ways similar to Kayaba in its characteristics, but a little tougher. Budget-friendly in all respects, although the stand can last up to 3 years with moderate use