Which racks are better to install on a VAZ 2114: reviews

VAZ-2114 “Samara-2” is an improved version of the famous “nine”. This car was produced for ten years, from 2003 to 2013. This model was very popular among car enthusiasts and was produced not only in Russia, but also in Ukraine. Until now, tens of thousands of VAZ cars of this modification are driving on the roads of the country. And, of course, VAZ-2114 owners periodically face the question of the need for routine or emergency repairs of their iron horse.

As you know, the second most important problem in our country is roads. In this regard, one of the most common problems for car owners is replacing struts, which quickly become unusable on Russian potholes. Therefore, in this article we will try to analyze the question: which racks are best suited for the VAZ-2114?

Rack types

A strut is a part of a car's suspension, and it serves to absorb the energy of wheel impacts on road irregularities. At this time, both among car enthusiasts and among sellers of spare parts, confusion has arisen between the concepts of “strut” and “shock absorber”. The name “strut” can mean the shock absorber spring assembled with a cup; some believe that, in fact, the strut is part of the shock absorber. For a clear concept, it is necessary to define that the stand is the so-called syringe itself, filled with a working substance - gas, oil or a gas-oil mixture.

In this case, there are front and rear racks. They differ both in the method of fastening, which is caused by the design features of the car, and in the load. For example, the A-pillars bear the greatest impact force when hitting a pothole on the highway. As a result, the front pillars on Samara-2 are made in a more durable version - they are somewhat shorter and thicker. The manufacturer indicates that it is better to use oil struts on the VAZ-2114 for everyday use. Therefore, we will put the main emphasis on them - after all, most car enthusiasts purchase Samara-2 specifically for daily use, and not for street racing.

Required parts and tools

To avoid distractions during repairs, you should prepare all the necessary spare parts and tools in advance. To carry out work on replacing the rack, you cannot do without the following devices and parts:

Jack.
A set of wrenches.
Wheel chocks.
Shock absorbers.
Springs.
Support bearing.
Buffers.
Bushings.
Cups.
Rings.

If you don’t want to disassemble the rear pillar, you can purchase the product assembled, which will significantly speed up the repair process.

Oil racks

In the original factory version, early VAZ modifications, including the Samara-2, were equipped with exclusively oil struts. The main advantage of such racks is their great softness. Such racks are most suitable for driving on country roads and roads with poor surfaces. They are best suited for regular, quiet driving from home to work or for out-of-town family trips.

Due to the fact that such racks are filled with liquid oil, they “swallow” most of the unevenness and potholes of the road quite well. And this is not only the guarantee of a comfortable ride, but also greater safety of the car, which does not experience sharp shocks, vibrations and shocks when driving on a bad road.

Malfunctions requiring replacement of shock absorbers

Some breakdowns of shock absorber struts make it impossible to further operate the vehicle. Even if outwardly the car looks completely in good working order, while driving the car will constantly pull to the side or skid on sharp turns. In such situations, it is better not to take risks and replace the faulty product with a new one. Malfunctions for which such a procedure is mandatory include:

Depressurization of the housing.
Shock absorber deformation.
Jamming of the moving part.

If there are serious problems in the operation of this part, you should not delay repairs. In addition to reducing safety, such a breakdown can lead to other undesirable consequences, for example, increased tire wear.

"AvtoVAZ"

The most popular oil struts for the VAZ-2114 are, of course, the original struts from the Volzhsky Automobile Plant. But we must make a reservation that the word “popular” in this case does not mean “best”. It’s just that these racks, firstly, were installed as standard on all VAZ-2114 cars, and secondly, these supports are among the cheapest spare parts on the modern market, which plays a significant role in their popularity.

From the point of view of functionality and reliability, a number of questions arise about them. Starting with the fact that this model, as a rule, has insufficient resistance to high subzero temperatures. At low temperatures, the oil mixture in them thickens excessively, and they become excessively hard - you have to “roll” them for quite a long time (drive carefully, trying to avoid hitting bumps) until they warm up under the influence of mechanical loads and return to normal.

In addition, oil struts produced by AvtoVAZ have a short service life compared to other models - as a rule, oil begins to leak from them after 30 thousand kilometers of active driving. Among the advantages is the low price, generally not exceeding 800 - 1000 rubles.

Troubleshooting

The most obvious sign of suspension problems is, of course, constant skidding. The car stays heavily in the rut, the amplitude increases when turning, and it seems to become harder for you to control it.

The appearance of extraneous sounds is another sign of problems with the suspension. Various creaks and knocks can appear on both sides or only on one. When braking from a standstill or while driving, the wheels begin to squeak.

If you see oil leaks under the car, to the point where a puddle forms, it means that something is clearly wrong with the mechanism. Either the rack broke or there were other problems with it. However, this can be fixed.

Every car owner knows that repairing a shock absorber strut is useless. The reason is that the cost of repairing a spare part will be several times higher than the price of a new part. By the way, factory struts from SAAZ last no more than thirty thousand kilometers, then they begin to leak heavily and have to be replaced.

"Kayaba"

Oil struts from the Japanese company Kayaba have received good reviews. The Samara-2 model is suitable for Premium modifications, produced for both front and rear axles. Almost all car enthusiasts note the high quality. But at the same time, there is a great danger when purchasing racks from this company that you will run into counterfeit products. The fact is that racks produced by Kayaba, due to their high quality, are a favorite object for counterfeiting. Therefore, it is better to buy products from this company from official Kayaba dealers, because when purchasing them second-hand on the market or even in auto parts stores, there is a very high risk of buying a fake, usually made in China from low-quality metal using homemade technologies.

According to the reviews of those VAZ-2114 owners who purchased the original Kayaba struts, their service life often exceeds 100 thousand kilometers under normal driving conditions. As a rule, there are no particular complaints about the softness of their operation in cold weather. True, the price of Kayaba spare parts exceeds the cost of products from other companies. Let’s say, the same “Premium” for the rear axle will cost the buyer 2800 rubles, and for the front axle - 2100. It should be taken into account that it will be impossible to replace only the struts. You will have to change the entire package at once: shock absorber springs, rubber bands. If the front supports are changed, then the original bearings will need to be installed.

Sports and popular racks for VAZ 2114

As you know, many car enthusiasts install sports and semi-sports shock absorber struts on their cars to achieve maximum effect on the roads and maximum stability. They are more durable and absorb road imperfections much better than stock or analog struts. There are a number of manufacturers who have proven over many years of work that parts can be not only high-quality, but also durable. So, let's look at which spare parts manufacturers offer high-quality sports shock absorber struts.

ProSport - CIS

A legendary CIS company that has long been making sports versions of parts for domestically produced cars. There are two options for installation on a car - gas (sports) and gas-oil (semi-sports).

SS20 - Russia

In addition, the company produces short-stroke struts for the VAZ 2114. Of course, when choosing struts, not only the quality of the shock absorber matters, but also its price. According to car enthusiasts, it is the CC20 struts that, in terms of the ratio of these two parameters, have the best result.

Popular manufacturer of domestic origin.
The main specialization is the creation of tuning parts for cars produced in the CIS. For the VAZ-2114 there are 4 options for shock absorber struts from this manufacturer: Highway
.
Rigid struts that maximize cornering when accelerating. Standard
.
This option becomes ideal for those who live in harsh regions. They tolerate extreme heat and frost very well. Comfort
.
A universal version of racks, and therefore they are highly popular among car enthusiasts. The design features are such that they grip the road surface properly and work well with any driving style. Sports
. These are the toughest racks. This option is intended for tracks, as it ideally holds the car during sharp maneuvers at high speed.

Review about racks SS-20

“I’ll write about the SS20. I’ve been driving them for almost 3 years now, with mileage up to 40 thousand. very satisfied. When the time came to change the chassis, a friend recommended them. In general, regarding the racks: from three possible options for rigidity “Standard”, “Comfort OPTIMA” and “Highway”, I chose the middle option, since I drive on the highway and on a dirt road and on what is now called asphalt. Takes corners great! The plans are to exchange them for the same ones only with an understatement of -50. Support bearings: they also cost SS20, model, Classic, after installation, the front end rose by about 10mm due to the design of the supports. Some people even asked what lifted it up before))). They behave perfectly, no extraneous sounds. The stabilizer struts are also SS, according to test results - the tensile strength is 2.5 times higher than that of the standard one, I took them with black rubber silent blocks and replaced them with polyurethane. Well, not the most important thing, but still, SS20 sound insulators on spring cups. They cost pennies, I won’t say that it’s particularly noticeable, but they are there.”

Ultra Extreme

Some of the most expensive options. These are combined racks that are ideal for both urban and road riding. Made from high-strength material that perfectly absorbs uneven road surfaces. The average service life is 70-80 thousand km.

Plaza

Oddly enough, St. Petersburg racks have gained quite a high popularity among owners of the domestic automobile industry.

To avoid counterfeits entering the market, the manufacturer puts an o, which guarantees a quality mark.
Although all stands are oil-based, this factor does not reduce their quality. So, let's look at what options are provided: Soft-Drive
.
The soft version of the struts is designed for city driving. Although there is a drawback in the form of rocking of the car, they are quite durable. Sport
.
Very rigid struts are designed for driving at high speed, because they perfectly hold the car on the road surface. X-Drive
.
Rigid racks, which were originally designed to hold a car on a slippery road, which became a fundamental factor for their use in the northern regions. Plaza-Sport general impressions
After ALCO, which was too soft for me, I decided to look for a harder and more reliable option.
I took the plaza-sports. This is complete bullshit. Not a pendant, but a wooden stick. Very tough, very rude and loud. Service life
Unfortunately, I got rid of them faster than they would have died, but I know from many reviews that they last a very long time (of course, they don’t work damn well, why should they break).
Price/quality
The price is about $150-200 per pair, I didn’t have time to fully experience the quality, so I won’t write anything about it.
My advice
If you have a sports car that you use for various types of racing, this option is what you need. The road holding is top class, like driving a go-kart, rolls are minimal. However, for everyday city driving (in the realities of our roads) it is not at all suitable. You can drive it comfortably only on perfectly smooth asphalt.

Brembo

Quite a well-known manufacturer of tuning spare parts. It received worldwide recognition for its improved brake systems, and in 2011 it entered the CIS market, where it began producing a fairly wide range of parts for the domestic automotive industry. So, let's look at what options this company offers: • Soft racks for those who love drag and drift in a car. But, they are not suitable for high-speed driving. • The best option for those who like to drive and drive a car every day. • ProSport
. Rigid racks that are designed for high-speed driving. They perfectly hold the car on the road surface.

ATF

A new manufacturer that entered the CIS market only in 2015. The main plant is located in Western Ukraine, but this does not reduce the quality of the products. It only offers one strut option - Sport. Rigid racks are designed specifically for driving at high speed.

Bilstein B4 gas-oil

General impressions
After the kayaba, I put them on.
I installed it and the next day I went to the sea (350 km from home). On the way I cursed everything - they turned out to be VERY tough (at that time I didn’t really like it). However, they handled the road with the highest class, and the car was instantly pressed down on the waves. Service life
Unfortunately, it was 9 months, the rear struts began to leak, the front struts actually took a little longer, but still they did not lose much of their rigidity properties.
Price/quality
Now they cost about $150-180 per pair, I’m not very pleased with the quality (or rather the service life)
My advice
For an everyday car that you drive a lot and for a long time, I wouldn’t buy them, because the comfort due to the rigidity is quite low .
However, if you drive a little and mostly not for work but just ride, and like active city driving, then this is a good option. In general, not for everybody. Bilstein B2 oil general impressions
Remembering that I already had gas-oil Bilsteins, I decided to take oil ones, hoping that they would be somewhere between softness and harshness.
In the end, this is what happened, their behavior is very similar to Kayabov’s, but a little harsher. Service life
Also, unfortunately, I didn’t use them for a long time (a more interesting option turned up - the one I have now), but no defects were found during removal.
Price/quality
Good price around $70-80 per pair, good behavior and quality.
My advice:
A good option for active and not very active driving in the city/highway, moderately hard, bumps are absorbed with a bang. I recommend!

SS-20

Another oil variety presented on the Russian spare parts market is SS-20. These racks are nothing more than modified SAAZ (Skopinsky Automotive Aggregate Plant). Based on user reviews, it is impossible to form a clear opinion about this product. Some are very pleased with the purchase, while others lost their SS-20 almost immediately. This is probably due to both the different quality of workmanship and the different driving styles of car owners. Moreover, these racks are produced in several versions. Let's say, “Comfort” is offered for normal driving on daily errands.

But the “Sport” option is for those who love driving. Moreover, for driving on smooth city streets and country highways. When turning onto a country road, the “Sport” instantly loses all its main functions, and the car’s driving characteristics begin to resemble a horse-drawn cart on a wooden track. The cost of SS-20 products is quite expensive compared to standard Samara racks (rear - from 1.5, and front - from 2.5 thousand rubles.)

How to change front struts

Replacing the front struts is no more difficult than installing new shock absorbers in the rear suspension. For this purpose, you will also need to place the car motionless on a flat surface, lift it from the front and remove the wheels. Then you need to remove all fasteners holding the posts and remove the assembled parts. A peculiarity of replacing the front parts is the violation of the wheel alignment, therefore, immediately after installing the front struts, it is necessary to adjust the tilt and rotation angles according to the technical data of the car of this model.

"Plaza"

Another option that can be installed on Samara-2 is products from the St. Petersburg Plaza shock absorber plant. According to reviews, these racks are somewhat stiffer than the original ones. However, they are also poorly resistant to large minuses - in the cold they also have to be “rolled out”. Therefore, in regions where severe frosts are not uncommon in winter, it is recommended to take the “Arctic” option, with winter oil poured into them. The durability of the “Plaza” causes no less criticism than its native Samara ones - for some car owners they “ran” after only 20 - 25 thousand km. For fans of a sporty driving style, it offers “Sport” and “Supersport” options. The cost of products ranges from 1200 to 1600 rubles.

Other types of struts, gas-oil and gas, are intended mainly for active driving on fairly flat surfaces - city streets and highways. Among their advantages, the main one is that they behave much better than oil ones at high speeds, approaching 150 km/h. But considering that according to the technical characteristics, the maximum speed of the VAZ-2114 in the standard version does not exceed 170 km/h, it is unlikely that anyone would think of constantly operating their car in such extreme conditions.

Moreover, when driving on a dirt country road, such gas struts become absolutely useless. As a result, we can say that the question “Which racks are best to put on your Samara-2?” remains with its owner - either inexpensive or reliable. A number of other factors should also be taken into account: which roads your car travels on most, what style you prefer to drive, and the climatic conditions of your region. And, of course, your financial capabilities.

https://youtu.be/WMrvhXEuY18

Original spare parts

The VAZ 2114 is equipped with SAAZ oil struts. Installing “original struts” makes the car stiffer and higher, and it holds better on the road. A significant drawback of the original spare part is the absence of a reverse sound insulator, which means constant noise. Almost all SAAZ racks have this problem.

You can find them in the catalog under the number:

2108-2905402-03 – right front pillar;
2108-2905403-30 – left front pillar;
2108-2915402-10 - rear pillar.

The price of factory racks will be from 1000 to 1500 for the front and 800-1200 for the rear.

To avoid stumbling upon counterfeit auto parts, take precautions. Ask the seller to provide you with the safety certificates that accompany the racks you purchase. Compare the appearance of the packaging with what is offered on the official website. All inscriptions must be well printed, in their place, there should be no extraneous symbols or logos.

The part itself should not have external damage: these include scratches, burrs and paint chips, as well as damage to the metal itself. Of course, taking into account the fact that you are not purchasing a used part, but a completely new one.

Analogs

If you want to save money, purchase similar parts. They are not inferior to factory ones in quality, and in some cases even surpass them. The most popular options for replacing front struts:

Manufacturer's name	Factory article	Cost, rub.)
Monroe	G16247	2890
Hola	S423	1540
Fenox	A61546C1	1870
Demfi Premium	PSA365057	2700

It's no secret that even products from little-known brands can be counterfeited. Safety measures remain the same: ask for documentation, inspect the box and the part itself, and make sure that there are no external defects. Check if all the inscriptions are printed on the box. This way you will protect yourself from low-quality components.

Non-working, failed rear struts can be replaced with:

Manufacturer's name	Factory article	Cost, rub.)
Fenox	A12177C3	1220
KYB	G41545008	1850
Alca	A22374C3	950
Bilstein	21102915004	2000

Shock absorber struts can only be replaced in pairs. The reason is that with different sagging of the struts, the wear of the replaced part increases. Tires also suffer from increased wear, because the sides are not balanced. Wheels positioned at the wrong angle reduce the maneuverability and controllability of the vehicle.

conclusions

The installation and repair of the front suspension of the VAZ-2114 is quite difficult and not every motorist can do it. This article examined the design and repair of the front suspension.

As you can see, there is a main group of parts that change when worn out and broken, and there are also a number of parts that are considered consumables and are replaced when the main components are repaired.

It is worth noting that suspension repair has a significant degree of danger, because the fall of one of the elements can lead to injury and even death. Therefore, when performing repair operations you must be extremely careful. Also, many suspension elements are quite heavy, so you need to have an assistant on hand.

Source

Types of shock absorbers for Samara 2

The VAZ 2114 is no different from other domestic cars, and some are even better. Therefore, it deserves that its design features also be taken into account, otherwise you can damage not only the suspension, but also the body. Impossible? Still as possible. It depends on what shock absorbers to install. But there is a choice:

Oil shock absorbers. An antediluvian, but familiar at the genetic level, type of shock absorbers. These racks should not be installed on circuit racing cars. Their energy intensity is minimal and their response speed is minimal. They are slow and sluggish, but if the task is to ensure maximum comfort in the cabin, you need to choose them. They are soft and loose, but this will be the optimal choice for a pensioner, measured driving style with maximum smoothness.
Gas-oil. Without going into technical details, which will be quite difficult to do, we note that this type of shock absorbers is the most common on modern production middle-class cars. They are universal, it is possible to break the suspension on them, but the swing and response speed will hardly allow this to be done unless the driver specifically wants the suspension to die. Arithmetic average, suitable for both country roads and normal driving on asphalt with normal dynamics.
Gas shock absorbers. Expensive, rigid and durable gas struts are designed primarily for a sporty driving style. You shouldn’t expect any special comfort, but such racks will provide optimal controllability. Rigid, eliminating roll in turns, eliminating sway on uneven surfaces. The price of good handling is a stiff suspension. Whatever springs you put on the strut, this option will not provide a smooth ride in real life. In a word, this is not a Cadillac. This is a Porsche 911.
Read also: Priora knock sensor (DS): signs of element malfunction and solutions

In a nutshell, yes. But a strut is more than just a shock absorber. It's also a spring. Therefore, if you assemble a strut from different elements, you can correct some characteristics of the shock absorber with a spring. This is what distinguishes tuning racks, which you can choose from hundreds of items. How to do this, read on.

What's included in the front suspension?

The front suspension of the VAZ-2114 consists of many elements, but many motorists have encountered repairing them individually, and not as a whole system. The front suspension assembly is replaced if the car is involved in a traffic accident and almost all of its elements are destroyed.

So, it’s worth considering what the car’s front suspension consists of, to see what elements are included.

Vehicle suspension device

Design and decoding of VAZ-2114 suspension elements:

1 – upper support of the telescopic stand; 2 – upper support cup; 3 – compression stroke buffer with protective casing; 4 – compression buffer support; 5 – suspension spring; 6 – lower spring support cup; 7 – steering rod ball joint; 8 – steering knuckle; 9 – telescopic stand; 10 – eccentric washer; 11 – adjusting bolt; 12 – rack bracket; 13 – steering knuckle; 14 – front brake protective cover; 15 – brake disc; 16 – retaining ring; 17 – wheel hub nut; 18 – splined shank of the wheel drive hinge housing; 19 – guide pin; 20 – wheel hub bearing; 21 – ball joint; 22 – suspension arm; 23 – adjusting washers; 24 – stabilizer strut; 25 – stabilizer bar; 26 – stabilizer bar cushion; 27 – stabilizer bar mounting bracket; 28 – body bracket for mounting the suspension arm; 29 – suspension arm extension; 30 – bracket for fastening the extension; 31 – protective cover of the ball pin; 32 – ball pin bearing; 33 – ball pin; 34 – ball pin body; 35 – suspension strut rod; 36 – outer body of the upper support; 37 – inner body of the upper support; 38 – upper support bearing; 39 – rubber element of the upper support; 40 – travel limiter of the upper support; 41 – protective cap of the upper support; B - zone for monitoring the suspension joint.

Individual elements of the front suspension

Front suspension elements

Front suspension view from below

As can be seen from the figure above, the suspension is quite simple, but all elements are interconnected and for repair and replacement, it is often necessary to disconnect other parts. Therefore, we will consider the main elements of the front suspension separately, and also indicate the main purpose of the part.

Front shock absorber strut

Front shock absorbers

The front shock absorber or front suspension strut is one of the main elements. This part provides shock absorption and absorption of uneven road surfaces. Also, it bears all the force that is in the car, including the load.

Usually, if this element is frequently loaded or incorrectly replaced, it has an increased degree of wear. Therefore, all motorists need to know the structure and operating rules of the shock absorber strut.

Let's look at how the shock absorber strut is designed, as well as all the structural elements:

Diagram of the shock absorber strut structure

1 – compression valve body; 2 – compression valve discs; 3 – throttle disk of the compression valve; 4 – compression valve plate; 5 – compression valve spring; 6 – compression valve cage; 7 – recoil valve nut; 8 – recoil valve spring; 9 – recoil valve plate; 10 – recoil valve disc; 11 – throttle disk of the recoil valve; 12 – piston; 13 – bypass valve plate; 14 – bypass valve spring; 15 – plunger; 16 – plunger spring; 17 – rod guide bushing with a fluoroplastic layer; 18 – guide bushing cage; 19 – sealing ring of the rack housing; 20 – rod seal; 21 – oil seal cage; 22 – gasket of the rod protective ring; 23 – rod protective ring; 24 – nut of the strut body; 25 – compression buffer support; 26 – rod; 27 – spring cup; 28 – rotary lever; 29 – rod limit sleeve; 30 – rack body; 31 – cylinder; 32 – drain tube.

Front stabilizer

A stabilizer is a suspension element that provides lateral stability while driving, especially when turning . This part is the least likely to fail.

It is fixed on special silicone or polyurethane bushings, which, as a rule, are consumables .

Front stabilizer installed on a car

The stabilizer is attached to the body, or more precisely to the front side members, with the central part, and the side elements are included in the stabilizer strut, which is attached to the lever.

It has a small stroke, which contributes to the car having lateral stability.

Lever arm

The suspension arm is a suspension element that provides transmission and partial absorption of the impact of uneven road surfaces . It is made of high-strength metal, usually XK-40 or XK-60 steel. Having high strength, this part can easily withstand high loads. The product is attached at one end to a bracket, which is welded to the body, and at the other end to a ball joint.

Brake disk

The brake disc is the only element that is immediately part of two structural systems: the suspension and the brake part. It is connected to the suspension because the steering knuckle and wheel are attached to it.

In the braking system, the brake pads rub against it, which in turn stops the movement of the wheels and the car itself. Also, the brake disc is dismantled for repair and replacement of other suspension elements.

Brake disc on a car

Spherical bearing

The ball joint is one of the most basic elements of the entire car structure. It acts as a balancer and also supports the entire load of the body, as well as the cargo . Therefore, it is worth constantly monitoring the condition of the part, because if the hinge falls out, this can lead not only to falling out of the lever, but also to damage to the body and other suspension elements.

Ball joint on a car

The ball joint is made of high-strength material that can withstand a total load of up to 2 tons.

But, the pressure of the entire body is distributed between the ball joints. Another function of this element is that it provides the angle of rotation and tilt of the wheels when the position of the steering wheel changes. It is at this moment that the load is greatest, since when turning, all the mass and pressure from the balance of all supports transfers to one.

Rounded fist

General view of the steering knuckle

The steering knuckle is the only element that is less susceptible than others to external factors and wear . Therefore, its replacement is carried out quite rarely and mainly in case of physical damage, due to an accident or wear of the wheel bearing seat.

Assembly procedure:

The rack must be checked before assembly. To do this, pump the shock absorber rod by hand. When moving, the rod should move smoothly without dips, jerks or sounds.
We also check all the elements of the rack. We check the strut protective cover for cracks and the compression stroke bumper for damage. You also need to check the spring: a sagging or cracked spring cannot be installed on the machine.
The stiffness of springs is marked by class: Class “a” - yellow color marking, Class “B” - green color. The front suspension of the car must be equipped with springs of the same class.
Reassemble the stand in reverse order.

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