Replacing the front struts of a VAZ 2114 with your own hands - useful tips

The front struts on VAZ 2114-2115 cars wear out much faster than the rear ones, and this is due to the fact that the front part of the car bears a large load, since the main units are located there. If the shock absorbers are leaking, or are starting to leak heavily in potholes, then it would be best to completely replace them. Many people are used to dealing with such problems at a service station, although if you try a little, you can do it all on your own. The main thing is to have all the necessary tools and equipment at hand. Below is a detailed list of everything:

• spring ties
• ball joint or steering wheel remover
• pliers
• hammer
• keys for 13 and 19 as well as similar heads
• crank and ratchet handle
• breakdown

I recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the video, which will be presented below, and then read my photo report on the work done.

Signs of malfunction of VAZ 2114/2115 racks

The following signs indicate the need to replace the struts on the VAZ 2114/2115:

1. When a strut fails, the first thing to start leaking is the shock absorber.
2. Steering wheel wobble appears.
3. Vehicle vibration increases when driving on poor-quality road surfaces.
4. The car begins to drive around.
5. The skidding trajectory on a winding road becomes larger.
6. The braking distance of a car changes upward.
7. The suspension periodically makes extraneous sounds and squeaks.

The spring that stands on the telescopic stand should not have cracks.
If this is noticed, then the strut needs to be removed and the spring replaced. When replacing one strut on a car, it is better to replace the other as well. Over time, they wear out evenly, and the different stiffness of the struts (the right side is soft, and the left side is hard) do not handle impacts equally, which contributes to a rapid failure.

Examination

Self-check shock absorbers for performance.

To check it yourself, you need to follow a number of the following tips:

1. Bring the car to the inspection hole and check the shock absorbers for oil leaks, changes in shape, and contamination.
2. Pay attention to the piston rod; if it is damaged, the system may depressurize.
3. Listen for knocking sounds in the car's suspension while driving.
4. Inspect the tire tread; if there is uneven wear, the shock absorber(s) may need to be replaced.
5. Drive the distance of the same turn repeatedly at the same speed, pay attention to whether the car skids.

How to check the struts of a VAZ 2114, VAZ 2115

Self-diagnosis methods are, to put it mildly, ineffective, so it is recommended to carry out diagnostic work exclusively on specialized equipment. There is one way, but it only works when the rack has already worn out. You will need to stand near the corner of the car (near the right pillar, for example).

Stand near the edge of the right headlight and place your hands on the hood or fender, then rock the car two or three times, and when it is at the bottom, sharply remove your hands. If the car then goes up and a little down and immediately stops without unnecessary vibrations, then the strut is most likely normal. We carry out similar actions on the left wing. Most often, one rack fails, so the difference in its “behavior” is obvious.

Another reason for the malfunction of the front shock absorber strut of the VAZ 2114/2115 is the failure of the upper support. The reason for replacing the upper supports is usually one of two reasons:

• ruptures and cracks in the rubber part of the support. As a rule, this occurs due to aging of the rubber. This is fraught with the fact that a support that is in this state will suppress noise and shocks while the car is moving much worse;
• failure of the upper support bearing. It occurs much more often than the breakage of a rubber element, and more anxiety is added, since the support with a broken bearing knocks loudly, even on small irregularities.

Diagnostics

To diagnose the right pillar, stand near the right headlight. Next, rock the body with your hands by pressing the fender or hood. If the shock absorber strut is working, the body should return to its original position in one stroke. On the left side, follow the same procedure. Usually only one of the racks loses functionality and the difference is obvious.

It is worth noting that the diagnostic method presented above will give results if the rack is in a completely “dead” state. In order to identify the problem at an early stage, you need to carry out diagnostics on a special stand. Novice car enthusiasts most often turn to a service station for diagnostics, and then carry out the repairs themselves.

How to change the front struts of a VAZ 2114, VAZ 2115

There are two options for dismantling the shock absorber strut: one allows you to avoid subsequent adjustment of the steering wheel alignment angles, the second allows you to quickly complete the work with more compact units, but after that it is necessary to adjust the steering wheel alignment angles. The difference is that in the first version we remove the strut together with the steering knuckle, without loosening the nuts of the lower and upper (adjusting) bolts securing the strut to the steering knuckle. In this case, the amount of work is greater: we additionally disconnect the brake caliper and ball joint.

In the second option, pay attention! Immediately after replacing the struts, the vehicle requires mandatory wheel alignment adjustment.

We proceed according to the first option, disconnect the steering rod, remove the brake pad guide with the caliper and the brake disc, and remove the outer CV joint from the hub.

Diagnosis

The slightest suspicion of a malfunction requires immediate diagnostic work. There are measures that a car enthusiast can do on his own, which will be the first test of the struts.

We recommend:

How to replace steering rack seals: step-by-step instructions

Some car owners do without testing at the stand and spontaneously rock their vehicles in order to determine the shock absorbers. True, this check is very ineffective, since the weakening and performance of the racks does not affect the swaying of the vehicle, in the end it seems that everything is in order.

Replacing front struts on a VAZ 2114

Racks play a significant role in the comfort and safety of driving a VAZ 2114, as well as on any other car. Then their selection, replacement and current condition should be treated with increased attention.

When the old elements are no longer able to properly perform their duties, they have to be replaced. And here the main question arises - which racks are best to install on a VAZ 2114. We cannot give you a definite answer, since the choice largely depends on the individual preferences of each individual car owner. Therefore, we will consider all types and popular manufacturers.

A few important tips when searching for the right products

You can always find tips to help you cope with problems. There are several questions from Russian car enthusiasts that have answers. For example, the question is VAZ 2114 – what should I buy? Answer: It all depends on where the machine is used. If it is mainly used for off-road use, then it is better to take the 2112 model as it can increase the ground clearance.

Actually, when it comes to springs for cars, there are quite a few different options. Therefore, it is best to first seek advice from an intelligent and experienced specialist before making a replacement.

Kinds

There are three types of A-pillars that are suitable for installation on the VAZ 2114.

1. Oil comfortable. If you like a quiet, measured ride, choose oil ones. They are installed on Samara 2 from the factory. They smooth out bumps on the roads well, but at high speeds they behave unstably and the car can sway violently.
2. Gas-oil. An average solution that will allow you to ride comfortably at low speeds, but at the same time enjoy a sporty driving style if necessary. The best option for the average driver.
3. Gas. If you love tuning and huge speeds, then your choice is exclusively gas struts. But get ready for the fact that every bump and unevenness will be felt under you. In urban conditions, such spare parts will not last long. These are rather track solutions for the corresponding tuned versions of the “fourteenth” model. By installing short-travel struts on a VAZ 2114, you can achieve better aerodynamics and downforce by lowering the suspension. Short strokers are a device with limited rebound travel, in short.

Selecting products by labeling

So, the driver came to the store to buy new springs. How to make the right choice?

The decoding of the markings shown below can help with this:

• 2101 - perfectly fits standard sedans equipped with rear-wheel drive;
• 21012 - rigid springs, which are mainly used on special vehicles;
• 2102 - originally created for Russian station wagons. When installing this product, the vehicle's ground clearance increases, which is quite important if the vehicle is operated off-road;
• 2018 - usually installed on any vehicle with front-wheel drive, except for Oka and those cars that have a 16-valve power unit under the hood;
• 2110 - these products were created for expert Russian models from VAZ;
• 2111 - work on models such as VAZ 2111 and 2113. Only on rear-type suspensions;
• 2112 - analogue of 2111, only for front-type suspension;
• 2121 - most often installed only on all-wheel drive vehicles. First of all, this is a simple Niva.

The markings are easy to understand. But it is still necessary to understand how the manufacturer influences the choice of springs.

Leading manufacturers

When choosing new nodes, you should think about what exactly you want to get and what it will be like for you in the future. We recommend installing collapsible struts, since their design can be disassembled into parts, thereby simplifying and reducing the cost of suspension repairs. This is one of the key advantages of collapsible units.

KYB (Kayaba)

Look at the front element assembly in the photo to first understand what exactly this component of your car looks like. Choosing a manufacturer is a fairly pressing issue, since each of the options presented today has its own advantages and disadvantages. We invite you to familiarize yourself with them in the table.

From this we can conclude that spare parts from Kayaba are the optimal solution that will last a long time, reliably, and will not be afraid of harsh Russian winters, during which many analogues among the A-pillars simply will not be able to function normally, causing problems for you.

Signs of breakdown

It is often stated that the front struts on a VAZ 2114 can last about 60 thousand kilometers. In fact, the figure is not entirely fair, since under the conditions of our roads it is significantly reduced. Sometimes even twice.

Therefore, the car owner’s task is to monitor the condition of the suspension and front struts in particular, identify signs of breakdown in time and replace the units.

Worn out

If your racks are really reaching the end of their service life, you can determine this by the following signs:

• The car behaves unstably on the road;
• When driving over obstacles, the car sways strongly;
• When entering turns and braking, the car is unstable;
• The braking distance increases noticeably;
• There are traces of oil on the body;
• There is a noise or knocking noise from the front of the car.

Some, even with such obvious signs of malfunction, continue to ignore the car’s need to replace the front struts. If you do not take any action, the consequences may be as follows:

• The car will bounce on every bump;
• Controllability in corners will decrease significantly, the car will pull to the side and turn around;
• Tires will lose their quality and wear out in the shortest possible time;
• Soon you will have to go to the wheel alignment.

If the replacement of the front struts on the VAZ 2114 is carried out in a timely manner, these problems and huge financial costs can be avoided.

Replacement

Before you get started, we recommend watching a video on how to make the replacement. This is a useful lesson that will provide the necessary knowledge and concepts about the location of certain components of the unit.

Removed suspension element

But let’s say right away that the lack of at least basic experience in car repair means that you should not start replenishing your own knowledge base with such a process as replacing these parts. It is better to entrust this issue to specialists.

If you decide to do everything yourself, then follow the specified algorithm. This will allow the replacement to be completed efficiently and without unnecessary manipulation.

1. Place the car on a flat area, preferably with a hole. Loosen the bolts on the front wheels. Be sure to turn on the handbrake and secure the wheels with chocks. You need to think about safety first.
2. Use a jack to lift the front of the car, then remove the wheel. Please note, when changing the front suspension elements, it is better to do this on two wheels at once, even if one of the struts is in satisfactory condition.
3. Lift the hood and look for the bolts that secure the struts to the body. Look for them on the left and right, near the windshield.
4. There is a plastic cap on the glass that needs to be removed. To do this, use a simple flathead screwdriver. The plastic element is pryed off and thus easily removed.
5. Unscrew the mounting nuts holding the rack on top of the body.
6. A brake hose with a bracket is attached to the rack. This element is also removable.
7. Using a wire brush, be sure to clean all the fastening elements of the struts to the body and chassis of the car.
8. Now take the pliers in your hands and use them to unscrew the nut. The one that holds the tie rod end joint to the A-pillar.
9. A puller removes the hinge from the shock-absorbing strut arm. If this is your first time changing them and no one has removed them before, be sure to tighten the nut a few turns, which will protect the threads.
10. Near the place where the fist is attached to the stand, there are nuts that should be removed. Just first mark where the adjusting bolts are located. This way you won’t have to go to a wheel alignment after replacing suspension elements.
11. Using a hammer, knock out the bolts that hold the element and the fist. The nodes release, allowing you to pull your fist down and reach the worn post.
12. Place the new part, then proceed to reassemble the unit in the reverse order. During the procedure, do not forget to check other components for defects, malfunctions, oil leaks, and so on.

When the procedure is completed, put on the wheels, but do not tighten the bolts tightly. By lowering the car from the jack, you can fully secure the bolts. This is an important rule that, unfortunately, many people forget about.

Replacing the front struts is not the most difficult procedure, but it requires observance of a sequence of actions, accuracy and regularity.

VAZ 2114: replacing the front pillar with your own hands

On a VAZ 2114 car, the front strut is replaced if it fails. The resource of the suspension element is quite long, but do not forget that the fourteenth has been produced since 2001, and the youngest car is currently three years old. And the service life of a shock absorber depends on many factors, including the conditions in which the car is operated. And, unfortunately, they are not always ideal - the quality of the roads leaves much to be desired. Let's look at the entire process of replacing the front pillar on a VAZ 2114.

Why is it necessary to change springs on time?

So, what can happen if a vehicle's spring has reached the end of its life or has broken completely?

There are several negative consequences of this problem:

1. The vehicle's ground clearance decreases, which can lead to damage to other vehicle parts due to contact with poor-quality road surfaces (potholes, bumps, and much more).

The rubber of the wheels in the rear arches of the car begins to feel double friction, which means it wears out more often.

2. Transport control deteriorates, as it may begin to tilt to one side and swing during the trip.
3. The service life of the depreciation-type system quickly begins to decrease.

It turns out that a spring that has failed can lead to serious problems in the future. Therefore, the next question is absolutely logical: when should the replacement be carried out?

Most often, manufacturers claim that their product can last for about 10 years. But they mean that vehicles will only move on level roads, without auxiliary loads. This is almost impossible to do on Russian roads, so it is best to replace it three years after the start of use.

Tools for work and materials

When replacing the front strut on a VAZ 2114, it is necessary to have all the following tools at hand:

1. Jack (ideally, of course, a hydraulic or pneumatic one would be suitable, since they are convenient to work with).
2. A set of keys.
3. Pliers, duckbills, forceps.
4. Hammer and chisel (just in case).
5. Puller for the ball joint of the steering tip.
6. Spring tensioner.
7. Steel wire.
8. Lubricant like WD-40.

Replacing the front struts of a VAZ 2114 with your own hands is impossible without a new set of spare parts. What is better - to take all the elements separately or together? Depends on how “killed” the shock absorbers installed on the car are. If all the elements of the rack have become unusable, then you can purchase it assembled, then the repair procedure becomes much easier - it will be enough to unscrew a few bolts and install all the suspension components.

But this is true for cases when you purchase branded spare parts, for example, Kayaba (KYB, Kayaba). But if the renovation is “budget”, then you can collect all the elements separately:

1. Shock absorber strut VAZ 2114. Standard SS20.10P/L.00.000-01 will cost you about 5,000 rubles, but you can find it cheaper. The price directly depends on the manufacturer. But we must not forget that quality can also be judged by price. On the VAZ 2114, the front strut is not replaced so often, so you need to be responsible when choosing components.
2. Support bearing number 348702 (or included 8115). Bearing dimensions 14.5x52x1475x100x19 (according to specification).
3. Chipper (silicone is preferable, but rubber is also possible). The ideal copy is number SS74101 - a complete analogue of the stock one.
4. Anther. The cheapest option is plastic, with the number 2108-2902814, but it deteriorates quite quickly and is not worth buying. The similar 2110-2905681-R, from the front pillars of a VAZ 2110, performs much better in operation.
5. Bolts securing the hub to the shock absorber.
6. A spring is needed if the old one has sagged too much.
7. “Little things” such as washers and metal spacers for springs can be borrowed from an old rack.

But we must not forget that the replacement must be carried out simultaneously on both sides! Therefore, all of the above spare parts will have to be purchased in double quantities.

Installation Tips

Do not forget that the springs on the suspension must be installed of the same class. For example, people installed A-class parts on the front suspension, it turns out that class “A” also needs to be installed on the rear suspension. If there are no products of the same class for the rear suspension, then, as an exception, class “B” is installed on the rear part.

If the front suspension has B-class springs, then it is prohibited to install “A” class springs on the rear suspension. Place suspensions of the same class on the left and right sides of the same axle.

The VAZ 2114 suspension is very durable, and the need to replace components appears very rarely. Therefore, not all drivers of 2114 cars know that it is better to choose from the large assortment that is available on the markets. Sometimes parts from 2112 are installed on a VAZ 2114, they are a little stiffer, designed for a different weight, so they slightly raise the 2112 - by a couple of centimeters, which means this can improve cross-country ability. If, on the contrary, there is an idea to lower the car, then it is better to buy an Eibach, with the front ones being -5 and the rear ones -7, so that the vehicle does not ride up.

So, the choice of springs for VAZ is very wide. The most important thing is to choose the right stiffness characteristics that will suit the vehicle load and conditions of use. You can find all kinds of advice on the Internet. Of course, it is better to first consult with a specialist. Refusal of original components in favor of other manufacturers may be dictated by the idea of ​​​​improving the running parameters of the vehicle, but be sure to compare the price of tuning and the result obtained.

Replacing the front struts of a VAZ 2114

And now more about how to replace the front strut supports of a VAZ 2114 with your own hands. First, you should prepare the car for work - disconnect the battery, install stops under the rear wheels so that the car cannot be moved. And we begin:

1. Raise the side to be repaired using a jack.
2. We remove the wheel. Need I say that you need to loosen the bolts in advance?

1. Place the brake pipe to the side so as not to damage it.
2. Using keys “17” and “19”, unscrew the bolts securing the strut to the hub. These bolts and nuts can be thrown away immediately - reuse is unacceptable. Firstly, there is a plastic lock on the thread, and it is designed for a small number of tightenings. Secondly, metal fatigue affects and the bolt can become deformed when tightened.
3. On a VAZ 2114, the front strut can be replaced without removing the spring. But you still have to unscrew the nut and remove the tie rod end.
4. Using a key set to “13” you need to unscrew all three nuts that secure the support bearing housing to the car body.

After this, the entire rack assembly can be removed and a new one installed in its place. As you can see, replacing the front struts of a VAZ 2114 is not that difficult. But if you install an old spring, you will have to tinker with disassembling the old unit - this can be problematic, since long-term use takes its toll on it. Rust appears, the metal “sticks”, sometimes even penetrating lubricant cannot help.

The repair procedure is the same on both sides. Installation of a new rack is carried out in the reverse order. It is important to observe the tightening torque of threaded connections, since your safety depends on it. Use a torque wrench for convenience. At this point, the replacement of the front struts of the VAZ 2114 is completed, you can continue to use the car.

Bleeding shock absorbers:

None

Full size This is how I saw this support. Naturally I decided to replace it))) And of course with my own hands))) And so we proceed to the replacement.

The first thing we do is loosen the hub nut. This is best done at the very beginning without lifting the car. We take a 32 head (I still have this head from the Opel days - there is the same nut on the hub) and put an extension pipe on the key (the nut is clamped very tightly):

None

None By the way, I forgot the most important thing))) When making repairs, it is advisable to have:

None

None

Full size It’s easier to unscrew with a ratchet) Luckily there is a good tool))) Then we take pullers

Full size With red handle still from Opel)

And remove the steering tip:

Full size Steering end removed

We do the same with the ball:

Full size Unscrew the nut and snap it off with a puller

Then we unscrew the three nuts on top of the support itself and remove the stand assembly: Then we compress the spring with zip ties and unscrew the top nut:

Full sizeThis is how we compress the spring

We take new supports. I took these:

None

None Issue price: 1,150 ₽.

The front struts on VAZ 2114-2115 cars wear out much faster than the rear ones, and this is due to the fact that the front part of the car bears a large load, since the main units are located there. If the shock absorbers are leaking, or are starting to leak heavily in potholes, then it would be best to completely replace them. Many people are used to dealing with such problems at a service station, although if you try a little, you can do it all on your own.

The main thing is to have all the necessary tools and equipment at hand. Below is a detailed list of everything:

• spring ties
• ball joint or steering wheel remover
• pliers
• hammer
• keys for 13 and 19 as well as similar heads
• crank and ratchet handle
• breakdown

I recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the video, which will be presented below, and then read my photo report on the work done.

Signs of front strut failure

As we mentioned, the front struts can “live” much less than 60 thousand kilometers. In order to avoid problems, you must first focus on the driving performance of the car and its behavior on the road.

Rack malfunctions manifest themselves as follows:

1. Reduced road stability;
2. excessive rocking of the car when hitting obstacles;
3. poor car stability during braking and cornering;
4. increased braking distance;
5. the appearance of oil drips on the body;
6. the occurrence of extraneous noise or knocking in the front of the car.

Please note that if there are obvious signs of malfunction, the front struts of the VAZ 2114 should be replaced as soon as possible. If this is not done, the following consequences are possible:

1. The car will literally bounce at the races;
2. controllability when cornering will decrease (centrifugal forces will pull the car to the side, try to turn around, or even pull it into a ditch);
3. tires wear out faster;
4. very soon you will need a wheel alignment.

At the same time, timely replacement of shock absorber struts will avoid many problems and save your own budget.

Spherical bearing

This is another important element in the suspension design. The ball joint is a balancer that bears all the load and heaviness of the front part of the body. Therefore, the part wears out much more often than the shock absorber strut and levers. It is worth noting that the ball is not only the fulcrum of the entire suspension, but also the turning mechanism. Thanks to it, the front wheels are controlled by means of a rack, rods and a fist.

If you do not monitor the serviceability of the element, it may fall out. Because of this, serious consequences are possible - the wheel simply breaks out of its fastenings while driving, and the car loses controllability. At the same time, other suspension elements are damaged and cannot be restored:

• constant-velocity joint;
• rounded fist;
• levers;
• stand and its fastening elements.

In other words, the car will need a complete front suspension replacement. The VAZ-2114 will undergo expensive and lengthy repairs. Therefore, at the first sign, this part needs to be changed.

Replacing the front struts of a VAZ 2114, step-by-step instructions

Before you start work, stock up on the necessary tools. Here you can get by with a standard set.

Prepare two open-end wrenches (for “thirteen” and “nineteen”), a special wrench for “twenty-two”, a puller designed to remove the tie rod end, pliers and a small hammer.

Please note that you should change the racks on both sides at the same time. In this way, you will save a lot of personal time and save your nerves in the future.

Otherwise, the worn and new strut may behave differently in motion, which will lead to deterioration in the car’s handling (this will be especially noticeable on wet or slippery roads).

Replacement of racks is carried out according to the following algorithm:

1. Loosen the mounting bolts on the front wheel, apply the handbrake and secure the wheels with wheel chocks. All this is necessary to prevent any movement of the car during work.

2. Raise the front part of the car with a jack, place some supports and remove the wheel.

3. Open the hood and find the bolts securing the struts to the car body (they are located on the left and right sides closer to the windshield).

4. Remove the plastic cap that is fixed on the glass. To do this, just pry it off with something sharp (a regular screwdriver will do).

5. Unscrew the nuts that secure the rack to the car body on top.

6. The brake hose is attached to the car pillar on a bracket - remove it.

7. Take a wire brush and clean all the parts attaching the strut to the elements of the body and chassis.

8. Using pliers, loosen the nut that secures the steering linkage joint to the front strut.

9. Use a special puller and remove the hinge from the suspension strut arm (photo 1). If the racks have not been removed before, then before using the puller (to protect the thread), screw the nut 3-4 turns.

10. Unscrew the nuts located near the place where the “knuckle” is fixed to the shock absorber strut (photo 2). But before that, it would be a good idea to put special marks on the adjusting bolts before unscrewing them (this will allow you to avoid doing wheel alignment).

Note! That experts still recommend doing wheel alignment when changing struts.

11. Use a drift to knock out the bolts holding the knuckle and strut in place. Separate the nodes and move the fist down and remove the stand.

12. Install a new part.

13. Carefully reassemble everything in reverse order.

In conclusion, remember a few simple rules:

1. Carefully check all components for damage, cracks, burrs or dents;
2. Unscrew and tighten bolts only when the vehicle is firmly planted on the ground.

If everything is done correctly, then the work of replacing both racks will take no more than an hour. Good luck on the roads and of course no breakdowns.

We recommend watching a video that will help you replace the front struts on a VAZ 2114 with your own hands. In this video you will also find everything about pumping shock absorbers. Learn how to bleed shock absorbers on a VAZ 2114 yourself.