Detailed instructions for replacing the inner and outer CV joint boots on a Chevrolet Niva

CV joints on Chevrolet Niva: what are they?

The purpose of the CV joint on a Chevrolet Niva is to uniformly transmit torque to the drive wheel, regardless of its angle of rotation. According to the design features, the parts are:

1. Internal.
2. External.

It is impossible to transfer rotation to a wheel with one CV joint on a Chevrolet Niva, so there is always a pair of them in the drive. The one located near the gearbox experiences a heavier load. It is easy to distinguish - it has large dimensions compared to the outer hinge. The external unit transmits rotation to the wheel. Its dimensions are also affected by the limited space in the area of ​​the drive wheel.

Choice

1. Cardan Sickle and Hammer, Saratov. A reliable and high-quality cardan that eliminates vibrations, the car becomes silent. Recommended for city driving.
2. New: Prom cardan Niva Chevrolet without elastic coupling. This CV joint driveshaft on the field makes for a comfortable ride and eliminates vibration and noise.
3. JSC Kardan Syzran plant. Delivered to the conveyor belt of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant. Comfortable ride and silent. The CV joint is ideal for city driving.
4. Chevrolet Niva front driveshaft. Quiet ride, but you have to watch the boots. The boot of the Chevrolet Niva Niva cardan CV joint is damaged and fails.
5. On the crosspieces there is a cardan joint of JSC Syzran. VAZ crosspieces are a reliable cardan.
6. Forward JSC Kardan Syzransky. Balanced. These cardans can also be used off-road.
7. JSC Kardan Chernigov plant. A more reliable splined part, the crosspieces are from the Volga Gas 24. Reliable cardan. More suitable for hunting is the cardan from the Chernigov Automobile Plant. The splined part is strengthened, it wears out less and the crosspieces are powerful.
8. Front Chernigov cardan on Volgov crosspieces Gas 24.
9. Belarusian cardan on Moskvich crosspieces 2140. The cheapest.

Grenade replacement

Right inner CV joint close up, you can see the article number and markings

This unit consists of parts that are constantly in motion. As a result, they may burst or wear out, requiring replacement.

But this happens quite rarely, since it is almost impossible to detect damage to the boot in time. It should also be said that the cost of the CV joint is not high, and therefore it can be purchased if necessary.

Troubleshooting

You can determine the malfunction of the grenade yourself. To do this, while the car is moving, turn the steering wheel in any direction until it stops. In this case, the driver will hear a crunching sound in the area of ​​the front wheel. In this case, you need to replace the hinge.

Video on how to determine if a grenade is faulty

Changing a grenade on a Niva Chevrolet with your own hands

To replace a grenade, you must first remove the old one. In the process, you will have to dismantle the axle shaft along with the CV joint (you can find a disassembly video on the Internet). Then the car owner must perform the following actions:

1. Clamp the removed assembly in a vice.
2. Remove the old boot.
3. Knock the CV joint off the axle using a hammer and a socket.
4. Clean all teeth on the axle gear.
5. Install the new joint on the axle.
6. Place the boot and secure it with clamps.
7. Install the axle with CV joint on the car.

Intermediate shaft faults

During operation of the intermediate shaft, oil leakage may occur. It indicates that the oil seal is in unsatisfactory condition. Damage to the intermediate shaft oil seal can affect the condition of the entire gearbox, since the release of transmission oil will affect all components of the box.

Rice. General view of the secondary shaft.

Another malfunction may appear when all gears or only a certain number are engaged, most often these are the second, third and fifth. When these gears are engaged, the required transmission of torque to the vehicle's driveshaft does not occur. This indicates a weakening of the correct fit of the intermediate shaft gears. When such a problem arises, there are two ways to solve it. The first is to replace the intermediate shaft as a whole. In this case, its bearings and seals are immediately replaced. The second involves welding a weakened gear. The main disadvantage of this method is that if this gear fails, the entire shaft will need to be replaced, which is not very economical.

Replacement procedure

If the car owner has the skills to work under the bottom of the car, it is not necessary to completely remove the drive. There is also no need to dismantle the CV joint - the whole operation boils down to removing the hinge mechanisms. First of all, lift the car onto the pit, tighten the handbrake, and select first gear. You need to jack up the front of the Niva and remove the wheel - right or left. For safety reasons, place a wooden support under the threshold of the car.

Now you need to disconnect the hub from the suspension. You need to do the following:

• unscrew the hub nut (it is tightened with great force);
• remove the jack from under the car and install it under the ball joint;
• lift it a little, place a wooden block under the lower arm, remove the jack;
• loosen the nuts of the lower ball joint connecting the part to the steering knuckle and pull out the bolts;
• disassemble the shock absorber mount at the bottom, compress the spring as much as possible so that it does not interfere;
• move the hub mechanism to the side.

Then you will need to crawl under the car and loosen the clamps of the internal grenade case. You can even cut them off, since they will no longer be used. The inner boot must be pulled out from the outer ring, then simply cut off.

To separate the inner CV joint from the structure and divide it into 2 parts, you need to pull the hub all the way to the side. Pull the shaft with the outer “grenade” and part of the inner one out from under the car. After:

• remove the elements of the inner race of the hinge: a separator with rollers (in the case of a tripoid version) or just 6 balls (Rzeppa);
• place them in a bath with kerosene, rinse thoroughly;
• put on a new boot;
• assemble the internal mechanisms of the hinge, apply new lubricant;
• install half of the “grenade” in place;
• collect everything as it was originally.

This method takes less time, but is not always feasible. Without certain skills, installing a new protective cover without removing the drive is problematic. Therefore, it is still recommended to dismantle the axle with the internal “grenade” intact. The drive from the outer CV joint will easily disengage after moving the hub with the rotary cam. The second end of the axle is fixed to the gearbox - you need to remove several nuts to remove the bracket. If necessary, the boot of the outer CV joint of the Niva Chevrolet is simultaneously replaced.

Is repair possible?

In some cases, the protective cap can be repaired. For example, if it breaks on the road, but there is no new one at hand. Restoration involves the use of rubber patches or cellophane. Both options work, they help you get to the nearest service center without the risk of ruining the CV joint.

Rubber patches must be prepared in advance. Usually they use the same ones as for a car tire. You also need to apply grenade lubricant, sealant and kerosene. The patch is glued to the boot, and for greater reliability it is filled with sealant on top. After drying, you can drive, but not for long. The restored cover must be replaced as soon as possible. It will be even better if you can carefully remove the damaged component, clean it, fill it with oil, securely fasten it with clamps, and only then install the patch.

Cellophane is used as a last resort - when the rubber protection cannot be removed. You need tape, lubricant, and a syringe. The protective cover is cleaned of dirt right on the spot and washed as much as possible. The oil is filled with a syringe through the boot into the joint. Next, the structure is wrapped in a plastic bag and with tape on top. It is advisable to use not ordinary stationery tape, but a special one - automotive, durable.

By regularly inspecting the boot, you can avoid expensive repairs. But if you do not have technical skills, it is better to contact a service center, where they will do a full diagnosis of the suspension elements. If necessary, they will change not only the cover, but also the CV joint itself.

We replace the outer and inner ones on a VAZ 2123 with our own hands

Hinges tend to wear evenly.

Before starting work, you need to prepare the appropriate tool:

• wheel wrench;
• screwdriver;
• jack;
• hammer;
• extension;
• vice;
• support under the bottom of the car;
• keys for 13, 17, 27.

First you need to dismantle the drive, and then change the internal and external hinges. Work order:

• unscrew the fastening nuts and disconnect the cardan from the front axle;
• lift the car, hang it up and remove the front wheels;
• unscrew the lower shock absorber mounts from the levers;
• unscrew the nuts holding the bearing housings of the internal constant velocity joints;
• Unscrew the gearbox fastening to the cross member. Raise the knot and secure it by tying or placing a support.

Further actions are performed sequentially for the left and right drives.

• remove the cap protecting the wheel bearing;
• unscrew the nut;
• remove the bushing;
• raise the lower arm by compressing the suspension spring;
• unscrew the fastenings of the lower ball joint;
• move the steering knuckle to the side, releasing the splines of the outer CV joint;
• unscrew the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold and move it to the side (this operation is only needed to replace the right-hand drive CV joints);
• move the gearbox back a little;
• pull out the drive.

Next, you need to replace the hinges with new ones. To do this you will have to disconnect them from the drives. This is done like this:

• clamp the axle in a vice;.
• dismantle the old boot;
• using an extension, knock the CV joint off the axle splines;
• clean teeth from dirt;
• put on a new hinge;
• lubricate the part;
• put on a new boot and secure it with a clamp.

Detailed instructions for replacing the inner and outer CV joint boots on a Chevrolet Niva

Detailed instructions for replacing the Niva Chevrolet drive: right, left and their seals

Chevrolet Niva CV joints: cardan shafts, external, internal

When to replace the grenade boot on a Chevrolet Niva?

As a rule, replacing the Chevrolet Niva CV joint boot is carried out after inspecting the part and detecting damage. It could be a small hole, a crack, or a large tear. Regardless of the degree of damage to the protective cover, it must be replaced with a new one. If this is not done in time, the owner will face complex and expensive repairs.

Checking the rubber protection must be carried out regularly, since parts wear out quickly if they are constantly under load. Checking is a simple undertaking. You just need to turn the front wheels to the right or left all the way and inspect the elements. There should be no traces of oil or cracks on them.

Varieties

SR as a suspension part began to be used on cars from the mid-20th century. Thanks to the unit, it became possible to simultaneously rotate and control the rotation of the wheels at an angle of up to 70 degrees. In the automotive industry, four technical solutions for components are used:

• cam;
• tripoid;
• ball;
• twin cardan shafts.

All these types are united by the basic design, which is a rigidly connected body and holder. The car's joints are also divided into:

• internal, rotating up to 20 degrees;
• external, more mobile and transmitting without power losses.

The part works according to the following principle.

1. There are grooves on the surface of the inner race. Their number is the same as the number of bearings inside it.
2. The cage is held in place by bearings that separate the housing and the cam.
3. The bearings move along the path of the smaller diameter of the fist and the larger diameter of the housing.
4. This creates a rotational impulse that transmits torque to the driven shaft.

Replacement procedure: step-by-step algorithm

There is no point in repairing a worn-out unit, so the outer CV joint of a Niva Chevrolet is always replaced. Replacing a damaged “grenade” is a labor-intensive operation. You will need a set of wrenches, pullers, and experience in performing plumbing work.

Outer CV joint

The damaged unit is replaced using an axle shaft with grenades removed from the vehicle. The body is raised with a car jack, a reliable stand under the car and wheel chocks are installed. This helps protect the repairman from possible injuries. Before lifting the car body, loosen the hub nut. You will need a head and an extension for the key. Next, you need to remove the wheel and unscrew the lower mount of the front shock absorber. Take it to the side and secure it with improvised means. Also unscrew the bolts on the ball joint.

Then they completely remove the nut on the hub and, pulling it towards themselves, take out the “grenade”.

Release the boot mounting clamp and move it as far as possible on the axle shaft. A hammer with an extension is used to hit the body of the “grenade” until it is removed from the axle shaft. Before installing a new part, be sure to change the retaining ring on the axle shaft, since it is disposable. Installing the hinge is done in the reverse order.

Inner CV joint

This faulty unit on a Chevrolet Niva can only be replaced after the axle shaft with constant velocity joints has been completely removed. The “ear” and skis are released, which will allow you to rotate the bridge when removing the axle shaft. For ease of operation, the dismantled axle shaft with “grenades” should be clamped in a vice. Replacing the internal CV joint of a Niva Chevrolet occurs as follows:

1. Remove the clamps securing the protective boots and move them as far as possible.
2. Use a hammer and extension to remove the damaged “grenade”. A few blows are enough to dismantle the faulty part.
3. Before installing a new hinge, carefully clean the splines and install a new retaining ring, since it is disposable.
4. A new CV joint is installed on the axle, the protective cover is additionally filled with lubricant, and the boot is clamped with a clamp.

The axle shaft with new grenades is assembled and mounted in the reverse order. The process is fully presented in the video:

Removal and installation of front wheel drives Niva Chevrolet

You will need: keys “13”, “17”, “27”, a wrench for the wheel nuts. 1. Disconnect the front driveshaft from the front axle gearbox (see “Removing and lubricating the Niva driveshaft”).

2. Raise the car and remove the front wheels.

3. Disconnect the shock absorbers from the lower front suspension arms.

4. Unscrew three nuts securing the bearing housings of the inner hinge of the right and left drives.

5. Remove the bolt securing the right front axle gearbox bearing cover to the front suspension cross member.

6. Unscrew the four nuts securing the suspension brackets of the front axle gearbox.

7. Unscrew the nut and remove the bolt securing the left front axle gearbox bearing cover to the front suspension cross member.

8. Raise the front axle gearbox and secure it in this position in any available way.

9. Remove the front wheel hub cap and unscrew the hub nut

The hub nut is tightened to a large torque.

Therefore, we recommend using a head with a strong knob.

10. Remove the nut and centering sleeve.

11. Compress the suspension spring by jacking up the lower arm.

Unscrew the three nuts and remove the ball joint bolts from the lever.

12. Move the steering knuckle to the side.

13. Disconnect the exhaust pipe from the exhaust manifold and exhaust gas converter and take it to the engine (this operation is not required to remove the left drive).

14. Pull the gearbox back

15. Remove the right drive

16. Remove the left drive in the same way.

17. Install the drives and all removed parts in the reverse order of removal.

When tightening the wheel hub nuts, adjust the clearance in the bearings (see “Adjusting the wheel hub bearings of Niva Chevrolet”).

CV joint on Niva Chevrolet

With its help, torque is transmitted from the engine to the drive wheels. It's mostly front-wheel drive. Due to the CV joint, torque is transmitted uniformly, taking into account the fact that the wheel is at a different angle relative to the car.

On a Chevrolet, a grenade can be:

1. Internal.
2. Outdoor.

Like all other parts in the car, this unit has its own specific service life. Therefore, every Niva owner sooner or later is faced with the need to replace the CV joint.

Reasons for grenade failure

One of the reasons for the failure of the CV joint is a breakthrough of the boot and the ingress of dirt.

The CV joint can fail for the following reasons:

1. Long service life of the mechanism. This is the most common cause of breakdown. Usually the part has to be replaced after 10,000 kilometers (on average), but it may happen that repairs are required even earlier.
2. Sloppy driving. This could be sharp turns, driving on an uneven road at high speed, or turning the steering wheel when the car suddenly starts. In all these cases, the maximum load is placed on the CV joint.
3. Water, dust or dirt has entered the device. For this reason, the hinge may also fail prematurely. Water gets inside due to damage to the rubber boot. The protection can crack due to any factors during operation, so it is recommended to periodically check its condition.

How to extend service life?

To prevent the rubber covers of CV joints from cracking and bursting longer, you should follow simple rules:

• When installing the boot, apply lubricant to the inside of each fold.
• Apply mobile phone or silicone sealant diluted with white spirit to the outer surface of the covers.
• In severe frosts, leave the car in the parking lot, having first leveled the steering wheel. This reduces the load on the tires.

If cracks appear on the boot, do not try to restore it. Immediately replace the part and change the lubricant in the joint. This approach allows you to extend the life of CV joints.

Features of the design and repair of the VAZ-21213 intermediate shaft

The intermediate shaft transmits torque from the transmission output shaft to the transfer case drive shaft.

It consists of an elastic coupling, a flange and a constant velocity joint. The intermediate shaft is centered on the transmission output shaft by a rubber bushing.

An elastic coupling allows transmission of torque with minor changes in the angle between the shafts of the gearbox and transfer case, protects transmission parts from dynamic shocks and reduces noise and vibration of the driveline during operation.

The elastic coupling consists of six steel liners connected by rubber bridges.

Due to its elasticity, the clutch dampens jerks in the vehicle transmission.

The elastic coupling is attached to the secondary shaft flange with three bolts passed through the holes in the liners.

The other three holes are used to secure the coupling to the flange on the intermediate shaft. There are balancing washers located under the bolt nuts.

When disassembling, we mark their location so that later we can install them in their original places. In order not to disturb the balancing, we note the relative positions of other parts of the intermediate shaft.

A constant velocity joint is placed on the splined end of the elastic coupling flange.

Its structure is similar to the external joint of the front wheel drive. The hinge is secured from displacement by a retaining ring located in a groove on the flange shaft.

The hinge is protected from dirt by a rubber corrugated cover and a plastic plug in the rear end of the hinge body. The cover is secured to the flange shaft and the hinge body with special clamps with locks.

Under the large clamp (on the hinge body) there is a protective plastic casing.

On the first VAZ-2121 models, a cross was installed instead of a constant velocity joint.

Removing the intermediate shaft

Remove the transfer case assembly with the intermediate shaft (see Removing the transfer case).

While holding the shaft from turning with a screwdriver, use a 13mm wrench to unscrew the four nuts securing the intermediate shaft to the transfer case flange

Remove the intermediate shaft. We install the intermediate shaft on the transfer case in the reverse order.

3. Before installing the intermediate shaft assembly with the transfer case, check the condition of the rubber centering sleeve located on the flange of the secondary shaft of the gearbox

Conclusion

Knowing the features of the CV joint and how you can identify its malfunction or replace it, you can cope with such work on your own , having little experience in this work.

Replacing the outer CV joint on a Chevrolet Niva is an important undertaking, because if the breakdown is not repaired in time, the consequences can be very sad; the wire may simply jam while driving. One of the first symptoms of this problem is a slight cracking sound when the steering wheel is in the turned position at the beginning of the journey.

Reasons why a hinge joint fails

The internal CV joint on a Chevrolet Niva is a high-quality and reliable part of the automobile chassis system. Listed below are the main reasons that provoke early wear and failure of the unit.

1. Incorrect, illiterate, extreme (rapid start with inversion of the drive drive and slipping) driving.
2. Lack of care for a part that needs periodic cleaning and lubrication.
3. Unfair production of the hinge assembly using low-quality materials and violation of technological rules.

Several signs listed below indicate that there may be a problem with the grenade and the internal CV joint on the Chevrolet Niva needs to be replaced.

1. The appearance of a crunching sound when making turns. This phenomenon occurs if the SR requires lubrication of the connections, or a mechanical inclusion, for example, dirt, gets into it.
2. Interruptions in the movement of the car at the start, when the speed increases or, conversely, when it decreases.
3. Increased vibration when turning, accelerating, or driving at high speeds.

To make a final diagnosis, auto mechanics have created several simple techniques.

Let's put everything back together.

Now you can install the joint on the shaft.
When you feel the splines, you should lower it until it comes into contact with the retaining ring located on the outside. Hit the CV joint with a hammer and force it into place. It is advisable to carry out this operation by installing a soft metal spacer on the part so as not to damage the hinge during an impact. Check the fixation of the part for reliability, do this in both directions.

Reinstall the anthers, followed by the clamps. Calculate the dimensions when installing so that when the car moves forward, the grass does not cling to the clamps. Don't be afraid to put in some serious effort when performing these operations, as this is where you really need to use force.

The work is almost complete, all that remains for you is to install the finished spare part on your Niva and enjoy its work.

Useful video

Watch a visual video below on how you can replace the CV joint on a Chevrolet Niva with your own hands:

When changing the angle of rotation of the drive drive on the Chevrolet Niva, the transmission of rotating torque from the engine to the wheels is carried out with the participation of a special unit - a constant velocity joint (in the future, possibly a CV joint). What is a part, what types exist for this car brand, what are the operating rules? The answers to these and other questions are contained in the material presented. Also here you will find a description of the instructions for replacing the internal CV joint on a Chevrolet Niva yourself.

Structure

When is it necessary to replace the outer CV joint on a VAZ 2109
Lada Granta hatchback Logbook Failed replacement of the CV joint boot

Important! If you decide to replace the CV joint yourself completely or change its individual parts, you need to understand its design, and only after that dismantle and subsequent replacement

Replacing a CV joint is an expensive procedure, which in a service center will significantly affect the thickness of the car owner’s wallet. The part is made of heavy-duty materials that are resistant to mechanical stress and aggressive environments. Accordingly, these materials, like the part itself, are quite expensive. It is designed for long-term operation, but not always road conditions and the driving style of the drivers themselves allow all parts of the chassis to be used for many years without the slightest breakdown.

And the cost of replacing a CV joint will be approximately half the cost of the mechanism. That is why many try to replace it themselves in order to save some money on repairs. But not everyone is born an auto mechanic, so the average person must first find out what parts the mechanism consists of. Here is their list:

• separator;
• balloons;
• fist;
• frame;
• outer and inner anthers.

The anthers perform two functions at once: they protect the hinge from dust and dirt. After all, in essence, a CV joint is an external part that is located on the bottom of the car. This means that all small particles when driving fall on the hinges in the same way as on the rest of the chassis.

On each wheel drive there are two mechanisms, which have almost the same structure, only slightly different in shape and size. As a rule, left and right CV joints are interchangeable on most car models. If you are in doubt, it is better to go to a car service center and ask if it is possible to buy left-handed hinges for right-hand drive on such and such a VAZ model for installation on right-hand drive, or vice versa.

Sometimes the entire mechanism requires repair, but more often it is the outer one that is worn out, while the inner one, as a rule, is almost eternal. But sometimes it may require replacement.

The design of the mechanism is not that complicated. The separator rotates the balls, which are located in the grooves of the fist and the outer housing. All this is covered by anthers that protect the parts from dirt and dust, as well as from leakage of lubricant. When replacing, the most difficult thing is to dismantle the mechanism itself so that you can install a new one entirely or change its individual parts.

Diagnostics

Experienced mechanics advise car owners to pay attention to the condition of the boots approximately every 5-7 thousand kilometers. Detection of any defects: cracks, failure of the clamp, indicates that the CV joint may be damaged. How can I check this?

1. The car is placed on a lifting mechanism and engaged in first gear. A worn-out assembly will produce a sound resembling a characteristic crunching sound.
2. An increase in play of one and a half tens of mm is a characteristic sign of failure. They check it by pumping the internal CV joint of the Chevrolet Niva at the output of the external drive.

You need to check the performance of the part periodically, every 4-5 months of driving on good roads. And every time after driving over rough terrain, dirt roads, potholes, etc.

What is a node

The name CV joint itself is an abbreviation for the phrase constant velocity joint.

The node faces the following tasks:

1. Make the transmission of rotating torque from the engine to the wheels of the drive drive uniform and without loss of power.
2. Reduce the load on expensive parts that rotate to move the car: shaft, gear, etc.
3. Reducing the level of vibration when moving vehicles.

Modern front-wheel drive cars and some all-wheel drive “horses” are equipped with such homokinetic joints. The manufacturer guarantees the same duration of operation of the unit and the vehicle itself, provided that the CV joint is serviced and driven carefully. That is, if you drive carefully and periodically properly care for the part, it will last for the entire life of the vehicle.

The fulfillment of the first point depends only on the personality of the owner, his desire to monitor the technical and sanitary condition of the car. But the implementation of the second point on most domestic roads is sometimes simply impossible. And sooner or later the grenade (another name for the unit, which arose due to its external resemblance to a military projectile) fails. It is necessary to replace the internal or external CV joint on a Chevrolet Niva or on another car with a front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive design solution.

Recommendations

Instead of standard clamps, it makes sense to use screw clamps. Also, upon completion of work, you should replace the hub nut with a new one and adjust the bearing clearance.

Video 1

Video 2

A distinctive feature of Niva cars, both the regular VAZ 2121 and Chevrolet, is the presence of CV joints on the front axle drives. In fact, the design is quite similar to any front-wheel drive VAZ.

Front wheel drive shafts

1. Constant velocity joint (CV joint) knuckle,
2. Separator, cage and CV joint balls,
3. Retaining ring
4. Protective case,
5. Large and small clamp,
6. Drive shaft,
7. Large and small clamp,
8. Protective case,
9. Retaining ring
10. Tripod assembly,
11. Retaining ring
12. Fist,
13. Retaining ring
14. Outer ring of the hinge.

Removal

1. Unscrew the wheel hub lock nut.

2. Unscrew and remove the locking bolt of the upper suspension arm.

3. Remove the tie rod end cotter pin and, using a special puller, disconnect the tip from the steering knuckle.

4. Apply alignment marks to the drive shaft to simplify the installation procedure.

5. Using a special tool, remove the drive shaft from the differential housing.

Note

: When removing the drive shaft, be careful not to damage the boots. Use a brass rod.

6. Remove the drive shaft from the steering knuckle.

Note

: Carefully connect to the upper arm.