Replacing the steering wheel on VAZ 2101, 2102, 2103, 2104, 2105, 2106, 2107 (classic): how to remove and install

The classic lineup from the Volzhsky Automobile Plant (SEV) has the most comfortable interior for its time. The VAZ 2107 is equipped with anatomical seats with integrated headrests and a comfortable four-spoke steering wheel. It is mounted on a safety compound shaft that rotates in a bearing. Removing a car steering wheel is usually required if parts wear out during long-term use.

Replacing the faulty unit will eliminate excess shaft play, as well as steering wheel movements not intended by the design. To carry out repair and restoration work, the following tools will be required:

short Phillips screwdriver;
a set of sockets with a wrench and an extension;
grease;
portable lamp with deflector and extension cord.

The operation does not take much time and can be performed outside specially equipped premises.

Instructions for removing the steering wheel

Removing the VAZ classic steering wheel is necessary in the following situations:

to repair the horn button or steering mechanism;
to align the transverse bar after the camber procedure - toe-in of the front wheels;
in order to replace the standard steering wheel with another, more comfortable or sporty one.

Thin and uncomfortable steering wheel of the VAZ 2101-02

Reference. On classic models, the manufacturer installed 3 types of steering wheels - a “two-spoke” one with a thin bar (VAZ 2101-02), the same with a thickened cross member (VAZ 2103, 06) and a “four-spoke” one with a massive central part (VAZ 2104.05, 07).

The steering wheel on the six is prettier, but just as uncomfortable

All of the listed elements can be removed equally easily, although there are minor differences in the disassembly technology, which is carried out using this set of tools:

2 types of screwdrivers - flat and Phillips;
24 mm nut head, extension spacer and knob;
rags.

The most comfortable steering wheel was installed on the fourth, fifth and seventh VAZ models

Also, keep some thick grease of the “Solidol” type for applying to the splined part of the shaft.

Disassembly procedure

Removing the steering wheel on any classic VAZ model is performed in the following sequence:

Place the car in a garage or on a level area so that the front wheels are as level as possible. Secure the car with the parking brake.
Disconnect the battery from the on-board network by removing the negative terminal. During the disassembly process, you will probably touch the horn several times, which will buzz when there is tension.
Sit in the driver's seat. In VAZ 2101-02 models, carefully remove the thin steering lining by prying it off with a flat screwdriver. The soft insert is pulled out from the VAZ 2104-07 steering wheel in the same way. Only on the “four”, “five” and “seven” this trim is located in the center (the AvtoVAZ logo is stamped on it). In the third and sixth models, the decorative trim is held in place by 2 screws, the heads of which are recessed into holes on the back side of the strip.
Insert a 24 mm socket with a knob into the opened hole. While holding the steering wheel, loosen and unscrew the nut. Don't screw it all the way.
Grab the steering wheel with both hands and pull it towards you with a sharp movement. If the part does not jump off the splines, tap it on the back side with your palms and in this way knock off the steering wheel.
Unscrew the nut completely and remove the steering wheel.

Removing the decorative trim on the fourth model

Note. The nut holding the steering wheel must not be completely unscrewed for safety reasons. When you pull on a loose steering wheel, you can injure your head if it suddenly comes off. The nut will prevent the element from completely flying off the shaft.

If you unscrew the VAZ 2104 trim from the back, it will come off entirely

You can get to the nut of the “four-spoke” steering wheel of the VAZ 2107 in another way, by unscrewing 2 screws on the back of the wheel. Then the entire signal button made of plastic, equipped with springs, will be removed. After dismantling, take a rag and carefully wipe the shaft splines to remove old grease that has hardened in places. Now you can begin repairing or installing a new steering wheel.

On a penny, the signal key can be easily removed by hand

Advice. If you remove a part for repairs and plan to put it back, then before dismantling it is recommended to mark the end of the shaft and the steering wheel hub with a marker. This will help you immediately place the element in the correct position during assembly.

On the six, to remove the trim you need to unscrew 2 screws on the other side of the steering wheel

Photo of removing the steering wheel

Markers that will make it easier to install the steering wheel back

The steering wheel is pulled off the shaft in one sharp movement

Do not unscrew the fastening nut completely

Disassembly process on video

What steering wheel should I put on a VAZ classic?

It must be admitted that the steering wheels installed on the first modifications of Zhiguli leave much to be desired in terms of convenience and aesthetics. Of the entire line of classic models, only the “four”, “five” and “seven” had a nice steering wheel with a comfortable grip for the hands. Accordingly, the owners of “kopecks” and “sixes” sought to purchase and install the same one for themselves.

Nice factory steering wheel Lada Kalina

At the moment, there are other options for replacing the steering wheel on the “classic”:

steering wheels from front-wheel drive VAZs of later years of production - VAZ 2115, Kalina, Priora.
various steering wheels made in China;
tuning sports steering wheels from famous brands - Sparco, Momo and so on.

This is what the sports steering wheel looks like on a VAZ 2106

Note. Tuning and sports steering wheels available for sale are universal. That is, they are installed on different cars using an adapter designed for a particular car model.

It is strictly not recommended to install cheap products from unknown Chinese brands on rear-wheel drive Zhigulis. The fact is that in the first VAZs the front wheels are turned by a worm mechanism, and not by a rack, as on new cars. Since there is no power steering there either, situations often occur that require the driver to put more pressure on the steering wheel. By installing a low-quality product, you run the risk of ending up with a steering wheel in your hands and a broken car - at best.

Adapter for mounting a sports steering wheel

Hence the conclusion: in addition to convenience and ergonomics, the steering wheel must meet safety requirements. These include factory parts from AvtoVAZ, properly tested, and steering wheels from well-known European brands.

Advice. Do not rush to buy products of a smaller diameter, in which the steering wheel itself is not moved forward relative to the central part. Firstly, such steering wheels are not comfortable for everyone, and secondly, out of habit, you will begin to touch the steering column switches with your hands when turning. If someone you know already has a small steering wheel on their car, test it and make sure that it will be convenient for you.

Sports steering wheel Sparco forward

Installation instructions

First of all, before assembly, lubricate the shaft splines with grease, then proceed in the reverse order:

Place the steering wheel onto the splines, aligning the previously made marks. If the task is to level the position of the bar or install a new product, try to install it as evenly as possible.
Place the nut inside the head, slide it onto the threads using the extension and tighten.
Hold the steering wheel and tighten the nut with a wrench.
Connect the battery and try driving the car 50-100 m on a road free of traffic. This way you will make sure that the steering wheel position is set correctly. Otherwise, unscrew the nut again and move the element 1 tooth to the right or left.
Reinstall the top trim.

The position of the steering wheel can be fixed using a ruler

When installing a sports steering wheel, use an adapter for VAZ 2101-07 cars, which is a cylinder with holes for bolts (included in the kit) and a splined part in the center. It is installed simply: screw the steering wheel to the adapter, and then put it on the shaft, as described above.

Reassembly video

Mechanism design

To repair the steering column on a VAZ 2107, you first need to understand its structure, as well as the principle of operation.

The seven is in many ways similar to the “penny”. Therefore, the device and design received minor changes. The structure includes:

A mechanism that transmits the driver’s force to the executive components;
A steering drive that turns at an angle specified by the driver.

In turn, the steering mechanism consists of:

Composite shaft with cardan transmission;
Steering wheel (steering column together with a steering wheel with a diameter of 520 mm);
Worm gearbox of the VAZ 2107 steering mechanism.

The control system has the following components:

Bipod;
Pendulum arm;
Swivel arms;
Steering rods for VAZ 2107 (one middle, two side).

The outer rods include two parts, which allows you to change their size by adjusting the toe angle.

Tie rod/end set for VAZ 2107

The operating principle of the steering mechanism looks like this:

The driver begins to rotate the steering wheel, the wheel size of which ensures that this task can be performed quite simply;
By means of a composite shaft, a worm gear is activated, which reduces the speed;
The steering mechanism is lubricated with special oil (TAD 17) poured into the gearbox;
The worm gears rotate, which causes the double ridge roller to move;
This, in turn, causes the secondary shaft to rotate;
The tray mounted on the secondary shaft makes a turn and pulls the rod system behind it;
These components influence the levers that synchronously rotate the wheels to the required angle specified by the driver.

Parts of the steering gear housing: 1 - housing; 2 - bipod; 3 — lower crankcase cover; 4 — adjusting shims; 5 — outer ring of the worm shaft bearing; 6 — separator with balls; 7 — bipod shaft; 8 - adjusting screw; 9 — adjusting plate; 10 — lock washer; 11 - worm shaft; 12 — upper crankcase cover; 13 - sealing gasket; 14 — bipod shaft sleeve; 15 — worm shaft seal; 16 — bipod shaft seal.

Steering column parts: 1 — steering gear housing; 2 - shaft seal; 3 - intermediate shaft; 4 - upper shaft; 5 — fixing plate of the front part of the bracket; 6 — bracket for fastening the steering shaft; 7 - upper part of the facing casing; 8 — bearing sleeve; 9 — bearing; 10 — steering wheel; 11 — lower part of the facing casing; 12 — bracket fastening parts

Installation of a sports steering wheel without an adapter on a VAZ 2104-07

If you are not too concerned about the steering column trim in the cabin, then a tuning product from the Sparco brand, equipped with a quick-release device, can be put in “four” without using an adapter. The essence of the method is to use as the last part the central part of the standard steering wheel with a wide platform and slots, and simply cut off the rest. To work you will need:

electric drill with a 6.5 mm drill bit;
long M6 bolts – 6 pcs.;
hammer and core;
grinder with a circle on iron;
hex wrench to suit the size of the bolts;
caliper, ruler.

The flange of the quick-release mechanism fits well on the central part of the standard steering wheel

The first step is to cut out the central part of the standard steering wheel with a grinder and carefully process the edges. Then the order is as follows:

Having taken the dimensions from the quick-release mechanism, where there are 6 holes for fastening, mark the cut part for them. The central holes of both parts must match.
Trim the ends of the cut element so that they do not interfere with the tight fit of the new steering wheel.
Drill holes, having previously marked them with a core.
Bolt the resulting part to the sports steering wheel mechanism.

Holes are drilled on the old steering wheel for a new flange

As a result, the splined part of the old steering wheel will serve as a mount for the new one. Then install and configure it as usual.

Sparco sports steering wheel with the core from the factory steering wheel

Types and prices

The original steering column for passenger cars of the VAZ 2101-07 family has catalog number 21050-3400010-00 . Its cost varies from 2,172 to 4,449 rubles . In order for the classification of goods to be as complete as possible on the part of the buyer, the price can be divided by series and compatibility. The latter looks like this:

VAZ 2102, 1973-1985 – 2,797-4,449 rubles.
VAZ 2103, 1972-1984 – 2,797-4,449 rubles.
VAZ 2106, 1975-2006 – 2,430-4,300 rubles.
VAZ 2101, 1970-1988 – 2,172-4,301 rubles.
VAZ 2106, 1975-2005 – 2,430-4,250 rubles.
VAZ 2104, 1984 – 3,934 rubles.
VAZ 2105, 1981 – 4,012 rubles.
VAZ 2107, 1982-2012 – 2,640-4,449 rubles.
VAZ Niva (2121), 1976 – 2,970-4,440 rubles.
VAZ 2121, 1994-2006 – 2,970-4,440 rubles.
VAZ 21213, 2001-2006 – 2,700-4,449 rubles.

If we take into account the gradation by series, the pricing policy is as follows:

2101, 1970-1988 – 1,450-4,449 rubles.
2106, 1975-2005 – 2,797-4,449 rubles.
2107, 1982-2012 – 2,400-4,449 rubles.

Prices are given for original AvtoVAZ products and their copies in similar packaging, configuration, as well as manufacturer’s warranty. Each of the items contains oil in the crankcase of the lubrication system.

Video on installing a Sparco steering wheel on the “four”

As you can see, removing the steering wheel is not difficult. Even an inexperienced car enthusiast will cope with the task within half an hour, no more. Problems may arise when installing a steering wheel that does not fit the design of the car and the adapter. In such cases, you need to take an individual approach to find the right solution.

Author: ratico19
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Repair and maintenance

Over the years of operation it has been proven that the steering on VAZ 2107 vehicles has impressive reliability. However, this does not take away the fact that the machine requires periodic inspection and repair.

When performing maintenance, it is important to check for increased play as well as increased wear on the ball joints. To do this, you need to turn the steering wheel from one side to the other. If the wheels do not respond when the steering wheel is turned 5 degrees from its original position, this indicates severe wear. Here you will need to repair the steering column on a VAZ 2107.
To avoid the need for urgent and rather expensive repairs of the steering gear on a VAZ 2107, it is necessary to change the oil in the worm gear housing. This is done at intervals of 60 thousand kilometers. Leaks may occur through the seals, so they are carefully checked 2-3 times a year. This is one of the weak points of the system.
The swing arm should be inspected by slowly rotating the steering wheel from side to side. If the parts move in a vertical plane, then surgical intervention is required.

If any malfunctions are detected, the breakdowns should be repaired immediately.

To do this, the drive and steering mechanism are dismantled completely or partially. Everything depends directly on the nature of the breakdown.

Check which parts have defects and what has failed. Inspection is required for each component of the mechanism. If parts are worn out, there is no point in trying to repair them. There is only one way out - a complete replacement of worn-out components of the steering system on a car from a Volga company.

If problems arise with the steering, it is advisable to contact a professional service station.

Photo of the VAZ 2107 steering gearbox

You can replace the gearbox yourself, but the process is complicated and requires at least minimal experience and skills.

The VAZ "Seven" is a true classic of the domestic automotive industry. Unlike modern LADAs, they are more reliable and durable, which is proven by the huge presence of these cars on our roads.

Of course, the VAZ 2107 has long been outdated, it does not have a hydraulic booster, and you have to apply sufficient force to turn and maneuver. But for connoisseurs this is not a problem.

How to return the sound signal yourself

If the steering wheel needed to be removed because the sound signal stopped working, then the removal process is carried out in the same sequence as previously described. Next you will need to do the following:

Be sure to check the steering play, which should not exceed 5 C, and the copper contact of the horn. The contact is located on the steering column; if traces of oxidation or other types of contaminants are noticed on its surface, they are carefully removed;
Next, the connecting fasteners on the back of the steering wheel are unscrewed so that the entire panel assembly can be removed, including the contact plate;
The removed steering wheel with the panel should be placed on a table or workbench to find the failed contact. The latter is most often the main reason why the sound signal disappears;
if the contact is disconnected, you just need to solder it back to its original place and install the panel with the steering wheel.

At this point, the process can be considered complete, and it’s hard to believe that such work is difficult for car enthusiasts, even with little experience. And with an Internet connection at hand, if necessary, you can watch a training video at any time, which will further simplify the process of replacing the steering wheel and help you find out why the sound signal in the VAZ-2107 began to disappear.