The front and rear suspension of Vesta differs significantly from the one that AVTOVAZ used on Grant, Priora, Kalina, etc. All the reviews tell us that the new chassis design is better than before. However, during the first months of operation, the owners began to notice extraneous noises (knocks, creaks, rattles, crunches) in the front and rear suspensions of Vesta, which occur when driving over speed bumps or other road irregularities...
Rattle in the front suspension on Lada Vesta
The most common cause of squeaking is the stabilizer bushing
The increasing grinding noise of the front suspension of the Lada Vesta is especially worrisome, because the main load , the steering and braking systems are located, the condition of which must always correspond to the norm.
A front-wheel drive car, as in our case, is prone to problems with the nose.
Creaks in the suspension are Vesta's disease!
Even new Vestas begin to creak after a short period of operation.
Inspection of the front suspension.
The very first cause of the malaise is considered to be an unfinished design of polyurethane stabilizer bushings , which almost immediately begin to make groaning sounds when driving through plump speed bumps. In wet weather he begins to moan constantly, which is very exhausting.
This problem can be corrected in several ways, radical and not so radical:
- Replacement of pillows with analogues from Chevrolet Niva or other suitable foreign cars.
- Regular application of mastic to places where polyurethane rubs against metal.
- Wait until AvtoVAZ corrects the defect, inviting everyone to the service station for a replacement.
Knocks in the rear suspension
Judging by the reviews of car owners, Renault left Vesta a legacy of fairly rapid wear and tear of the silent blocks of the rear beam. They begin to bother you already at the third ten thousand kilometers. Another reason for knocking noises can be the destruction of the shock absorber support.
Diagnostics
Diagnosing a problem with a car's rear suspension is not easy, despite its simple design. The difficulty lies in the massiveness of the parts, so full diagnostics can only be carried out on a special lift.
Repair
To the delight of car enthusiasts, the rear suspension of the Lada Vesta has one advantage: it is easy to repair. You can even replace shock absorber mounts at home. But changing the silent blocks of a beam without a lift is very difficult. It is advisable to contact a car service center with such a problem.
The article does not reveal a step-by-step repair algorithm, but it answers the question of how you can diagnose the malfunction yourself. If you know the list of works, then the likelihood that the car service center will try to impose unnecessary work is reduced to zero, and this is a direct cost savings.
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Problem with stabilizer links
The problem with squeaks in the front suspension can be solved by replacing the stabilizer bushings with polyurethane.
If after performing one of the operations the grinding does not stop, then you can go further down the list.
What else could be wrong with stabilizers? The design has a strut that is attached to the shock absorber body and the cross member of the stabilizer itself. It has two fingers as fastening. Without diagnostics at a service station, it will not be easy to figure out whether there is a breakdown in this unit, but you can try.
Official opinion of AvtoVAZ
Dealers replace stabilizer links free of charge. But sometimes you have to butt heads!
The problem with the struts is not far-fetched , since in April 2021, official representatives of AvtoVAZ reported that they knew that after just a few thousand kilometers Vesta was already detecting knocking and creaking noises from this particular unit. This important element experiences special stress and wears out prematurely.
There was no word on whether the fault was a manufacturing defect.
Replacement of struts on Lada Vesta for free
Replacement of squeaking elements at the dealer should be free of charge. All questions can be resolved by calling the hotline!
However, all car owners who complain about the performance of the struts during the warranty period will have them completely replaced at the dealership free of charge .
It is noteworthy that we are not talking about installing a repair kit, but a complete replacement of the unit.
So, if the warranty has expired, you will have to try to solve the problem yourself. The replacement process is simple. After inspecting the removed parts, you can decide whether to replace the entire mechanism or limit yourself to a repair kit.
Front suspension device
The design of the unit has changed noticeably. Even before repairing new Vests, technical centers had to be trained on the new model. The front suspension sits on a subframe, which was not seen on earlier VAZ models. As a result, the upper part above it (engine compartment, steering rack, etc.) received protection, and the lower part of the suspension received static fasteners. The steering rack, which is located above the subframe, is still located slightly lower than it was on previous models. This means that the steering linkage now works directly with the steering knuckle.
The steering shaft is supplemented with an electric power steering, which transmits the turning forces of the steering wheel to the wheels. The rack transmits force to the rods, and they work with the hubs - they allow you to control the movement of the wheels under control. The hub is also pressed against the disc brake, controlling the uniformity of its contact with the wheel.
The suspension itself is independent; on the Lada Vesta, the front mechanism levers are L-shaped. The right and left front suspension arms operate independently of each other. The transverse stabilizer has undergone modifications, which gave the car greater maneuverability, as well as better cornering control. Its struts are more like a sports car, they smooth out the effect of such maneuvers at speed.
Other causes of squeaks in the front suspension
Lada Vesta does not have any other serious problems other than those listed above.
The front suspension is designed reliably, similar to foreign brands, taking into account long-term use.
Quite often, extraneous squeaks are caused by brake calipers.
There are isolated cases where the following types of breakdowns have occurred over time:
- The silent blocks of the steering gear levers require , which are extremely inconvenient to remove.
- Brake calipers may gradually begin to click , replacing the pins may solve this problem.
- A small play appears in the place where the strut cups are attached to the body , associated with wear on the threads of the mounting bolts.
How to get rid of creaking stabilizer bushings on Lada Vesta
This scheme is incorrect, in my opinion, since it changes the characteristics of the suspension and handling of the car, since no one calculated how non-original parts would behave, and whether this would be dangerous. Nevertheless, many people are tired of driving and creaking for months.
The collective farm scheme is as follows: we remove the stabilizer bushings and the bushing mount (U-shaped bracket that holds the bushing), install bushings 54813-2K100 and bushing mount 54814-1G000 from Kia/Hyundai (you can also install them from Shnivy, but the quality is unpredictable...), they cost depending on the manufacturer (original or not original) from 600 to 3000 rubles for everything.
It is inconvenient to remove and install - the bushings are located on top of the subframe, and not below as usual, you will have to tinker with bolts that are difficult to unscrew due to the nearby rail, but nothing complicated, they will do it for five hundred rubles in any garage service if you don’t want to do it yourself. One could be happy, but in addition to the bushings, the muffler brackets, the rear shock absorber supports, the handbrake cable, the seat back locks, the number frame, the trunk springs, the trunk lock, the front stabilizer struts, and some have already lost their hubs are knocking and creaking...
The correct scheme for resolving the issue: Lada recognizes the problem, releases a new part with the problem solved and, ideally, makes a recall company, or, as complaints are received, promptly resolves (not two or three weeks) the issue of replacing bushings, and also provides obliges dealers to keep a stock of the required parts.
But Lada owners can only dream about this civilized scheme..
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Author: Yuri (Er...)
expert on cars and motorcycles in Perm
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conclusions
In addition to these factors, time plays a decisive role.
If the service life of some units has come to an end, then they need to be replaced urgently, since one breakdown can lead to others, and the entire mechanism will go into disarray.
If we return a little to squeaks, then with significant fatigue of the ball joints, steering tip and rack, failure of the shock absorber, or its broken supports, unnatural irritating sounds may appear. Then it is best to go for a diagnosis and then treat the problem.
Wear of stabilizer link joints
When diagnosing stabilizer bushings, as a rule, all elements of the front suspension are inspected and, first of all, the vertical struts of the anti-roll bar (article no. 8450006750), which also often fail in Lada Vesta.
Lada Vesta produces standard stabilizer bars. These parts are of fairly high quality, but they also have their own resource, which depends on many factors. The degree of wear of the vertical struts is determined by the presence of play in their hinges - if the struts knock when the stabilizer is suddenly manually moved, they need to be replaced. Knowing the length of the struts (283 mm), you can select even better parts for replacement, for example, from Toyota or Hyundai.
- socket wrench “16” - unscrewing the nut;
- Torx key 30 – pin locking.
Production of replacement racks
The work is carried out on a car lift. Replacing parts with new ones is not difficult: fix the finger with one key, and unscrew the nut with the second.
Knock of the stabilizer bushings
There is a problem on the Lada Vesta car: the stabilizer bushings (struts) make a squeaking noise. Needless to say, on modern cars, besides the Lada Vesta, even on expensive ones, the problem of rubber bands is noticeable. The Lada Vesta stabilizer bushings begin to creak well and the struts quickly make themselves known.
Creaking, knocking, non-functioning stabilizer bars appear so often on the Lada Vesta car - that AvtoVAZ even answered the question: why Vesta creaks so early.
The price for such stabilizer struts and bushings is not high, but the sensations are not pleasant. By the way, the dealer changes the bushings under warranty.
What to replace with: as an analogue, stabilizer bars from Kia Rio and Avensis are suitable for Lada Vesta - but this is after warranty. Polyurethane stabilizer bushings have proven themselves better - you can install them. Replacing components with your own hands takes 14 steps, more on them later in the article. The maximum weight of the Lada Vesta is 1670 kg.
The Vesta is equipped with MacPherson strut suspension, a suspension that has been tested over years of operation on different types of vehicles. There is an opinion that the car is simply too heavy; for such stabilizers, they should be more powerful. On the Lada Vesta suspension, the stabilizer bushings are simply not slightly modified to accommodate the weight of the car. To understand the problem, let’s understand the principle of operation of the stabilization system of modern cars. There is nothing complicated about this.
Everything works on the principle of a lever, which was invented by Archimedes at the beginning of the last millennium, read the article and find out about it
Principle of operation
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After some time during the operation of a new car, the owner may hear extra noise from below the bottom. The fastening elements of the car's suspension began to gradually fail. This occurs either due to the quality of the material from which they are made, or due to constant lubrication of the suspension bushings with sand, water and dirt.
This contact is detrimental to this node. The driver begins to hear the bushings creaking; they have simply gradually become unusable. It is very rare for the stabilizer itself to fail, but you need to try hard. The repair comes down to replacing worn bushings on the Lada Vesta.
This type of repair is very important for the safe operation of the vehicle.
Why do you still need to replace?
Let's return to the principle of operation of the car's lateral stability unit. When the outer wheel turns, the force of inertia pulls the outer wheel in the direction opposite to the turn, and the inner one tries to break away from the road. Thus, the suspension of the outer wheel is compressed, which forces the stabilizer to rotate upward.
This means that the part of the stabilizer closest to the turn attracts the wheel to the road, which, thanks to the force of inertia, tries to break away from the road. The stabilizer lever rotates inside the bushings. There is no point in explaining further why timely repair of failed elements of the stabilization system with high-quality new ones is necessary.
Alternatives to standard bushings - which ones to replace with
During the repair, you can supply standard spare parts, their catalog number is 8450006748.
Stub bushings are installed on Vesta:
- length dimensions 40 mm;
- width 39 mm;
- height 45 mm;
- hole diameter 22 mm.
- length 39 mm;
- width 42 mm;
- height 43.5 mm.
The side is a little narrower, but the inner diameter fits perfectly. You will need article number 2123-2906040. This is the most common option. It is necessary to make slots on Chevrolet spare parts, like Vesta. All that remains is to grind down the sides to standard sizes and you can install them. The second option is less common among car enthusiasts.
This is a replacement for consumables according to catalog 2123-2906046. The most difficult replacement option is installing analogue Lada Vesta bushings. In this case, spare parts from Kia will be suitable. Catalog number KSBSOULF-21.5 mm.(54813-2K100) Other brackets 54814-1G000 are required for them. Remember, if you use spare parts from other models, this may change the driving characteristics.
The car may become a little stiffer while driving and cornering.
By price, bushings can be divided into the following limits:
- Staba from 450-700 rubles;
- Niva from 150-300 rub. pair;
- Cue from 150-600 rub. thing.
It's time to replace this unit. The car needs to be put on a lift. You can carry out repairs from a pit, but during the work you need to hang the front wheels. This must be done carefully. Because then you need to remove the front wheels. To prevent the car from rolling backwards without the front wheels and falling over, it must be secured in this state. The further repair process is completely simple.
Suspension innovations
Functions and 3 characteristic malfunctions of the front suspension arm of a car
This use of electronic systems ABS, ESP and EBD allows for a number of advantages. First of all, the built-in stabilization system allows you to easily cope with skidding and drifting of the car while driving. It also allows you to control traction.
A correctly configured Lada Vesta suspension, together with electronics, allows you to simulate a differential lock, which allows you to easily overcome off-road conditions. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, the activated stabilization system can significantly improve the vehicle's maneuverability.
This technology was first used on Lada. The stabilization system received positive feedback from the owners. And now, no matter how difficult the road, Vesta can cope even with difficult off-road conditions.
In previous AvtoVAZ developments, the chassis is the most vulnerable point of the car. In the new Lada Vesta, the developers undertake to eliminate this problem. As the test results showed, indeed, the chassis of the Lada Vesta has undergone significant changes and improvements.
The new car has two completely new components added:
- Stretcher;
- L-shaped arms.
A subframe is a power unit that serves as protection and increases the strength level of the body. Installing such a component helps:
- Significantly improved safety levels;
- Increased driving comfort;
- Increased body rigidity.
Some main parts of the Lada Vesta chassis are mounted on the subframe: the steering rack, the main suspension components and the engine. The location of these units differs significantly from previous models.
The L-shaped levers on the Lada Vesta are analogues of the saber-shaped levers that are present on the Priora and Kalina models. Such levers have a triangular shape, which has the highest degree of rigidity among other geometric shapes. The components of the levers are made of high quality steel, and the steering knuckles are made of cast iron. The development has significant similarities with Renault, despite this, employees of the domestic plant claim that they are the authors of the L-shaped levers on the Lada Vesta.
Restaling rear suspension of Lada Vesta
The rear suspension of the Lada Vesta was borrowed from Renault Nissan in order to reduce the overall financial costs of production. The rear suspension on the car is a transverse beam with spaced springs and drum brakes. The experts chose the drum type due to the low cost and long service life of the components. In civilian modes of movement, drum brakes are not inferior in technical properties to disc brakes. In addition, in Lada Vesta the drum brakes are additionally protected from possible ingress of dirt and dust. The original rear suspension can last for about 120-150 thousand kilometers without any deformation.
The main differences in the structure of the front suspension of the Lada Vesta in comparison with previous VAZ models
The front suspension is installed on the Lada Vesta subframe. This placement increases rigidity, improves handling and minimizes noise and vibration. To improve handling, the steering rack was installed at the bottom. This action made it possible to influence the rotation of the wheels by the hubs. AvtoVAZ developers chose the path of unification: the electric version of the power steering was placed on the steering column, that is, it is not built into the steering mechanism, like in previous Lada models. The anti-roll bar has also undergone re-staling. At the moment it has a completely different look and additionally long racks have been added to it.
Wheelbase of Lada Vesta for any type of road surface
The wheelbase of the Lada Vesta sedan is 2570 mm. The track of the front and rear wheels is slightly different: front – 1495 mm, rear – 1502 mm. As for the ground clearance of the Lada Vesta, it varies significantly depending on the body type:
- Sedan – 178 mm;
- Hatchback – 180 mm;
- Station wagon – 190 mm.
Subject to the permissible load, the sedan's ground clearance will be 170 mm. The wheels of the Lada Vesta are practically no different from the previous development - Priora. Such technical characteristics allow you to move unhindered on country roads, which is especially important for residents of rural settlements.
Loose wheel bolts
The situation when the fastening bolts of one or several wheels have become loose is typical not only for Lada Vesta, but occurs frequently. There can be many reasons - from inattention during tire fitting to an unsuccessful attempt to steal a wheel.
If a knocking sound occurs while driving, the first step is to perform the most accessible action - stop the car and check the tightness of the wheel bolts, since a tire that falls off while turning can cause the car to roll over with unpredictable consequences. In this case, diagnostics is inseparable from troubleshooting.
After tightening the bolts or making sure that the reason for the knocking is not their tightening, you can continue driving. If the problem is not solved, you should not put off diagnosis for a long time. In order not to aggravate the situation when one malfunction causes another, it is strongly recommended to contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible for qualified diagnosis and elimination of the causes of knocking or other abnormal suspension noises performed on a car raised by a lift.
Rear suspension of the domestic model Vesta
When developing their own models, any manufacturer strives for maximum unification of components. AvtoVAZ also follows this trend, which is noticeable in the design aspects of the Lada Vesta. The basis of the stern suspension was borrowed from Renault-Nissan. This is a transverse beam, a device with spaced springs.
The manufacturer decided to leave the stern brakes as drum brakes. This is caused by the market price of the model, which does not allow budget versions to acquire disc brakes. With non-aggressive driving, the “drums” cope with their “task” with sufficient efficiency. If we touch on the station wagon body modification, here the manufacturer replaces the springs with stiffer options and adjusts the entire suspension differently, which slightly changes the handling compared to the sedan.
