Who, if not the driver, should take care of his steel horse - the car. Proper and timely care will ensure trouble-free operation of individual machine parts and quality driving on city roads. Unfortunately, in most cases the road surface has to wait for major repairs, and car enthusiasts have to deal with breakdowns with enviable regularity after driving through numerous potholes and potholes.
Drivers point out that the car’s suspension often suffers, regardless of whether the car is foreign or domestic. The most vulnerable elements are considered to be shock absorbers, which in the VAZ 2114 have to be changed frequently. In order for shock absorbers to last longer, it is necessary to approach the selection of this part of the car with special care.
How to choose shock absorbers for a VAZ 2114
First of all, let's decide on the option for using the racks. Remember: how do you drive a car, what roads do you travel on most often?
- City highways allow the installation of oil struts on the VAZ 2114. They are traditional for all varieties of Samar. Oil shock absorbers provide soft and smooth passage of bumps.
- If you don’t mind driving on the intercity highway and at the same time driving around the city, it is better to buy gas-oil shock absorbers. With them you don’t have to be afraid of small bumps and defects in the road; when accelerating, the car’s movement is more rigid.
- Extreme sports enthusiasts know that they will not be able to do without gas struts. Only with gas devices can a car enthusiast experience all the delights of fast driving, including every bump. It is worth noting that gas struts have a negative impact on the car body.
Some useful tips
Once disassembly is complete, there are a number of processes that need to be completed before putting everything back in place. Firstly, it is recommended to treat all installed parts with kerosene. Secondly, before installation you should carefully inspect all the elements: even if they were purchased whole, troubles could happen to them during transportation.
Experts note that the final tightening of the nuts should occur without the participation of a jack. To check the new struts, you can do a wheel alignment. This procedure helps to increase the service life of the racks, and driving will also become more comfortable.
If you still have doubts about the serviceability of the elements, you can use a special stand that displays diagrams of the performance of the racks. Moreover, the cost of such a service is small, but it is possible to objectively evaluate your efforts.
How often should you replace rear struts? Alas, there is no clear answer here. It all depends on the operating conditions of the vehicle, as well as on the integrity of the support manufacturer.
Some drivers love to drive on the autobahn, while others carefully avoid all the holes and potholes. But in neither case will the racks last long if they are chosen incorrectly. One thing is certain: as soon as knocking, any deformations or leaks are detected, it is necessary to change the racks immediately, and not wait until the last minute, otherwise this will lead to extremely sad consequences.
When replacement is required
If your car is still running on factory struts, you can hardly expect that over the course of many years they will not begin to act up and require replacement.
There are several characteristic signs that indicate that the old rear struts have become unusable and the car needs urgent repairs.
- When hitting holes, potholes, bumps inside the cabin, you feel a dull and strong blow in the area of the rear wheels.
- Even when passing small bumps on the road, the car bounces and so do you. This suggests that the current elements are not working properly, and the level of comfort is significantly reduced.
- After bouncing, the car with working rear struts immediately returns to its initial position. If they fail, the machine will oscillate for a long time.
- In the area of the rear pillars there are traces of lubricating fluids, which under normal conditions should not be present with a working unit.
Racks SS20
Suspensions deserve special attention, which also do not lag behind imported manufacturers in sales volumes - drivers continue to support the domestic manufacturer, which makes shock absorbers in Samara.
Which racks are the best of all those available for purchase? Each is good in its own way and has a number of distinctive features. The Samara plant is a fairly serious enterprise that produces not only struts, but also other spare parts and parts for cars.
Racks made in Samara come in 4 types:
- Highway - as you may have guessed, there is no question of a soft ride here. Shock absorbers are installed on cars that drive on highways; the products provide drivers with smooth entry and turns.
- Standard – they work regardless of the weather conditions the car is in and can withstand the most severe temperature fluctuations. The rear suspension is matched to the front.
- Comfort Optima - compared to Standard, the rigidity of these devices is 30% higher. Can be used for any driving style in any weather conditions.
- Sports – suitable for extreme sports enthusiasts who are ready to drive at aggressive speeds and prefer sharp turns.
Types of racks and their features
AvtoVAZ did not always install this element on its cars. The “classic” suspension contained separate shock absorbers and springs. They began to be combined into one unit, starting with the VAZ 2108. At that time, this was not something advanced. The world's leading automakers have been installing them on their models for a long time. Depending on the substance with which they are filled, the racks are divided into oil and gas.
The VAZ 2114 is equipped with oil struts at the factory. Some car enthusiasts prefer to change them to gas ones immediately after purchase, considering the latter to be more modern and of higher quality. The claim regarding quality is controversial. A huge number of car owners like oil-based ones. Each of them is right in their own way.
The fact is that both types require different operating conditions and driving styles. Hydraulic - more adapted to average operating conditions. It will be comfortable to drive with them both around the city and on country roads. Gas engines are popular with tuners who are impressed by their rigidity.
They behave very well on the track, the car corners better at high speed. Operating such vehicles on unpaved roads not only increases the noise level in the already not-so-quiet interior, but can also cause serious malfunctions.
There is also a third type - gas-oil, which to one degree or another combine the qualities of the first two. They are equipped with VAZ cars of the middle price category. According to their functional purpose and depending on their location, the racks are divided into front and rear. Their structure is different. Let's start with the first ones.
Front pillars. Due to heavy loads, as well as due to its design features, the front struts of the VAZ 2114 often fail. There are different malfunctions, but the most common is depressurization. This almost cosmic definition means the simple leakage of oil from the shock absorber. Previously, it was necessary to change its oil seal very often.
It was very difficult to do this on my own. But, as you know, Russian people are not afraid of difficulties, especially in conditions of total shortage. Now, of course, no one is doing this. If the shock absorber leaks, replace the entire strut. This is quite easy to do in a garage. You just have to take care of the spring ties and the steering pin remover in advance.
Rear pillars. Their difference from the front ones is that they are higher, although they have a smaller diameter. Naturally, there are no steering knuckles on them, and they are mounted on top without a support bearing. Removing the rear struts is also quite easy. The repair will not require any additional equipment.
Possible faults
Among the most common malfunctions of struts on the VAZ 2114, a number of breakdowns are noted:
- extraneous noise has appeared, cracking in the area of the brake pads;
- the compression buffer in the car is damaged or completely ruptured;
- oil leaks on the body;
- The rod in the shock absorber began to jam.
If you notice at least one of the indicated manifestations in your car, take the car to a service station. If the services of a car repair shop are currently too expensive, try to cope on your own. You can enlist the help of a friend who at least knows something about how machines work.
One way or another, it is advisable for every driver to be able to cope with minor problems on their own, because they can overtake you on the road far from home, as they say, it’s never too late to learn.
Tools needed to replace struts
Let's say you decide to install shock absorbers on your VAZ yourself. So that you don’t have to be distracted later by getting or finding the necessary tools in the garage, prepare the entire set of special devices in advance. So, what devices will you need:
- standard jack;
- cotter pins, vices and puller;
- in repair work related to the racks of the VAZ 2114, a hammer and pliers will be useful;
- It’s great if you have a chisel at hand;
- you can’t do without open-end and ring wrenches for 13, 17, 19, 22, 24;
- a wrench designed to remove a wheel from a car.
If you have ever dealt with repairs or at least seen from the outside how VAZ 2115, 2108, 2109, 21099, 2113 are repaired, this will help you better navigate replacing shock absorbers on a VAZ 2114, because the process itself is identical. Moreover, all the parts of these cars exactly match the latest brand of domestic car.
Analogs
In addition to original parts, there are also a number of analogues that are certified and recommended for use for the 2113-2115 family of cars.
Manufacturer's name Catalog number Price in rubles
Optimal | A-2873H | 1200 |
Fenox | A22378C3 | 1300 |
Weber | SA 2108RG | 1400 |
Starmann | AS-11350H | 1500 |
SCT | Z 2873 | 1600 |
Denckermann | DSF085O | 1600 |
Patron | PSA341824 | 1700 |
Profit | 2002-0312 | 1800 |
Hola | S422 | 2000 |
Kroner | K350208 | 2000 |
Pilenga | SH-P 2709 - G | 2100 |
Al-ko. | 2.873 | 2200 |
Delphi | D22510165 | 2700 |
Master-sport | 112295-SET/2/-MS | 2700 |
Ashika | MA-00274 | 2800 |
Monroe | 26529 | 2900 |
Japan Parts | MM-00274 | 2900 |
Finwhale | 120212 | 3000 |
Kayaba | 441824 | 3300 |
SACHS | 112 295 | 5000 |
Front
The front shock absorbers of the VAZ 2114 can also be replaced with analogues. The highest quality products in this category are:
- Trialli AH 01159
- Pilenga SH-P 2771–O
Both types of shock absorbers are more rigid, so the car’s ground clearance will increase slightly after installing “non-original” struts.
Rear
The rear pillar of the VAZ 2114 can also be used of a non-original type. If the machine will not be used in harsh conditions, then you can replace the standard racks with similar products from Trialli.
When operating a car in a sporty style, it is better to install special shock absorbers. The highest quality products in this category are shock absorbers from the company SS-20. Sports products from this manufacturer are represented by gas-filled models, and semi-sports products are represented by gas-oil models.
This is interesting: ZAZ Tavria, basic data on adjustments and control, instructions online
How to install shock absorbers on a VAZ 2114
It is better to once again make sure that the necessary spare parts and tools are fully equipped before installation. Assess how efficient they are. It is advisable to wash the settled dust particles on the rods with running water. Finally, we start replacing the racks.
- Place the car on a level surface. The machine must stand firmly on the base and not wobble or move.
- To prevent the VAZ 2114 from suddenly moving from its place, you need to put the handbrake on it, then jack up the car and secure the wheel restraints.
- Remove 2 wheels from the part of the car where the old suspensions will be removed. It’s up to you to decide which new units are best mounted for a comfortable ride.
- If the front products are to be replaced, release them from the safety mechanism.
- Replacing rear products involves removing the protection in the upper fastening element.
- Slightly loosen the rod nut and fasteners adjacent to the body.
- Hold the pliers tightly in your hand, then use them to release and remove the cotter pin from the VAZ 2114.
- Disconnect the steering rod.
- Remove the hose involved in the braking process.
- Through the arch, free yourself from the outdated type of shock absorber.
- Dismantle the support bearing.
- Carefully and slowly fold the new product, consisting of a spring and a bearing.
- You can install shock absorbers by initiating the reverse procedure for installing the product.