Features of replacing the VAZ-2107 driveshaft crosspiece: 3 important tips for choosing a part

In the age of advanced technology, more and more cars have front-wheel drive, which does not use a driveshaft with hinges. Nevertheless, many companies continue to make rear-wheel drive cars, using the old classic drive-wheel drive scheme. Along with Mercedes and BMW, our VAZs continue the tradition. Therefore, car owners are interested in how to replace the VAZ-2107 driveshaft crosspiece themselves.

Node device

Before you begin dismantling it yourself, you need to at least in general understand the structure of the entire unit, then repairs can be done according to all the rules. Cardan shaft device:

1. Front part (short). Through an elastic coupling, which softens jerks and shocks when changing gears, it is connected to the input shaft of the gearbox (gearbox).
2. The back is longer. It is connected to the rear axle gearbox using a flange.

To the eternal question, how many crosspieces are there on this car, there is a very clear answer: two.

Structurally, everything is done exactly this way due to the fact that the gearbox and the rear axle gearbox are not located in the same axis, that is, they are offset relative to each other. From this it is absolutely clear that the driveshaft cannot be solid, since this is structurally impossible.

The design also provides a suspension device - an additional support consisting of a rubber cushion enclosed in a steel cage and a bearing in the center of the structure.

This is the brief structure of this node.

How to replace the driveshaft crosspieces on a VAZ 2101-VAZ 2107?

Note! If you decide to change the crosspieces, then we also recommend sending the outboard bearing for replacement; when purchasing it, make sure that its rubber is elastic (Do not take a bearing with hard rubber under any circumstances), so that the bearing rotates without jamming and without snagging, if so bearing, find it and purchase it, how to change it, read the article entitled: “Replacing an outboard bearing on a car”!

1. First, you will have to remove the shaft itself from the car, removing it will not be difficult, but just before doing this, be sure to mark its position relative to the gearbox and relative to the box, because when you reinstall the shaft, it will have to stand exactly the same as and was installed earlier, otherwise the balancing of the shaft will be disrupted and when the car starts, strong vibration will be transmitted to the body and increased wear of the driveshaft parts will occur (And how to remove it was described in detail in the article entitled: “Replacing the driveshaft shaft on the car").

2. After the driveshaft is removed from the car, take a marker or punch or use them to make marks on the forks of the universal joints (If they were not made previously), now pry them off using a special tool. pliers, all four retaining rings (see photo below, before prying them off, we recommend that you remember at least a little how the rings were positioned, or even better, make marks as shown in the small photo; when installing new rings, they will need to be installed in approximately the same way) and start removing the crosspiece.

3. To remove you will need heads or special ones. mandrels for pressing out the bearings of the crosspieces and a hammer, placing something under the lower part (so that the propeller shaft forks are suspended), knock out the crosspiece together with the bearing down and tilt it, pull it out of the hole in the fork, thereby the forks will separate and you will only have to knock out the crosspiece from the last one forks.

4. It will be more difficult to knock it out of the last fork, also by placing the head and putting something under the bottom (To have the fork suspended, see the photo below), try to knock it out from above and tilt the cross, remove it from the bottom hole like this on the small one photos shown.

Note! The other crosspiece, which is located in the place where the cardan clings to the gearbox, is removed in the same way, don’t be afraid to remove the crosspieces at all, they are replaceable, so you can do whatever you want with them, knock them out, saw them, and so on, the main thing is not to damage the forks to the cardan shafts and then everything will be fine!

5. Installation of the crosspieces begins with the fact that you will need to remove two cups from them and then the crosspiece will become much more compact and can be easily inserted into the fork; after inserting these cups, these cups are installed in their place using a soft metal hammer and a spacer, you need to drive the cups until the groove is clearly visible into which the retaining ring is installed, when everything is completed, do the same with the other two cups and install another fork (the main thing is to orient everything according to the marks) and by the way, when installing the cups and their When removing, be careful, because there are balls inside them that cannot be scattered, as it will be very difficult to put them back in (see small photo).

Note! During all the work, this kind of problem may arise: The crosspieces cannot be removed due to the fact that they have become sour (Rusted), you can fight this with the help of kerosene, just wet the parts with it or something like that liquid and rub it with a metal brush, this will help and by the way, when the crosspieces are removed, clean their seats with a brush, especially those places where the retaining rings are installed, this is a must!

Additional video clip: Visual instructions for replacing the driveshaft crosspieces are shown in the video clip located just below:

Good day, dear reader! In this article you can learn about how to replace a small but very important part in your car. We will talk about how to replace the driveshaft crosspiece of the VAZ 2107, 2106 and the rest of the classic family. But before replacing a part, you need to find out whether it is really faulty? Let me tell you how it's done!

Basic faults

Any component or mechanism sooner or later wears out and requires complete or partial replacement (repair). The most common driveshaft malfunctions:

• wear of the suspension device bearing;
• wear of the rubber cushion;
• wear of crosspieces.

The latter malfunction occurs for various reasons. The most likely of them:

1. Aggressive driving style.
2. Poor quality of crosspieces.
3. Unsatisfactory maintenance of crosspieces, which consists of timely lubrication, if provided for by the design. If they are maintenance-free, they fail earlier due to a lack of lubrication.
4. Bad roads.
5. Constant driving through deep puddles.

The signal to replace these parts is increased noise while driving, vibration and extraneous sounds emanating from under the car.

Choosing a universal joint for a VAZ 2107

I once had an argument with a mechanic. He argued that crosspieces should not have an oil nipple, since it provides an extra hole for dirt to enter. The hinge quickly becomes clogged and fails. I insisted that without a grease can there would be no way to lubricate the crosspiece - it was somewhat offensive, since before that I had found an almost new screw syringe for lubrication in my grandfather’s garage. “Why, if each part has its own resource,” my opponent answered, “if the lubricant runs out, change the part, especially since it is inexpensive

It is better to pay attention to the seals (O-rings). If they dry out, new lubricant will not save"

Indeed, it is so.

When purchasing new crosspieces for the VAZ 2107, you should be guided by the following points.

1. CCs should not be too expensive, since they have to be changed quite often.
2. Spare retaining rings must be included with the CC. On sale you can find kits without rings, consisting only of the cross itself and a rubber seal.
3. For the VAZ 2107, old and new crosspieces are available. It is not recommended to install new reinforced crosspieces on old-style cardan forks - this will reduce the rigidity of the joints. “Sevens” produced after 1990 are equipped with modern driveshaft forks. On such cars you can safely install reinforced joints with additional stiffening ribs on the cups, an increased number of bearing needles (one more than in a conventional joint) and improved characteristics of the seals.

Reinforced crosspieces can be installed on VAZ 2107 produced after 1990

Among the manufacturers of crosspieces, the following companies have proven themselves to be the best:

• GKN (Germany);
• VolgaAvtoProm LLC;
• JSC AVTOVAZ.

Spare part selection

In order to repair this unit less often, you need to purchase good quality spare parts. The correct choice of crosspiece determines how often it will need to be replaced. Choice of cross:

1. It is advisable to make purchases in specialized stores and markets where there are quality certificates and traders value their reputation. It is better to never buy anything from random sellers who trade in spontaneous markets from time to time. In addition, a normal retail outlet provides a guarantee that allows you to return the product within 14 days if there is something wrong with it.
2. The spare part should be from a well-known brand that has been proven over the years, and not of some dubious quality.
3. The crosspiece should be purchased equipped with a grease fitting (grease fitting), through which you can always renew the lubricant in the bearings using a supercharger (“syringe”) - both manual and electric. This part will last longer.

And another effective way to check. The crosspiece taken out of the package should be placed on a piece of glass - a glass counter is quite suitable, or on the same side-view mirror (removed, of course). Holding your fingers opposite the axis of the cross, you need to try to swing them on this surface. Next, you need to do the same with other axes. Then turn the part and do the same operation again. During the inspection process there should be no knocks on the glass surface, which will indicate the absence of deformation of the part.

You should buy two parts at once, because after replacing one, the replacement of the other will very soon follow. Many people immediately change the bearing of the suspension device, so as not to have to repeat what they have done before, that is, disassemble everything, wasting time and their own nerves.

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Replacement

Now you can proceed directly to replacing the crosspiece on the VAZ 2107. Repair work includes a mandatory preparatory stage, during which it is necessary to prepare spare parts and tools.

Spare parts

To ensure that the crosspiece is replaced efficiently and reliably, that is, after a short period of time you do not have to do the work again, buy high-quality parts.

Spare parts

Today there is a large volume of cheap Chinese spare parts on the market. Their quality leaves much to be desired. By purchasing such items, you will incur even greater financial losses. And that's why:

• When replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2107, you must simultaneously change the bearing. When purchasing, check how smooth its movement is;
• Check the rubber for elasticity. The bearing must not have any obstructions when moving. Feeling that it is clinging, put such a part away and take another one;
• Rubber must have the required level of elasticity. This is because when moving through it, vibrations are transmitted to the body. If the tires turn out to be hard, you will notice this in the behavior of the car and the roughness of the movement;
• It is recommended to replace the old crosspiece with a new one using standard VAZ components. Just before purchasing, make sure that they are made with high quality and are not defective;
• When purchasing crosspieces and bearings, at the same time buy new snap rings. Old elements cannot withstand long-term use, become deformed, and stop working properly. Trying to save money on something like this is a big mistake of many VAZ 2107 owners. Don’t repeat them.

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Tools

If you often do car repairs and maintenance on your own, then the tool necessary to replace the crosspiece will definitely be found in your garage:

• Open-end wrenches for 12 and 13;
• Set of socket wrenches. The most important ones are on 13 and 27;
• Hammer with a handle made of aluminum or copper;
• Pliers (needed when removing circlips);
• Puller and flange.

Preparing for work

You can't do any job without the right tool. You should prepare:

1. Wrench No. 13. It is better with a head and a ratchet to unscrew the hanging device, and for a flange connection, a spanner or open-end wrench is best suited.
2. Hammer - preferably bronze or copper.
3. A flat blade screwdriver.
4. Pliers.
5. A special puller, if, of course, there is one. Whether to buy it on purpose or not is up to each car owner. You can use a punch.
6. A product like WD-40. In the absence of such, you can also use kerosene, for example, together with an oil can (medical syringe) and a brush.

And, of course, it is better to carry out the work on a lift, overpass or inspection ditch - it will be both more convenient and safer.

If work is carried out on the first two structures, then you need to fix the wheels by placing blocks under them, which will prevent unwanted rolling of the car forward or backward. You must always remember safety precautions before removing the crosspiece from the VAZ-2107 cardan or performing any other work under the car.

Removal of worn parts

Replacing them does not present any particular difficulties, and it is not at all necessary to take your “seven” to a service station in order to perform such a simple operation.

Replacing crosspieces on a VAZ-2107 is impossible without dismantling the driveshaft.

This does not require any special training, great skills or special tools - everything is very simply done in a garage. Operating procedure:

1. Unscrew the mounting of the suspension device - 2 bolts using a key No. 13. Before unscrewing, it is advisable to treat the threaded connections with WD-40 or kerosene, and after two minutes, unscrew them. This will make the disassembly process easier, and will also preserve the threads on the bolts and nuts.
2. Unscrew the bolts and nuts (4 pairs) of the flange connection, first using a rust remover. Here it is preferable to use a spanner due to the small gaps between the flange and the nut (bolt).
3. The side that goes into the coupling can be easily removed - just pull the already unscrewed cardan towards you - there is a splined connection without any other type of fastener.
4. The already removed driveshaft must be cleaned of dirt and dust - it is better and more correct to work clean. In addition, dirt can get into the bearings, which obviously will not improve their performance.
5. You should make sure that the coupling is intact and the splines are in working condition - it would be wrong to change the crosspiece on a VAZ-2107 without making sure that the assembly as a whole is in good working order. This is done by visual inspection and preliminary check of the connection of the coupling hub with the splined part of the shaft. By rocking the driveshaft in different directions, you need to make sure that there is no too much play.
6. Before replacement, marks should be made on the universal joint. This is necessary in order to avoid imbalance after replacing parts - the shaft is carefully balanced by welding plates at the manufacturer, and changing the position will force you to re-assemble the connection, which, of course, is not part of the car owner’s plans.
7. Before replacing the crosspiece on a VAZ-2107, you need to remove the retaining rings that secure the bearing caps - there are four of them. On each neck of the cross there is an annular groove into which a locking ring snaps into place. They are best removed using special pliers with pointed ends, which must be inserted into the holes of the locking ring - there are two of them in each stopper. ​If the stopper is difficult to remove, then you also need to use a thin screwdriver with a flat blade.

Such a tool can be either universal (working for both compression and expansion) or single-acting. However, many craftsmen manage to do this with a simple screwdriver or an awl, which is undesirable for safety reasons.

After all the rings have been removed, you can remove the crosspiece on the VAZ-2107. This is done like this:

1. Holding the universal joint with one hand, you need to knock out the cross cap with a hammer, striking it lightly. You need to beat until it drops to the point where it comes out of the universal joint completely.
2. Having turned the driveshaft over, you now need to apply light blows to its body as close as possible to the crosspiece, which will allow you to remove the other, opposite cap.
3. Thus, the hinge is disconnected, and all that remains is to remove the cross after knocking off the last two caps. To do this, you need to use two fingers, holding the cross with the shaft suspended, and apply light blows to it, first knocking out one cap. After removing the cross, the remaining cap is knocked out with a punch.

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Step-by-step description of the process of replacing the cross

As mentioned above, these works are not particularly difficult, so every car owner can cope with them. We will tell you step by step how to change the crosspiece on the cardan shaft of a VAZ 2107. All parts removed from the driveshaft must be marked with a chalk or chisel, which will simplify their installation later when reassembling such units.

You will need to remove the driveshaft, for which, using a 13mm wrench, unscrew the two nuts that secure it to the car body. We unscrew the rear part of the cardan, which is attached to the rear axle shank with four bolts. The next stage of work involves directly removing the cardan. You need to thoroughly clean the metal elements with a metal brush, which will remove rust and possible contamination. It is necessary to remove the cardan using pliers, which makes it possible to remove the retaining rings and easily remove the cross. In the absence of such special pliers, you can use a screwdriver and pliers. When doing this work, do not be afraid to bend the retaining rings, since new clamps will be used in the future. To knock out the cups of the cross, you will need to use a drift and a hammer. A wooden block should be placed under the cardan eye. You can knock out the cross as follows. First, carefully hit the lower cup of the cross with a hammer, and at the same time make sure that the needle bearing does not rest against the floor. After this, we take a drift and hit it on the upper cup, which will knock out the lower bearing, and you can easily remove the cross. Having knocked out the crosspiece, you should carefully clean its seat with a metal brush, after which you usually begin assembling a new crosspiece and installing it in the cardan. It is necessary to lubricate the bearings of the new cross with the appropriate composition, and then install this unit into the propeller shaft in the reverse order. The crosspiece is inserted into the eyes of the cardan, and only after that the bearing cups are carefully fixed. Watch the bearing needles, which must remain stationary. Having installed the bearings, we fix the crosspiece on both sides with retaining rings. All you have to do is install the assembled cross into place, then carefully tighten the bolts and check for correct assembly. The crosspiece and all elements must be assembled in full accordance with the pre-made marks. Remember that if this element is assembled incorrectly, increased vibrations may occur, to eliminate which you will have to contact a repair shop.

Installing new items

Now that the hinge is disassembled, you can begin installing the new part. To do this, you need to remove the new cross from the packaging and carefully remove the caps from it, so that its needle bearings do not fall apart. Further:

1. Check the presence of grease in the bearings.
2. The new part must be inserted into the hinge and the first cap must be placed on one of the axles (necks). Carefully press it into place, holding the two axes located at an angle of 90° relative to the cap with two fingers of the other hand. Then snap the retaining ring into the groove on the axle. For this purpose, it is better to use new rings - they are included with the new part.
3. Turning the cardan 180°, insert the second cap, slightly lifting it and pushing it out a little from the first cap. Using a drift (if you don’t have one, you can use a socket wrench head of the appropriate size) the bearing is put in place and locked with a ring.
4. Now you can put the flange (mating part) in place and install the third bearing, proceeding in exactly the same way as in the previous cases, not forgetting to install the retaining ring. In order to correctly install the next bearing, you need to support the cap located opposite it with something, for example, the same head.
5. The last thing to install is the bearing with a grease nipple. Here you need to be especially careful not to damage the oiler when pressing. First of all, you need to unscrew it yourself to allow excess grease to exit the bearing through the hole. The oiler can be unscrewed with any available wrench No. 7 or 8. If the retaining ring does not fit all the way, the bearing should be seated by first placing the same head on the opposite side, driving it in using the same equipment. Screw the grease nipple into place.

All these operations must be repeated with the second cross - there are no differences as such.

Installation of the cardan shaft is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. To do this you need to do:

• insert the splined part into place, holding the driveshaft with your shoulder (it will be better if someone else helps you do this);
• screw the hanging device into its regular place;
• attach the flange to the gearbox.

Don’t forget about the retaining rings to avoid early failure of the propeller shaft joints! And you also need to carefully, but without fanaticism, tighten all the bolts and nuts. In addition, we must not forget about aligning the marks on the hinge joint.

Now you need to check the car while driving for the absence of vibrations and noise under it.

Features of the mechanism

The driveshaft transmits the torque generated by the car's engine to the rear axle, causing the wheels to rotate. It is located under the bottom of the VAZ-2107 car, which is why you can find a raised floor in the cabin.

The cardan on the VAZ 2107 consists of two main parts, which are connected to each other using a cross. This design of the device is necessary because the rear suspension constantly “plays” when driving due to shock absorption. The device is a hollow tube, which is the “arm” connecting the engine to the wheels. Despite the simplicity of the product, the shaft, like other car parts, fails and requires repair or replacement.

Main cardan malfunctions

The main malfunction of the driveshaft is that elements such as the spider and the outboard bearing fail. It is these parts that are the most loaded. The crosspiece and bearing fail for a simple reason - lack of lubrication. Over time, it is necessary to periodically diagnose these elements with the obligatory addition of lubricants. In rare cases, a cardan malfunction may be associated with a defective crosspiece, which requires its replacement.

The malfunctions of the mechanism in question are as follows:

• failure of crosspieces;
• destruction of the outboard bearing;
• violation of the configuration (imbalance) of the shaft;
• breakage of flanges, splines and couplings, which happens under heavy loads;
• excess moisture and dirt inside the crosspieces.

At the slightest sign of malfunction, it is necessary to diagnose the mechanism and eliminate all resulting damage. The malfunction can be identified by the following signs:

• the appearance of a knocking sound when the clutch is engaged, which may indicate wear of the splines or damage to the elastic coupling;
• the occurrence of a grinding noise when the car is moving indicates a lack of lubrication;
• the appearance of vibration when the car is moving, which indicates a violation of the alignment of the product;
• knocking noise during sudden acceleration or braking, which indicates wear of the crosspieces.

We will discuss how to replace the VAZ 2107 driveshaft in the next paragraph.

The process of removing and replacing the cardan

The mechanism is removed for the purpose of carrying out repair work or replacing it with a new product.

Often the driveshaft itself is an unpretentious device, but it is important to periodically check the condition of the bearing, splines and crosses. These are the weak points that need to be periodically looked at and monitored for their condition.

Work on dismantling the cardan is carried out in the following order:

First, you need to secure the car by placing stops under the front wheels, and place the gearshift lever in the “neutral” position. Next, jack up the rear of the car, while suspending one of the drive wheels. We proceed to disconnect the device from the mount to the differential. To do this, you need to unscrew the 4 fastening nuts and then remove the bolts. After unscrewing the fastener, you can separate the product from the differential flange.

It remains to unscrew the two nuts securing the cross member on which the suspension bearing is mounted. After unscrewing, you can dismantle the cardan from the VAZ 2107. Using a wooden hammer, you need to knock out (if necessary) the shaft from the engagement of the splines with the elastic coupling. After the shaft is repaired or replaced, you can install it in place. The installation process is inversely proportional to removal

When installing the product, it is important to ensure that the shaft is positioned correctly.

The driveshaft on cars of the VAZ family is a fairly reliable unit. However, it also needs periodic maintenance. All driveline faults should be repaired as soon as possible. Otherwise, more serious and costly problems may arise.

Conclusion

It must be remembered that work done correctly, as well as high-quality spare parts, will help the car owner forget about this unit for a long time. And don’t forget about timely lubrication of the bearings through a grease nipple - then the next repair will not have to be done soon.

Of course, taking on this work yourself or entrusting it to service station mechanics is the job of every car owner. But, taking into account that the owners of VAZs (especially “classics”), as a rule, are not rich people, there is a reason to do this work yourself, thus saving a decent amount.

Good luck on the roads and safe driving!

Diagnosis of the condition

First of all, you should drive the VAZ 2107 car onto a lift or use a room with a pit. Don't forget about your safety! That is why be sure to put the car on the handbrake before starting work.

Grab the gearbox gear flange with one hand and the driveshaft itself with the other.

Make turns in all possible directions. If you find any play in parts, make sure that they are worn out and need to be replaced.

When buying a new crosspiece for a VAZ 2107, you don’t need to try to save money. Everyone knows that “the miser pays twice,” so it’s better to buy an original part right away than to change a couple of crosses in six months.

The body of the crosspiece is made of heat-treated steel. This is necessary to ensure the special hardness of the studs. Thus, the quality of the material plays a big role in the service life of the part. How long can a car run without replacing crosspieces? It is believed that approximately 500 thousand km!

The retaining rings and bearing also need replacement. Please note that the rubber of the bearing itself must be sufficiently elastic.