People often ask which racks are best to install on Priora and Kalina (+ Station wagon). The fact is that there is very little information on this issue. The manufacturer recommends using only original parts. The quality of which leaves much to be desired. There are few good articles on this topic, and the forums are filled with people who, judging by the texts, have not held a real shock absorber in their hands. In this article we will combine the advice of experienced craftsmen and tell you about the most convenient and reliable shock-absorbing struts designed for these domestic models. Remember that high-quality shock-absorbing elements largely determine your safety on the roads.
Part Description
The racks (they are most often called telescopic) absorb shocks and impacts that are directed at the car body. For example, when you are driving on a rough road or off-road.
The part includes a shock absorber, spring and several other parts. Since struts are considered an important element of the entire suspension system, their malfunction leads to emergency situations on the road.
Thanks to the stabilizer struts, comfort is maintained, maneuverability and control are ensured, regardless of how fast the vehicle is moving. In addition, they firmly connect the wheel mechanism and the body itself.
Symptoms of a problem
Which struts are best to install on Priora and Kalina (+ Station wagon), first you need to make sure that it’s really time for you to change the shock absorbers. Surely they can tell you this in a service equipped with a special stand. But, there are also folk methods of determination. A sign of problems with this unit is a “breakdown” of the rack. At the same time, you will feel a shock when passing an obstacle.
Knocks may also be observed, but this may be a consequence of malfunctions of other components. In garage conditions, you can use the following method. To do this, press on the corner of the car and release. With a good stance, the car will make 1.5 moves and calm down. If more, then you can safely change the part. Please note that racks are replaced in pairs.
The original shock absorbers on Priors and Kalinas are oil-based. They are quite tough and often not very hardy. Depending on the operating conditions, they can travel 60-80 thousand kilometers. Experienced car enthusiasts do not recommend using original parts for replacement. If you want to use this type of rack on your car, then it is best to purchase analogues. They are more reliable and provide greater comfort.
Gas shock absorber struts are not used as standard. But this does not prevent you from installing them when replacing them. Cars with such shock absorbers hold up well on the road, even at low speeds. Therefore, they are preferred by drivers who love speed. Gas-oil shock absorbers have mixed characteristics. For everyday driving, mechanics often offer clients this option.
Troubleshooting
As mentioned above, malfunctioning struts are a common problem, especially for novice drivers. Immediately after detecting the primary symptoms of a breakdown, it is recommended to replace the part with a similar one.
The most noticeable “symptom” is oil leakage. Oily spots may appear under the car. If everything is in order with other elements, it is worth replacing the racks. Make sure there is no external damage: any cracks or chips.
If the car body sways strongly when driving, it does not stay in the rut and “wobbles,” which means that the stabilizer is not working correctly. This can lead to you flying into the oncoming lane or falling into a ditch if you often drive on intercity highways.
Note that the stabilizer strut is a consumable part, which is useless to repair. The most rational solution is to purchase a new spare part and install it instead of the faulty one. Moreover, now you can choose almost any part, the main thing is that it matches the dimensions of the car. Let's consider several replacement options.
Manufacturers
In addition to original parts produced by AvtoVAZ, you can also find racks from other manufacturers on sale. They are identical to the originals, there will be no problems during installation. At the same time, they are much more reliable. This is an important factor. The performance of the suspension greatly affects the overall handling of the car. This has a particularly strong effect on cornering. Below we will look at several manufacturers of such spare parts.
Original spare parts
Most vehicle owners prefer to install only original parts from the manufacturer that were originally supplied with the car. Factory spare parts for Lada Kalina Universal are marked with article number 2110-290540203. Their cost varies from 2200 to 2500 rubles. The racks are produced by the Skopinsky Automotive Aggregate Plant, that is, they are domestic.
Owners of Lada cars note that it is better to immediately replace the original parts with foreign-made analogues immediately after purchasing the vehicle, as they are of much better quality. However, it all depends on you. Some people, on the contrary, only like racks from SAZ.
Parts are often counterfeited. In order not to stumble upon non-original spare parts, make sure of the quality of the product. Ask for accompanying sales certificates and carefully inspect the packaging.
All barcodes and names must be printed clearly. The presence of extraneous logos is unacceptable. The parts should be free of burrs, chips and cracks of paint, and other external defects. Unless, of course, you purchase used parts.
In general, models of the category “Standard 1118 (1119)”, “Sport 1119” and “Highway 1118”, “Optima 1119” are considered the standard choice. Highway and Sport are narrowly focused struts, so they are not practical for city driving. The most common option is the Optima category racks. Note: they are good both off-road and on high-quality trails.
Original parts are covered by a warranty; the kit must contain a coupon. Therefore, it is advisable to purchase them from an official dealer or trusted reseller.
Purpose and design features of racks
What racks are better to put on a Priora?
The front struts are designed to reduce the impact of the road surface on the car while driving. If the road is full of uneven surfaces, then the operation of the struts in this driving mode is especially important. The front struts, as well as the rear ones, of the Lada Kalina allow you to smooth out the vibrations that occur in the body under the influence of inertia when driving on an uneven road surface. Even if the road has a smooth surface, the shock absorbers are still endowed with the function of holding the car steadily on a given trajectory.
Over time, the front struts become unusable, and then the owner, while driving, notices the appearance of difficulties in driving the car. He also begins to feel the smallest irregularities in the road surface, during which the body tends to sway and move from the set course. Efficient shock absorbers are designed to prevent this development of events.
Before starting repair procedures, you need to familiarize yourself in detail with the design aspects of these elements of the Lada Kalina chassis.
- The front oil struts have a two-pipe mechanism, the functioning of which is possible due to the internal movement of liquid, that is, oil. This design of the shock absorber is quite simple, but in operation a tendency to overheating has been revealed, which provokes the supports to deform. Selecting and replacing these product options is also easy.
- The front gas-oil struts operate under the influence of gas pressure. They are very effective and allow the Lada Kalina car to gain reliable protection from shock and rocking influences.
- Single-pipe structures. In most models, manufacturers use such versions of products in the stern suspension. Shock absorbers can please you with good heat transfer and fairly high efficiency. Disadvantages include low reliability and high sensitivity to shock loads.
The choice of product option is significantly influenced by the operating features. Primary replacement of struts in Lada Kalina is recommended after 100,000 mileage. Subsequent replacements must be carried out after approximately 80 thousand km, but we must not forget about the influence of the operational factor.
Analogs
You can save on consumables by purchasing non-original parts. They may be a little more expensive, but the quality will be much better than the factory ones. The following options for replacing front struts are in greatest demand among experienced drivers:
| Company name | vendor code | Price, rub.) |
| KYB | 343357 | 2000 |
| Monroe | D0309 | 3750 |
| Mando | EX546512S000 | 3450 |
| Tokiko | B3086 | 3360 |
| Fenox | A51121 | 3100 |
As you can see from the table, the price range is large. You should not think that similar options will fail faster - the reason for the low price is that they are produced by little-known brands. In general, all offered auto parts have decent, proven quality.
The situation is the same with the rear struts. It is advisable to order front and rear struts from the same manufacturer to minimize risks. It is also strictly forbidden to change only one rack, or use the right and left racks from different companies.
Models most suitable for Lada:
| Company name | vendor code | Price, rub.) |
| LYNXauto | O12426LR | 1500 |
| Maxtrac | MCD0556R | 4010 |
| ZF Sachs | 314048 | 3980 |
| TiGuar | 9701423-GT | 1770 |
| Monroe | 26529 | 2500 |
Of course, even parts from little-known companies can be counterfeited by Asian manufacturers. The safety rules when choosing are still the same - carefully examine the packaging and compare it with the original one. Check that the parts are in excellent condition - without visible external defects such as paint chips, cracks, scratches, or various damages.
"ASOMI"
This manufacturer offers two lines of parts. They are more versatile than the SS20 described above. This allows you to use spare parts without worrying about operating features:
- Gas-oil struts “Comfort PRO” can be used on roads with any surface. At the same time, shock absorbers have an excellent resource;
- Comfort CLASSIC, these are classic oil struts. Due to their high rigidity, they show good behavior at high speeds.
This manufacturer attracts attention with a combination of relatively low price and high quality.
The process of replacing the front struts on a Lada Kalina
Now it's time to figure out how to properly replace the front stabilizer links. To do this, it is not necessary to dismantle the stabilizer itself. To work, we need a socket head or wrench for 17 and 19, a mallet (rubber hammer) and a compound suitable for lubrication. Be prepared to use a jack.
The process itself takes little time and will be simple even for a beginner. Let's get started:
- Having opened the hood, carefully turn the nut securing the strut to the support using a spanner. We don’t completely get rid of the part, we just loosen the fastening. We jack up the car by hanging the front wheel. It will have to be removed. We install wheel chocks under the two rear wheels.
- We move the brake hose to the side, releasing it from the mounting groove. We generously lubricate all connections (including the steering tip, rack mounts, and steering knuckle). We wait 5-10 minutes.
- Let's move on to dismantling outdated parts. Unscrew the steering tip nut and disconnect the cotter pin. We use a hammer. Now remove the dismantled parts from the previous place of fixation.
- Using sockets 19 and 17, unscrew the connection between the steering knuckle and the strut. If the fastener remains in place, we will again have to generously lubricate it and knock it out. Now all that remains is to disassemble the stand, then get rid of the support nut and the support itself.
- We put the boot and bumper on the new part, then (optionally) install new sound insulators and a spring. Check that the top of the spring is in place. After removing the ties, install the parts in the reverse order. It is advisable to secure the new rack with new bolts, but the diameter should be identical.
Please note: it is recommended to replace the front struts at the same time. It is unacceptable to use right and left racks from different manufacturers, as well as install faulty parts or spare parts that are not suitable for a specific Lada model.
Rating list of racks for Kalina 1118
KONI
They are the most expensive of all, but their qualities completely justify the price. They give the driver the opportunity to adjust the properties of the shock absorber to suit himself. Therefore, with them you can drive on any road without unnecessary worries, since the racks have passed all kinds of tests and are winners among all competitors.
Bilstein Monotube Shock Absorber
Which front struts are best to install on a Kalina 1118 station wagon?
Gas struts of this brand are very well assembled, and thanks to this they are able to maintain excellent balance on any road. It can be added that a special piston is used here, which regulates the stability of the car, which depends on weather conditions and roads.
MILLION PARTS Complete Strut Shock Absorber Assembly
Shock absorbers of this brand are known for their ease of installation, because you do not need any complicated actions, just screws and a couple of wrenches. Easy installation does not mean at all that they are worse than previous options, because they have all the necessary functionality, and most importantly, they improve the ride quality and stability of the car.
This list contains popular and well-known brands that have an appropriate price and fully justify it.
The most popular stands among drivers
Kayaba
Kayaba struts are the brainchild of Japanese technology. They are able to serve you for a very long time, performing their duties perfectly. After installation, you will immediately notice how your car will become quieter and smoother in its movements. Users note that, having received a license, the Chinese manufacturer began to create the same racks, but their quality leaves much to be desired, so be careful.
SAAZ
Which front struts are best to install on a Kalina 1118 station wagon?
The plant itself offers you this option; people like their fairly low price, availability and ease of installation. Reviews are very different, some find the functionality sufficient, others complain about unstable operation. But it is worth adding that such racks are not designed for difficult road and weather conditions, and will not be able to add stability to the car. Therefore, here, before purchasing, you should think very carefully.
Asomi
Those who use such struts respond very positively, because they give moderate rigidity to the car, which ensures a comfortable and safe ride. For their low price, they perform their functions perfectly.
SS20
Which front struts are best to install on a Kalina 1118 station wagon?
Highly praised racks that do everything they can for their money to improve your ride and the condition of your vehicle. They do not create unnecessary knocking or noise, but they provide comfort and safety.
Pricing policy of racks for KALINA 1118
To begin with, as already written above, you should decide which shock absorbers you prefer - oil or gas, you need to weigh the pros and cons. Next, you need to calculate your financial capabilities, determine how much you are willing to pay for safety and convenience. Each driver himself answers the question of which racks are best to install on a viburnum, we just recommend.
It is worth passing by the products of Chinese companies, because there are many imported options that are of higher quality and more reliable. The cheapest racks will cost you approximately 3,000 to 5,000 rubles, but it will be better if you opt for those that are more expensive. Those that fully satisfy all the needs of your car and will last a very long time will cost from 4,000 to 7,000 rubles. In this case, the front struts will cost more than the rear ones, the difference in price is about 1000 rubles. There are also certain inaccuracies in prices; a lot depends on the region where the purchase is made.
The main question is what kind of driver are you - a calm or more aggressive one, and what road conditions prevail in your regular driving?
After all, it is important to take into account absolutely all the nuances when purchasing in order to remain satisfied and completely safe, since malfunction of car parts often leads to accidents on the roads
The process of replacing rear struts on Lada Kalina
The order of work differs slightly. To replace the rear struts you must:
- Put the car on the handbrake and park it on a level surface. The rear wheels are suspended alternately.
- Having prepared a flat-head screwdriver, reclining the rear seat in advance, get rid of the pillar cap (it covers the rod). Using a socket wrench size 17, get rid of the fastening. The rod must be held with a 6 key. Remove the nut along with the engraver and washer.
- We tighten the spring using zip ties. The lower mount of the rack is unscrewed using a 19mm wrench. If the nut or bolt is stuck, lubricate it with WD-40.
- Install new components in reverse order. Don’t forget to replace the bolts, boots, bumpers, and rubber bands with new ones.
This completes the process of replacing components. No alignment is required.
Choice
Rack disassembly
Which racks are better for Priora?
To disassemble the rack you will need zip ties; the best option would be reinforced ones with two grips on each side.
The procedure for separating the spring from the strut is carried out on a part clamped in a vice. The procedure is as follows:
- Install 2 spring clamps opposite each other. They need to be fixed in position so that they interlock 4 threads.
- Compress the spring by uniform rotation of the tie screws.
- After removing the load on the support cup, use a 22mm wrench to unscrew the nut securing the rod.
- Remove the bump stop travel stop.
- Remove the upper support and the bearing protecting ring.
- Remove the compression stroke stop.
- Remove the upper spring cup, bearing and gasket.
- Remove the bearing.
- Separate the spring gasket and the upper cup.
- Remove the upper bearing race.
- Remove the spring along with the ties.
- Remove the compression buffer and protective cover.
The video below shows how to sort out the rack yourself:
Some nuances
Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of removal. However, some nuances should be observed:
Before assembling the strut, you need to make sure that there are no dips, jerks or extraneous sounds in the operation of the shock absorber. If they are found, the part must be replaced. Springs, like struts, are changed on both sides
When buying new ones, pay attention to the class (indicated by paint on one of the turns); it should be the same on both the right and left. The springs are installed in one position: the lower coil should rest against the protrusion of the lower support. The upper one should rest against the corresponding protrusion of the gasket.
To install the head of the adjusting bolt of the upper mounting of the steering knuckle, use the marks. Before installing the bearing, it is advisable to lubricate it with lithol. After complete assembly, it is recommended to check the wheel alignment.
Features of Kalina 2013
VAZ released the modernized Kalina for sale in 2013, having previously widely covered the upcoming event in the media. The debut took place on a grand scale. The car has really become more interesting in every sense. Now completely new power units have appeared, eight- and sixteen-valve, with a volume of 1.6 liters, with a capacity of 98 to 106 hp. with front-wheel drive, five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The simplest engine accelerates Kalina to a speed of 167 km/h, the most powerful - up to 190 km/h.
Kalina is stable, but the chassis should be carefully monitored
The model now has unprecedented options: a good security system, an increased degree of comfort. But what about the car's dynamics? The 2013 Lada Kalina turned out to be much more powerful and durable than previous developments. The car has many undeniable advantages, good engineering and design solutions.
Racks are one of the issues that require special attention. At the beginning of using the car, the driver notices that knocking noises appear on steep climbs and turns. As a rule, motorists hope that after traveling a certain number of kilometers this will go away, because lapping and rolling are needed. But over time, the knocking not only does not go away, but also becomes even stronger. In addition, they are accompanied by other troubles related to the vehicle’s handling and stability.
There is excessive rigidity of movement; it seems that the suspension does not want to perform its functions and filter out road irregularities. If there is a speed bump along the way, Kalina howls, informing the driver about the unpleasant impact. If suddenly the car gets into an off-road zone, it even starts to skid. To understand this issue, it is necessary to study the features of different types of struts as the most important parts responsible for driving quality.
Let's sum it up
Taking into account the above information, it becomes clear that the factory Kalina front shock absorber, as well as the rear struts, are oil-based. Although this solution allows you to get maximum comfort, in reality with such racks the machine is rough. Also, the resource of the racks themselves is small.
However, thanks to the availability of foreign and domestic analogues, owners have the opportunity to choose shock absorbers that are suitable in terms of characteristics, quality and price.
Finally, we note that it is also important not only to choose the right racks, but also to follow all the rules for installing them on the machine. This approach avoids the rapid failure of new shock absorbers and the need to replace them again
