Auto repair school - Do-it-yourself car repair

I noticed that when driving, the gearbox began to make sounds of rubbing gears. The very first thing that came to mind was to check the oil level in the gearbox. The box on my VAZ 2109 is old, unmaintained, that is, without a dipstick. But there is an easy way to check the oil level in a maintenance-free VAZ 2108 2109 21099 gearbox - this is to remove the speedometer cable drive gear. Through the hole in this gear (it is also called a speed sensor), you can very clearly see how much oil is in the box. I checked the oil level - indeed, the oil in the gearbox had decreased significantly. I also found the reason quickly - the gear shift seal was leaking.

VAZ backstage oil seal leaked

Well, since it's leaking, it needs to be replaced. I went to the market and bought a gear shift rod seal for VAZ 2108 2109 21099. The price of the seal was $1. Now it needs to be replaced. The procedure for replacing the gear shift rod oil seal on a VAZ 2108 2109 21099: 1) Drain the oil from the gearbox into a specially prepared container.

Drain the oil from the VAZ box

To make it drain better, first unscrew the filler plug or remove the speedometer gear. After draining the oil, screw the drain plug back into place. 2) Now we climb under the car and disconnect the universal joint mount from the gear shift lever.

Attaching the cardan to the gear shift lever

3) Pull the boot off the cardan and unscrew the bolt that secures it to the gear shift rod. In my case, this bolt really did not want to unscrew, and the place was inconvenient. You can’t get there with the head; the open-end wrench licks off the edges.

Rescued crimp wrench for brake hoses. 4) After removing the cardan, remove the gearshift rod boot.

Shift rod boot

5) Now you need to get the oil seal of the VAZ 2108 2109 21099. The operating instructions say that this is done with an awl. I didn’t have an awl, but I did have a self-tapping screw, which I screwed into the oil seal and took it out.

We take out the VAZ backstage oil seal

The main thing is to do this carefully, without scratching the stem. 6)Instead of the old one, install a new oil seal on the same side as the old one. Using a tube of suitable diameter, press it to the end.

Installing a new oil seal

7) We install the boot back, screw the cardan. The bolt securing the cardan to the gearshift rod is adjustable. It needs to be screwed in exactly the same way as it was. Otherwise, some gears may not engage. We put the boot on the cardan and connect it to the gear lever of the VAZ 2108 2109 21099. We get into the car and check that all gears engage well. 9) Pour oil into the gearbox. Personally, I do this through the hole for the speedometer gear using a hose and funnel. That's it, the VAZ 2108 2109 21099 rocker seal has been replaced.

The VAZ-2109 rocker is a simple mechanism used to change gears. The driver, applying force in one direction or another, acts through the rocker on the gearbox. This switches on the required speed. Very rarely, the mechanism breaks down and requires partial or complete replacement. Most often the cardan shaft fails. Changing it won't be difficult. But if the rocker itself is broken, you can think about a little tuning - make a short-stroke one. This will require less effort to engage the desired gear.

Why change the backstage?

There are situations when it is necessary to intervene in the gear shift mechanism due to the failure of a component. But there are times when an extreme measure is required - replacing the VAZ-2109 rocker. In these cases, replacement is required:

1. An oil leak appeared due to damage to the oil seal. Only the oil seal can be replaced.
2. Complete failure of the scenes.
3. You have realized the advantages of a short-stroke design and you have the funds for this kind of tuning.

Symptoms of gear shift mechanism failure:

1. Increased gearshift lever play. Please note that this behavior may also be caused by a loose cardan. Sometimes the bolt securing it gets screwed out, so to reduce the backlash it is enough to tighten it, and first apply a drop of thread locker.
2. Difficult to shift into gear. Sometimes extraneous sounds are heard.
3. Gear shifting is not possible.
4. Inconsistency between the position of the lever and the selected speed. For example, the back one disappears, and the first one is in its place.

If a slight play appears, it is advisable to carry out diagnostics and identify the breakdown of the unit. Make repairs immediately, otherwise one or more speeds will disappear at the most inopportune moment.

Important points!

Sometimes, after replacing the gearbox seal or similar work related to fastening the cardan and gearshift lever, the rocker in the cabin moves greatly, which in some cases makes it impossible to switch some speeds. The problem lies in the mounting screw at “13”, it connects the cardan and the gearshift lever.

After assembly, check the oil level, top up if necessary, then you can check the operation. Do a few laps and make sure nothing is leaking anywhere. That's all for today, I hope the article was useful to you. As you can see, replacing the gearbox seal is not difficult at all, so there is simply no point in overpaying for a service station.

How to replace the oil seal

If you detect an oil leak from the gearbox, carefully inspect the crankcase.

The leak will reveal itself. Lubricant usually leaks out through the CV joint seals and rocker panels. In the latter case, to replace you will need to perform a number of actions:

1. Purchase a new VAZ-2109 gearbox seal. Its price is about 100 rubles.
2. Drain the oil completely from the gearbox by unscrewing the plug from the bottom using the key “17”. If necessary, you can replace the lubricant later. It is recommended to pull out the upper dipstick to facilitate oil drainage.
3. Disconnect the cardan from the rocker arm.
4. Remove the boot, use a 10mm wrench to unscrew the bolt securing it to the gearbox rod.
5. Using an awl or a thin screwdriver, remove the old oil seal. Inspect it for damage.
6. Install the new oil seal using a pipe or large washer to press in.

After replacement, install the boot. Assess the condition of the cardan: if it has too much play, it will need replacement. After carrying out all the work, be sure to check that the speeds are turned on correctly.

Diagnosis of the problem

• Signs indicating the need to replace the gearbox seal are, first of all, oil traces left on the asphalt after the car has been parked.
• Before changing the oil seal, you should first make sure that this is the problem.
• Because oil leakage is often caused by a poorly screwed oil filter.
• Failure to identify an oil leak problem in a timely manner can have serious consequences.
• If you do not detect an oil leak from the gearbox in a timely manner, it will leak out completely, and then instead of the oil seal, the price of which is 50-100 rubles, you will have to repair the gearbox (see Repairing the VAZ 2109 gearbox - we do it right), and the price will increase significantly.
• To prevent this, it is necessary to periodically check the oil level in the engine and gearbox.
• Insufficient oil level in the gearbox can be manifested by a characteristic crunching sound that occurs when changing gears.

Replacing the gearbox rod seal of a VAZ 2109

• An awl like a crochet hook or something similar.
• Keys for 10 and 13.
• The awl is ordinary.
• Plastic cork from a mineral water bottle.

Replacement is carried out on an inspection pit or a lift. If there is nothing else, you can use a cheap alternative in the form of two spare tires laid flat. We take two stronger boards and drive onto this improvised elevation. Naturally, the work will have to be done lying down.

Attention: After driving onto a pit or overpass for repairs, secure the car for your own safety using the handbrake and additional wheel chocks.

Replacing the oil seal in a VAZ 2109 gearbox is carried out in the following sequence:

• We get to the rod that changes gears; it is covered on top with a rubber boot.
• If it leaks oil, then it is very easy to find it by looking at the oil stain (see photo below).

How to replace the universal joint

In most cases, it is not the rocker itself that fails, but the cardan. Due to its displacement, even a small one, a failure occurs in the gear shift mechanism.

Standard VAZ-2109 scenes are rarely installed during repairs; similar parts from Lada Kalina are used. The replacement looks like this:

1. Using two keys set to “13”, unscrew the clamp securing the cardan to the rod.
2. Using a screwdriver, pull the boot towards the box housing. If desired, you can remove it completely, and if it has cuts or other damage, replace it with a new one.
3. Unscrew the fixing bolt with a “10” key.
4. Knock down the cardan with a hammer, strike carefully so as not to damage anything.
5. The Kalinovsky universal joint is much more durable and reliable, so install it instead of the standard one.
6. Reassemble the entire structure in reverse order. But do not rush to tighten the bolt on the clamp - adjustment is necessary.

Tool for work

To complete all the work on replacing the VAZ 2109 CV joint, you need to have some tools at your disposal. This is something worth talking about. Firstly, it is desirable to have metal supports that will need to be installed under the side of the car on which the repair is being carried out. Secondly, it is necessary to have stops that will prevent the car from rolling away. Thirdly, you need a reliable jack. Fourth, you will need some special tools.

The most important thing is a good 30mm wrench. Preferably a socket wrench with a strong handle. With its help, the hub nut is unscrewed, which is tightened with a large torque. You also cannot do without a steering rod puller. In some cases, a ball puller may be required. But it is needed when the balls have become unusable. Of course, a vice, a hammer, chisels and a set of keys. However, you can begin to prepare for repairs.

Backstage adjustment

There is nothing complicated in the procedure; you can do it yourself, but you will have to run from the pit to the salon.

Yes, it is advisable to do this work in a pit or overpass. You need to act approximately according to this principle:

1. Loosen the nut on the clamp.
2. Set the gearshift lever to the reverse gear position.
3. Set the box rod to the reverse speed position. This is difficult to achieve, so adjustments will have to be made.
4. Check how the gears shift. If the rear one is too far to the left, loosen the clamp and turn the cardan counterclockwise. If the fifth speed (including reverse) has gone too far to the right, then the cardan rotates clockwise.

Short-throw slides for "nine"

Such designs were developed exclusively for sports models, but are widely used in production ones. Advantages of the VAZ-2109 short-stroke rocker over the standard one:

1. Easier gear shifting.
2. The backlash of the gearshift lever is reduced, especially when using a cardan from Kalina.

1. You need to either buy it or make it yourself.
2. It takes a lot of force to change gears. Despite the smaller stroke, this type of backstage is more suitable for people who are not only strong in spirit.

But you don’t have to buy a VAZ-2109 rocker in stores; you can make a short-shifter from a regular one with little welding skills.

To do this, cut the old rocker in two places and weld pieces of a metal plate to lengthen the arms. The main thing is for the new drawstring to fit into place, so first carefully study the drawing, which shows the locations of the cuts.

The linkage is an important component of the VAZ 2109 gearbox. If it fails or does not work satisfactorily, the linkage can be easily replaced or repaired.

Appearance of the device

There are two types of scenes:

There is no fundamental difference between the two types of units. The advantage of a short-throw is that it provides faster gear changes for a fraction of a second.

Do not believe those who claim that a short walk has a positive effect on dynamics. There is no connection between the rocker and the dynamics of the car. But the short walk has its advantages.

Replacement kit

Short walker

Many people are still wondering whether it is worth changing their standard factory long-stroke linkage to a short-stroke one.

Short walker

Make your decision purely on the basis of individual reflections and do not “be fooled” by statements regarding a significant increase in dynamics with the transition to a short-stroke.

The real difference between short-stroke and long-stroke is shown in the table.

Peculiarities

Draw your own conclusions from here - do you need such a drawstring or not. There is nothing complicated in terms of replacement. The only question is the purchase.

Reasons for replacement

There are several situations when the owner of a VAZ 2109 has or wants to get into the design of the gearbox and specifically work with the rocker:

• Oil is leaking due to a damaged rocker seal. It must be replaced;
• The old drawstring was out of order;
• I would like to exchange the long-stroke for a short-stroke in view of its advantages.

Now to the question of when replacing or repairing the backstage is a necessary measure.

1. The backlash of the gearbox selector has increased significantly.
2. Gears change with difficulty, and when changing speed, extraneous sounds appear.
3. It is possible to change gears, but with a lot of effort.
4. Speeds change incorrectly. Instead of one, a completely different one turns on.
5. It is impossible to turn on all or part of the gears at all.

Even if the resulting play is still insignificant, it is advisable to immediately begin repairs or completely change the drawstring.

Replacing the oil seal

If you find that the oil in the gearbox is gradually disappearing, you can suspect the rocker seal. There is nothing else left to do but change the element.

1. First, buy a new shift rod seal. It costs about 70-100 rubles.
2. Drain the oil from the box, having prepared a clean container in advance. This is in case you refill the same oil. Although this is an excellent reason for you to change the transmission lubricant at the same time.
3. To make sure the oil flows out better, first unscrew the filler plug or remove the speedometer gear. After draining the oil, screw the cap back on.
4. We climb under the car and disconnect the fasteners of the gearbox lever driveshaft.
5. Pull the boot off the cardan, unscrew the bolts securing it to the gearshift rod. Problematic fasteners that you will have to tinker with.
6. After removing the cardan shaft, remove the rod boot.
7. We remove the damaged oil seal using an awl or suitable available tools. The main thing here is the stock itself.
8. We install a new one in place of the old oil seal and press it with a tube of the appropriate diameter.
9. Put the boot back in place and rotate the driveshaft.
10. Please note that the bolt securing the cardan to the rod is an adjustment bolt. Therefore, screw it in exactly the same way as before dismantling. Otherwise, some speeds may not turn on.

Why reverse gear on the VAZ-2109 does not engage and what to do

Many motorists are constantly faced with gearbox problems. They can occur for various reasons. They are hidden in the transmission system, namely in the gearbox itself. Let's look at why the reverse gear on the VAZ-2109 does not engage. We will also tell you how to fix the problem.

Causes of problems with gearboxes

Almost every owner of a domestic car has at least once encountered problems with partial gearbox failure. If reverse gear on your VAZ-2109 has stopped engaging, then the cause may be one of the malfunctions:

1. The clutch is not completely disengaged. With this problem, problems occur when all gears are engaged, but sometimes only the reverse one fails.
2. The gearbox levers are damaged or broken or their mountings are loose. Problems can only be resolved by diagnosing the box, as well as replacing damaged parts. In this case, moving the lever may be accompanied by a crunching sound.
3. If only reverse gear does not work, then with a low degree of probability it is time to claim that the transmission fluid has simply run out. Usually, with this problem, all gears do not engage. If, however, you notice that the gear oil level in the box is extremely low, then simply top it up.
4. In practice, there were cases when the rear “speed” could not be engaged due to the poor quality of the fluid in the gearbox. In this case, it must be replaced.
5. The most common problem with engaging certain gears is an unadjusted gearbox universal joint. You can notice it by this sign: at first, the backward movement was activated unclearly, and then another mode was activated instead. Later the box stopped working normally altogether.

Let's look at the last two problems in more detail, since often the problem is hidden precisely in them.

Replacing and adjusting the gearbox driveshaft

So, if only reverse does not work, and all other modes do not fail, then you will need to replace the universal joint and adjust it. To do this, prepare a new spare part, a gear selector shaft seal, a set of keys, a hammer and several screwdrivers of different sizes.