Which shock absorber struts are better to install on a VAZ 2112

Shock absorbers in a car provide controllability and comfortable movement, smoothing out the impact of the suspension on uneven roads. There are a lot of products on the market from a variety of manufacturers of racks that can be installed on domestic VAZ models.

The huge assortment is divided into naturally formed categories based on price and product quality, and for the convenience of the reader, our review repeats this gradation. The rating of models is based not only on the manufacturer’s characteristics, but also on practical operating experience, which owners kindly share in their reviews.

What to choose

So, it's time to change the struts on your car. But which ones are better? Opinions on this matter differ, so let’s look at some of them, which are most often installed on the VAZ 2109. In particular:

• "Kayaba" (KYB). A hybrid option that has earned a lot of good reviews. Users call this suspension element moderately rigid and capable of providing your VAZ 2109 with a fairly soft ride. With intensive use, such racks last for about a year. If you don’t use your car very often, you can use them even longer. In general, Kayaba managed to win the trust of car enthusiasts;
• Bilstein B4. Another type of hybrid suspension, but it is much stiffer than the previous one. At the same time, it has an undoubted advantage - on such racks, the car stays perfectly on the road. Durability is mediocre - 9 months, after which oil may leak. The cost is also more expensive than the previous option, so this choice is clearly not for everybody;
• ALKO. Oil racks that are soft. However, if you like a rougher ride, they are unlikely to suit you. As for control over the road, this one is significantly inferior to the previous versions, but at the same time it is much better than the basic suspension that is installed on the VAZ 2109. They will serve for about a year, the price is similar to the Kayaba;
• Plaza Sports. Gas shock absorbers, reviews of which are mostly negative. If you make a choice in their favor, you will have to prepare for excessive rigidity. If you like a soft ride, you will do everything possible to get rid of them as quickly as possible. The performance of the racks is weak, but their service life, judging by the reviews, is very long. The price is approximately similar to the previous options;
• Bilstein B2. Budget shock absorbers with good responses. The ratio of softness and hardness is moderate, somewhat similar to Kayaba, but they are still a little harder. Their cost is significantly lower than other options, and almost half the price of the Bilstein B4 analogue. Therefore, it is ideal for VAZ 2109 owners who do not have a lot of money to replace struts.

These are the four main types of elements of this type, which are often chosen by car enthusiasts. Each of them has its own characteristics and has a different price, which is why different people choose them. If you decide to replace the struts on your VAZ 2109, first decide on your budget and the type of driving you prefer. You should not watch promotional videos from manufacturers, because they will never tell you about the characteristics of the element. Only reviews can serve as a truly reliable source of information, because a car enthusiast will not wish harm to a car enthusiast.

A strut in front-wheel drive cars is a mechanism that performs the function of a shock absorber, upper arm, damper and a number of other structural elements. The vehicle's stability, handling, degree of adhesion of the tread to the asphalt, and ride comfort depend on its physical condition.

Front shock absorbers VAZ 2108 and 2109

The front shock absorbers of VAZ 2108, 2109 have right/left divisions. There is a misconception that their design is non-removable. In fact, even the official manuals describe brief instructions for disassembling them. To do this, you just need to knock out the compression buffer support with a hammer and chisel, and then unscrew the nut with a special wrench. Therefore, you can purchase either a solid front strut or just a separate liner in order to directly change the shock absorber itself. By installing not a standard, but a more advanced part with better technical characteristics.

If we judge the quality of the original, specifically the front shock absorbers, they are too soft (like all hydraulic struts from SAAZ). This is especially noticeable on the front wheels.

Since the shock absorbers are dismountable, instead of the assembled strut, you can buy separate inserts - cartridges. 21082905002 – left, 21082905003 – right.

Analogues of front shock absorbers for VAZ 2108-2109

Shock absorber replacements in Samara traditionally have higher demand. This is facilitated by the constant decline in the quality of the originals and their excessive softness.

Analogues of the original inserts are also popular. The most popular ones are presented in the table below. They are not divided into right and left .

The importance of the quality of shock absorbing springs

An important element that influences the quality of adhesion of car wheels to the road surface is the shock-absorbing spring, which softens shocks, reduces vibrations and shaking, which accelerate the wear of shock absorbers.

Indicators characterizing the quality of the spring are:

1. Rigidity.
2. The length is in good condition.
3. Length under load.
4. The diameter of the rod from which the part is made.

The table shows the characteristics of springs installed on various VAZ car models.

Replacing springs on cars operating in Russian road and climatic conditions is usually required when the mileage is 100,000 km or more.

When choosing springs, it is necessary to take into account their characteristics and the quality of products from various manufacturers. The design of the spring must correspond to the original one, you should also take into account the general layout of the suspension parts and the dimensions of the shock absorber.

Springs from different manufacturers differ in the type of steel, manufacturing technology, and the quality of the anti-corrosion paint and varnish coating. Combination with unsuitable shock absorbers and incorrect selection of unit parameters accelerates spring wear.

Models

Now let's name several of the most popular, popular models of shock absorbers that are in demand among VAZ 2109 owners. This, perhaps, will allow you to decide which struts are best for you.

Peculiarities

A hybrid stand with many positive reviews. Moderately hard, the ride is quite soft. With active use they will last 1-1.5 years. With rare use the car will last for years

Rear shock absorbers VAZ 2108 and 2109

The rear shock absorber struts are not divided into right/left, and have only one original part number. The rear shock absorbers are non-separable. In terms of characteristics, the rear ones are similar to the front ones - the same problem with excessive softness and an uncomfortable ride over uneven surfaces.

Analogues of rear shock absorbers 2108-2109

Replacement shock absorbers for the rear are slightly less popular than for the front ones. But they are also more often preferred than the original ones.

Which shock absorbers should I choose for VAZ 218 and 2109 cars? As drivers' experience shows, the ideal option is Fenox for the front wheels, and Kayaba for the rear. If you can’t afford KYB racks, then Hola will do just fine. Moreover, it is worth noting that they most often install oil ones, since gas shock absorbers for these cars will be a little harsh. Although less popular, Russian shock absorbers SS20 are still worthy of attention. Their advantage is a good balance between rigidity and ride comfort over uneven surfaces at speeds above 50 km/h.

According to the rating of shock absorbers for VAZ 2108 - 2109 on PartReview dated 04/10/20, owners prefer products from KYB. Manufacturers Demfi, Bilstein and Monroe also stand out.

Shock absorbers on 2109 and 2108 should be changed according to their condition. On average, the mileage of original shock absorbers is up to a maximum of 50 thousand km (the manufacturer provides a guarantee of 30 thousand). On cars of earlier releases, there were often cases when factory shock absorbers traveled more than 100 thousand km.

Choosing the best suspension

When replacing racks, choosing between products of different TMs, you should know their features described on the website https://ladaautos.ru/vaz-2114/kakie-stojki-luchshe-vybrat-dlya-vaz-2109.html:

1. KYB racks are a worthy option for the mode in which most VAZs are operated. This gas-oil modification ensures high controllability of the car at a speed of 110 km/h on the highway and creates a fairly soft ride when driving on country roads. The service life is relatively short - with careful driving you can drive them for up to two years.
2. A tougher option is Bilstein. The downside to the loss of comfort and smoothness is excellent stability on highways. They have a relatively low resource - two to three seasons.
3. ALKO soft liquid struts are suitable for those who move around the city often and a lot. The suspension provides comfortable starting and silent passage over tram rails, but it is inconvenient to make turns at a high pace. Hardy.
4. The sports rigid rack Plaza-sport is designed for high-speed driving on unloaded highways and uneven country roads. Allows intensive use of the car. Most ordinary VAZ owners associate it with uncomfortable driving. Very reliable.