Regarding the choice of suspension for front-wheel drive VAZs. The question in spring (and not only) is very relevant! There are many different types of struts, springs, supports on sale, the eyes run wild and readers have many questions about what is better, how it will behave, etc. Shock absorber struts on the VAZ-2114, like on any other car, play the role of absorbing unevenness in the road surface, and also take the load of the entire car: cargo and passengers. Therefore they must be strong. The choice of struts should be treated carefully, since it depends on them whether the car will be hard or soft, and how loud the potholes will be, of which there are plenty on our roads. It's better not to skimp on racks.
How to choose racks for a VAZ 2114
Suspension wear manifests itself in different ways and makes itself felt differently under different vehicle operating conditions. It’s one thing - a hundred thousand on the smooth asphalt of the capital, but it’s a completely different story when 2114 constantly swallows dust along country roads or on post-apocalyptic asphalt in the outback. Also, one cannot discount the driving style, which, like handwriting, is individual for each driver.
Being clearly aware of your ability to predict the road situation, it is quite easy to predict the life of the suspension. How many hits does the suspension get per week? How often do you look at the condition of the shock absorbers and how important is the delicate handling of the car in the conditions in which it drives most often? Having answered these questions, you can confidently say which struts are best installed on the VAZ 2114. Just first figure out what they are, these struts.
Types of shock absorbers for Samara 2
The VAZ 2114 is no different from other domestic cars, and some are even better. Therefore, it deserves that its design features also be taken into account, otherwise you can damage not only the suspension, but also the body. Impossible? Still as possible. It depends on what shock absorbers to install. But there is a choice:
- Oil shock absorbers. An antediluvian, but familiar at the genetic level, type of shock absorbers. These racks should not be installed on circuit racing cars. Their energy intensity is minimal and their response speed is minimal. They are slow and sluggish, but if the task is to ensure maximum comfort in the cabin, you need to choose them. They are soft and loose, but this will be the optimal choice for a pensioner, measured driving style with maximum smoothness.
- Gas-oil. Without going into technical details, which will be quite difficult to do, we note that this type of shock absorbers is the most common on modern production middle-class cars. They are universal, it is possible to break the suspension on them, but the swing and response speed will hardly allow this to be done unless the driver specifically wants the suspension to die. Arithmetic average, suitable for both country roads and normal driving on asphalt with normal dynamics.
- Gas shock absorbers. Expensive, rigid and durable gas struts are designed primarily for a sporty driving style. You shouldn’t expect any special comfort, but such racks will provide optimal controllability. Rigid, eliminating roll in turns, eliminating sway on uneven surfaces. The price of good handling is a stiff suspension. Whatever springs you put on the strut, this option will not provide a smooth ride in real life. In a word, this is not a Cadillac. This is a Porsche 911.
In a nutshell, yes. But a strut is more than just a shock absorber. It's also a spring. Therefore, if you assemble a strut from different elements, you can correct some characteristics of the shock absorber with a spring. This is what distinguishes tuning racks, which you can choose from hundreds of items. How to do this, read on.
Types of shock absorbers
Gas shock absorbers are produced using two technologies: low and high pressure. Higher gas pressure causes the shock absorber to operate faster, which is especially appreciated by fans of fast sports driving because the car stays on the road better. The undoubted advantages of gas shock absorbers include correct operation even in difficult weather conditions; oil, much more than gas, changes its parameters under the influence of temperature. The suspension under the influence of gas shock absorbers is clearly “strengthened”, but their disadvantage is their delicate design; if the seal is damaged, the gas quickly escapes, and thus the shock absorber fails.
Oil shock absorbers are technologically older and therefore much cheaper than their younger versions. Prices start at 500 rubles per unit, but remember that you should always replace shock absorbers in pairs, or preferably all four. This type of shock absorbers is appreciated by drivers who prefer a quiet and comfortable ride; thanks to their use, the car becomes “soft”.
Dynamic driving causes the oil in the shock absorbers to foam, causing them to gradually lose their effectiveness. The simple design also once influenced drivers to favor them because regeneration was possible, but today this procedure is not profitable.
What are the best racks for VAZ 2114? In the next part of the article we will talk about eight shock absorbers for this car, among them you will definitely be able to find a suitable option.
Front and rear struts: the right balance
Since there is a question about the proper selection of racks, there is an excellent opportunity to install racks of different rigidity in the front and rear. Within reasonable limits, of course. Nothing good can come from an oak front suspension and a cotton rear one. The car will handle even worse. Therefore, when choosing kits for front and rear struts, you need to know their characteristics.
Ideally, the front and rear pillars should have similar characteristics. However, there are adjustable stands, but they are more expensive. And depending on the type of shock absorbers, the struts get completely different characteristics. Let's briefly look at the most common ones. We will not touch oil shock absorbers, since few people offer them; their characteristics are stable - low piston speed, about 0.08 m/s, characterizes their operation as inert and soft elements. At high speeds, twin-tube oil shock absorbers lose most of their damping properties.
Gas-oil struts for VAZ 2114
The design of such shock absorbers is similar to conventional oil shock absorbers, but what distinguishes them is the upper reservoir, which is filled with compressed nitrogen. It cools the oil, so the likelihood of fluid foaming and breakdown is minimized. They are moderately hard, but can provide almost the same smoothness as oil ones.
They are slightly more expensive in price than oil-based ones, but they can provide much better contact with the road and clearly follow the surface at high speeds. As a result, the safety and controllability of gas-oil struts is at a high level. The price of racks for the VAZ 2114 gas-oil type starts from $120 per pair, and judging by the reviews, the most comfortable and safest of them is AL-KO 2873.
Which racks are better to put on a VAZ 2114: TOP 6 best rack manufacturers
Struts in a car are the power elements of the suspension that are needed to connect the wheels and the body. With their help, the wheels support the weight of the entire car. They are also designed to transfer the energy of traction between the wheels and the road to the body and maintain the correct position of the wheels relative to the entire vehicle. Typically, struts are part of the shock absorption on a car and are combined with a damper and spring. Cars often have problems with the suspension, due to which the struts need to be replaced. In particular, we are talking about the VAZ-2114, where the struts are part of the overall shock-absorbing system of the car.
Gas-filled racks
High gas pressure ensures rigidity, excellent handling, and instant response to changes in road terrain. The gas is under pressure of at least 15 bar, and the speed of movement of the shock absorber rod can reach 0.3 m/s.
Their advantages:
- the gas-filled rack can work at any angle;
- overheating and breakdown are completely eliminated;
- delicate damping of the slightest irregularities;
- excellent heat dissipation;
- long service life.
However, high shock loads on body elements can lead to the destruction of welded load-bearing structures, so front braces between the cups and modified strut stabilizers are used with gas shock absorbers. The price of such racks is significantly higher than other types. For example, Kayaba struts for a VAZ 2114 will cost from $200 per pair.
In short, this is all you need to know about how to choose struts for a VAZ 2114 in accordance with your driving style and preferred road surface. Take care of your suspension and good luck to everyone!
Selection of racks
Tuning version of car suspension
The choice of shock absorber struts for a VAZ-2114 can often confuse the car owner, since in addition to the original there are a number of analogues that can also be installed, as well as a sports version. Let's consider which of all the racks are most suitable for installation on a car and are suitable for our rough roads.
Native racks
2108-2905001 and 2108-2905002 – original catalog numbers of front shock absorber struts for the VAZ-2114 family of cars. The average cost is about 2,000 rubles/piece.
Original shock absorber struts
Since the conversation is about which struts are better, we can conclude that original shock absorbers do not suit car owners. But why? It seems that the design engineers took everything into account when designing this spare part, but no, something is still wrong.
The first factor that puts native stands in a negative position is that their endurance leaves much to be desired. The shock absorber seal does not last its life on smooth roads , not to mention the fact that it has to constantly absorb potholes. Since the original struts are of the oil type, when accelerating over 120 km/h it begins to loosen, and at 140 km/h this becomes significantly noticeable.
It is these two problems that become the reasons that car owners begin to look for a replacement for the original part.
What's behind?
2108-2915003 and 2108-2915004 – original part numbers for the rear left and right shock absorber struts manufactured by AvtoVAZ. The average cost is 2000 rubles/piece.
Maybe analog is better?
Analogue racks are usually either a cheap replacement for the original, with the same characteristics, or an improved budget option.
In fact, many manufacturers of spare parts offer a wide range of products that have long been loved by car owners and are highly popular.
So, let's consider a possible option for installing analogues of the VAZ-2114 shock absorber.
Front struts
| Manufacturer's name | Catalog number |
| Weber | SA 2108FG |
| Al-ko | 408723 |
| Fenox | A61547O9.1 |
| SCT | Z 8872 |
| Starmann | AS-10520H |
| Patron | PSA365057 |
| Denckermann | DSD011O |
| QML | SA1036 |
| Hola | S421 |
| Bilstein | PNE-3055 |
| Delphi | DG10144 |
| Optimal | A-8872H |
| Quinton Hazell | 129241 |
| Finwhale | 120221 |
| Profit | 2002-1026 |
| Master-sport | 2108-VE-SET/2/-MS |
| Monroe | E 3440 |
| Monroe | M G225 |
| Pilenga | SH-P 2708 - G |
| Japan Parts | MM-00282 |
| Ashika | MA-00281 |
| LYNXauto | O22068LR |
| SACHS | 100 831 |
| Boge | 32-869-F |
| Japko | MJ00283 |
| TRW | JGC 186T |
Shock absorber strut manufactured by Fenox
Rear pillars
Shock absorber strut manufactured by Finwhile
| Manufacturer's name | Catalog number |
| Optimal | A-2873H |
| Fenox | A22378C3 |
| Weber | SA 2108RG |
| Starmann | AS-11350H |
| SCT | Z 2873 |
| Denckermann | DSF085O |
| Patron | PSA341824 |
| Profit | 2002-0312 |
| Hola | S422 |
| Kroner | K350208 |
| Pilenga | SH-P 2709 - G |
| Al-ko. | 2.873 |
| Delphi | D22510165 |
| Master-sport | 112295-SET/2/-MS |
| Ashika | MA-00274 |
| Monroe | 26529 |
| Japan Parts | MM-00274 |
| Finwhale | 120212 |
| SACHS | 112 295 |
Particular attention should be paid to shock-absorbing struts manufactured by Monroe.
Monroe racks
As practice has shown, they cope well with the uneven roads of the country and also have high durability. Read more about the process of replacing rear shock absorbers here.
Sports and popular stands
Sports shock absorbers
As you know, many car enthusiasts install sports and semi-sports shock absorber struts on their cars to achieve maximum effect on the roads and maximum stability. They are more durable and absorb road imperfections much better than stock or analog struts.
There are a number of manufacturers who have proven over many years of work that parts can be not only high-quality, but also durable. So, let's look at which spare parts manufacturers offer high-quality sports shock absorber struts.
Popular solution - Kayaba
Shock absorber struts manufactured by Kayaba
“Kayaba” are legendary stands that have earned worldwide recognition. They are famous for their quality and durability. At the same time, the automobile spare parts market is filled with counterfeits of this manufacturer. Let's look at what racks the manufacturer offers for 2114:
- EXCEL-G is a gas strut that is filled with nitrogen. Mainly intended for everyday driving, without special loads.
- Ultra SR and Ultra GR are sporty shock absorber struts with increased stability.
- Premium is a new generation of hydraulically driven shock absorbers. High-quality production material increases long-term use.
ProSport - CIS is not lagging behind!
Racks produced by ProSport
A legendary CIS company that has long been making sports versions of parts for domestically produced cars. There are two options for installation on a car - gas (sports) and gas-oil (semi-sports).
SS20 - forward domestic manufacturer
Racks manufactured by SS20
Popular manufacturer of domestic origin. The main specialization is the creation of tuning parts for cars produced in the CIS. For the VAZ-2114 there are 4 options for shock absorber struts from this manufacturer:
- Highway . Rigid struts that maximize cornering when accelerating.
- Standard . This option becomes ideal for those who live in harsh regions. They tolerate extreme heat and frost very well.
- Comfort . A universal version of racks, and therefore they are highly popular among car enthusiasts. The design features are such that they grip the road surface properly and work well with any driving style.
- Sports . These are the toughest racks. This option is intended for tracks, as it ideally holds the car during sharp maneuvers at high speed.
Ultra Extreme
Ultra-Extreme sports racks
Some of the most expensive options . These are combined racks that are ideal for both urban and road riding. Made from high-strength material that perfectly absorbs uneven road surfaces. The average service life is 70-80 thousand kilometers.
Plaza
Domestic sports stands produced by "Plaza"
Oddly enough, St. Petersburg racks have gained quite a high popularity among owners of the domestic automobile industry.
To avoid counterfeits entering the market, the manufacturer puts an o, which guarantees a quality mark. Although all stands are oil-based, this factor does not reduce their quality. So, let's look at what options it provides:
- Soft-Drive. The soft version of the struts is designed for city driving. Although there is a drawback in the form of rocking of the car, they are quite durable.
- Sport . Very rigid struts are designed for driving at high speed, because they perfectly hold the car on the road surface.
- X-Drive . Rigid racks, which were originally designed to hold a car on a slippery road, which became a fundamental factor for their use in the northern regions.
Brembo
Brembo struts
Quite a well-known manufacturer of tuning spare parts. It received worldwide recognition for its improved brake systems, and in 2011 it entered the CIS market, where it began producing a fairly wide range of parts for the domestic automotive industry. So, let's look at what options this company offers:
- Soft racks for those who love drag and drift in a car. But, they are not suitable for high-speed driving.
- The best option for those who love to drive and drive a car every day.
- ProSport. Rigid racks that are designed for high-speed driving. They perfectly hold the car on the road surface.
ATF
ATF struts
A new manufacturer that entered the CIS market only in 2015. The main plant is located in Western Ukraine, but this does not reduce the quality of the products. It only offers one strut option - Sport. Rigid racks are designed specifically for driving at high speed.
Rack types
For all types of cars there are three options for shock absorber struts:
- Oily . The most common installation option on cars produced in the CIS. They are soft and suitable for any type of riding. The only drawback is that when they are installed, the car begins to rock at high speed.
- Gas . A rigid option that prevents the car from swaying at high speed.
- Gas-oil . An average option that will allow you to drive not only off-road, but also feel comfortable on the highway.
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.
Which racks to choose
The choice of shock absorber struts for a VAZ-2114 can often confuse the car owner, since in addition to the original there are a number of analogues that can also be installed, as well as a sports version. Let's consider which of all the racks are most suitable for installation on a car and are suitable for our rough roads. Original front struts
2108-2905001 and 2108-2905002 - original catalog numbers of front shock absorber struts for the VAZ-2114 family of cars.
The average cost is about 2000 rubles/piece. Since the conversation is about which struts are better, we can conclude that original shock absorbers do not suit car owners. But why? It seems that the design engineers took everything into account when designing this spare part, but no, something is still wrong. The first factor that puts native stands in a negative position is that their endurance leaves much to be desired. The shock absorber seal does not last its life on smooth roads, not to mention the fact that it has to constantly absorb potholes. Since the original struts are of the oil type, when accelerating over 120 km/h it begins to loosen, and at 140 km/h this becomes significantly noticeable. It is these two problems that become the reasons that car owners begin to look for a replacement for the original part. Original rear shock absorbers
2108-2915003 and 2108-2915004 - original part numbers for the rear left and right shock absorber struts manufactured by AvtoVAZ. The average cost is 2000 rubles/piece.
The best manufacturers
When deciding on manufacturers of racks for the VAZ 2114, it is better to pay attention to time-tested, high-level devices. Cooperate only with official dealers or sellers in whose integrity and honesty you are 100% confident.
So, there are front and rear struts; it is advisable to fix shock absorbers on both sides of a car of the same type and from the same manufacturer. The most popular today are:
- “Kayab” (KUV) is a gas-oil product. According to reviews from those who have already used the device, the car becomes moderately rigid, and bumps on the road are not audible at all. The car handles a variety of turns very well. This type of rack lasts for approximately 1 year, after which the product becomes decrepit and must be replaced.
- Bilstein B4 is a mixture of gas and oil. They hold the road remarkably well, but much tougher than the previous manufacturer. It will faithfully serve as long as its predecessor. Experienced drivers do not recommend using a VAZ 2114 equipped with Bilstein B4 struts for everyday driving, because driving comfort will be too little. But for active trips into nature and extreme driving, this option is what you need.
- ALKO – oil. Soft, smooth shock absorbers, lack of elasticity in the control of the VAZ 2114. Even after a year, motorists note the good condition of the devices of this vehicle. On forums, drivers often joke about these struts, calling them not suspensions, but a wooden stick. The products are very rough and make extraneous unpleasant sounds when turning. This is because the racks are designed for installation in sports car models. It is better to refrain from installing it on a VAZ 2114.
- Bilstein B2 – oil. They are similar in quality and functional properties to the above-described “Kayab”, although they have a slightly higher degree of rigidity.
Which manufacturer is better is up to you to judge; we have only suggested some of the nuances of using different devices, tested empirically.
If we talk about cost, there are many variations here, prices change at the speed of light and vary in different stores, so indicating specific price ranges in this case is unethical, the information is inaccurate.
To give you a little idea of how much money you will need to buy the right type of suspension, we draw your attention to the fact that the front products are more expensive than the rear counterparts. On average, the price for the former varies from 1000 to 1400 rubles. A direct supplier of European-level structures will require 3000-3500 rubles with delivery directly to you.
Rear installations in the standard version produced by a domestic plant will cost no more than 800-900 rubles. 2000-2500 rubles will have to be sacrificed to purchase elite pendants.
Rack types
A strut is a part of a car's suspension, and it serves to absorb the energy of wheel impacts on road irregularities. At this time, both among car enthusiasts and among sellers of spare parts, confusion has arisen between the concepts of “strut” and “shock absorber”. The name “strut” can mean the shock absorber spring assembled with a cup; some believe that, in fact, the strut is part of the shock absorber. For a clear concept, it is necessary to define that the stand is the so-called syringe itself, filled with a working substance - gas, oil or a gas-oil mixture.
In this case, there are front and rear racks. They differ both in the method of fastening, which is caused by the design features of the car, and in the load. For example, the A-pillars bear the greatest impact force when hitting a pothole on the highway. As a result, the front pillars on Samara-2 are made in a more durable version - they are somewhat shorter and thicker. The manufacturer indicates that it is better to use oil struts on the VAZ-2114 for everyday use. Therefore, we will put the main emphasis on them - after all, most car enthusiasts purchase Samara-2 specifically for daily use, and not for street racing.
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.
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.
Front shock absorbers for VAZ 2113, 2114 and 2115
The front shock absorbers here are divided into right/left and have different part numbers. But their sizes are the same. As drivers note, these shock absorbers are moderately hard and hold the road well. If they are not used too intensively over uneven surfaces, the racks will last quite a long time.
Often, Samara 2 drivers install dozens of shock absorber struts on the front wheels (VAZ 2110). This car is heavier and the shock absorbers are a little stiffer. Therefore, when installing them, the front end rises slightly, and the suspension itself becomes a little stiffer. The table below shows the dimensions of the current original shock absorbers.
| Dimensions of original front shock absorbers for VAZ 2115, 2114, 2113 | ||||
| vendor code | Rod diameter, mm | Case diameter, mm | Body height (excluding stem), mm | Rod stroke, mm |
| 21700290500300 - left; 21700290500200 - right | 22 | 52 | 361 | 171 |
These shock absorber struts are also installed on Prioras of all modifications. Previously, slightly different part numbers were installed on the front wheels of VAZs 2115, 2114 and 2113: 21080290500200 - right, 21080290500300 - left. Now spare parts with these numbers are not sold.
Analogs of front shock absorbers for VAZ 2115, 2114, 2113
Numerous analogues are quite popular. Car owners are looking for substitutes to make the front suspension a little stiffer and increase ground clearance. In addition, the price of original spare parts is clearly overpriced. The following are the most popular analogs of shock absorbers VAZ 2115, 2114, 2113.
| Manufacturer | vendor code | price, rub. |
| Hola | S503 – left; S504 - right | 2000 |
| Trialli | AH 01159 – left; AH 01360 - right | 1900 |
| Pilenga | SH-P 2771–O – left; SH-P 2770-O - right | 1700 |
Trialli AH 01159
Pilenga SH-P 2771–O
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.
Now you know what manipulations need to be done in order for the replacement of struts in a VAZ 2114 to be completed successfully. Auto repair shop specialists recommend replacing the support bearings along with the suspensions, which wear out quickly in domestic cars.
Source: mashinaa.ru
