VAZ 2115: features of replacing springs

The front struts on VAZ 2114-2115 cars wear out much faster than the rear ones, and this is due to the fact that the front part of the car bears a large load, since the main units are located there. If the shock absorbers are leaking, or are starting to leak heavily in potholes, then it would be best to completely replace them. Many people are used to dealing with such problems at a service station, although if you try a little, you can do it all on your own. The main thing is to have all the necessary tools and equipment at hand. Below is a detailed list of everything:

spring ties
ball joint or steering wheel remover
pliers
hammer
keys for 13 and 19 as well as similar heads
crank and ratchet handle
breakdown

I recommend that you first familiarize yourself with the video, which will be presented below, and then read my photo report on the work done.

What springs are best for VAZ 2114 and 2115? We select options for personal comfort

Many people are interested in which springs are best for VAZ 2114 and 2115. After all, there are quite a lot of offers on the market. At the same time, drivers do not always know what the features of each model are. This is a consequence of the high reliability of this suspension element. Stock springs can easily last 100-150 thousand kilometers. In this regard, not every owner in practice is faced with the need for replacement. Sometimes, people decide to change the characteristics of their original chassis. In this case, you also have to select other springs. The option should be selected based on your needs, as well as operating features.

Installation Tips

Do not forget that the springs on the suspension must be installed of the same class. For example, people installed A-class parts on the front suspension, it turns out that class “A” also needs to be installed on the rear suspension. If there are no products of the same class for the rear suspension, then, as an exception, class “B” is installed on the rear part.

If the front suspension has B-class springs, then it is prohibited to install “A” class springs on the rear suspension. Place suspensions of the same class on the left and right sides of the same axle.

The VAZ 2114 suspension is very durable, and the need to replace components appears very rarely. Therefore, not all drivers of 2114 cars know that it is better to choose from the large assortment that is available on the markets. Sometimes parts from 2112 are installed on a VAZ 2114, they are a little stiffer, designed for a different weight, so they slightly raise the 2112 - by a couple of centimeters, which means this can improve cross-country ability. If, on the contrary, there is an idea to lower the car, then it is better to buy an Eibach, with the front ones being -5 and the rear ones -7, so that the vehicle does not ride up.

Replacing springs VAZ 2114

So, the choice of springs for VAZ is very wide. The most important thing is to choose the right stiffness characteristics that will suit the vehicle load and conditions of use. You can find all kinds of advice on the Internet. Of course, it is better to first consult with a specialist. Refusal of original components in favor of other manufacturers may be dictated by the idea of improving the running parameters of the vehicle, but be sure to compare the price of tuning and the result obtained.

How to change rear struts on a VAZ 2115

Abstract on replacing shock absorbers VAZ-2115

Here is a video tutorial on how to replace the rear shock absorbers on a VAZ-2115 with your own hands.

Shock absorber: its role in suspension

Car shock absorber. This is a mechanism in the car suspension that serves to partially compensate for vibrations (damping) that occur during movement, or to completely absorb them.

By providing the car with an even ride, the springs serve as protection for the car's chassis from overloads when driving on uneven roads and rough terrain. In a suspension, the shock absorber acts as an element to increase its elasticity together with the spring and torsion beam.

They are divided according to the types of springs:

single-pipe gas;
two-pipe gas;
two-pipe oil.

The VAZ-2115 model has standard oil springs installed at the factory. In the future operation of the car, owners often make their own changes to the gasoline, depending on their driving style.

There are 3 types of shelves with different capabilities. You have to select them depending on which roads are moving. Oil (hydraulic). quite elastic. Designed for drivers who prefer a moderate, stable ride or frequent trips on unpolluted roads.

Primary problems with the hood latch

The first malfunctions in the locking mechanism are noticeable immediately

If you pay due attention to them, a simple adjustment will help you repair the lock. The hood lock cylinder on the VAZ 2109, for example, is made of industrial steel and for it to break completely, you need to ignore the first malfunction signals for more than one month

Each time you close the hood, you need to slam the lid harder and even put pressure on the frame.
The lid clangs and rattles on rough roads. Moreover, this can be clearly heard in the cabin.
The lock does not close the first time.
When the cable is loosened, you need to pull the handle several times for the lock to open.
After pressing the hood handle in the cabin, the lid does not lift, forming a gap, but remains in place. The gap between the frame and the cover can only be seen if you lift the cover yourself.

Order of Operations

Removing old shock absorbers and installing rear struts of the VAZ 2114 and other models can be done without an inspection hole or overpass - just jack up the car. But before you lift the car, you need to remove the assembly plugs located in the trunk. So:

You need to remove the trunk shelf, bend back the upholstery and use a screwdriver to pull out the plug. The rod nuts are located under them; they need to be unscrewed and the washer and plate removed.

Now you need to jack up the car. This is necessary so that the lower rack lock is accessible. This bolt is most often tight, so it is better to pre-coat it with a special lubricant. If after this you cannot unscrew the fastener, you need to knock it out with a smaller bolt.

Now you can remove the stand, be sure to support it - it may fall. It's easier to do this if you move the end towards the rear of the car. Note! After dismantling the stand, a rubber gasket remains in the glass. It needs to be removed because the material has lost its elasticity. A new spacer must be installed, which is purchased separately from the assembly.

You can begin installing the new unit. The rod element must be fully extended. We install the bushing, cover, its cover, and bump stop on the rack. The spacer and spring are assembled after all other parts. On a note! It is advisable to bleed the shock absorbers before assembly. This will increase their functionality and service life. The procedure is performed by turning the device over. This will allow the oil to spread evenly throughout the entire assembly.

Installation is performed in reverse order.

Then all the above operations are repeated on the other side of the machine. Difficulties may arise during assembly:

if the unit does not want to be placed in its normal place, you can use the jack beam;
if the old parts have lost their integrity, they need to be replaced, if they are in order, wipe them with kerosene;
if the support bearing comes out separately during dismantling, this is normal;
to install the spacer without any problems, you need to glue it to the spring with masking tape;
Some experts believe that when final tightening the fasteners, you first need to remove the car from the jack.

The sequential replacement of the rear struts of the VAZ 2114 can be seen in this video:

This work is best done on an overpass or inspection hole, although it can also be done simply on a flat area without a slope:

First we need to stop the car with the handbrake, then remove the bolts that secure the front wheel, then lift the car with a jack
Finally removing the wheel
To replace the spring and shock absorber of the front suspension, you need to remove and disassemble the spring strut
After removing the wheel, turn the steering wheel in the direction opposite to the removed wheel until it stops
Now it is convenient to remove the cotter pin
Then, using the “19” key, unscrew the nut that secures the pin of the tip of our tie rod to the strut arm
We take a puller and press the finger out of the lever

Tools for work and materials

When replacing the front strut on a VAZ 2114, it is necessary to have all the following tools at hand:

Jack (ideally, of course, a hydraulic or pneumatic one would be suitable, since they are convenient to work with).
A set of keys.
Pliers, duckbills, forceps.
Hammer and chisel (just in case).
Puller for the ball joint of the steering tip.
Spring tensioner.
Steel wire.
Lubricant like WD-40.

Replacing the front struts of a VAZ 2114 with your own hands is impossible without a new set of spare parts. What is better - to take all the elements separately or together? Depends on how “killed” the shock absorbers installed on the car are. If all the elements of the rack have become unusable, then you can purchase it assembled, then the repair procedure becomes much easier - it will be enough to unscrew a few bolts and install all the suspension components.

But this is true for cases when you purchase branded spare parts, for example, Kayaba (KYB, Kayaba). But if the renovation is “budget”, then you can collect all the elements separately:

Shock absorber strut VAZ 2114. Standard SS20.10P/L.00.000-01 will cost you about 5,000 rubles, but you can find it cheaper. The price directly depends on the manufacturer. But we must not forget that quality can also be judged by price. On the VAZ 2114, the front strut is not replaced so often, so you need to be responsible when choosing components.
Support bearing number 348702 (or included 8115). Bearing dimensions 14.5x52x1475x100x19 (according to specification).
Chipper (silicone is preferable, but rubber is also possible). The ideal copy is number SS74101 - a complete analogue of the stock one.
Anther. The cheapest option is plastic, with the number 2108-2902814, but it deteriorates quite quickly and is not worth buying. The similar 2110-2905681-R, from the front pillars of a VAZ 2110, performs much better in operation.
Bolts securing the hub to the shock absorber.
A spring is needed if the old one has sagged too much.
“Little things” such as washers and metal spacers for springs can be borrowed from an old rack.

But we must not forget that the replacement must be carried out simultaneously on both sides! Therefore, all of the above spare parts will have to be purchased in double quantities.

Properties of suspension springs

When torsion bars on vehicles were replaced with springs, handling improved and suspensions became more convenient to maintain. Springs maintain the vehicle's ground clearance, reducing vibrations and shocks while the vehicle is moving.

To make the ride comfortable, you need to choose the right parts. If the technical characteristics are unsuitable, then the positive properties of the suspension will be reduced to zero. Therefore, it is important to consider the following parameters:

diameter - its increase affects rigidity;
number of turns - as the number increases, the rigidity decreases;
form.

Often, car owners strive to install stiffer parts in the suspension. This helps to increase the sensitivity of the steering wheel to the driver's control, but the grip on the road deteriorates.

Fans of a sporty driving style believe that, on the contrary, it is better to install parts with reduced rigidity. However, this suspension can create problems on country roads.

Let's take a closer look at which springs are best installed on a VAZ.

Preparing for replacement

Before you begin repairs, you need to prepare the car. To do this you will need:

Park the car on an overpass or inspection hole. Only in this case will you get maximum visibility of all suspension elements.
Wheel chocks must be placed under the front wheels.
Next, you need to hang the entire rear part of the car; to do this, loosen the wheel bolts.
Lift the left and right sides alternately and remove the wheels. Install reliable supports on both sides.

Features that the best springs for a VAZ should have

Many people wonder what rear springs to put on a VAZ 2114?

There are several points that the owner of domestic transport should pay attention to:

Spring diameter. Affects the level of suspension stiffness.
Number of turns - the more there are, the lower the rigidity.

Hard rear products are liked by those people who require a good level of steering control. True, in this situation, adhesion to road surfaces decreases. That is, any option has its advantages and disadvantages. But all the same, you can always choose the appropriate type for any Russian model.

It is impossible to accurately answer the question - which springs to put on a VAZ 2114, since everything depends on their purpose, which is established by the indicated marking.

Choice depending on manufacturer

Often, when components break down, people try to buy original, factory-made replacement ones, not wanting to try something new. But you can find decent products from other manufacturers; there are springs that are far from worse than the original ones.

List of the most popular manufacturers:

Sirius. An experienced manufacturer with a huge range of products and the ability to individually order components according to customer drawings.

Springs Sirius

Phobos. Budget type products. Springs are affordable in terms of price, but they will not last long.

Springs Phobos

Technospring. Another inexpensive option, but with higher quality. Excellent products with the open possibility of manually adjusting the rigidity.

Springs Tehnoressor

Eibach. Expensive, but the quality is excellent quality products.

Eibach springs

SS20 and Kilen. Two manufacturers who claim that their quality is better than the original.

Springs SS20

Asomi. Made from special alloys, the springs become even more durable thanks to high-quality spraying.

Acomi springs

Having studied all the manufacturers, you can make your own choice and understand which rear springs are best installed on the VAZ 2114.

How to change the front struts of a VAZ 2114, VAZ 2115

There are two options for dismantling the shock absorber strut: one allows you to avoid subsequent adjustment of the steering wheel alignment angles, the second allows you to quickly complete the work with more compact units, but after that it is necessary to adjust the steering wheel alignment angles. The difference is that in the first version we remove the strut together with the steering knuckle, without loosening the nuts of the lower and upper (adjusting) bolts securing the strut to the steering knuckle. In this case, the amount of work is greater: we additionally disconnect the brake caliper and ball joint.

We proceed according to the first option, disconnect the steering rod, remove the brake pad guide with the caliper and the brake disc, and remove the outer CV joint from the hub.

A few important tips when searching for the right products

You can always find tips to help you cope with problems. There are several questions from Russian car enthusiasts that have answers. For example, the question is VAZ 2114 – what should I buy? Answer: It all depends on where the machine is used. If it is mainly used for off-road use, then it is better to take the 2112 model as it can increase the ground clearance.

Actually, when it comes to springs for cars, there are quite a few different options. Therefore, it is best to first seek advice from an intelligent and experienced specialist before making a replacement.

Selecting products by labeling

So, the driver came to the store to buy new springs. How to make the right choice?

The decoding of the markings shown below can help with this:

2101 - perfectly fits standard sedans equipped with rear-wheel drive;
21012 - rigid springs, which are mainly used on special vehicles;
2102 - originally created for Russian station wagons. When installing this product, the vehicle's ground clearance increases, which is quite important if the vehicle is operated off-road;
2018 - usually installed on any vehicle with front-wheel drive, except for Oka and those cars that have a 16-valve power unit under the hood;
2110 - these products were created for expert Russian models from VAZ;
2111 - work on models such as VAZ 2111 and 2113. Only on rear-type suspensions;
2112 - analogue of 2111, only for front-type suspension;
2121 - most often installed only on all-wheel drive vehicles. First of all, this is a simple Niva.

New springs for VAZ

The markings are easy to understand. But it is still necessary to understand how the manufacturer influences the choice of springs.

Removing shock absorber struts

Be sure to treat all threaded connections before replacing the rear pillar of the VAZ-2115. The repair instructions are as follows:

Remove the plugs located in the luggage compartment. These niches contain nuts that secure the shock absorber rod.
It is advisable to use a special wrench to unscrew the nut on the shock absorber rod. But if there is none, then you can clamp the rod from below using pliers, and unscrew the nut from above with a tubular wrench.
Then you need to unscrew the bottom bolt, which secures the rear strut to the beam. Be sure to hold it with a second wrench so that the bolt does not turn.
After this, you can pull out the rack assembly.