Front springs VAZ 2107 - problems, replacement procedure

The shock-absorbing system of a car is important for comfortable movement. It ensures a smooth ride and successfully absorbs uneven road surfaces. The quality of the suspension largely depends on the condition of the springs. The slightest wear of elements can cause a lot of trouble for the owner. Therefore, it is recommended to carry out timely diagnostics and replacement of old parts.

VAZ passenger cars are equipped with an independent double-wishbone suspension at the front, where springs play a key role. The famous “seven” also requires periodic maintenance of its moving parts. We will discuss further technical diagnostics and repair of the front suspension for the VAZ-2107 model.

Problems with front springs

The springs on the VAZ front suspension are located in the front part of the car on the sides of the engine compartment. Their main task is to “absorb” road imperfections. With prolonged use, parts inevitably wear out and require immediate intervention by a mechanic. Atypical behavior of the car indicates an imminent breakdown. If the car body sags significantly compared to the initial condition of the car, this is a sure sign of wear and tear. Trouble does not come alone, so as a result of body roll, accompanying troubles emerge:

• Drastic reduction in ground clearance

• Increased tire wear

• Rapid failure of other suspension elements
• The muffler and driveshaft periodically cling to the road surface
• The body sways intensely when moving

What to do?

If you find that the springs on the seven are broken, do not delay repairs. If you do not do it on time, then the destruction of other suspension components will begin along the chain, which will only make repairs more expensive. It is recommended to do all work in pairs - if on the front axle one spring is out of order, and the second is more or less “alive,” both need to be changed. Only in this case will you achieve maximum suspension efficiency.

If there is no damage to the springs, but there is subsidence, spacers can be installed. But it is not recommended to get carried away with such modifications, as the car’s characteristics deteriorate. The likelihood of skidding increases, and the braking distance also becomes longer. As for comfort, it also suffers. And in domestic cars like the VAZ-2107, the conditions are already Spartan. And if the mitigation of impacts on the body suffers, then the driver and passengers will lose all their teeth.

Causes of failure of front suspension springs

The warranty period for standard suspension elements is 5 years. However, actual operating conditions are very different from ideal factory tests. The reason for this is the deplorable state of domestic roads and frequent transitions to different road surfaces.

Therefore, professional drivers advise changing components at least once every 3 years or after 30,000 km of travel.

Front suspension failure occurs for several main reasons:

• Late diagnosis and replacement of consumables
• Defective part
• Driving on poor quality roads

When identifying the first “symptoms” of the disease, it is better to eliminate the problem immediately. Constantly postponing repairs can lead to breakdown of other elements of the car, which will cost the car owner a significant amount of money.

Signs of spring replacement

There are 3 main signs that indicate problems with the front springs. The presence of any of them or a combination of several indicate one thing - not everything is in order with the car.

Rolling the car to one side

To check the car for the presence of this defect, it is enough to place the vehicle on a flat surface without additional cargo inside. The unnatural skew of the car instantly catches your eye. If the body “leans” heavily on the left or right side, the front springs on the VAZ 2107 need to be replaced. A similar situation concerns an excessive slope on the front or rear axle.

But you definitely shouldn’t blame them alone, and here’s why. The design features of the suspension of VAZ cars from the “kopek” to the “seven” include a landing part in the upper part of the spring (popularly it is nicknamed “glass”). It acts as a top stop. During long-term operation of the vehicle, the glass tends to “fall through”. Externally, the body tilts to one side. The cause of the problem can only be diagnosed by removing the rubber cushion and glass. Typically, the failure of the glass occurs on the front springs, and especially often on the left wheel.

Extraneous noise in the suspension

A breakdown can be signaled by extraneous sounds, the source of which is located in the suspension area. This may include an obvious rattling or clanging sound, or a subtle knocking or grinding noise. Noises occur when the car drives on uneven sections of the road. For example, when hitting a bump or a wheel falling into a hole.

If atypical sounds are detected, a complete diagnosis of the vehicle's suspension and steering should be carried out. The source of the noise may be a ball joint, tie rods, or worn rubber gaskets. If everything is fine with them, the reason lies in the malfunction of the springs.

Extraneous sounds often indicate a split in a certain location. But sometimes the part breaks exactly in two. Then the car body looks skewed to the “sore spot”.

Metal fatigue

Auto mechanics often say that metal is “tired.” What does it mean? Metal fatigue means the loss of its initial properties due to prolonged use. Over time, the element copes worse with its assigned responsibilities.

Several extreme turns on both sides of the part fall into the risk zone, since they bear the main load. At the moment of compression, the rings are pressed tightly and hit each other. After some time, mining areas appear at the contact points of the rings. There is a transformation of the round rod, which gradually takes on a flattened shape.

A spring with a defect does not fully respond to road unevenness, and the suspension gently “sags.” If such a malfunction is detected, it is recommended to replace the part with a new one.

What to look for when choosing

When choosing a new consumable, you should pay attention to key characteristics. Knowing the basic parameters will allow you to find the optimal part that suits your specific needs.

Length

The ride height depends on the length. Typically, the manufacturer mentions the recommended clearance value in the technical documentation of the model. In rare cases, the spring lengths of the rear and front axles may differ. But it is advisable not to deviate from the technical parameters from the manufacturer. These parameters are determined by precise technical calculations.

You can deviate from the recommendations in two cases:

• “pumping” the car for the sake of visual customization
• modernization of the chassis for transporting heavy loads

Rigidity

The degree of rigidity determines the behavior of the car on the road and distributes the load across the remaining suspension elements. Soft springs are suitable for comfortable, smooth rides, while hard springs cope well with high loads. Therefore, the choice of rigidity largely depends on the purpose of using the machine.

Among owners of VAZ cars (including the Seven), there is a common problem with purchasing new consumables for their “swallow”. In a single set from one manufacturer, sometimes there are elements with different degrees of rigidity. Unfortunately, it is impossible to know about this in advance, and the body defect appears during use.

To resolve the issue, car owners resort to one of two methods. The first option involves purchasing another pair, usually foreign-made. The second method involves installing spacers.

A spacer is a rubber lining that is placed under the seating area of ​​the “glass”. This method will significantly save the budget of the owner of the Lada.

The degree of spring stiffness depends on several indicators:

1. The thickness of the rod section. A simple law applies here: the thicker the rod, the higher the level of rigidity. However, there are models with different ring diameters, and therefore the rule applies only to classic straight models.
2. Total diameter of turns. Increasing the width of the rings leads to increased softness.
3. Number of turns. The higher the number of revolutions of the rod, the lower the rigidity of the part.

Turning parameters

The main characteristics include two indicators: the number of turns and the thickness of the section. They determine the final degree of rigidity of the part.

It is not uncommon to find original springs with different ring diameters. Externally, they have an oval shape: wide in the middle with a gradual decrease towards the edges. The different diameters of the rings are also made of metal of different thicknesses. For massive turns, a thick rod is used, and the small rings on the sides are made of thin material. This design feature gives it versatility: it dampens small vibrations and large shocks equally well.

But the main “disease” of these models is hidden in the extreme turns. Due to the small thickness of the metal, the side parts of the part are very fragile, and therefore often break on uneven roads. This is the price of comfort: for a soft ride you have to pay for frequent repairs.

An alternative to factory springs is products from third-party manufacturers. A non-original product is made from a rod with a constant cross-section. This negatively affects ride comfort due to high rigidity. But non-original consumables are distinguished by their reliability and durability.

Types

The springs of the shock-absorbing system are conventionally divided into 5 categories, which can be presented in table form:

Finding the optimal solution depends on the intended use of the vehicle and the manufacturer's recommendations.

The standard kit for the VAZ 2107 is original parts from a “penny”. But to improve aerodynamic performance, car owners resort to tricks. Often, instead of standard elements, spare parts from the “four” are chosen, which have a positive effect on handling. True, to install them in the “seven” you need to remove the outermost turn.

NIVA springs for VAZ 2106. Slight lowering of VAZ Classic.

I decided to lower the rear suspension of the six a little, after the high landing. springs for this

rear

To ensure proper comfort, you need to choose the right features of these products. Incorrectly selected parts deny all the positive qualities that can be obtained from its installation. Springs and their stiffness depend on the following parameters:

• The diameter of the spring plays a big role. The larger the diameter, the higher its rigidity;
• An increase in its outer diameter leads to a decrease in the stiffness index;
• Increasing the number of turns leads to a decrease in stiffness;
• Formation also plays an important role in determining the characteristics of products.

Seven is very customizable, relatively cheap, simple and fun. Even the most minimal changes can make a car much better and more attractive than a factory-produced car. One of these changes is the replacement of parts in the rear suspension.

Many owners try to install stiffer parts in the suspension. Let's try to find out what this gives to the car and the owner. This change significantly increases the steering wheel's sensitivity to driver input. Aerodynamics become such that with a sharp turn, the wheels on the opposite side of the roll can even come off the road, which significantly impairs their grip on the road surface.

The most common springs in the rear suspension are springs from the VAZ 2104. Such a replacement may not be acceptable in all cases. Experts recommend such a replacement for cars that convert to using gas fuel, especially methane. Cylinders for this fuel have a significant weight, so installing such parts will be very useful. For such products, it is recommended to install Niva shock absorbers, the travel of which is more than standard.

Fans of sporty style install products with reduced rigidity. They have green marks. I want to warn you that driving a car with such parts along country roads will add problems to the owners. Many drivers deal with them very radically. They cut off exactly one turn on reinforced products. You have to be very careful with this as if you cut a little more the pieces might just fall out of place.

I want to warn you that you need to change products in pairs, that is, both parts are changed on the same axis. What sources to put on the VAZ 2107 instead of “sifting” is up to you to decide, but the approach to this issue is balanced enough to eliminate the occurrence of unnecessary problems.

On sale are reinforced springs and spacers. what to prefer? VAZ-2101. 2107.

It's no secret that Zhiguli sedans, from VAZ-2101 to 2107, have a common weakness - rear suspension springs. Probably chosen for “comfort” reasons, they work acceptably when the machine is not very loaded. And under full (albeit within normal) load, they are compressed so much that on an uneven road the rear axle beam can hit the bump stops. This can also be caused by problems with the shock absorbers, especially if the car is far from new. Over time, due to changes in the structure of the metal, the stiffness of the springs also decreases - they sag, the compression stroke becomes very small, and under heavy loads almost disappears. In general, as a movie character would say, with such springs there is no life!

Placing spacers under the springs will not really solve the problem. Firstly, metal fatigue takes its toll - and one day the spring simply breaks. Secondly, frequently repeated impacts destroy the bump stops; in addition, cracks appear in body parts, especially if the spring is compressed before the coils collide. That is why the installation of rubber spacer rings, although it increases cross-country ability, is still rather self-deception.

There are also rubber inserts on sale that are designed to be installed between the coils of a weakened spring. Their main drawback is the same as that of spacers; Let's add fragility to this.

Meanwhile, springs from the VAZ-2104 station wagon are allowed to be installed on the Zhiguli sedan. These springs are 21 mm longer - hence the additional load capacity.

There is another option - however, which did not receive the go-ahead from VAZ - replacing the standard rear springs with rear springs from Niva.

The table shows the basic data of various springs.

Rear suspension springs for Zhiguli

Sedan

* Load required to compress the spring by 1 mm.

Main types and ratings of suspension springs

How to choose the best springs for the VAZ 2107 presented on the domestic market? It is impossible to give a definite answer to the question, since each driver eventually finds “his” company, whose products he is ready to trust. A list of 14 well-known companies that have long proven themselves to be the best will help you understand the huge number of brands.

LESJOFORS

The real flagship of the industry comes from Europe. The company has been producing spare parts for car suspensions for many years. The company has a developed network of branches with representation in four European countries.

Lesjofos springs are cast from special steel with a high carbon content. A special protective coating is applied to the surface of the part and then painted. The products are distinguished by their long service life, confirmed by numerous tests. There are over 3 thousand items on the market under a well-known brand. The main disadvantage of the product is the “biting” price tag.

KILEN

At the end of the last century, the company came under the wing of “lesjofos”, and today it is a “daughter” of the giant. Accordingly, the sub-brand’s products have twice the service life compared to the original parts from the Volga plant. Car owners praise the product for its high quality combined with an adequate price.

LEMFORDER

The company is a well-known supplier of original products for many premium cars. Therefore, the price of the product is not the lowest. But in return, the buyer receives unsurpassed quality, supported by countless positive reviews.

CS GERMANY

German company producing components. The products are in the middle price category. Drivers respect the brand for the optimal ratio of cost and quality of the goods offered.

KONI

The company's products are distinguished by a large margin of safety and are widely represented on the market. The price of components is in the “above average” category. The main feature of the springs is the ability to dynamically adjust the stiffness level.

BOGE

The manufacturer produces various parts for car suspension. The manufactured products belong to the “premium” category. The cost of boge products fully corresponds to the class of the company. Manufacturing defects occur rarely; reviews from car owners are mostly positive.

EIBACH

is one of the key players in the automotive market. Its products practically do not lose their initial properties over time and are popularly considered “immortal”. The only thing that spoils the overall impression is the cost of parts from the eminent flagship of the industry, which is many times superior to its competitors.

SS20

The key feature of the manufacturer is a painstaking approach to manufacturing technology. The factory carefully selects pairs with equal hardness. Therefore, when purchasing, you can be sure that the kit is guaranteed to have similar parameters. Production technologies are based on cold and hot winding methods.

K&F

belongs to the leading manufacturers of spare parts for cars and trucks. In addition to supplying new parts, the company actively operates in the secondary market. The rich product range includes over a thousand items. Springs from a famous brand are famous for their quality, but they cost a lot of money.

TEVEMA

Polish manufacturer of shock-absorbing springs operating in the European and Asian regions. The insane demand for the company's products is dictated by the low cost of parts, which are several times cheaper than original components.

SIRIUS

The company produces products in the budget segment. A wide selection of components received positive feedback from car owners. It is especially worth noting the possibility of producing parts according to an individual sketch.

FOBOS

The company does not have enough stars in the sky, but the price tag for the products is appropriate. A small range of products with mediocre quality. Car owners note that the first defects “pop up” after just a year of active use.

ASOMI

The company is famous for its own production technologies, which are kept in the strictest confidence. "Asomi" offers high-quality products at reasonable prices.

TECHNORESSOR

An economical option for those who are broke. The company produces spare parts for cars and trucks. Springs gradually lose their initial properties. An excellent solution for economical drivers.

Practice

In practice, everything does not look as difficult as in theory. Here it all comes down solely to accuracy and precision. First, you need to disassemble the suspension, pull out the stock ones and throw them away. Of course, there is a possibility that they can be left, but only if the car is re-exported from Germany. There are not too many of them, because only 6,000 cars were transported abroad. Let's assume that this is an ordinary VAZ 2107. Then you need to purchase springs from a VAZ 2104, and then cut off exactly one turn. If you cut a little less, it won’t fit into the seat, and if you cut too much, it might jump out because it will dangle.

As you can see, it's not too difficult. Another point that you need to pay attention to when installing reinforced springs is more powerful shock absorbers with a stiffer ride. If you leave the standard ones, the rods will simply be torn out. It is also worth paying attention to the remaining elements of the suspension, both front and rear. It is worth strengthening the transverse stabilizers and panhard rods a little, and it would also be necessary, to achieve maximum effect, to duplicate the longitudinal jet thrusts. Well, if you want a very rigid suspension, then it would be better to install polyurethane rubber products.

VAZ 2107 is a car that is characterized by simplicity in technical terms. It was created specifically for driving on Russian roads and for its climate. But, despite the high endurance of this car, poor quality of the road surface often causes problems to appear in the rear suspension. The first signals that it is time for the driver to look under the bottom of the car are:

• More frequent breakdowns in pits;
• The appearance of uncharacteristic noises and knocks;
• Deviation of a vehicle from a straight path.

On the VAZ 2107, a rear dependent suspension is installed at the factory, which has coil springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. Four longitudinal rods and one transverse rod on rubber-metal silent blocks hold the rear axle beam to the body. All silent blocks installed on the suspension are characterized by the same design and can replace each other, which makes their replacement and repair several times easier.

The springs in the rear suspension design rest with their upper ends against rubber gaskets, which isolate vibration and, in turn, rest against the body, and the lower ends of the spring are fitted with plastic spacers, which rest against cups that are welded to the rear axle beam. The ability to compress the springs is regulated by special cylindrical stops, which are stamped into the body. The ends of the stops are equipped with rubber buffers. Another additional buffer that controls compression is located on the bracket located above the crankcase. The shock absorbers are fixed on silent blocks.

Replacing springs on a VAZ 2107 is very often a way to fix a problem in the rear suspension. In this case, inspection is always carried out on a lift or a special inspection pit. Jacks are sometimes used, but their power is not enough to allow a full inspection and diagnosis. Shock absorbers and joint bushings are also very often the cause of failure. They quickly wear out and fail, just like springs. Cracks and chips in the rubber of the internal bushings also lead to improper functioning of the device. Some types of faults can be determined by disassembling the car. For example, damage to the shock absorber is indicated by traces of oil on the walls of its housing.

Replacing rear suspension springs requires the technician to have certain knowledge and skills, although it is not the most difficult type of repair work that exists. A few simple tips will help simplify the process:

1. Before undertaking repairs to the rear suspension, be sure to secure the car with anti-roll devices.
2. Unscrew the rusted bolt, nut or fastener, first clean it with a wire brush, then moisten it with a special liquid, such as kerosene.
3. For repairs, it is not necessary to completely dismantle the rear axle. You can replace parts one by one. But dismantling the longitudinal rod cannot be avoided. To do this you will need a key “19”.
4. To avoid having to do the same job several times, immediately replace all those parts that look suspicious.
5. Replacing the springs is carried out only after the shock absorber has been removed. They change them one by one. If the support ring has lost its shape, it must also be replaced.

Although disassembling the suspension does not require a high level of skill from the master, such as repairing electrical equipment of VAZs, it is still a responsible procedure. Therefore, if you do not have any experience in locksmithing, it is better to trust the technicians at the service station.

Spring Upgrade

The process of upgrading springs involves changing the length of the part on your own. To do this, the element is shortened or replaced with a longer sample.

Shortened springs

Drivers resort to reducing the size of a part in order to improve the characteristics of their iron comrade. Trimming the springs gives the car some advantages:

• Lowering the body position
• Better steering response
• Reduced roll when entering a turn

Many manufacturers offer a ready-made solution in the form of special versions of short springs. However, it is worth remembering that after tuning the ground clearance will decrease significantly. Such a “seven” will not be able to drive on uneven roads.

You can lower the “seven” yourself. To do this, you need to cut 2 turns from each spring using a grinder.

It is not recommended to cut off more rings, because the body will touch the ground.

Video: cutting springs on a classic

The video shows working with a VAZ 2106, but the technological process for the “Seven” is completely identical.

Link to video:

Helpful information

A short rod unscrewed from the stocking will facilitate dismantling and installation. For ease of assembly, a new rubber spacer and a metal lining are fixed to the spring with electrical tape or tape. Reinforced springs with VAZ 02 - 04 will increase the load capacity, but the car will become rougher to drive. It is easier to replace the torque rods with new ones without wasting time pressing the bushings in a vice. When experimenting with the height of the springs, you should remember the length of the shock absorber stroke. They may have to be lengthened or different ones used. During disassembly, the brake hose receives extra stress, which can lead to damage.

Follow safety precautions and replacing rear springs will not be a hassle.

AvtoVAZ began production of the VAZ 2101 in 1972. More than three decades have passed since then, but the concept of the “Classics” was discontinued only recently, less than a year ago. Over the course of 300 years, the car has acquired a huge number of supporters, and just as many enemies who hate the domestic auto industry. Let's not take either side. It’s better to talk about how we can improve this line, and more specifically, the VAZ 2107. I must say, this car lends itself well to tuning, although many believe that this task is a useless and thankless task. But in fact, tuning a VAZ is quite simple, relatively cheap and quite interesting. Thus, even minimal modifications make the car much better than it is. Not to say that “it can’t get any worse,” but the fact remains. So, external tuning, which is mainly used for domestic cars, is always capable of changing a VAZ for the better. But, as a rule, things rarely go further than that. But in order to make your car unique, you need to approach this activity with a creative component, so to speak, in a versatile way. After all, the aerodynamic body kit of the VAZ 2107, no matter how effective it is, is not capable of making it drive at a speed of 200 km/; this requires completely different modifications. We will not go into details of increasing power, we will turn towards improving maneuverability.

Spacers for springs

Even the most innovative springs gradually exhaust their service life. And the owner is faced with a choice: replace the part with a new one or extend the life of the element with the help of a spacer.

The spacer for the VAZ 2107 has several varieties:

• Interturn (attached between the rings)
• Butt (between the spring and the cup)
• Suspension spacer

An interturn spacer is suitable for spring repair. You can buy it at a VAZ car parts store. Installation is performed in the following sequence:

• Raise the wheel with a jack
• Unclench the required coils of the spring with crowbars
• Soak the spacer with soapy water
• Insert the spacer with a screwdriver and secure it
• Remove the jack from under the wheel
• Repeat all steps on the other wheel

Video: operating procedure

You can view the video material at the link: