Stiff steering on VAZ 2107

Anyone who decides to cover the steering wheel of Kalina 2 with leather for the first time is recommended to use a ready-made kit (price about 1,500 rubles), which is called “Leather braiding for the steering wheel of Lada Kalina 2.”
It contains everything you need to re-tighten the steering wheel yourself as simply as possible (leather braid, thread, needle and instructions). This way, you don't need to remove the template and make patterns. The braid already has holes for the threads, so all you need to do is put the braid on the handlebars and lace it with thread. All details are described in this manual:

Lacing the braid onto the handlebars is a painstaking job that will require time, patience and care. The entire process of covering the steering wheel with leather will take you about 4 hours. At first, the leather on the steering wheel may turn, but after it dries and shrinks, it will no longer be possible to turn it on the steering wheel. This completes the tuning of the steering wheel of the new Kalina!

Process video:

When purchasing a leather braid, it will be useful for you to know the diameter of the Kalina 2 steering wheel. Its dimensions are the same as those of the Lada Granta steering wheel (the steering wheels differ only in the aluminum insert) 38.5 cm, that is, the braid size should be M 37-39 cm.

By the way, do you know how to modify the Kalina 2 steering wheel (multi-steering wheel)?

Steering wheel braid is a fairly popular and widely purchased car accessory. There are many reasons why drivers decide to buy it: a thirst for aesthetics, comfort, a desire to update the appearance of a familiar steering wheel or to preserve the presentation of the car interior for as long as possible, since the steering wheel is perhaps the most noticeable element of the car interior.

However, there are a number of difficult aspects in choosing a braid for a steering wheel, such as the choice of size, braid material, its design, color and method of fixation. Some steering wheel covers are quite easy to put on (provided the size is correctly selected), while others require quite a long and painstaking work on braiding the steering wheel using special ropes or threads.

From this article you will learn how to choose the size of the steering wheel according to the make of the car, what material should be preferred and how to properly put on and cover the steering wheel.

Do you need a steering wheel braid?

The first and most frequently asked question is: “Why do you need a braid on the steering wheel, if at all?”

It’s good for owners of expensive cars with leather interior trim, where everything is harmonious, the overall style is consistent, and the leather steering wheel, pleasant to the touch, goes well with the car’s interior. But what should owners of the budget segment do, where everything in the car’s interior is so minimalist that there’s nowhere for the eye to fall? A steering wheel braid is also needed if you buy a used car, if the steering wheel is well-worn, with numerous scratches and abrasions.

The steering wheel braid also serves as a kind of cover, and like covers on mobile phones, it allows you to preserve the presentation of the steering wheel in case of selling the car.

The braid on the steering wheel prevents your hand from slipping and turning the steering wheel, which makes driving safer. It increases the thickness of the steering wheel, making the steering wheel more comfortable for drivers with a wider hand.

What is the diameter of the VAZ 2107 steering wheel and its replacement and repair

On the VAZ 2107, the steering wheel has 4 spokes, and the rim itself is made of special rubber. The steering wheel size on this car is 400 mm.

Select and put the braid on the steering wheel

Once you find yourself in the accessories department on our website, you will immediately see that there is a huge amount of steering wheel braids available here. And in order not to make a mistake with your choice, you need to understand how to choose the right braid for your car. The diagram is presented below.

The most important thing that influences the selection of braid is your tastes and desires, which will be reflected in the design of the selected accessory. Don’t forget about the diameter of the steering wheel: it needs to be measured and compared with the models in the store.

Which steering wheel braid should I choose?

But let's start choosing the braid for the steering wheel. We will select it according to parameters.

Material. Today on the market you can find steering wheel braids made of various materials. Most often, girls buy “fun” soft steering wheel covers made of velor, fabric, suede, plush, foam rubber, while men prefer classic options made of genuine leather or leatherette. The most durable and advantageous option is the one made of genuine leather, but such popular cases made of foam rubber very quickly become crushed and lose their shape.

Color and design. You should not buy a steering wheel cover that does not match the color scheme of your car's interior. So, if your interior is black, it is better to take the same dark steering wheel cover and leave beige models to the corresponding cars. Of course, everyone chooses a cover in accordance with their taste preferences, but sometimes this choice looks simply monstrous, especially if a colorful velor cover with butterflies is placed in an incredibly stylish and beautiful car.

Fixation method. There are two main types of steering wheel braids: covers that do not require covering, and the steering wheel braids themselves, which are fixed to it using special threads. Each variety has its own pros and cons. Fixed covers are quite easy to put on, however, during use, such covers can twist and slide if the cover does not fit tightly enough. The steering wheel braids can be completely integrated into the interior, so that an uninformed person will not even know that it is not native to this car, however, there are difficulties in covering the steering wheel with such a braid. You need to have a certain skill, free time and patience to cover the steering wheel yourself. You will learn how this is done further down in this article.

How to remove the steering wheel on a Priora

When you are going to start such an operation with your car, make sure that it is firmly in place and will not roll away; to remove the steering wheel on a Priora, you need to calculate the force so as not to knock off the threads of the fasteners, and not to deploy the airbag, trying to do everything quickly.

To remove the steering wheel on a Priora you need to find:

• Flat screwdriver;
• Head number 24;
• Hex key number 5.

According to the instructions with additions from experienced drivers, we perform the following actions:

1. Using a hexagon, unscrew the two bolts securing the airbag in the steering wheel (do not remove them);
2. The cushion (insert in the steering wheel) will move slightly away from the steering wheel. Do not make sudden movements and do not try to remove it faster! Turn it smoothly and slowly so that the wiring is visible to you and you can work with it;
3. Use a flat screwdriver to pry off the light green clamp of the wire block and pull the connector out of the fastening groove;
4. Remove the pillow and set it aside;
5. Remove the horn wire connector and disconnect it using a screwdriver;
6. Using a wrench and a socket number 24, turn it smoothly counterclockwise several times and loosen the nut in the center - this is the steering shaft mount. Use your hands to knock down the steering wheel itself, simultaneously turning and releasing the nut;
7. Remove the steering wheel. It is advisable to make a notch with a marker indicating the position of the steering wheel relative to the shaft.

Steering wheel braid - dimensions

Deciding on the size of the steering wheel cover is quite simple if you are purchasing it for yourself and not taking it as a gift. To do this, you just need to measure the diameter of your steering wheel and select the size of the cover according to it.

How to choose the steering wheel braid size?

But what if you are purchasing the case as a gift? Today on sale you can find covers of various sizes: S (35-37 cm), M (37-38 cm), L (39-40 cm), XL (42-43 cm), XXL (47 cm), XXXL (49 cm).

Size S (35-37 cm). This size is perfect for small cars: Oka, Tavria or for cars with a sports steering wheel. This size will also fit the Kia Picanto; it has a steering wheel diameter of 37 centimeters (the cover will fit with difficulty, but will fit clearly).

Size M (37-38 cm) . The most common size that fits most foreign-made passenger cars. Size M can be confidently called standard, it is suitable for cars: Kia (Rio, Venga, Ceed, Soul, Sorento, Optima, Sportage, etc.), Nissan (Murano, Almera, Terrano, Sentra, Juke, Teana, etc.), Ford (Focus, Mondeo, Kuga, Ranger, etc.), Toyota (Corolla, Auris), Volvo (V40, S60, S80, etc.), Chevrolet (Cruze, Aveo, Spark, etc.), VAZ (2108-2109, 21010 - 2115, Granta, Kalina, Priora), and many, many other foreign cars. In general, you understand, if you have a foreign passenger car or a domestic car from the list above, then you can take size M with 95% confidence.

Size L (39-40 cm). NIVA, VOLGA, MOSKVICH, VAZ-2101, 2107, 21011, 21013.

Size XL (42-43 cm). UAZ, GAZelle, etc.

Size XXL(47 cm). Imported trucks.

Size XXXL(49 cm). KAMAZ.

How to trim a steering wheel correctly?

It's time to move directly to covering our steering wheel with the purchased braid, or to putting on a cover. As mentioned above, this activity is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. To simplify the whole process, I have prepared special photo instructions.

How to put the cover on the steering wheel?

The cover is pulled over the steering wheel from top to bottom. It is better when two people participate in this process: one fixes the cover at one point, preventing it from slipping and warping, and the second carefully tightens it. Sometimes the cover is put on quite tightly, and it is impossible to do without male strength.

Steering wheel of Lada Granta, Priora, Kalina

Instructions

for Lada Granta/Priora/Kalina steering wheel wrapping with leather:

Expect the entire process to take you about 3-4 hours. The work is painstaking, requiring patience and diligence. Intermediate stages of reupholstering the steering wheel with leather in the photo:

Lada Granta steering wheel reupholstery process on video

:

Steering wheel condition after 2 years of operation. The skin did not rub, but only changed from matte to shiny:

Steering wheel of Lada Vesta and XRAY

Instructions

for reupholstering the Lada XRAY/Vesta steering wheel with leather:

The process is also shown in the video:

Have you ever had to install a leather steering wheel on a LADA yourself? What difficulties have you encountered? Let us remind you that we previously looked at other modifications to LADA cars. For example, installing a leather gear knob or eco-leather covers (for Vesta or XRAY).

What to watch if the steering wheel shakes

If the car is driving over bumps, and the steering wheel “kicks” while driving, there is no need to rush to the service station - self-diagnosis in many cases helps to identify the cause of the knocking. The most common reason for this is a malfunction in the steering mechanism.

Steering rods

When they wear out, they receive small scratches due to contact with sand, misfires occur in the operation of the steering rods - this is immediately felt, because play appears when the steering wheel is turned.

Steering rack

When the grooves of the steering rack are practically erased, they do not engage fully with the gear, and each turn vibrates into the multifunction steering wheel.

Steering column cardan

The steering gear mounting clamps must be well tightened.

Factory steering wheel of a new type with a plug for Lada Priora, Kalina 2

Steering wheel braid, black with red stitching

Steering column switch (cable) of a new model for Lada Priora

Black steering wheel braid

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Plug instead of an airbag (dummy) in the old Lada Priora steering wheel

Factory steering wheel of a new type (original) with a plug for Lada Priora, Kalina 2

Plug instead of an airbag (dummy) in the steering wheel of the new Lada Priora model

Kalina/priora turbo wood-effect steering wheel for Lada Kalina, Priora, Chevrolet Niva

Old-style steering column switch (cable) for Lada Priora, Kalina up to 2011 with airbag