Steering rack VAZ 2114 - how to eliminate knocking with your own hands

No one will deny that a working steering wheel is one of the factors influencing the guarantee of the safety of the driver and passengers. Regardless of the type of steering gear, they all need to be serviced periodically. All second-generation cars, including the VAZ-2114, have a reliable and easy-to-repair and adjust steering mechanism. It is not equipped with a hydraulic power steering, which allows you to tighten and service the steering rack without any problems.

Before tightening the steering rack on a VAZ-2114, you need to consider the prerequisites indicating the need for its tightening or repair.

AvtoVAZ provides a ten-year warranty. This is a fairly long service life of the steering mechanism. But do not forget that the guarantee is given for ideal conditions of use of the mechanism. The basis for calculating the service life is normal roads and constant high-quality lubrication located in the rack housing and a moderate driving style.

Why does the VAZ 2114 steering rack knock - the main reasons

If the steering rack of a VAZ 2114 is knocking, there may be several reasons:

1. The steering wheel fastenings are loose.
2. The plastic support sleeve has worn out and a backlash has formed.
3. Play in the bearings of the input shaft.
4. Due to wear, the gap between the teeth of the steering rack has increased, which led to play and a dull knock.
5. The clamping block is loose and knocks on the steering rack body due to wear and tear on the anti-friction lining.

It is important to determine where the knocking is coming from. While driving, it may seem that the steering rack is knocking, but the problem could also be in the tie rods or steering tip. By the way, you can determine that the tip is to blame by looking at the torn boot.

Symptoms of a problem

To understand that the racks require repair, you need to monitor the behavior of the car and know the characteristic signs of a malfunction of this element.

Is it possible to determine whether the unit requires a complete replacement, or can you get by with simple repairs? We will tell you about this in the table below.

VAZ 2114 steering rack play - how to fix it

First of all, this is a backlash.

Key for eliminating steering rack play

In principle, AvtoVAZ guarantees a fairly long service life of the steering mechanism, namely ten years. However, we must understand that we are talking about ideal operating conditions. This assumes smooth asphalt roads, constant availability of high-quality lubrication in the rack housing and a gentle driving style.

Eliminating play in the steering rack

Under normal operating conditions, this period is practically unattainable. Poor roads, poor quality of spare parts and often harsh operating conditions of the car lead to the fact that the mechanism makes itself felt much earlier.

Tightening and adjustment

As the practice and experience of VAZ 2114 owners shows, if problems arise with the racks, they can most often be repaired. The only condition is that you have an inspection hole at your disposal.

Full analysis

The first step is to tighten the rack. But how is this done? To do this, simply tighten the adjusting bolt. Adjustment is made with a 17 mm key.

After tightening the bolt, take your car out for a few kilometers to check whether the knocking or play remains. If these symptoms of the problem disappear after you have tightened and adjusted the steering rack, the repair can be considered complete.

But this doesn't always happen. The knock may remain, but the play may go away, or vice versa. In any case, if at least one sign still remains, you will have to begin a full-fledged repair with your own hands. Now you can find a number of useful videos that describe in detail the procedure for repairing this unit. Take a look, it will be useful for you.

Article on the topic: Replacing the clutch release bearing on a VAZ 2114

Steering rack VAZ 2114 - symptoms of failure

The first symptoms of a rack malfunction or the need for tightening are clear:

1. Knocking noise under the hood in the area of ​​the engine shield, especially when driving over uneven surfaces.

On a VAZ-2114, a knocking sound when driving through uneven sections of the road may occur due to a loose nut on the bolt that compresses the cardan clamp

1. Increased steering wheel play.
2. Steering wheel rotation is too tight or too free.
3. Leakage of lubricant through oil seals and rack casings.
4. Sudden biting of the steering rack while driving.

The latter can be considered a glaring signal of malfunction and can lead to serious troubles while driving.

In this case, most likely, tightening the situation will not correct the situation, however, it is too early to draw conclusions, you can try to adjust it. This can be done in two ways - both on the car and with the rack removed.

Complete disassembly of the steering rack and replacement of the repair kit

In the second case, the adjustment is made after replacing the repair kit and completely repairing the mechanism. We will try to make do with little expense and simply adjust the gap in the gear-rack engagement, thereby eliminating backlash and knocking.

Symptoms of a problem

Complete disassembly of the steering rack in a VAZ 2114
Competent drivers know that power is transmitted to the wheels through a spur or helical gear, which interacts with the gear rack. Backlash in the rack is eliminated using pressure springs. When there is a knocking sound from the steering mechanism, which is noticeable when hitting an obstacle or driving over uneven surfaces, it is necessary to adjust the rack.

Some VAZ 2114 drivers do not know that play and creaking in the rack can be eliminated; they believe that it is impossible to tighten the steering rack in a VAZ 2114 car. Adjustment helps to get rid of backlash and ensure high-quality control of the machine. It should be understood that incorrect adjustment of the VAZ rack can lead to poor steering rotation. This is caused by overtightening of the adjusting screw.

How to tighten the steering rack of a VAZ-2114 - step-by-step instructions

Most often, all work on tightening the rack comes down to only selecting the play in the engagement and adjusting the play of the steering wheel . In the event that the wear of the mechanism parts (bushings, the rack itself, the gear, oil seals and anthers) is critical, repair and installation of a repair kit cannot be avoided. However, the easiest way to check this is to tighten the rack directly on the car.

To adjust the rack, you will need a special wrench, which is inserted into the adjusting nut in the steering mechanism housing. You can make this key yourself, but it is sold in any store, it costs a penny, and it never hurts to have it in your arsenal of tools. In addition, it will significantly facilitate the work not only when adjusting, but also when disassembling the rack if necessary.

The VAZ-2114 rack is adjusted as follows:

1. It is advisable to install the car either on an overpass or on a lift. You can adjust the rack from under the hood, but you have to work almost by touch.

We install the car on lifts or overpass

1. We remove the crankcase protection and the engine mudguard from below.
2. We clean the steering rack from dirt and check its condition visually. There should be no grease leaks on it, the anthers should be intact.
3. The rack must be firmly fixed to the engine shield, the steering rods must not have any play at the point of attachment to the rack.

1. We find the adjusting nut and clean it of dust and dirt. It comes with a plastic plug installed from the factory. It needs to be dismantled.
2. Using a special wrench, we tighten the adjusting nut, which is screwed into the steering mechanism housing. The nut can be tightened with a core, so after adjustment it is also necessary to fix it.

Tighten the adjusting nut with a special wrench

1. Adjustment is carried out by tightening the nut until it stops, after which the play on the steering wheel is checked. If the force on it is too strong, the nut is released a few degrees.
2. After adjustment, the nut must be fixed by rolling, otherwise there is a possibility that it will unscrew spontaneously.

Having chosen the play, we do not hide the tool, but do a test drive, during which we evaluate the operation of the steering mechanism. If the steering wheel rotates freely and there is no play, the adjustment can be considered complete. If the steering wheel turns too tight, it is better to loosen the adjusting nut a little by turning it a few degrees counterclockwise.

Adjustment

The adjustment is performed in this way: you can remove the rack from the vehicle or adjust it on it. The first method is used after repairing the machine, before installation. To simply adjust the rack, the work is done directly on the machine.

Tightening the rack with a key

To carry out the work, you must have a 17 mm universal octagon and an adjustable wrench. All work related to troubleshooting is carried out on a lift or inspection pit:

1. First, the car must be put on the handbrake, some kind of support must be placed on the rear wheels;
2. Then you need to lock the steering wheel and turn off the power to the car’s on-board network (remove the negative terminal from the battery);
3. Then you need to find the nut with which the steering rack is adjusted. It is located on the opposite side, facing the body, of the rack mounting side. Sometimes it is mistaken for another part;
4. First you should wash the bottom of the car. In this case, use a suitable device (Kärcher, for example). This is done in order to clean the nut from a layer of dirt. After cleaning the part from contamination, a wrench is inserted into it to tighten the rack and its position is adjusted. The tool rotates clockwise.

Thus, the adjustment is considered complete. If, after the work done, the control of the car is unsatisfactory, the play and knocking does not disappear, you should check the condition of the steering tips; they may need to be replaced.

Support bearings

One of the reasons why knocking noises occur when a car is moving on a straight road is wear of the bearings (4 and 6), which are responsible for rotating the shaft located in the engine compartment of the car. Worn bearings lead to radial wobble of the shaft, which causes knocking noises. If the retaining ring (7, 16) breaks or the sealing rings (9, 15) wear out, this leads to axial expansion of the gap and knocking of the shaft along the axis. In some car models, the steering column is non-removable. She changes completely. If the steering column is collapsible, then faulty, worn parts are replaced.

Repair

To perform the repair, you will still have to disassemble the steering wheel. You can see detailed instructions in the material on replacing the steering rack.

Replacement process

Let's move on directly to the repair procedure.

1. Remove the rail from its seat.
2. Remove the thrust nut with a 17mm hexagon.
3. Remove the thrust nut, remove the retaining ring, spring, and rack stop.
4. First, the gear shaft boot is removed, after which you can easily get to the locking ring.
5. Remove the nut that holds the gear bearing in place. Be prepared for the fact that it will be quite difficult to unscrew it; use some force. This is fine. It's worse if it practically doesn't hold on.
6. The drive gear shaft is pressed out.
7. The rail is removed from the housing.
8. Next, remove the support sleeve, lubricate it and put it in place. It may take some effort to push it back.
9. Replace all bearings present in the assembly. Some are difficult to extract, while others are almost impossible. But it needs to be done. If you cannot remove it at all, then cut the bearing with a chisel and remove it with pliers.
10. Examine the condition of all surfaces, parts, and assemblies for any defects or damage.
11. If you notice faulty elements, replace them using a repair kit.
12. The design will have quite a lot of moving elements. Each of them must be lubricated with high-quality lubricant. Litol will perform well here.
13. Reassemble by following the reverse disassembly sequence.
14. You will definitely need help for reassembly. Therefore, agree in advance with a friend or someone else who can help you in this matter.
15. Place the repaired rail in place and attach its fasteners.
16. A rack is inserted into the spitz. This is where you will need an assistant. It is almost impossible to do this yourself.
17. Use a chisel to loosen the clamps.
18. Tighten all mounting bolts in place.

If you notice typical signs of a rack malfunction, do not delay repairing or replacing it. This can lead to tragic consequences when, at the most inopportune moment, the steering wheel stops responding to your efforts and you lose control of the situation. This is not an attempt to scare you, but a simple fact of life.

Wheel imbalance

First of all, I checked the presence of balancing weights on each wheel - they were all in place, but I dare to assure you that this is not a hundred percent guarantee that the wheels are not unbalanced. This can only be determined using special stands or instruments. So I postponed further testing at the stand until a later time (since this requires money and equipment).

What kind of steering wheel can I install?

If you decide to replace your old steering wheel, it means that its appearance did not suit you in some way. Of course, the issue may be a breakdown or external damage, however, even in this case, you should consider installing third-party models. What if you like one of them much more than the previous steering wheel?

Sports models

When tuning their iron horses, car enthusiasts often look at sports steering wheels. Their appearance helps create the image of a fashionable racing car. The sports steering wheel has a smaller diameter than a regular steering wheel, which significantly improves maneuverability. In addition, it saves space inside the car. And various design options give room for creativity when styling the rest of the interior.

The design of a sports steering wheel can refresh the interior of the car

Unfortunately, sports steering wheel models have as many disadvantages as advantages. It is not as safe in a collision as the stock steering wheel. Its construction uses metal, so upon impact, the risk of serious injury increases. In addition, sports steering wheels are not equipped with airbags.

To install such a steering wheel you will need special adapters. They can be divided into two categories:

• cast;
• corrugated.

Moreover, the latter are much safer, since in the event of an accident they can fold up and absorb part of the energy.

The corrugated adapter for the sports steering wheel can fold upon impact, therefore it is considered injury-proof

Buy a sports steering wheel from trusted stores and from well-known manufacturers. Make sure you have the appropriate certificate. A poor-quality steering wheel, even with a corrugated adapter, can play a cruel joke on you if you get into an accident.

Steering wheels from other VAZ car models

Steering wheels from more modern models of VAZ cars, such as Lada Priora, Kalina or Granta, look prettier and are much more comfortable in the hands. Installing them will not be difficult, provided that you replace not only the steering wheel itself, but also the steering column column. Otherwise, the hub size will not match.

The Lada Kalina steering wheel looks more stylish and presentable than the standard part from a VAZ 2114 or 2115

Read on to learn how to choose the right steering wheel for the VAZ 2114 and VAZ 2115.

What you need to know when installing

Please note that not every steering wheel is suitable for installation on VAZ 2114 and VAZ 2115 cars. You need to choose a steering wheel with the same contact group as the original part.

choose a steering wheel with the same contact group as that of the VAZ 2114 and 2115

This is quite easy to do if you plan to install a steering wheel from other VAZ models. For example, a steering wheel with a Europanel from a VAZ 2110 is ideal for these purposes.

If you have chosen a Lada Kalina car, then its steering wheel should be marked 1118–3402010. With it you will also have to install the upper casing marked 2110–3403070–30, as well as the lower casing 2110–3403072–30.

To install a non-standard steering wheel on a VAZ 2114, use the steering shaft housing 2110–12

If you like sports models, then you will have to purchase a special adapter designed for VAZ 2113–2115 cars. This adapter is installed on the steering shaft, and the steering wheel is mounted on top. An adapter model suitable for this purpose is PROSPORT RS-04282.

for installing a sports steering wheel on VAZ 2114 and 2115 cars, the PROSPORT RS-04282 adapter is suitable

Cheto searched for this topic, but couldn’t find it here. In general, the problem is this: Recently, at speeds from 40 to 70, the steering wheel began to jerk. It jerks from side to side, not much, but unpleasant. I went through the forums and everyone kept saying that it was a problem with the tires because of old age or that there was a problem with the cord. First I want to try changing the wheels front and back. Could something else be causing the steering wheel to wobble?

Sasha, I have similar symptoms. I don’t know about you, but when I hit a rock with my right wheel, the steering wheel pulls to the left. For some reason I'm thinking about the steering rack.

If in turns, when returning to straight-line motion, the steering wheel jerks, and even if you let go of the steering wheel, and it spins jerkily, then this is definitely a misalignment of the wheels. It’s just that on worn (bald) tires the effect becomes more noticeable.

When driving in a straight line, the steering wheel may jerk due to crooked discs.

Well, as an option, the steering tip is worn out on one side, the wheel cannot move in the straight direction.

The tires are really not new. Masyanya arrived in it from Japan. Only I skated on it for five seasons, and how much longer the cross-eyed one can only guess. Is it useless to balance the front wheels? Just wheel alignment?

This is if after turning the car you straighten out and it goes straight with pushes on the steering wheel. change the front to the back and check, then you will think further

How to extend the life of a node that causes a malfunction

The service life of the VAZ 2114 steering rack is 100,000 km, but then a complete replacement of the mechanism is required.
Elements and structural parts of the unit wear out unevenly; in addition, the quality of the road surface and driving style affect the durability of the mechanism. As a result, the steering rack of the VAZ 2114 knocks and breaks, here’s what can be done to extend its service:

• Sharp turns of the steering wheel, especially when leaving a parking lot, with a cold engine, or starting with the wheels turned, contribute to rapid wear of the entire chassis. The rack and pinion mechanism, in this case, suffers the most. So, turning the steering wheel smoothly and carefully and carefully leaving the garage or parking lot will help you avoid the need for repairs longer.
• Reckless driving over bumps and potholes, taking obstacles such as potholes and speed bumps at full speed leads to a rack malfunction in a very short time. Impacts from this driving style deform or break the mechanism shaft and rack. Therefore, experienced drivers and auto mechanics recommend driving through tram or railway tracks, speed bumps, curbs and holes carefully, at low speed, avoiding impacts.
• Frequent inspection and timely replacement of damaged parts. Oil seals, anthers, everything that protects the structure from dust and dirt must be sealed, without cracks or breaks.

The quality of assembly, parts, and road surfaces also affect the service life of the mechanism. But these are given values. When replacing the steering rack, you can pay attention to units with power steering (power steering), although such units were not initially provided for the VAZ 2114.

Such units are more reliable and last longer, but there is an additional source of breakdowns - power steering. The design of the VAZ 2114 steering rack is such that you can carry out tuning yourself by installing a hydraulic booster. All components of VAZ vehicles are repairable and simple, so tuning or repair does not cause any particular difficulties even for beginners.

We repair it ourselves

To get started, you will need a set of tools and repair kits.

Replacement kit

Be sure to include the following in your list of tools and materials:

• Repair kit for one of three configurations (more about them below);
• Bearings;
• Lubrication;
• Set of keys and screwdrivers.

Selecting a repair kit

Spare parts
As for repair kits, the standard minimum set includes four elements:

• Washers;
• Nuts;
• Bearings;
• Bushings made of fluoroplastic.

But is it enough for your specific steering rack situation? Let's try to understand the purpose and configuration of each of the three types of repair kits.

1. The cheapest repair kit, the contents of which you are already familiar with, allows you to solve the most minor problems that have arisen with your slats.
2. The middle kit additionally includes other bearings and shafts. Designed for more serious repair work.
3. The most expensive repair kit may consist of whole new slats, that is, it involves not a repair, but a simple replacement of units.

When choosing a repair kit, it is important to make sure that it is suitable not just for repairing steering racks, but also for your specific VAZ 2114 car. Plus, it is important to know which rack is currently on the car. If this is not an original part, which happens quite often, then the repair kit for the “fourteenth” model will no longer be suitable. You need a kit that matches the vehicle the steering system part was taken from.