In 2013, AVTOVAZ decided to modify the manual transmission (manual transmission 2180). A cable replaced the gear shift drive with rods. The design of the box was modernized, and the following serial number was added to the name (manual transmission 2181). Let's look at the features of a cable gearbox.
What gearboxes did it come with?
The Lada Granta passenger car has been in mass production since March 2011; this model replaced the popular Samara series.
Initially, the car was equipped only with a VAZ-2180 five-speed manual transmission; later, automatic and robotic gearboxes were installed on the car.
The cable manual gearbox Lada Granta with index 2181 has been produced since October 2012; it was later modernized, since car owners had many quality complaints about it.
Each type of transmission installed on a Togliatti-made car has its own characteristic differences and weaknesses, the so-called “diseases”.
Interesting Facts
We managed to find out the following interesting information about the Lada-Grants checkpoint:
- Gearboxes from the Lada-Granta will not be mounted on the Priora, since the engineers considered that it would not be profitable to remake almost the entire design of the power units.
- The price of the Lada-Granta and Kalina-2 cars increased by 5-7 thousand rubles when equipped with new gearboxes.
- According to reviews from car enthusiasts, the first cable transmission options were not entirely successful and had quite a lot of shortcomings: vibration appeared after 70-80 thousand mileage, howling of the gearbox, increased wear of parts, and more. Based on this, the manufacturer made amendments to the device and improved the characteristics. However, many motorists have a negative impression of a cable-driven gearbox.
- today continues to work on improving the gearbox, which will become the second generation of cable-type gearboxes. Engineers plan to install it on the second generation Lada-Granta.
Manual transmission Lada Granta
The manual transmission installed on the Granta has a long history; in fact, it is the same 5-speed. gearbox, like the VAZ-2108, but repeatedly subject to serious modernization.
From the beginning of Granta's production, the car was equipped with a model 2180 gearbox, with a shift rod, with the gear selection mechanism located at the bottom (inside the body), the same transmission was installed on the first generation Lada Kalina.
A modernized gearbox with index 2181 appeared in 2012, and in the new transmission:
- The gear shift rod was replaced with two cables;
- the speed selection mechanism was moved upward, it began to be located outside the housing, not in oil, as it was before;
- in 1st-2nd gear a multi-cone synchronizer appeared;
- The clutch housing has been changed; only 2.2 liters of transmission oil are now poured into the box itself, and not 3.3 liters as before.
The use of cables instead of a rod reduced the level of vibration in the body, and in general, speeds began to be switched more clearly, without “searching” for the desired gear.
But this transmission had one characteristic problem - the 2181 gearbox of the first editions emitted a noticeable howl when the car was moving.
There were a lot of complaints from car owners, so AvtoVAZ decided to refine the unit, improving the technology for processing gears and shafts, and in the summer of 2014, Granta with a quieter manual transmission began to roll off the car plant’s assembly line.
REQUIREMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS
The new product, which is installed on the “Norma” and “Lux” versions, is based on the same gearbox that appeared on the VAZ-2108 and, with minor upgrades, has survived to this day. Its weaknesses are well known: difficult activation, large lever strokes, smeared switching pattern, low vibration comfort.
Figuring out what and how we could improve, we agreed on one thing: not to touch the gear part, namely the shafts, gears, and synchronizers. Otherwise, huge financial costs will be required to launch a new gearbox into production - without high-precision equipment, it will not be possible to ensure the proper quality of engagement, operation and synchronization.
So what's new in the box with the VAZ-2181 index?
Automatic transmission
“Automatic” was installed on the car of the Togliatti Automobile Plant from July 2012 to March 2015 - this is 4 speed. Automatic transmission from Japanese manufacturer Jatco.
Grant's four-speed automatic transmission - model JF414E, classic type, with a torque converter; similar units are equipped in Nissan, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki passenger cars.
This type of transmission on Granta is paired only with the 98-horsepower VAZ-21126 power unit.
The gearbox is highly reliable; with careful operation and timely maintenance, it can run up to 200 thousand km.
It is necessary to replace the transmission fluid every 60 thousand km; the manufacturer recommends filling with Nissan branded ATF EJ-1 or Matic-S oil.
Automatic transmission problems.
The quality of the Lada Granta automatic transmission does not cause any major complaints; if the transmission requires repair, it is mainly due to the fault of the driver:
- as a result of slipping, the clutches burn out;
- after overheating, gaskets and seals begin to leak;
- When you hit an obstacle, the automatic transmission pan breaks through, and then a thorough repair is definitely required.
Car owners have more complaints about the performance characteristics of an automatic transmission - increased fuel consumption, sluggish acceleration of the car, jerking during gear changes during dynamic driving.
Diagram of the manual transmission mechanism of model 2181
The image below shows the synchronizer device for the 2181 gearbox:
The number 1 shows the gear responsible for shifting the first gear. Under the numbers 2 and 3 are intermediate and blocking rings, respectively. The synchronizer clutch is located after them and is designated by the number 4. The hub of the synchronizer clutch is located under the number 5. The latch is under the number 6. And under the number 7 there is a gear responsible for switching the second speed mode.
The figure shows the switching mechanism itself:
Robotic gearbox
The robotic gearbox replaced the 4-speed Jatco automatic transmission; manual transmission has been installed on the Grant since the beginning of spring 2015.
The basis of the mechanical part of the new AMT 2182 was the 2180 gearbox; instead of cables, as well as the standard pedal and clutch unit for “mechanics,” an electromechanical gearbox drive (mechatronics) from the German company ZF was installed here.
The robotic gearbox is only paired with a VAZ-21127 106 hp engine. s., the most powerful power unit installed on the Lada Granta.
The manual transmission can operate not only in automatic, but also in manual mode; there are a total of five gears in the box.
A car with AMT 2182 has become more economical than with an automatic transmission, the dynamics have also improved, and gasoline consumption has decreased.
Typical problems of a robotic gearbox.
The robotic gearbox is based on the 2180 transmission, so it does not have such a strong hum as the 2181 manual transmission.
However, in first and second gears, slight howls are observed, although after running in a new car, the noise may disappear.
Grant's gearbox may behave inappropriately - when driving in first gear and sharply pressing the accelerator pedal, second speed does not always engage, and a “slip” occurs.
A characteristic disadvantage of a manual transmission is jerks and jolts when changing gears; if the movement is dynamic, this unpleasant phenomenon is not observed during quiet driving.
But you can use the manual mode, and then the manual transmission practically becomes a “mechanics”.
The car doesn't move forward
Usually in this case the reverse gear works properly. The cause may be damage to the discs or piston cups. Another common case is a stuck shift adjustment valve.
To troubleshoot problems, it is necessary to replace the friction discs, change the cuffs and clean the valve. If the reverse speed does not work either, it means that the culprit of the problem is the clutch responsible for the forward speed. Excessive wear will destroy the O-rings, spline mechanism and coupling. Repair in this case will consist of replacing damaged and worn elements.
The car does not move forward or backward
The absence of any movement can, in principle, be caused by the following malfunctions:
- failure of the torque converter;
- problems with the oil pump;
- low oil level;
- the strainer is clogged;
- damage to friction discs;
- rupture of the cuff and o-rings;
- The forward valve is stuck.
In these cases, a complete replacement of worn parts will be required. Often the car can move forward, but when moving away there is a strong jolt. The car starts to slip and then stops. This problem indicates low oil level, failure of the torque converter or oil pump.
Other malfunctions and methods for eliminating them
Sometimes the breakdown is the absence of all speeds, except for the first. This indicates several problems: the valve is stuck, the teeth of the helical gear are damaged, or its cotter pin is sheared off. Troubleshooting work involves replacing worn parts, cleaning the valve, and checking the valve system.
A low oil level leads to other consequences in addition to the impossibility of movement. For example, when driving uphill for a long time, engaging a higher gear leads to slipping. The reduced mode is automatically switched on. Damage to the cuff and O-rings is also possible.
When switched to the “neutral” position, the car continues to move. This means that the drive cable is not adjusted. Or the drive lever or clutch is jammed, or the friction discs are damaged.
Very often, automatic transmissions encounter a problem called “kickdown,” i.e., when the gas pedal is sharply pressed, the gearbox does not shift to a lower gear. The problem most often occurs due to a pressure sensor, damaged foot switch, broken wiring, or poor adjustment of the throttle drive. Eliminated by replacing the sensor and adjusting the drive.
In fact, theoretically there can be a lot of problems. To the point where water gets into the gearbox housing and the oil foams, causing the car to start slipping. Subsequently, in advanced cases, this leads to complete failure of the gearbox.
An automatic transmission, like a robotic one, is much more complex than conventional mechanics. Service is not cheap, but repairs at home cannot be carried out efficiently.
It is important for car owners to learn how to correctly diagnose faults, and if they are minor, fix them themselves. If the problem is related to the need to remove and disassemble the automatic transmission, in such cases you cannot do without the help of qualified specialists. Repairs, depending on the complexity and malfunction, are estimated at an average of at least 2–3 thousand rubles, although it can reach up to 15–20, not counting the cost of spare parts.
Gearbox selection
All types of gearboxes on the Lada have their advantages and disadvantages, but even the domestically assembled Grant gearboxes do not cause very big problems for car owners.
If we do not take into account the slight noise of the mechanical part of the transmission, then we can say that the “robot” and “mechanics” are quite reliable, without pronounced characteristic “diseases”.
For those who like a leisurely drive and comfortable driving, an automatic transmission is best; there is only one drawback - increased gas consumption.
Although the manual transmission whines, the noise does not particularly affect its service life; during normal operation, it can travel about two hundred thousand kilometers without problems.
The electronics in the robotic box sometimes malfunction, and you need to get used to the specifics of driving a car with AMT.
Which transmission to choose for the Lada Granta is a personal matter for each motorist; a lot here depends on the preferences of the driver himself.
When may it be necessary to replace the gear shift cable?
As soon as the rear derailleur starts to malfunction, the first thing you need to do is check the condition of the high-speed shift cable. This is what most often causes:
- switching jams;
- or incorrect switching.
Why does the cable fail? Its main “enemies” are water and dirt. Have you driven in the rain and slush? Did you not wash or dry your bike? Be prepared for problems with gear shifting. The cable will start to fail. At first, after purchasing a vehicle, this part is still protected by factory lubricant, then you can hold out for some time on aerosol lubricants. But then the cable will still have to be changed.
But the replacement process, as already mentioned, is simple and takes only a few minutes. The main thing is to do everything correctly and consistently, following the step-by-step instructions.
Specification for bodies
But what we should dwell on in more detail is the bodies. The sedan body is honored not only by Russians, and for these reasons.
If in relatively warm Europe or the USA, where frosts occur exclusively in the strip bordering Canada, you open the trunk of a hatchback or station wagon “for a minute,” then nothing special will happen to the temperature of the cabin and to the well-being of passengers. And you try to open the trunk somewhere higher in such a body in winter at minus “at least” 20 degrees Celsius... The interior will get cold not even in minutes, but in seconds!
Valve overlap
Valve overlap is the moment when the intake valve and exhaust valve are simultaneously open, that is, the exhaust valve has not yet closed, but the intake valve has already opened. The piston is at TDC at this moment. The simultaneous opening of the valves is necessary for the so-called cylinder purging, when the exhaust gases carry the working mixture with them through the intake valve. (by the way, a tuned exhaust manifold or “spider” can help us here) The amount of overlap is expressed in mm (in a standard timing belt, the overlap is almost 0)
