Front strut brace on VAZ 2114: selection and installation

The front strut brace is an element of the power structure of the car body, which is designed to reduce the load on the body in the event of a shock absorber breakdown. This element also eliminates corner deformation after wheel alignment, improves vehicle handling and behavior on the road. Accordingly, traffic safety increases, as does the service life of the body. In this case, we will look in more detail at the key purposes of the front strut, the features of its selection, as well as the step-by-step process of installing this part on a VAZ 2114.

Front strut brace for VAZ 2114 with additional support

Improvement of the VAZ 2114 suspension

The VAZ 2114 is positioned on the market as an improved VAZ 2109, a model that was no longer produced by the time the new Lada was released. The updated car has undergone major changes; engineers have introduced many innovations to its technical characteristics. The modernization also affected the interior. The car has acquired a more sporty appearance.

Moldings along all sides, door sills and a spoiler allow it not only to have a more representative appearance, but also give it stability and improve aerodynamics. The front suspension on the 2114 is a MacPherson system, while the rear is a transverse beam. Everyone knows what roads are like in our country. They are simply merciless when it comes to car suspension.

Cars from foreign manufacturers are susceptible to serious damage, let alone VAZ cars in this case. That's why most car enthusiasts do suspension tuning. Almost every car needs lower body work. Tuning will also be of interest to those who prefer to drive the vehicle too dynamically.

Thanks to tuning, the VAZ 2114 will be easier to control, maneuver better and “swallow” road irregularities. The standard pillars in the VAZ 2114 do not work at 100%, compared to their foreign counterparts. Due to the low performance of domestically produced spare parts, drivers hear suspension knocking on the road. Therefore, to avoid this, you need to replace the standard racks.

It is important to install more advanced or new improved shock absorbers. There are oil and hydraulic ones. High-quality suspension performance directly depends on high-quality shock absorbers. Hydraulic shock absorbers make the suspension more sensitive to unevenness.

Other springs can be installed. If you replace these parts with new ones that are more suitable for driving parameters, then the car's handling will noticeably improve. The vehicle will acquire unprecedented smoothness of movement.

Crab spreader or how to deal with a car for half a day)))

Yesterday I stopped by the guys at a friendly service station to diagnose the chassis.
They immediately sentenced the left crab, the support bearings and steering need to be tightened. As a result, I went to the store and foolishly bought this “noname” stretcher instead of crabs. No, no, it’s only a couple of hundred dollars difference in price. I decided to change the support bearings a little later, complete with the struts and the installation of wishbones. They just patched up the asphalt a little) I came home, unscrewed the right side without any problems, and removed the crab. But on the left, no way! Due to the short head, 24 extensions fit under the knob. The extension rested on the saber and the ball just hit the edge of the head and as a result:

Now I have 3 broken extension cords in about a month

I had to call Romych again so that he would bring a long head for 24. While I was waiting for Roma, I remembered that I had 2 signals like this

There was some kind of sand in them, I took them apart, cleaned them - they were humming normally! I tightened the rack, literally 1/8 turn and silence! There’s also a lot of force on the steering wheel, but it’s easier on the ears) As a result, Roma brought a long head for 24 - no big deal, it doesn’t break. We smoked and thought. There was only one solution - to cut it down with a grinder. As luck would have it, I took the little grinder from my parents to my apartment and had to cut the big one. First, I sawed and smashed the body with a hammer

I started cutting the silent and remembered about the bushing, i.e. Varick cut off the rubber band, moved the washer and sawed the nut - it didn’t work.

I had to grind it down, slowly, so as not to wear away the threads on the saber. The nut gave up only when I ground it off like this (twisted it with a wrench with a small pipe)

Source

Tuning or replacing front struts, extensions

More and more often you can meet car enthusiasts who are confident that stretching the front struts will allow the car to get rid of many problems. Today, spacers or braces can be purchased from many auto parts stands at markets or in automobile stores. Some tuning enthusiasts like to do the work themselves, and rightly so, because installing the spacer is a breeze.

Stretching the front struts for a car is designed to eliminate changes in angles after installing a wheel alignment for the front wheels, especially if the body has been deformed. Spacers can significantly improve the behavior and handling of a vehicle. It is even likely that installing a stretcher will make it possible not to change other suspension parts. It allows you to extend the service life of the VAZ 2114 body and improve traffic safety.

The problem is that the body of a VAZ car is not suitable for too active driving, since it does not have the necessary rigidity. One of the consequences of a lack of rigidity is sluggish steering response. If you drive calmly and smoothly, then you are unlikely to need the part in question, but if you drive a lot, fast and on roads with a lot of potholes, then spacers are what you need.

A little thought, we’ll expand the pug, reworking the lower extension of the arms from the AP

Attention, there will be a lot of bugs here, it’s dangerous!

Good autumn evening everyone! As usually happens, I was too lazy to write, although I think the colder it gets outside the window, the more often this desire will appear, because now I’m hanging out in the garage less often, it’s cold and maybe I’m already getting old: D But one way or another, the last warm days I didn’t lose and made the most of them (I couldn’t do it in the summer). Today I haven’t prepared anything colorful for your eyes (but the next 2 posts will fix that), but I showed you that dirty, dirty and reluctant repair/tune that gives the most results, the case when we are working on the candy, and not the candy wrappers for it.

Once upon a time, when dragons flew along the roads and mammoths rode through the skies, well, about 3 years ago lol I installed a strut on the front struts, I think many people started with such little things, I can’t say that something has changed dramatically, but It hasn’t gotten any worse, which means there is already a result! Later I replaced my foil underprotection with normal armor and noticed that, coupled with the spacer, it somewhat changed the character of the muzzle, I'm serious. I specially removed the spacer and with one protection there was no such effect. Which is quite logical, because one way or another the protection connects all 4 points into a kind of stretcher... Purely my IMHO. So what am I talking about? Then I radically thought about changing the handling in general, and the suspension in particular, with the help of additional hardware. Mostly yellow :D

So, back then, in 15, my vision of the technical part and its modernization of my Malyutkin was born. Then everything was according to the classics: ALL new SS-20 suspension (though without lowering), a new tire with a sport bias was recently installed (Dunlop direza, except for it on 14th wheels I didn’t find anything even remotely sporty), it’s been in the garage for a long time Ventilation brakes from 2110 and camber plates on the ass are waiting in the wings. By the way, everyone here likes to replace the original stub with a thicker one, and I noticed the difference even with the stock one - when I threw out the regular balls and stuck in the reinforced ones from the SS, it really seemed to start working!

Now it comes to the body, or rather to its rigidity. It’s no secret that this is not the strongest side of Samara, and indeed of all cans in principle (except maybe Kalina2, well, I don’t even consider Vesta a basin). And so, while looking in the vastness of Avito for a “TV” from TM for the rear part (I never found it, I’ll have to buy it directly in Togliatti, because our hucksters are expensive), I came across a homemade crabber. Why not just supply a regular one from the market? Firstly, they are almost always a hassle with installation, secondly, there are too many myths about how it breaks the bottom of the TV, and every myth, like jokes, has its share... In 3, you would have to do the camber again, and the protection is just that way you won't put it. Well, and 4thly, these are the steel crabs themselves, which, if something happens, do not break like native silumin, but pull their snouts behind them. And now I see her. It is simply placed under the original crabs according to the profile principle, which some people use to strengthen the muzzle, giving additional protection from impacts, while somehow connecting the crabs to each other, without installation hassles and all this happiness for the price of a couple of shavukhs, naturally I couldn’t resist !

The thickness is about 3-4 mm, for a self-propelled gun it is made very nicely, the weld seam is excellent, it is even painted in the manner of a technician. I only had to slightly drill out the holes for the bolts. By the way, they remained family.

Source

Selection of spacers and their installation

Spacers for the VAZ 2114 come in several types. There are:

Which one to choose and which one is better? There is not much difference between them. It consists only in the fact that a three-point stretcher has the ability to secure it with three bolts, and a two-point stretcher with two. The two-point extension of the front struts has certain advantages. More recently, universal spacers have become widespread.

They are also suitable for earlier VAZ models, regardless of how the car’s power system is organized. There are also non-adjustable and adjustable stretchers. Non-adjustable ones are produced with very strict adherence to all necessary geometric dimensions and parameters. If the decision to install a spacer has been made, then this one is perfect.

If the geometry of the car is broken, for example, a 16-valve engine is installed, then a special spacer is produced for such cases. It is equipped with an additional support designed to replace the upper engine mount. This stretching can significantly increase comfort when driving in a car.

Before purchasing a spacer, you need to check and thoroughly study the geometric parameters of the car and the part being purchased. After all, they will work in pairs and complement each other. The material from which these elements are made is mainly steel or aluminum.

What does this threaten?

As a result of a breakdown, the wheel begins to move backwards or forwards. Further use of the car is simply impossible. If this happens far from populated areas, you can only call a tow truck. Most often, two types of breakdown occur - complete destruction or separation of one bolt, together with a nut, and the threads of the remaining two nuts are stripped. There are also two ways to deal with such a breakdown: perform the entire repair procedure yourself or seek help from a specialized automotive workshop .

Pros and cons of installing front strut extensions

The answer to the question of why stretching the front struts is so popular is difficult to find. Therefore, tests and studies were carried out. If a car enthusiast drives a vehicle in the most ordinary conditions, the loads that make the installation of a spacer relevant will not show themselves. In extreme conditions, when the suspension is working at its limit or can no longer cope with the functions assigned to it, the spacer comes in handy.

The car handles the road better and more confidently, and takes turns much better than without a strut. And the turns themselves acquire more accurate trajectories, the likelihood of cracks on the body is significantly reduced, it does not deform, and the car becomes more stable when moving backwards. Stretching the front struts makes the car handle better and also eliminates the risk of it skidding.

Stretching is designed to increase the lateral rigidity of the VAZ 2114 body. You can recall particularly popular points that vividly describe this problem; every car owner knows them. For example, when the unloaded wheel at the front slips laterally. Here the load acts on only one of the glasses, and the point of the rack moves. This violates the wheel parameters. Controllability directly depends on how correctly auto mechanics set the wheel alignment parameters. Installing front strut extensions on vehicles that have low lateral load stiffness levels can instantly increase this figure by as much as 25%.

On the downside, increased body rigidity often affects its balance. This increases the risk of cracks appearing where there are differences in stiffness. If we talk about inconvenience for passengers, vibrations in the cabin will increase slightly. Stretching the front struts is more necessary for motorists with a sporty type of driving or for the car to participate in sports competitions. There is no need for a spacer for everyday driving.

There is also such a parameter as torsional rigidity. Let's look at a simple example that can show its disadvantage. If you drive onto a curb and try to open the door, the deformations of the body will make opening the door a little difficult. The lack of torsional rigidity results in squeaks and noise in the cabin.

Adding this rigidity is achieved by installing front strut stretchers and special interior reinforcements. You can improve the vehicle's rigidity by installing a lower front brace. Some manufacturers also offer a rear strut for the rear struts to increase rigidity.

After installing these stiffeners, the vehicle will feel stiffer and more powerful. This car takes turns much easier. After installing the stretcher, its movement will become smoother, holes and bumps will feel softer. The driver will be able to appreciate how much the car’s handling has improved and how it has become more harmonious.

The cost of any spacer directly depends on the material and manufacturer. But the prices are not too different from each other. The choice must be made by the car enthusiast himself. Many of those who are well versed in the VAZ 2114 argue that it is better to install a spacer and drive with it than without it.

Relevance of installation

Despite the fact that the VAZ 2114 body has the necessary rigidity, this is not enough for fast driving on poor roads. Due to the lack of rigidity, a sluggish response to control can be observed. Theoretically, thanks to the stretch, the driver will be able to change lanes more confidently and take turns at high speeds. Body deformation will be significantly reduced and fatigue cracks will not appear on the metal, especially if the driver often has to drive on a road surface with potholes. What can be achieved by installing a stretcher on a VAZ 2114?

Improving car handling when cornering.
Reducing the likelihood of turning off gears on your own.
The power unit stops active movements.
The engine and car feel more cohesive.

DTR VAZ experts conducted research, as a result of which it can be stated that the front strut strut helps to balance and redistribute reaction forces in the engine mounts as follows:

In the rear support, longitudinally and vertically by 1.3 and 1.9 times, respectively.
In the left support vertically 1.9 times.
In the front support 1.6 times.

The noise level in the cabin of the VAZ 2114 increases very slightly - by 0.3-0.5 dB (neither passengers nor the driver notice such a difference, since even trained experts are able to distinguish a noise change of only 1 dB)

Features of choice

The front strut strut for the VAZ 2114 can be three-point or two-point. There are no special differences between them, except for the number of bolts used for fastening - 3 and 2, respectively. In the assortment of modern stores there is also a universal stretching of the front pillars. Another classification divides these structural elements into adjustable and non-adjustable. The latter are manufactured under strict control of compliance with parameters and geometric dimensions.

A special spacer should be chosen if your VAZ 2114 is equipped with a 16-valve engine. This extension has an additional support that replaces the upper engine mount.

Before directly purchasing a stretcher, be sure to check the correspondence of the geometric parameters of the stretcher to the parameters of your car, since they must work harmoniously in pairs. It is recommended to give preference to aluminum or, as a last resort, steel products. In the event of an accident, the latter can damage the front struts of the car, while the aluminum brace will simply break.

How to choose

Spacer kit

The front strut struts offered today for the VAZ 2114 can be of two types:

Point-to-point;
Three-point.

There is no difference between them as such, if you do not take into account the number of bolts for fixation - two and three, respectively.

Separately, it is worth noting the universal coupler, which has proven itself well among the owners of the “fourteenth” model from the domestic automaker.

According to other criteria, spacers are divided into:

Adjustable;
Unregulated.

To produce unregulated ones, manufacturers adhere to very strict rules and maintain certain geometric shapes and parameters.

You will need a special spacer if there is a 16-valve engine in the engine compartment of your VAZ 2114. The braces have an additional support for them, which replaces the upper support of the power unit.

As for the material of manufacture, it is better to choose aluminum spacers, but in extreme cases you can get by with steel ones. The thing is that in the event of a car collision, aluminum elements will simply break, and steel elements can seriously damage the racks themselves.

Step-by-step installation of front strut struts on a VAZ 2114

The front strut brace can be installed by any car enthusiast:

First unscrew the screws attached to the shock absorber struts and remove the washers.
If the VAZ 2114 has a motion sensor on the pillar, it must be removed, but do not forget to remember the position in which it was installed.
Carefully fix the mounting bracket with the sensor under the plate. Do this so that the sensor position matches the previous readings.
Place the front strut extension of the VAZ 2114 on the studs; the actions are identical on both sides.
Tighten the bolts and check the reliability of all fasteners.

Lower strut AUTOPRODUCT VAZ 2108-21099, 2110-2112, 2113-2115, 2170-2172 /Lada-Priora/

Article: AP 0160

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Is it worth installing front strut extensions on your car?

If driving conditions are not extreme, there is no need to install a brace, but if the suspension is difficult to cope with its functions and is working at the limit, installing a strut should still be done to make cornering more confident. In this case, the risk of skidding is reduced. If the body's lateral load stiffness is low, this procedure will increase the figure by 25%.

On the other hand, increased rigidity can negatively affect the balance and cracks will appear in places where there are sharp changes in rigidity. Also, installing strut extensions on a VAZ 2114 will slightly increase vibrations in the cabin, which passengers can feel. Sometimes car enthusiasts install struts not only for the front, but also for the rear struts, after which the car’s ride becomes stronger and stiffer, and bumps and holes are practically not felt, and handling becomes more harmonious. Such measures are not necessary if the car is used for everyday, quiet driving.

Is it worth it?

This is a popular question that many owners of VAZ 2114 and others ask - is it worth installing a strut on the front pillars at all?

Additional support close-up

The answer, however, can be quite simple. There are two options.

Not worth installing. If you use your car under normal conditions, don't drive on terrible roads, drive only around the city and occasionally in the suburbs, there is absolutely no need for this improvement.
Worth installing. If the suspension is in constant tension and works at its maximum capabilities, spacers are the right solution. The presence of low body rigidity under lateral loads is corrected by the installation of spacers, increasing the performance by about 25 percent.

Don't forget that when installing the struts, the balance may be slightly upset, plus vibrations may be felt inside the cabin. Not strong, of course, but it won’t be difficult to notice them. Therefore, the choice is yours in any case.