Step-by-step replacement of rear struts of a VAZ 2109 with your own hands

The VAZ 2109 and VAZ 2108 cars use the same shock absorbers. On newer models (2110, 2115, etc.) the suspension is similar and all elements are interchangeable. SAAZ shock absorber struts were installed at the manufacturer - oil double-pipe.

The quality of original elements depends on the year of manufacture of the car. The newer the car, the worse the shock absorbers. Owners of front-wheel drive Ladas are faced with replacing shock absorbers on average once every 3-5 years. This is exactly the resource at the racks.

Failures of these elements are almost always visible or audible - smudges appear, knocking noises when moving over bumps. This is fraught with the fact that the entire body becomes uncontrollable - when driving on an uneven road, the car begins to jump. Shock absorbers do not stop these vibrations, although ideally they should dampen them.

Note! The struts will have to be removed when carrying out suspension repairs - replacing cushions, silent blocks, protective casing, rod stroke limiter, etc.

Causes of failure

There are two main reasons why rear shock absorbers begin to misbehave:

• When driving, the rear wheel can gradually wear out the locker, made of plastic. It serves to protect the rack. Over time, the wheel gets closer and closer to the stand;
• If the breakage occurs along the lower silent block, the culprit is the bolt holding it in place. It was simply not tightened to the required load.

Worn out old shock absorbers

When changing the strut, pay special attention to this bolt. If you make the same mistake again, you will soon have to make repairs again.

Symptoms of a problem

Pay attention to the telltale signs that tell you that you need to take action to correct problems with your rear struts.

Silent block

Rear shock absorbers VAZ 2108 and 2109

The rear shock absorber struts are not divided into right/left, and have only one original part number. The rear shock absorbers are non-separable. In terms of characteristics, the rear ones are similar to the front ones - the same problem with excessive softness and an uncomfortable ride over uneven surfaces.

Analogues of rear shock absorbers 2108-2109

Replacement shock absorbers for the rear are slightly less popular than for the front ones. But they are also more often preferred than the original ones.

Which shock absorbers should I choose for VAZ 218 and 2109 cars? As drivers' experience shows, the ideal option is Fenox for the front wheels, and Kayaba for the rear. If you can’t afford KYB stands, then Hola will do just fine. Moreover, it is worth noting that they most often install oil ones, since gas shock absorbers for these cars will be a little harsh. Although less popular, Russian SS20 shock absorbers are still worthy of attention. Their advantage is a good balance between rigidity and ride comfort over uneven surfaces at speeds above 50 km/h.

Shock absorbers on 2109 and 2108 should be changed according to their condition. On average, the mileage of original shock absorbers is up to a maximum of 50 thousand km (the manufacturer provides a guarantee of 30 thousand). On cars of earlier releases, there were often cases when factory shock absorbers traveled more than 100 thousand km.

Replacement

To replace or partially repair you have to go through a rather labor-intensive path.

You will need the following set of tools and materials:

• Screwdriver Set;
• Set of wrenches;
• Jack;
• Partner.

Decide in advance whether you are going to change the entire assembly, or whether you want to change only the damaged elements of the rear pillar. The volume of your purchases depends on this.

You can start working. Based on our instructions and the video lessons provided, you will be able to replace the rear struts yourself.

1. Turn the gearbox into first gear mode.
2. Raise the rear wheels using a jack.
3. Install supports, strengthening the reliability of fixing your car in a given position.
4. Remove the racks. To do this, first go to the trunk, remove the decorative rubber plug, which is located on top of the rack mount. It is better to remove all unnecessary things from the trunk.
5. Take a 17-size spanner and a 6-size open-end wrench. With their help, you can unscrew the nut with a spanner, and the open-end wrench will be useful for holding the shock-absorbing strut rod.

Removal process

1. That's it, this allows you to remove the mounting nut, support washer, spring washer and top pad without any problems.
2. Now we go under the car to finish what we started.
3. Take a 19 mm wrench and remove the shock absorber mounting bolt to the rear beam. Remove it.
4. In some cases, problems may arise with dismantling this bolt, since it simply sticks. To do this, pre-treat the bolt with the almighty WD40 and give it time to react.
5. If even this method did not help, then you will have to take the guide and simply knock out the fastening element.
6. Next, remove our shock absorber along with the spring.
7. Do not forget that during such manipulations most often the spring gasket remains on the body. It sticks to the metal. Many people forget to take it out, which causes difficulties during reinstallation. Don't make this mistake.
8. Clean all the seats to make it more convenient for you and make it all look more aesthetically pleasing. Plus, neatness never hurts to extend the service life of new spare parts.
9. To make it more convenient for you, wrap the gasket on the new spring with electrical tape, or secure it with thin wire. This will prevent it from slipping when you begin installation.
10. When putting the assembly back together with the new rear strut, be sure to make sure that the raised portion of the spring cup faces the direction of the wheel.
11. Secure the lower end of the rack with a nut and bolt, but there is no need to tighten the fasteners just yet.
12. Using the lever of your jack, raise and lower the rear of the car. This is necessary in order to eventually insert the shock absorber rod into the hole in the body of your nine.
13. With the spring in place, pull the shock absorber rod out to its full length.
14. Insert the rod into the lower ear and secure with a bolt.
15. Place a jack under the beam and begin manipulating the lifting mechanism.
16. At the same time, the spring will begin to compress, and the rod will move towards the glass.
17. You or your assistant must be alert in the car in order to have time to pry the rod with a screwdriver and ensure it is directed in the right direction.
18. Once the rod is in place, the work can be considered almost complete.
19. Fix the rod, not forgetting to insert the cushion, washer and engraver. All this is securely fixed.
20. Now you can lower the car onto its own wheels and fully tighten the bolt of the lower shock absorber mounting.

Reassembly stage

Changing rear strut assemblies is easier and faster than dismantling, disassembling the old strut, looking for defects in it and replacing individual damaged components. But this requires less financial costs.

Changing racks is not that difficult, even if you have little experience in such matters. But if there are none, be sure to contact trusted car services. Do not risk your own car, otherwise subsequent repairs will be even more difficult and expensive.

The main reasons for replacing racks

The most common reasons that indicate that it is time to change the racks are:

1. A spring that has burst or sagged and has lost its properties.
2. A characteristic “biting” sound when turning the steering wheel indicates deformation of the internals of the support bearing.
3. Virtually no support from the shock absorber. A banal “stuck”. It signals a clogged oil valve, as well as oil leaks on the rack itself.
4. Loss of oil due to damage to the shock absorber gasket.

Self-replacement of rear struts of VAZ-2109

Any breakdown in a car requires immediate repair, since in most cases the breakdown leads to a decrease in the level of safety during operation.

In this article we will tell you how to replace the rear struts of a VAZ-2109. You should know that, as a rule, a problem is indicated by a very characteristic noise coming from the rear suspension while driving the car.

If you do not have sufficient knowledge, then it would be better to seek help from an auto repair shop. But it is worth saying that with some effort you can make the replacement yourself.

Selection of shock absorbers for VAZ 21099

Now let's figure out which struts are better - gas or oil (hydraulic). There are car enthusiasts who praise gas engines, while others are sure that they should choose only oil engines and will not agree to any others. Why are opinions divided? Much depends on road surface conditions and preferences. Oil struts have been used before and are found on many domestic cars. But now experts advise choosing gas, more modern ones.

Almost all domestic cars are equipped with hydraulic shock absorbers. The advantage of their installation is the smooth running of the car when driving off-road. But be prepared for such moments as poor heat transfer and decreased efficiency of the struts during long-term driving in unfavorable conditions. All this leads to the car swaying on the road, which in itself is not a very pleasant fact. If your car has hydraulic shock absorbers, it is not recommended to drive off-road at high speed, as this can lead to oil foaming and breakdowns at the most inopportune moment.

A gas strut is suitable for those who drive on the highway most of the time. Gas shock absorbers are more modern, rigid, but at the same time they differ favorably in terms of service life and operation. Therefore, many car owners prefer them.

Let's assume that the decision has been made about which stabilizer link to buy. All that remains is to purchase the necessary parts and prepare the tools. The price of A-pillars ranges from 800 to 2000 rubles.

Racks are sold through car dealerships, online portals, and specialized automotive markets. To make your choice, you can study photos of models offered by different manufacturers. Once everything necessary is prepared, we begin the repair.

Reasons for failure of the rear strut

There are quite a lot of them, but the most common ones are:

• ​abrasion by the rear wheel of the locker protecting the rack itself;
• fracture of the element in question in the area of ​​the lower silent blocks.

The latter often occurs when the fixing bolt was tightened without load.

Signs of malfunction:

• The silent block has various types of damage - cracks or other defects;
• the rubber seal and boot have lost their elasticity;
• the compression buffer was deformed;
• There are cracks directly on the springs.

Such problems require immediate replacement of the rack or its individual elements - otherwise there is a risk of breaking it and causing even greater damage, which is much more difficult to eliminate.

As practice shows, many car enthusiasts, in order to do without spring tensioners, cut off several turns from them. This, among other things, achieves a decrease in clearance. This should not be done under any circumstances.

Removal and installation of the shock absorber strut of the rear suspension of the VAZ-2109

Lower the rear seat back and remove the upper pillar mount protective cap located under the rear parcel shelf.

Unscrew the nut of the upper strut fastening, holding the shock absorber rod from turning, and remove the support washer with the upper cushion.

Engage first gear and place wheel chocks under the front wheels.

Raise and support the rear of the vehicle.

Remove the rear wheel.

Loosen and tighten wheel bolts only with the vehicle on the ground.

The tightening torque of the bolts is 65–95 Nm (6.5–9.5 kg/m).

Unscrew the nut of the lower rack mounting and remove the bolt

Lower the strut down and remove the lower cushion with the support washer and spacer from the shock absorber rod through the spring coils

Push the shock absorber rod down

Remove the spring with protective boot, cover and compression buffer

Remove the strut from the rear wheel well

Remove the insulating gasket from the upper spring support cup (if it is not still on the spring)

Place the compression buffer onto the shock absorber rod

Secure the stand and put the protective case and cover on it.

Pull out the shock absorber rod and install the lower cushion with the support washer and spacer on it.

The shock absorber rod can be easily pulled out by screwing a nut onto it

Install an insulating pad on the upper coil of the spring and secure it from displacement using a thin rope, electrical tape, etc.

Install the spring on the stand so that the beginning of the first turn falls into the stamping in the lower cup

To compress the spring when installing the rack, place a jack under the beam.

Gradually lifting the beam with a jack and thereby compressing the spring, insert the shock absorber rod into the hole in the body arch.

Install the upper cushion with a washer on the shock absorber rod and tighten the nut of the upper strut fastening, holding the rod from turning with a second wrench.

After lowering the car to the ground, rock it vigorously several times.

Tighten with the appropriate torques: the nut of the lower fastening of the shock absorber to the beam - 68-84 Nm (6.8-8.4 kg/m), the nut of the upper fastening of the shock absorber - 51-63 Nm (5.1-6.3 kg/m).

After driving 100 km, tighten these threaded connections again to the required torque.

Replacement procedure

For such work you need the following devices and tools:

• ​screwdriver set;
• a set of keys;
• jack;
• container for draining shock-absorbing fluid.

​ The procedure is as follows:

• at the gearbox, switch the lever to first speed;
• lift the rear of the car with a jack (both wheels must be in the air);
• provide reliable support;
• take away the jack;
• dismantle the old racks.

If you need to completely replace them, then the disassembly process ends.

When you need to repair any individual element, you should also perform the following steps:

• remove the anthers, bushings and buffer;
• make sure that there are no noticeable flaws;
• wash the shock absorber (it is its contamination that most often leads to breakdown);
• check the rear silent blocks;
• assemble the stand and install it in place.

It is very difficult for one person to complete all the actions on his own, so it is worth asking a friend for help.

In particular, your partner will have to direct the rod into the glass. Further:

• install the spring;
• pull out the shock absorber rod completely;
• put on the lower ear and clamp everything with a bolt as tightly as possible.

Front shock absorbers VAZ 2108 and 2109

The front shock absorbers of VAZ 2108, 2109 have right/left divisions. There is a misconception that their design is non-removable. In fact, even the official manuals describe brief instructions for disassembling them. To do this, you just need to knock out the compression buffer support with a hammer and chisel, and then unscrew the nut with a special wrench. Therefore, you can purchase either a solid front strut or just a separate liner in order to directly change the shock absorber itself. By installing not a standard, but a more advanced part with better technical characteristics.

If we judge the quality of the original, specifically the front shock absorbers, they are too soft (like all hydraulic struts from SAAZ). This is especially noticeable on the front wheels.

How to check a shock absorber

To make sure it works, you will need to do the following:

• ​it is clamped in a vertical position;
• raise to the maximum;
• quickly lowered.

This procedure must be repeated several times.

The following signs indicate failure of this part:

• ​presence of sounds during the above procedure;
• jamming;
• failure.

This shock absorber is replaced with a new one.
However, before doing this, it is better to make sure that any individual element is not damaged. If this is the case, then only what is broken is replaced. The procedure is as follows:

• the rod is pulled out to the maximum;
• the nut is unscrewed;
• take out the fixing elements and the rod itself;
• remove the working cylinder;
• every detail is inspected.

If defects are found, they are replaced. Assembly is carried out in reverse order.

After installing the compression valve, you need to make sure that its discs move smoothly. Jamming is not acceptable.

Finally, it’s worth telling that on average in Russia a new rack will cost approximately 3 thousand rubles. As you can see, the price is quite serious, and therefore it makes sense to treat the car more carefully and regularly care for it.

To fully familiarize yourself with the process, we recommend watching the video below:

Shock absorber operating principle

The shock absorber strut is attached with the upper end to the car body, and the lower end to the hub of one of the wheels. There are three elements in a stance that determine its response to influences:

• compressed spring;
• compressed gas under the piston;
• incompressible fluid flowing through the fitting from one volume of the shock absorber to another.

The forces generated in the spring and in the compressed gas depend only on the geometry - the distance between the points of attachment of the strut to the body and the hub. But the force generated when the working fluid flows through the fittings depends only on the rate of change in the distance between the attachment points. This means that, for example, when passing the top dead center of the wheel movement when hitting an obstacle, the force is created mainly by the spring and gas, and when passing the equilibrium point, the force is provided mainly by the flow of the working fluid.

Features of force generation must be taken into account when choosing a shock absorber model that matches the operating conditions of your car and the individual characteristics of your driving style.

Replacing rear struts on a VAZ 2109: how to do it right

Rear struts and their replacement on a VAZ 2109

In a VAZ 2109 car, replacing the rear struts is simply necessary if they are even slightly damaged. Otherwise, driving your own car will bring nothing but trouble.

Typically, such a breakdown leads to extraneous noise being heard in the rear suspension. Replacement of the rear struts of a VAZ 2109 is carried out either at a service station or in your own garage.

How to carry out this work yourself will be described in this article.

What are racks

First, let's figure out what racks are. Stabilizer struts are a technical device consisting of several components designed to dampen vibrations when driving on uneven roads. The system may be filled with oil or gas inside.

The service life of the struts is 80,000 km if they are installed during scheduled maintenance. After this they should be replaced. Some people wonder how to change the racks - in pairs or one at a time. Even if you need to replace one, it is better to change a pair at once, regardless of whether it is the rear or front struts of the car.

The main signs of malfunction of the stabilizer struts:

• oil leaks on the body;
• the car shakes violently on uneven roads;
• poor contact of tires with the road surface.

If all this is present, you need to immediately contact a car service or repair the fault yourself. You shouldn’t put off repairs until later so that you don’t have to change the entire suspension.

Reasons for failure of the rear struts on the VAZ 2109

Replacing rear struts on a VAZ 2109

There may be several reasons why the rear shock absorber strut is not functioning properly:

• ​ It is possible that the rear wheel wears out the plastic locker that protects the strut while driving. This leads to the fact that over time the wheel “makes its way” to the rack.
• ​ If the strut breaks off along the lower silent block, then most likely the bolt that holds it was not tightened under load.

Note : therefore, when replacing the rack, you need to pay attention to this bolt if you do not want to carry out repair work again soon.

How to understand that the rear pillar needs repair

VAZ 2109 rear strut extension

Signals that repairs need to be done can be different:

• ​ The silent block has changed slightly. Perhaps there are cracks or other types of flaws on it.
• ​ The boot and rubber gasket have become limp and less elastic.

Note: if they haven't broken yet, they definitely will soon. Therefore, it is advisable to replace them in a timely manner.

• ​ The compression buffer is deformed or damaged. Because everything in the system works under high pressure, and the rubber gasket does not work normally, but all this pressure “presses” on the compression buffer. Ultimately, this leads to its breakdown.
• ​ Small cracks appeared on the spring.

Note: if the spring is somehow deformed, it should be replaced immediately. At the same time, some drivers, wanting to “lower” their car, deliberately cut off several coils of the spring.

Models

Now let's name several of the most popular, popular models of shock absorbers that are in demand among VAZ 2109 owners. This, perhaps, will allow you to decide which struts are best for you.

Model

Peculiarities

A hybrid stand with many positive reviews. Moderately hard, the ride is quite soft. With active use they will last 1-1.5 years. With rare use the car will last for years

A hybrid that is in many ways superior to the previous version in terms of rigidity. But the car holds perfectly on the road. They can withstand heavy use for a year, but then often leak oil. Price higher than Kayaba

Oily soft struts that fans of hard riding will not like. In many ways it is superior to the standard VAZ 2109 system, but in terms of road control it is inferior to Blisten and Kayaba. The price is close to the latter, lasts about 1 year

Gas shock absorbers, which are chosen mainly by street racers, racers, and fans of very hard riding. That’s why reviews among ordinary drivers are mostly negative. The rigidity is very high, but it lasts quite a long time

A budget option for racks for those who cannot afford the high costs of their own car. In many ways similar to Kayaba in its characteristics, but a little tougher. Budget-friendly in all respects, although the stand can last up to 3 years with moderate use

Replacing rear struts

VAZ 2109 installation of rear struts

To carry out the replacement you need to acquire the following tools:

• ​ Several screwdrivers of different sizes.
• ​ Jack
• ​ Wrench
• ​ Dishes for shock-absorbing liquid.

The replacement itself goes like this:

• ​ It is necessary to turn on the first gear on the gearbox.
• ​ Raise both rear wheels using a jack.
• ​ Place supports (bricks or small stumps can be used as them). Remove the jack.

Fastening the rear pillars of the VAZ 2109

Note: in general, you can leave the jack, but the car will hold up well on the installed supports.

• ​ Remove the stands.

Note: If you only want to replace the old racks with new ones, you should do this at this stage. However, in order to replace only some parts of the rack (if the rack itself is still usable), then you need to perform a few additional steps.

• ​Remove the boot and power buffer (it was already noted earlier that the stand can “knock” due to their malfunction). Inspect them carefully for any defects. As a rule, they are barely noticeable, so you need to consider these details as carefully as possible.
• ​ Wash the shock absorber. If there is a lot of dirt on it, this will lead to its breakdown. It can break for other reasons. However, this reason is the most common.
• ​ Inspect the rear silent block (if necessary, replace it).
• ​ You also need to pay attention to the cushions, spring and shock absorber gaskets.
• ​ Assemble the stand.
• ​ Put her in her place. To do this without difficulty, you will have to call someone to help you. An assistant should guide the rod into the hole in the glass.
• ​ Insert the spring into its place (if necessary, take a new one).
• ​ Fully extend the shock absorber rod.

Method of fastening the rear pillars of the VAZ 2109

• ​ Insert into the lower ear, then tighten it with the bolt as tightly as possible.
• ​ Someone must be inside the car to pick up the rod with a screwdriver. After that, he will only need to be guided.
• ​ When he is completely seated in his rightful place, you will need to install the washer, pillow and grower. Record everything carefully.

Checking the shock absorber

Shock absorber

To check how well the shock absorber works, you need to:

• ​ Clamp it vertically.
• ​ Raise it all the way, and then very quickly lower it down.

Note: this must be done 3-4 times in a row.

• ​ If during such manipulation strange sounds were heard, the shock absorber stuck or failed, then you urgently need to purchase a new one.
• ​ At the same time, sometimes only individual elements fail, and not the entire shock absorber. To check which parts need to be replaced, pull the rod out all the way.
• ​ Unscrew the nut using a special wrench.

Note: You will need to use a 12 key.

• ​ Remove the rod and fasteners.
• ​ Remove the slave cylinder.
• ​ Carefully inspect each element.

Note: if any of them is broken, it must be replaced.

• ​ Reassemble in reverse order.

Note: After replacing the compression valve, you should check how smoothly its disks and plates move. If they still stick, something was done wrong.

Advantages of Kayaba gas-oil struts

• A special one-way valve reduces foaming of the liquid.
• Three stage valve system and low pressure nitrogen.
• Multi-lip rod seal.
• Teflon coated piston valve.
• The working cylinder and mounting lugs are made from seamless pipes only.
• Extra-resistant galvanic coating of the shock absorber rod.
• Chrome plated piston rod.

The price is per set:

• Front suspension cartridge (cartridge) “KYB” – 2 pcs.;
• Rod nut – 2 pcs.;
• Rack housing nut – 2 pcs.;
• Strut housings “Demfi” or “ShtokAuto” (“KYB” does not manufacture strut housings for front-wheel drive VAZ cars) – 2 pcs.

Weight, kg: 10.55 Dimensions, cm: 62 x 30 x 22 Volume, m3: 0.04092