Replacing Lada Kalina struts, when to change and how

Signs that it’s time to change the struts

There are characteristic signs indicating wear on the shock absorbers.

Extraneous sound when moving over an obstacle. When the car goes through a pothole, the pillar knocks and a dull thud is heard.
Wheel loosening on uneven surfaces. The car holds the road worse, the tire bounces on potholes. Additionally, the process may be accompanied by a specific, intermittent whistle when turning.
Leaking shock absorber seals. Drips of working fluid may appear on the racks. This causes airing of the damper and provokes a critical decrease in its efficiency.
The need for scheduled replacement of components. Each manufacturer indicates the service life of shock absorbers.
Loss of control stability. The car begins to float along the road, and the process is accompanied by a rhythmic tossing.

Replacement of front struts Lada Kalina

The replacement process itself does not take much time. Knowing the procedure will help save time and money when visiting a service center.

Required tools and materials

For repairs you will need:

set of wrenches for 17, 19, 22;
flat end mounting;
small hammer;
hub key;
pliers;
rags;
wooden extension;
breakdown;
9 key to hold the shock absorber rod;
head No. 13 with ratchet;
jack or lift;
spring ties;
VD 40 or its equivalent for wedging boiled bolts.

The procedure for replacing the front struts of a Lada Kalina

Replacing Lada Kalina struts for the front part of the body is done like this.

Securely secure the car in a secure position and remove the terminals from the battery. It is advisable to wash it well first.
Open the hood and use wrench No. 22 to remove the fastening nut. At the same time, you should hold the rack rod from turning with horn No. 9.
Next, remove the wheel bolts, and then raise the car on a jack or lift.
Now you can completely dismantle the wheel.
Next, using a brush or rag, remove dirt from the surface of bolted joints and movable hinges.
The next step is to treat all bolted joints with a penetrating compound. During operation, parts often boil, which complicates their separation.
Unscrew the nut of the tip pin and use a special puller to squeeze it out of the socket. If this is not the case, you can use a hammer.
Loosen the nuts that hold the strut to the steering knuckle.
Next, knock out the bolts using a piece of wood and a punch.
Using a pry bar, wedge the assembly and the stand will be completely unscrewed at the bottom.
Next, go under the hood - unscrew the nuts securing it to the body.
After this, the block will be completely separated from the machine.

Installation of a new part is carried out in the reverse order and followed by balancing. It is noteworthy that on the Lada Kalina station wagon, replacing the front strut is carried out in the same way as on a sedan.

Important note for proper installation

Before installing a new shock absorber on the Lada Kalina, it is necessary to bleed it. The fact is that there is oil inside the rack, which moves through the cavities during operation. Normal operation of the shock absorber is ensured only in a vertical position.

If you place the rack horizontally (as it is transported), then air will get inside, which will have a detrimental effect on the operation of the rack. Installing such a part is strictly prohibited, as it will not last long.

To remove air, before installing shock absorbers, you must perform the following steps:

Extend the compressed stand from the packaging to ¾ of the length and place the stem down. Wait 5 seconds and squeeze gently.
Turn the shock absorber over and wait 5 seconds.
Extend the rod and wait 2 seconds, then flip the post over again and compress.
Repeat the above 3-4 times.

Practice shows that 70% of people who change stands themselves forget about this important procedure.

After these manipulations, the shock absorber should last as long as the manufacturer guarantees.

How to disassemble the front strut of a Lada Kalina

The sequence of actions when repairing/disassembling racks is as follows.

Install the spring clamps and squeeze them to remove the load from the shock absorber. There are many types of pullers, but the principle of operation is similar for all.
Remove the shock rod nut and remove the upper support.
Remove the spring, protective cover and compression buffer (bump stop).
Assembly of the unit is performed in reverse order.

An important point is the mandatory completion of the wheel alignment adjustment procedure after each intervention in the suspension components.

Choice

Rack disassembly

To disassemble the rack you will need zip ties; the best option would be reinforced ones with two grips on each side.

The procedure for separating the spring from the strut is carried out on a part clamped in a vice. The procedure is as follows:

Install 2 spring clamps opposite each other. They need to be fixed in position so that they interlock 4 threads.

We install the couplers and compress the spring.
Compress the spring by uniform rotation of the tie screws.
After removing the load on the support cup, use a 22mm wrench to unscrew the nut securing the rod.

Unscrew the previously loosened rod nut completely.
Remove the bump stop travel stop.
Remove the upper support and the bearing protecting ring.

Now the support can be removed without any problems.
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Remove the compression stroke stop.
Remove the upper spring cup, bearing and gasket.
Remove the bearing.
Separate the spring gasket and the upper cup.
Remove the upper bearing race.
Remove the spring along with the ties.

Now the rod is free - you can remove the spring.
Remove the compression buffer and protective cover.

Remove the bumper along with the protective cover.

The video below shows how to sort out the rack yourself:

Some nuances

Assembly is carried out in the reverse order of removal. However, some nuances should be observed:

Before assembling the strut, you need to make sure that there are no dips, jerks or extraneous sounds in the operation of the shock absorber. If they are found, the part must be replaced.
Springs, as well as struts, are changed on both sides. When buying new ones, pay attention to the class (indicated by paint on one of the turns); it should be the same on both the right and left.
The springs are installed in one position: the lower coil should rest against the protrusion of the lower support. The upper one should rest against the corresponding protrusion of the gasket.

It is better to install new ones for all small things (bump stops, gaskets, sound insulators, etc.).
To install the head of the adjusting bolt of the upper mounting of the steering knuckle, use the marks.
Before installing the bearing, it is advisable to lubricate it with lithol.
After complete assembly, it is recommended to check the wheel alignment.

Replacement of rear struts of Lada Kalina

Replacing the rear struts on a car is required more often than the front struts. This state of affairs is argued by the fact that the food suffers more. When cornering, there are often cases when the front end passes by a hole, and the rear part flies into it, which is the cause of intense wear.

Required Tools

In order for the replacement of the Lada Kalina shock absorber strut to be successful, you need to prepare the following materials:

wrenches No. 6, 17, 19;
standard spring ties;
flat screwdriver;
thread releaser (VD40);
hammer and sledgehammer, or a set of squeezes;
pipe for use as a lever;
a set of new racks;
metal brush.

The minimum set of tools can be supplemented with a jack.

A typical replacement is performed in sequence.

Properly secure the car in one position and turn off the power to the on-board electrics.
Fold out the rear passenger seats. There is a rubber plug under it - it should be carefully removed.
Using keys 17, 19, unscrew the rack mounting bolt.
Next you will need to unscrew the lower shock absorber mounting bolt.
The last step is to remove the rack from the car.
Installing a new rack is performed in the reverse order.

While the shock absorber is removed from the car, you can inspect its support and parts.

Step-by-step work order

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We hang the rear wheels one by one; the order in this case does not matter.
Then we get to work in the cabin, and with the rear seat folded down, using a flat-head screwdriver, we dismantle the decorative cap that covers the pillar rod.

How to change silent blocks

On Lada Kalina, replacing the rear pillar silent block is quite simple. Here you will need a special puller. Standard large yews will also work. The next steps look something like this.

Remove the shock absorber itself from the car.
Clean the part from dirt and bitumen stains.
There is no need to spare the old silent block - the insert is knocked out with a spacer using a sledgehammer or hammer. The main thing is not to damage the seat.
Next, the mounting sleeve is cleaned and lubricated. Consistent ointments are used here in small quantities, the goal is to ensure ease of installation.
Then the bushing and rubber insert are installed in the yew so that they are on the same axis.
The collar is clamped and the insert slides into place.

Suspension arms

The Kalina front suspension arm is kept from moving by a stretcher. This extension is secured at the rear edge to the lever with rubber-metal hinges. The front edge of this stretch is secured with a cushion to a special bracket, which is screwed to the car body. You can change the number of washers that are located in the rear and front mounts of this extension. This way you can adjust the angle of inclination of the wheel axis in the longitudinal direction.

The stabilizer is connected to the front suspension arms. Its middle part is secured with brackets and rubber pads on the body. When one lever moves, movement is transmitted through the stabilizer to the second. This can significantly reduce the swaying of the car when driving on uneven roads, as well as reduce roll when cornering.

The new Lada Kalina practically does not need to be serviced; it is only advisable to occasionally check the alignment angles of the front wheels. It is also recommended to carry out suspension diagnostics from time to time in order to identify breakdowns in the early stages.

Replacing stabilizer struts Lada Kalina 2

From time to time, car enthusiasts need to replace anti-roll bar struts. The procedure is quite simple and can be performed literally on your knees in the field. At the same time, replacing the stabilizer struts of Lada Kalina 1 is practically no different from the sequence of actions of the second modification. Thus, they can be considered together.

The SSPU itself is a simple unit with silent blocks installed in it. A part replacement operation is required for a number of reasons.

The car begins to lean heavily when cornering. The strut may break or the elastic insert may wear out, causing the vehicle to wobble.
Extraneous noise when driving on uneven terrain. When a part breaks, the seals cannot perform their function properly, which causes knocking and vibration.

How to replace stabilizer struts on a VAZ 1117

Required to do the job.

Raise the car on a lift or jacks. The main thing is to securely secure the car from tipping over or rolling away. Experienced craftsmen say that it is enough to hang only the front of the car.
Unscrew one bolt securing the struts on both sides of the body.
Next, loosen and remove the rod clamp nuts, all 4 pieces.
Remove the entire rod from the suspension. This is done carefully - the part is not easy.
If only the racks are changed, they should be knocked off the rod using a mallet or a wooden pointer.
Install new inserts, having previously lubricated the seats with a thick lubricant.

How to choose racks for Lada Kalina

Lada Kalina racks are divided by type and manufacturer. The area of application of the vehicle decides here. For good roads, it is better to install hard shock absorbers that hold the asphalt even at high speeds. Medium hardness options are suitable for riders whose vehicles drive in small towns where there is an abundance of primers. In rural areas, experienced car enthusiasts recommend installing soft racks.

Firms stand out among the popular manufacturers.

SAAZ. A domestic brand that supplies products to the AvtoVAZ conveyor belt. The stands are quite soft and inexpensive. One of the disadvantages is the lack of stability when cornering.
KYB or Kayaba. Rigid gas-filled struts meet the most modern vehicle control standards. Extreme stability, durability and reasonable price. The downside is that they are only suitable for normal roads.
ASOMI and SS. differ from the stock version in increased reliability. There are no fundamental differences in the operation and efficiency of shock absorption. Used as an alternative to factory racks.
FENOX. Naturally, the Fenox brand produces some models of shock absorbers suitable for second-generation viburnums. Quite popular racks are characterized by an increased shelf life, increased strength and average dynamic characteristics. The manufacturer is often chosen by users who want to find a balance between stability, durability and machine control.
Denckermann. According to buyers, this is a “foreign” analogue of Fenox products, which has similar parameters to the prototype. The only drawback is the low prevalence in certain regions.