Replacing steering tips on VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars

Symptoms of a problem

Having discovered the primary signs of a breakdown of the steering link ends, you will be able to finally decide for yourself whether to hesitate any longer is dangerous for you and surrounding road users.

Signs of a malfunction of this unit include:

• When turning the steering wheel, the play increases noticeably;
• There is a constant knocking noise coming from the front of the car;
• The car handles quite poorly on the road, even if it is perfectly level;
• The anthers of the rods are torn. This leads to an even greater rate of wear of the element.

Condition assessment

Replacing the steering tip on a VAZ 2109

Now let's proceed directly to the instructions. First of all, you need to get long keys for 27 and 2. When we say “long”, we mean about 80 cm, no less, otherwise it is simply unrealistic to rip off the locking couplings.

If we change the right tip, then we turn the steering wheel to the left, if we change the left tip, then vice versa. In general, if it is possible to carry out operations with a removed wheel, then it is worth doing just that. Using a 22 wrench, unscrew the nut securing the tip in the bipod of the strut, then dry this very tip with hammer blows.

Next, we open the hood, find the rods that come from the rack, after which we hold the coupling with a 24 key, and unscrew the nut with another 27 key. On the right side the nut unscrews towards the front, and on the left – towards the interior, it’s worth remembering. Now remove the old tip. We install the new one by screwing it on with about the same number of threads as the old one. After this, tighten the coupling locknut.

Video: replacing the steering tip 2109

Checking status

To make sure that all the signs mentioned are caused by the tips, this fact should be checked.

So, let's check if the tips are really to blame. For this:

• Drive the car onto an overpass or place it in a viewing hole;
• Apply the handbrake and install chocks under the wheels. Security measures have not yet been canceled;
• Go under the car and grab the steering rod with your hands. It needs to be pulled up and down with quite impressive force;
• If the element is really worn out, this can be determined with the naked eye, since the play in the hinge will be significant;
• Do not forget to carry out the same operation with the second steering rod end.

When changing rod ends, purchase a pair at once. Leaving one new and one old element in the work is a big mistake that can lead to the most unpredictable consequences.

Nuts - they're everywhere

Consequences of a malfunction

The steering end screws onto the long steering rack arm. This achieves a movable connection between the rack and the steering knuckle, but at the same time it is quite rigid. Long trips with a faulty tip will lead to serious problems with steering and more. Tires are most often affected.

During long trips with faulty joints, wheel alignment is disrupted. This causes increased wear of the rubber. But this is far from the only consequence of problems with the tip. In fact, this hinge should protect the steering rack from impacts and shocks. If there is a malfunction, this function is lost; if you continue to drive further, the risk of damaging the rack becomes quite large.

Replacement

Well, now let's proceed directly to the replacement procedure. The work cannot be called difficult, but without a certain set of tools you will not be able to achieve the desired result.

When there is no special puller

Therefore, you should have:

• Reliable jack;
• Balloon wrench;
• Pliers;
• Socket wrenches or open-end wrenches (the first option is better);
• Puller for tie rod ends;
• The Almighty WD40 Rust Remover;
• Hammer;
• Brush for working on metal.

Replacement process

All is ready? Begin.

1. Place the car on an overpass or inspection hole, install anti-roll bars under the wheels, engage the handbrake and gear. Safety comes first.
2. Using a wheel wrench or a suitable socket with a long wrench, unscrew the wheel bolts, but do not completely unscrew them.
3. Properly position the jack and lift the vehicle, lifting the wheels off the ground. To increase reliability and stability, it is better to place something like bricks, a stump or other similar support under the car. Having one jack is not enough; it is very dangerous.
4. Now you can completely unscrew the bolts and remove the wheels.
5. Turn the steering wheel to the side all the way, which will provide you with fairly comfortable access to the place of work.
6. Using a metal brush, clean the threads of the tip, and then be sure to treat the area with a rust killer - WD40. Both threads should be processed - the thread where the tip is screwed into the rod and the thread on the finger.
7. Wait a while for the product to react. After this, take pliers or pliers, with which you need to unpin the tie rod end connection.
8. Using a spanner wrench, unscrew the fastening nuts of the damaged, failed tip. If problems arise when unscrewing, the fasteners do not want to come off, treat with a wedge again, wait and try again. Take a larger lever, which will make the task easier.
9. After removing the nut, you need to remove the tip pin from the stand. This is where a tie rod end puller will come in handy. You can buy it or borrow it from friends. But many people don’t have such a puller. Therefore, craftsmen found a way out of this situation.
10. To remove it you will need a hammer, physical strength and a pry bar.
11. Screw the nut onto the tie rod end pin so that the pin does not stick out.
12. Use the pry bar to rest against the protrusion of the stand and begin to pry the rod upwards.
13. With precise straight blows using a hammer, begin to knock the tip up. The blows are applied at the junction.
14. With this artisanal method of dismantling, the most important thing is your accuracy when striking. Hit as accurately as possible so as not to damage other suspension components of your VAZ 2109.
15. When the finger is finally removed, you can proceed to further steps.
16. Unscrew the lever from the steering rod. But before that, be sure to measure the screw-in distance of the tip. This way you can more accurately install the new element at the toe angles.
17. Measuring the distance is often done by eye, relying on marks from the old tip. Apply a mark or simply use a ruler or tape measure.
18. Unscrew your damaged end from the rod. Here you can already do everything manually.

Replacing the steering tip of a VAZ 2109

Replacing the steering tip on a VAZ 2109 will take literally half an hour, if you have the right tools. To carry out the procedure, it is not even necessary to have a hole.

A lot has already been said about how important it is to monitor the serviceability of the steering. However, we will still dwell on them. A small educational program about why timely replacement of steering tips on a VAZ 2109 is so important.

First of all, safety. On the road, the wheel makes a huge amount of vertical and horizontal vibrations, the steering tip, ball joint, silent blocks, wheel bearings - all of this experiences a colossal load. Therefore, it may happen that the tip finger is simply torn out of its seat. Further consequences are unpredictable, it all depends on the speed of movement.

Causes of tip breakage

Steering nozzles are not such a complex mechanism as, for example, an internal combustion engine or gearbox. Therefore, there are not so many reasons for its failure, but now we will list them.

Replacing steering tips for VAZ 2109

• The first is wear and tear over time. The way the tip is designed is that it works constantly rotating. And here it is that people break from such a life, that tips. Constant friction contributes to rapid wear of parts and, as a result, failure of the working condition.
• It is impossible to completely prevent this process. The only way out is to buy high-quality tie rod ends. But, again, sooner or later they still need to be changed.
• The second reason is a torn boot. Like the ball joint, on the VAZ 2109 the tie rod end is equipped with a protective boot. During the operation of the car, it breaks and entails bad consequences. Which? Dust and sand get inside the connection, which increases wear on the parts and leads to faster wear.
• The third reason is insufficient lubrication. As you know, friction without lubrication does not bring anything good. As a result of the lack of sufficient lubricant, the tip fails faster.

As you can see, with all the desire, replacing steering tips on a VAZ 2109 is an inevitable process in any case. One thing is good - the price of the tips remains acceptable.

Advice! When purchasing tips, listen to the sellers, as well as other car owners. Take quality tips!

Types of steering faults

Now let's diagnose the steering control of the VAZ 2109. Let's try to determine what is the reason for the poor quality of driving - the tip, or something else? So:

• If the steering wheel begins to play more and more, then the tip may not be the reason. The cause of the play may also be the rack - it may need to be tightened, repaired or even replaced.

The steering rack may need to be replaced or repaired.

• Of course, steering tips are one of the first reasons for the deterioration in the quality of driving. How are they diagnosed? This does not require much expense or intelligence.
• To diagnose, it is enough to drive the car into an inspection hole or overpass and carry out several operations.
• On the installed car, set the parking brake and wheel chocks, just in case.
• When you go under the car, you need to grab the steering rod with your hands and pull it up and down with sufficient force.
• If it’s time to change the tip, then the play in its hinge will be noticeable and even visible to the naked eye.
• The same operation must be done on the other tip.

Remember! If, after all, the tips are in good condition, do not stop, but inspect the steering rack for play. Read other articles or contact the service station.

Causes

There are three main reasons that lead to the need for such an event as replacing tie rod ends.

Whatever one may say, under any circumstances, replacing tie rod end switches is a matter of time. To extend this time between replacements, purchase only quality products.

Replacing tips

Now let's move on directly to the process of replacing tie rod ends on a VAZ 2109 and similar cars.

Removal

We start by removing the tip, which has already served its purpose:

Replacing the tie rod end of a VAZ 2109 using a special puller

• The car should be installed on an inspection hole or overpass.
• We install wheel chocks, put the car in handbrake and gear.
• We take a cylinder head or a suitable head with a longer knob and unscrew the wheel bolts. Do not twist them completely!
• Next, install a stable jack and lift the car so that the wheel comes off the ground. Next, you need to place a stump or something similar under the side of the car.

Remember! Do not work with a car suspended on a jack - it is dangerous for health and life!

• We completely remove the wheel and turn the steering wheel to the side to ensure good access to the workspace.
• Use a metal brush to clean the threads of the tip and spray it with WD-40. Both threads should be cleaned and sprayed - both the thread on the pin and the one that is screwed into the steering rod.
• Next, using pliers (pliers), we uncotter the connection of the steering tip.
• Next, take a spanner and unscrew the nut securing the tip. If it is difficult to unscrew, you need to add WD and apply a larger lever.
• After the nut has been successfully twisted, we begin to remove the tip pin from the shock absorber strut. To do this, we use a special steering tip puller.
• Place the end of the puller behind the shock absorber strut and screw in the pusher until the pin disengages.

Often the average driver does not have such a puller. What to do in this case? There is an exit:

• Without a puller, the tip can be removed as follows. All you need is a hammer, a pry bar and a little effort.
• Screw the nut onto the steering tip pin so that the pin does not stick out.
• Using a pry bar, we rest against the protrusion of the rack and move the steering rod upward.
• Next, with direct blows of a hammer at the joint, we knock the tip up (see photo).
• The most important thing in this process is accuracy. Hit accurately so as not to damage other suspension parts of your favorite car during the repair process.

The finger is out of engagement, and we continue the repair:

• Now you need to unscrew the lever from the steering rod.
• Before doing this, it is important to measure the distance to which the tip was screwed in. This is done to more accurately install the new tip at the wheel alignment angles.
• You can measure the distance by eye, using residual marks on the old tip, putting a mark, or measuring it with a measuring device, if you have one.
• Next, the tip is simply unscrewed from the rod with your own hands.

Installation

VAZ 2109 steering tips must be lubricated

• It is also advisable to put a mark on the new tip indicating how far it will need to be screwed.
• Check the amount of lubricant and add more if necessary.
• We screw the tip into the steering rod until the desired moment.
• We insert the tip pin into the hole in the shock absorber strut.
• We tighten the nut securing the steering tip.
• Install the cotter pin.
• Put the wheel back on and tighten the bolts.
• We lower the car onto its wheels.

That's all - one tip has been changed!

What is needed for replacement

First of all, you will need to purchase the tips themselves. Car enthusiasts and car service specialists recommend buying these parts from one of the brands:

• AvtoVAZ stock production;
• "Track Champion";
• "Belmag".

“Original” auto parts are the most popular, as they have a long service life. Despite their low price, competent mechanics recommend installing stock on the VAZ-2109. However, it is important to purchase parts from trusted places, from authorized dealers. In markets and small shops they can sell you refurbished components that will not last even a month. In addition to the tips, you will need to replace the boots immediately.

Additionally, you will need to purchase a special puller for hinge joints. If it is not there, then there is a risk of damaging the rods. Prepare the usual tools - a set of spanners and pliers.

Replacing the steering tip on a VAZ 2108, VAZ 2109, VAZ 21099

Welcome! Steering ends are the basis of the steering rod, they are made in the form of a hinge that is pressed into the body, this hinge is inserted into the hole in the swing arm of the strut and when you turn the steering wheel, this hinge moves the wheel in the direction you want and thereby turns the car.

Note! To replace the tips, you need to stock up on: A special puller that comes specifically for ball joints, as well as all the keys that you have in your arsenal and pliers with a screwdriver!

Summary:

Where is the tie rod? As we have already said, it consists of a body and a ball joint, the joint at the tip is inserted into the hole (Indicated by a blue arrow), to easily find it, you will have to remove the wheel from the car and look at the telescopic stand, indicated just below in the photo by a red arrow , location of the tie rod end in the chassis of the vehicle.

When should you change the tie rod end? The tip has a boot, for clarity, we indicated it with a green arrow in the photo above, if this boot is torn, then immediately change the tip without thinking, even if in your opinion it is still in good condition, then after a while it will still come out out of order and the sooner you replace it, the better, if the boots are torn, dirt gets clogged into the joint and water gets in, because of this the lubricant is quickly washed out and instead of it, particles of dirt appear in the joint, because of this there is play in the steering wheel, it begins to vibrate and the car begins to respond much worse when turning the steering wheel of the car.

Note! The tips become unusable due to several reasons, the first is when the boot breaks, the second is from time to time, when driving, friction occurs at the ball joint between itself and the hole into which it is inserted (Into the rack), and the third reason is insufficient quantity lubricant that the manufacturer did not really put in or that simply dried out and was washed off over time!

Replacing steering tips on VAZ 2108, 2109, 21099 cars

Steering ends (steering rod ends) of VAZ 2108, 21081, 21083, 2109, 21091, 21093, 21099 cars are ball joints consisting of a body, a liner, a liner spring, a pin, and a protective rubber boot (boot).
The tie rod end connects the steering arm on the strut to the inner (long) rod that attaches to the steering rack. Over time, the liners that tighten the movable joints in the tips are destroyed, which leads to an increase in play when the steering wheel rotates and characteristic frequent knocks in the suspension when driving over uneven surfaces. If we identify a failed tie rod end, we replace it with a new one.

Tools needed to replace the tie rod end

• 27 mm open-end wrench , to loosen the locknut of the tip.
• 24 mm open-end wrench , to keep the long rod coupling and the tip from turning.
• 19 mm socket wrench for loosening the nut securing the tie rod end pin.
• Tip puller or mounting spudger for detaching the tip pin from the swing arm on the stand.
• 22 mm spanner for loosening the bolts securing the steering rods to the steering rack.
• Hammer
• Pliers

• We put the car on the handbrake and gear
• We put chocks under the wheels
• We loosen the tightening of the wheel bolts where we are going to change the tip
• Jack up and remove one of the front wheels of the car
• We clean the tie rod end and adjacent parts from contamination.

How is the replacement carried out?

Prepare jacks for both front wheels. It's best to lift both sides rather than just one side at a time so you have more space to work with. Repairs are carried out in accordance with the following instructions:

1. Raise the front axle using jacks and secure it firmly. Remove the wheels.
2. Remove the cotter pins holding the nuts with pliers.
3. Once the nuts have been released, unscrew them with a spanner.
4. Difficulty may arise in disconnecting the tip from the rod. Take a 27 wrench and try to unscrew the retaining nut.
5. A special puller will help you remove the steering ends from the mounting hole. With its help they are pressed out of their places. Usually there are no problems at this stage.
6. As you unscrew the tip, count the number of turns. This will help you make an approximate alignment adjustment so that after repair you can get to the service station without any problems.
7. Install the steering tips and boots. When screwing in new spare parts, you need to make the same number of turns as when disassembling.
8. Carry out assembly carefully.

But the replacement is not finished yet; after the repair is completed, you need to contact the nearest car service center. Capable of performing computerized wheel alignment adjustments. This is a very important part to complete the control unit repair.

You can try to make this adjustment yourself, but only if you have the most level area possible. Slightly loosen the tie rods and use a telescopic pin to measure the distance between the wheels of the front and rear suspension. You need to adjust the rods so that these values ​​are the same. If you do the adjustment yourself, then be prepared for the fact that the wheel alignment will take a lot of time. It is best not to skimp and go to specialists for this procedure.

Replacing steering parts along with tuning will cost you about 1,500 rubles. Service center specialists will charge approximately twice as much for this work. If you want to save money, but are hesitant to carry out repairs according to the description, watch the video instructions.

Replacement frequency

On average, on a VAZ-2109, replacement of steering tips occurs, as already noted, approximately every 20-40 thousand kilometers. The only way they can have a longer service life is if the car constantly drives on perfectly smooth roads, without holes or potholes. It is advisable to carry out repairs, regardless of when the tips were replaced, if one of the following diagnoses is present:

1. Failure to obey wheel steering commands.
2. Strong feedback to the steering wheel when driving.
3. The presence of knocks, creaks, howling.

It is extremely important to drive the car onto an inspection pit or lift from time to time in order to diagnose the steering. In the event that the grease evaporates from under the boot, you can improve the situation a little. Using a syringe with a needle, pour a little engine oil under the boot.

Troubleshooting

The possible failure of the tips of the levers that transmit control forces to the hubs is evidenced, first of all, by the increased play of the “nine” steering wheel. If you begin to notice that your VAZ 2109 reacts with some delay to turning the steering wheel, if the play (free rotation) of the steering wheel when the car is standing exceeds 10 degrees, it’s time to worry about this fact.

How to check the steering ends of a VAZ 2109.

Failure of the fastening elements of the steering arms is not the only reason for the appearance of play in the steering wheel of a car. If excess play appears, the steering rack should be inspected. Otherwise, you risk repairing the levers, but not getting rid of the play on the steering wheel. Knocks, shaking of the steering wheel, and sluggish reaction of the “nine” to control inputs may persist.

Repair of tips is usually necessary, but not always sufficient to eliminate the problem.