Steering rack VAZ 2114 - how to eliminate knocking with your own hands

Car steering is one of the most important systems, responsible for the proper movement of the vehicle, the safety of passengers and those moving next to this vehicle. Any knocking sound that occurs in the steering system when turning the steering wheel on a VAZ 2114 indicates a problem that needs to be fixed, and the sooner the better.

From this article, the reader will learn what problems arise in the steering system and related components, how to eliminate the mentioned malfunctions and breakdowns that provoke unwanted knocking when the vehicle is moving.

Faulty steering rack VAZ 2114

Tell me, what malfunctions could there be in the steering rack on a VAZ 2114? And what are the general recommendations for eliminating them?

• The steering wheel vibrates when braking, VAZ 2115 – 5 answers
• Will tightening the steering rack help if it is knocking? – 4 answers
• At speeds from 120 to 140 km per hour, the steering wheel vibrates - 4 answers
• Is it possible to drive with a knocking steering rack? – 3 answers
• Knock in the area where the steering rods are attached to the rack in a VAZ 2114 - 2 answers

There may be several reasons why the steering rack may malfunction on a VAZ 2114. The most popular of them:

• wear and various damage during operation;
• excess pressure on the steering rack due to uneven roads;
• high acceleration with strongly turned front wheels

When a rack partially or completely fails, typical symptoms appear. The most common of them are the following:

1. The free play of the steering wheel has been increased, and a “wobbling” effect is observed. It occurs due to an increase in gaps in the ball joints, or between the rack and gear itself. The basis of these problems is the weakening of the fastenings in these units. The free play of the steering wheel can be eliminated in one of the following ways:
   tightening the tie rod end nuts;
2. replacement of ball ends;
3. Often, free movement of the steering wheel can be caused by increased clearance between the gear and rack. This gap can be removed by adjusting it using a special adjusting nut on the steering rack.
4. Knock in the steering rack. It can be caused by play in the steering tips, as well as gaps between the rack and gear itself. Dealing with this breakdown is quite simple - you just need to tighten the thrust nut and/or the clamp nuts.
5. Complicated steering. It may appear due to damage to the support bearing of the strut, periodic jamming of the bearings in the steering drive, and in the steering tips. The solution here depends on the specific breakdown. If the reason is worn support bearings, then they need to be replaced. The same applies to damaged bushings, steering tips or drive bearings.
6. Steering rack leakage is also possible. This problem is typical not only for the VAZ 2114. The reason for this, as a rule, is failed oil seals. To correct the situation, they need to be replaced.

You can diagnose problems with the steering rack on a VAZ 2114 yourself. This can be done both on the removed spare part and without removing it. Before starting diagnostics, the steering rack must be set to the middle position (87±0.25 mm from the gear axis to the end of the rack). Next, using a special device, you need to load the unit to a force P = 500 ± 20 N (51 ± 2 kgf). After this, the distance from the gear axis should be 84 mm.

The maximum permissible movement of the rack (in the picture above marked with the letter “X”), when measured through the relative movement of the pressure punch (in the picture above under the number 1) should not exceed 0.12 mm. After assembly, the rotation torque of the gear at the rack travel point should be in the range of 50–200 N·cm (5.1–20.4 kgf·cm) at a rotation speed of 30 min-1.

Support bearings

One of the reasons why knocking noises occur when a car is moving on a straight road is wear of the bearings (4 and 6), which are responsible for rotating the shaft located in the engine compartment of the car. Worn bearings lead to radial wobble of the shaft, which causes knocking noises. If the retaining ring (7, 16) breaks or the sealing rings (9, 15) wear out, this leads to axial expansion of the gap and knocking of the shaft along the axis. In some car models, the steering column is non-removable. She changes completely. If the steering column is collapsible, then faulty, worn parts are replaced.

Lada 2114 › Logbook › Steering rack - an eternal problem in Samara!

Greetings to everyone who reads my blog))) There was a lot to do during the May holidays and there was no time to dig deeper into the car, but yesterday I managed to escape to the garage for half a day... The problem with the steering rack, I think, is familiar to every owner of the Russian automobile industry, and especially this applies to VAZ cars of the 08-15 model family))) In my case, the rack has periodically bothered me since the moment I purchased the car. The defect, namely a knock in the steering rack, which is transmitted to the steering wheel, when passing uneven sections of the road (whether it be crushed stone or driving through railway crossings) was not permanent. At the first stage, the usual tightening of the slats saved me. The effect was good, but after about six months the problem appeared again, and after re-tightening, the rack began to bite, so I loosened the adjusting mechanism as before and continued to operate the car.

Yesterday I came to my friend Alexey to drink coffee and chat about life, after talking we decided to experiment with the steering rack, since neither he nor I had disassembled this mechanism before))) They removed it quite quickly, in about 15 minutes. But it turned out to be impossible to disassemble so simply, without having “special” keys with you. After a little torment and improvised means, the rail gave in and was completely disassembled. Next, all elements of the mechanism were washed in gasoline and thoroughly cleaned of old grease and contaminants. Upon a detailed inspection of the gear shaft and the worm that drives this shaft, no wear or other defects were found, but these defects were found in other elements))) The plastic cage in which the shaft moves is quite worn out, and wear was noticed in the rack adjustment mechanism ( I don’t know what the correct name for this part is, but it looks like an ordinary piston). Let's go to the store to do some shopping))))

How to extend the life of a node that causes a malfunction

The service life of the VAZ 2114 steering rack is 100,000 km, but then a complete replacement of the mechanism is required.
Elements and structural parts of the unit wear out unevenly; in addition, the quality of the road surface and driving style affect the durability of the mechanism. As a result, the steering rack of the VAZ 2114 knocks and breaks, here’s what can be done to extend its service:

• Sharp turns of the steering wheel, especially when leaving a parking lot, with a cold engine, or starting with the wheels turned, contribute to rapid wear of the entire chassis. The rack and pinion mechanism, in this case, suffers the most. So, turning the steering wheel smoothly and carefully and carefully leaving the garage or parking lot will help you avoid the need for repairs longer.
• Reckless driving over bumps and potholes, taking obstacles such as potholes and speed bumps at full speed leads to a rack malfunction in a very short time. Impacts from this driving style deform or break the mechanism shaft and rack. Therefore, experienced drivers and auto mechanics recommend driving through tram or railway tracks, speed bumps, curbs and holes carefully, at low speed, avoiding impacts.
• Frequent inspection and timely replacement of damaged parts. Oil seals, anthers, everything that protects the structure from dust and dirt must be sealed, without cracks or breaks.

The quality of assembly, parts, and road surfaces also affect the service life of the mechanism. But these are given values. When replacing the steering rack, you can pay attention to units with power steering (power steering), although such units were not initially provided for the VAZ 2114.

Such units are more reliable and last longer, but there is an additional source of breakdowns - power steering. The design of the VAZ 2114 steering rack is such that you can carry out tuning yourself by installing a hydraulic booster. All components of VAZ vehicles are repairable and simple, so tuning or repair does not cause any particular difficulties even for beginners.

Steering rack repair for VAZ 2113, VAZ 2114, VAZ 2115

The steering rack is a mandatory, indispensable element of the steering of a car. This device converts the driver's efforts on the steering wheel inside the car, ensuring the wheels of the car turn and, accordingly, change the direction of movement. Over time, like any part, it wears out, and an unpleasant knocking noise appears, especially audible when cornering and while driving on uneven roads. This knock, firstly, is annoying, but it clearly makes it clear that something is wrong with the car. You should not ignore the knocking, because one day the rack may simply jam, and the steering wheel will lock in one position, and only braking and a complete stop can save you.

Note! You will need the following tools: a special 17 octagon wrench, a chisel with a hammer, a vice, a set of all kinds of wrenches (spanners, wrenches, socket wrenches) and screwdrivers, and pliers.

When to repair the rack?

In general, the rack is repaired to replace its protective cover or other parts. Let's look at the symptoms of the malfunction: the rack began to knock on bumps and turns, or when turning. Place the steering wheel in the forward direction of travel and try to grab the rack with your hands and shake it. Grab it at the junction of the steering rods, indicated by the arrow in the photo. Before doing this, shake the steering wheel a little until it turns easily.

Note! The rack deteriorates from many things, but most of all from driving on uneven roads. In general, this causes the suspension to fail faster, so avoid bumps if possible and reduce speed on bumps and dirt roads.

Stabilizer link (eggs)

Stabilizer links are a suspension element responsible for its lateral stability. They are usually installed in the front suspension, but rear struts are also found. Wear of the components of the stabilization strut gives rise to knocking noises and indicates the need for its diagnosis. The knocking sound is heard especially clearly when the car is driving on uneven roads and on turns. Worn and the need to replace the struts is indicated by the car pulling to the side and the need to adjust the steering movement. When the car tilts to one side, this is also one of the signs that the struts are faulty and need to be replaced.

Why does the VAZ 2114 steering rack knock - the main reasons

If the steering rack of a VAZ 2114 is knocking, there may be several reasons:

1. The steering wheel fastenings are loose.
2. The plastic support sleeve has worn out and a backlash has formed.
3. Play in the bearings of the input shaft.
4. Due to wear, the gap between the teeth of the steering rack has increased, which led to play and a dull knock.
5. The clamping block is loose and knocks on the steering rack body due to wear and tear on the anti-friction lining.

It is important to determine where the knocking is coming from. While driving, it may seem that the steering rack is knocking, but the problem could also be in the tie rods or steering tip. By the way, you can determine that the tip is to blame by looking at the torn boot.

We repair it ourselves

To get started, you will need a set of tools and repair kits.

Replacement kit

Be sure to include the following in your list of tools and materials:

• Repair kit for one of three configurations (more about them below);
• Bearings;
• Lubrication;
• Set of keys and screwdrivers.

Selecting a repair kit

Spare parts
As for repair kits, the standard minimum set includes four elements:

• Washers;
• Nuts;
• Bearings;
• Bushings made of fluoroplastic.

But is it enough for your specific steering rack situation? Let's try to understand the purpose and configuration of each of the three types of repair kits.

1. The cheapest repair kit, the contents of which you are already familiar with, allows you to solve the most minor problems that have arisen with your slats.
2. The middle kit additionally includes other bearings and shafts. Designed for more serious repair work.
3. The most expensive repair kit may consist of whole new slats, that is, it involves not a repair, but a simple replacement of units.

VAZ 2114 steering rack play - how to fix it

First of all, this is a backlash.

Key for eliminating steering rack play

In principle, AvtoVAZ guarantees a fairly long service life of the steering mechanism, namely ten years. However, we must understand that we are talking about ideal operating conditions. This assumes smooth asphalt roads, constant availability of high-quality lubrication in the rack housing and a gentle driving style.

Eliminating play in the steering rack

Under normal operating conditions, this period is practically unattainable. Unimportant roads, poor quality of spare parts and often harsh operating conditions of the car lead to the fact that the mechanism makes itself felt much earlier.

Adjustment

The adjustment is performed in this way: you can remove the rack from the vehicle or adjust it on it. The first method is used after repairing the machine, before installation. To simply adjust the rack, the work is done directly on the machine.

Tightening the rack with a key

To carry out the work, you must have a 17 mm universal octagon and an adjustable wrench. All work related to troubleshooting is carried out on a lift or inspection pit:

1. First, the car must be put on the handbrake, some kind of support must be placed on the rear wheels;
2. Then you need to lock the steering wheel and turn off the power to the car’s on-board network (remove the negative terminal from the battery);
3. Then you need to find the nut with which the steering rack is adjusted. It is located on the opposite side, facing the body, of the rack mounting side. Sometimes it is mistaken for another part;
4. First you should wash the bottom of the car. In this case, use a suitable device (Kärcher, for example). This is done in order to clean the nut from a layer of dirt. After cleaning the part from contamination, a wrench is inserted into it to tighten the rack and its position is adjusted. The tool rotates clockwise.

Thus, the adjustment is considered complete. If, after the work done, the control of the car is unsatisfactory, the play and knocking does not disappear, you should check the condition of the steering tips; they may need to be replaced.

Steering rack VAZ 2114 - symptoms of failure

The first symptoms of a rack malfunction or the need for tightening are clear:

1. Knocking noise under the hood in the area of ​​the engine shield, especially when driving over uneven surfaces.

On a VAZ-2114, a knocking sound when driving through uneven sections of the road may occur due to a loose nut on the bolt that compresses the cardan clamp

1. Increased steering wheel play.
2. Steering wheel rotation is too tight or too free.
3. Leakage of lubricant through oil seals and rack casings.
4. Sudden biting of the steering rack while driving.

The latter can be considered a glaring signal of malfunction and can lead to serious troubles while driving.

In this case, most likely, tightening the situation will not correct the situation, however, it is too early to draw conclusions, you can try to adjust it. This can be done in two ways - both on the car and with the rack removed.

Complete disassembly of the steering rack and replacement of the repair kit

In the second case, the adjustment is made after replacing the repair kit and completely repairing the mechanism. We will try to make do with little expense and simply adjust the gap in the gear-rack engagement, thereby eliminating backlash and knocking.

Direct implementation

1. First, we disassemble everything, wash it and begin cutting fragments of the required length. A PVC pipe with a diameter of 5 cm will act as a cracker; we will cut it and lay it in four layers. The length of the improvised bushings is 24 cm, so you don’t need to adjust anything, everything is tested from personal experience :).

1. In the center of the pipe, it is necessary to remove a strip about 3.5 cm wide. This is necessary so that during installation the cracker can shrink to the shape of the rail.

Read more: Mondeo 4 EGR plug

1. When the first fragment is cut out, you can begin installation. We carefully squeeze the cracker and push it inside so that nothing sticks out or sticks out anywhere, since during operation this can create a lot of problems.

4. Cut out the second cracker in the same way. The only nuance, and it needs to be taken into account, is that each new plastic element will shrink more, so the strip that we cut in the center should be wider than the previous one. After cutting, install the second fragment in place. If necessary, carefully trim everything using a sharp knife.

The 3rd and 4th crackers are manufactured and installed in the same way. You should get something similar to the one in the photo. Another important point is to make sure that the edges of the pipe do not protrude into the working window of the rack and do not interfere with the free movement of the steering rods and shaft.

When you install the last fragment, the free play between the housing and the shaft will become exactly what we need, as they say, snugly. For better results, add the required amount of graphite lubricant, change faulty parts (oil seals, tips, etc.), if necessary, and then reassemble in the reverse order.

Many owners of domestic VAZs of the fourteenth model make certain improvements in the design and appearance of their “horses”. For example, modifications to the steering rack, tail lights, heater, locks, cylinder head, throttle body, engine, trunk, cooling system, doors, brakes. Modifying a VAZ-2114 at home is a fun and rewarding process. Useful because the result always pleases the owner. This article will look at a few of these options.

How to tighten the steering rack of a VAZ-2114 - step-by-step instructions

Most often, all work on tightening the rack comes down to only selecting the play in the engagement and adjusting the play of the steering wheel . In the event that the wear of the mechanism parts (bushings, the rack itself, the gear, oil seals and anthers) is critical, repair and installation of a repair kit cannot be avoided. However, the easiest way to check this is to tighten the rack directly on the car.

To adjust the rack, you will need a special wrench, which is inserted into the adjusting nut in the steering mechanism housing. You can make this key yourself, but it is sold in any store, it costs a penny, and it never hurts to have it in your arsenal of tools. In addition, it will significantly facilitate the work not only when adjusting, but also when disassembling the rack if necessary.

The VAZ-2114 rack is adjusted as follows:

1. It is advisable to install the car either on an overpass or on a lift. You can adjust the rack from under the hood, but you have to work almost by touch.

We install the car on lifts or overpass

1. We remove the crankcase protection and the engine mudguard from below.
2. We clean the steering rack from dirt and check its condition visually. There should be no grease leaks on it, the anthers should be intact.
3. The rack must be firmly fixed to the engine shield, the steering rods must not have any play at the point of attachment to the rack.

1. We find the adjusting nut and clean it of dust and dirt. It comes with a plastic plug installed from the factory. It needs to be dismantled.
2. Using a special wrench, we tighten the adjusting nut, which is screwed into the steering mechanism housing. The nut can be tightened with a core, so after adjustment it is also necessary to fix it.

Tighten the adjusting nut with a special wrench

1. Adjustment is carried out by tightening the nut until it stops, after which the play on the steering wheel is checked. If the force on it is too strong, the nut is released a few degrees.
2. After adjustment, the nut must be fixed by rolling, otherwise there is a possibility that it will unscrew spontaneously.

Having chosen the play, we do not hide the tool, but do a test drive, during which we evaluate the operation of the steering mechanism. If the steering wheel rotates freely and there is no play, the adjustment can be considered complete. If the steering wheel turns too tight, it is better to loosen the adjusting nut a little by turning it a few degrees counterclockwise.

Which braid to choose?

The braid on the steering wheel makes it less slippery and also hides minor defects and abrasions that often appear on the part over time. This accessory can change the appearance of the steering wheel. It gives it a unique look. The product prevents further wear of the element. That's why many car owners buy it.

When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the material, design and method of fastening.

It is important that this accessory makes it comfortable to hold the steering wheel. It shouldn't make your hands sweat when riding for a long time.

It should not be too bulky or fleecy. But many girls prefer covers made of faux fur and similar materials. The product must be selected so that it is in harmony in color and design with the rest of the interior elements. Some car enthusiasts prefer bright braids on the VAZ 2114 steering wheel, which stand out noticeably against the background of the rest of the interior, but this is a matter of taste

It shouldn't make your hands sweat when riding for a long time. It should not be too bulky or fleecy. But many girls prefer covers made of faux fur and similar materials. The product must be selected so that it is in harmony in color and design with the rest of the interior elements. Some car enthusiasts prefer bright braids on the VAZ 2114 steering wheel, which stand out noticeably against the background of the rest of the interior, but this is a matter of taste.

Modern cases have different colors and designs. They are often attached differently. Some products are simply enough to put on the steering wheel. But there are also those that are fixed with special ropes and ribbons. The fastening method usually does not affect the reliability of the fixation. Steering wheel accessories are usually made from the following materials:

1. Leather or leatherette. These materials are durable and practical. With them, the steering wheel usually does not slip, and your hands practically do not sweat. Leather steering wheel covers often have a strict, classic design. They are chosen by both men and women. Accessories made from genuine leather are usually not cheap. To save money, you can choose a substitute product.
2. Suede, plush or artificial, less often natural, fur. They look shaggy or velvety. They are often painted in bright shades. Therefore, they are often chosen by car ladies. But these materials have significant disadvantages. They often noticeably increase the size of the steering wheel, and therefore it becomes uncomfortable to hold with your hands. In hot weather, hands from such products can become very sweaty, which causes noticeable discomfort when driving.
3. Foam rubber. Synthetic material allows you to create bright and original cases of any color and design. They are often marked with funny drawings or inscriptions. Foam products are pleasant to the touch and non-slip. They usually don't make your hands sweat. Such accessories are often chosen by young drivers of both sexes.

Price issue

A new rail will cost you about 3 thousand rubles. The cost of service stations for replacing slats costs about 2 thousand rubles. That is, in total you will have to spend 5 thousand rubles if you entrust the work to the masters.

Repair kit

However, the rack is not difficult to repair. Most VAZ 2114 owners perform this event with their own hands. Plus a decent saving of money.

Tightening and adjustment

As the practice and experience of VAZ 2114 owners shows, if problems arise with the racks, they can most often be repaired. The only condition is that you have an inspection hole at your disposal.

Full analysis

The first step is to tighten the rack. But how is this done? To do this, simply tighten the adjusting bolt. Adjustment is made with a 17 mm key.

After tightening the bolt, take your car out for a few kilometers to check whether the knocking or play remains. If these symptoms of the problem disappear after you have tightened and adjusted the steering rack, the repair can be considered complete.

But this doesn't always happen. The knock may remain, but the play may go away, or vice versa. In any case, if at least one sign still remains, you will have to begin a full-fledged repair with your own hands. Now you can find a number of useful videos that describe in detail the procedure for repairing this unit. Take a look, it will be useful for you.

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