Replacing the rear struts of a VAZ 2110 with your own hands

The rear shock absorbers of the VAZ 2110 are characterized by an increased service life compared to the front struts. Typically, rear struts last twice as long as front struts. In this case, replacement of the rear shock absorbers on a VAZ 2110 is required if the following signs of malfunction appear:

obvious knocking in the area of the rear shock absorbers when driving on a relatively flat road and when driving over uneven surfaces;
when hitting even small holes, the rear axle suspension “breaks through”;
the rear of the car becomes less stable when cornering, braking, etc.

If necessary, you can replace the rear struts of a VAZ 2110 yourself in a regular garage. The procedure for replacing racks is not complicated, but a number of nuances need to be taken into account. Read more in our article.

Rear suspension of the VAZ 2110 - main components

The rear suspension device of the VAZ 2110 consists of two longitudinal arms 13 welded together through amplifiers with connectors 12, to the rear of which brackets 14 are welded with places for attaching shock absorbers and with flanges 15.

The wheel axles along with the brake mechanisms are attached to them. In front of the levers there are bushings 16 with rubber-metal hinges 1; bolts are threaded through them, which are connected to brackets 2, which, in turn, are attached to the body side members. Springs 11 are located at one end in the shock absorber cup 9, at the other - in the support through the rubber gasket 10, which is welded to the inner arch of the body.

Double-acting telescopic shock absorbers. They are attached to the bracket with bolt 9. The rod is attached to the upper support 5 of the spring through rubber pads 6 and a support washer 3. A thrust bearing 12 is installed in the hub 13. It is similar to the front one, but is smaller in size and, unlike the front one, where the inner ring is installed with an interference fit, bearing 12 on axle 14 has a transitional fit. During operation, it does not need to be adjusted or lubricated; any play that occurs cannot be eliminated by tightening the nut, only replacement.

It is not recommended to disassemble the hub if the bearing is in good condition, since it is destroyed when pressed out.

Faceted Glass Day in Russia

The history of a product is stored not only in historical facts, but also in the memories of people whose everyday life is integrally connected with it.
They drank sparkling water from it right on the street, tea on trains, for which they put a cup holder, and drank alcoholic beverages. The Soviet cut glass has become a housewife's assistant in the kitchen. It helped to accurately measure the number of grams of a bulk product or milliliters of liquid. Therefore, it is not surprising that later a date was set when the holiday of the cut glass could be officially celebrated. This is one day a year - September 11, on which the first glass came out of the Gus-Khrustalny glass factory assembly line. Although there is no documentary evidence of this fact. Russia timed this day to coincide with the All-Russian Day of Sobriety. Which can become the countdown date for giving up a bad habit for everyone.

Frequency of replacement of rear struts of VAZ 2110

The service life of the rear struts and the frequency of their replacement depend on three factors - workmanship, compliance with the weight of the vehicle and driving style. Therefore, on some cars, shock absorbers have to be changed every six months, on others they work properly for 5–7 years. There are often cases when shock absorbers from well-known companies (Kayaba, Koni, Monroe, Sachs), when installed on VAZ 2110 cars, failed after 2 - 3 months, and unpretentious shock absorbers manufactured by AVTOVAZ worked for more than 3 years.

Price issue

There is no point in buying expensive imported rear brake pads for your VAZ 2114. This will not allow them to be used longer. But, of course, it is not recommended to purchase cheap parts.

High-quality and reliable rear pads today cost between 300-500 rubles. The price depends on the manufacturer and the store where you purchase the parts.

Rear brake lining kit

Reasons for failure of the rear struts of the VAZ 2110

The main reasons for the failure of the rear struts on the VAZ 2110 include the following factors:

Wear of a part associated with its service life
Aggressive driving style
Poor quality road surface
Wear of another part in the rear suspension, which collectively affected the serviceability of the struts

All of the above factors directly or indirectly affect the wear of the rear shock absorber struts of the VAZ 2110.

Signs of malfunction of the rear struts of the VAZ 2110

The main signs of wear on the struts on a VAZ 2110 car can be considered:

steering wheel beating;
increased body vibration on the “comb” side; damaged rack;
leaving a car from a straight trajectory;
abnormal skidding when cornering;
increased braking distance;
the appearance of knocking noises in the strut, which indicates abnormal operation of the shock absorber valve group;
the presence of smudges, i.e. oil leakage.

It becomes clear that you need to look for and eliminate the cause of the suspension’s malfunction. Further operation of a vehicle with obvious signs of such deviations in the suspension is extremely undesirable.

What can this lead to if you do not replace the struts on a VAZ 2110 in a timely manner:

Firstly, after 1.5-2 thousand kilometers, you can simply “break” the support bearings of the front struts;
Secondly, coupled with mediocre balancing of the front wheels, increased uneven wear of the tires occurs, sometimes even with “bumps”, because the wheel “jumps” on the road while the car is moving; Wheel bearings break, but their price and replacement work today amount to a decent amount;
Thirdly, an increase in braking distance is directly related to the safety of car operation, when a few meters or a fraction of a second can decide the issue of repairing the body or its parts not in favor of the car owner;
Fourthly, the service life of the brake pads is reduced, their uneven wear occurs, again - a safety issue, and as a consequence - unforeseen expenses for their forced replacement.

The main causes of knocking in the rear suspension of the VAZ 2110

Knocks in the rear suspension of the VAZ 2110 occur for various reasons, so this should be looked into in more detail.

If knocking noises are observed when driving on uneven ground, the shock absorbers have apparently failed. The only solution is to replace with new ones.
If you see that the rubber bushings of the levers are worn out, change the suspension.
When the spring settles, it must be replaced.
A knocking sound is likely a sign of a loose shock absorber or worn rubber eye bushings.
When the rear suspension is overloaded or damaged, knocking noise also occurs.
If the bushings of the suspension arms are destroyed, the rear axle moves and a knock appears.
When knocking is observed from the suspension arms, it is recommended to replace them with new ones.
Knocks can also be determined by how busy the rear part is. Empty the trunk and do not seat anyone in the second row. This makes it easier to figure out what the reason is - shock absorbers or springs.

Video: How to understand that the struts on a VAZ 2110 are faulty

SS20 devices

The Russian Lada Priora or Kalina will be perfectly suited to products from a domestic Samara company, which has been manufacturing a huge number of products that contribute to the tuning of Russian vehicles for several years. SS20 racks have an optimal price-quality ratio. To choose the right part, you need to know which shock absorbers are available in a standard version and which in a shortened version:

The rigid Highway unit will allow you to easily enter a turn even at high speed. It makes sense to avoid purchasing for those who constantly drive on dirt roads;
the Standard model is characterized by excellent performance in any weather, which is why it can become the best option for motorists from areas where harsh climates dominate;

The Comfort Optima variant is the best-selling product due to its versatility. It is characterized by medium rigidity, which will provide a comfortable ride on all types of roads with any driving style;
Sport parts naturally fall into the category of the stiffest struts. Such devices are not adapted for driving within the city, but they hold the car well even during sharp turns.

Which racks to choose for the VAZ 2110 - reviews from owners

The factory struts installed on the VAZ 2110 cannot be called ideal for this car. In terms of design and technical parameters, they are suitable, but do not provide the desired quality, efficiency and durability.

The main disadvantages of factory suspension elements include:

Insufficient reliability. Many car owners note that after just a few months of use they can create a characteristic knocking sound in the suspension, which indicates the need for repairs;
They often leak, which indicates suspension problems and the need to go to a service station;
When driving at high speeds, the struts exhibit another drawback - they cause strong body roll, which definitely makes high-speed turns difficult to call comfortable.

The most popular brand was SS20. Today SS20 struts fit perfectly on the VAZ 2110. Let’s not hide that these elements are in many ways superior to their domestic, factory-made counterparts.

The SS20 company produces quite a lot of different suspension elements that are suitable for the VAZ model range.

Their distinctive features forced car owners to pay increased attention.

The product quality is high at a very attractive price.
The products are provided with a long warranty. So, for struts - 2 years without mileage restrictions, and for springs - 4 years.
The warranty applies to the product regardless of the installation location. You don’t have to go to a service station and pay money to the technicians to maintain your warranty. Many people change the struts on the “ten” on their own, in their garage. If you do this, the SS20 parts warranty will still apply. This is the only manufacturer that offers such warranty conditions.

The Asomi company can be called a definite competitor. Their parts are of quite high quality and reliable. Only the warranty is only 1 year. Moreover, the elements must be installed at specialized service stations. And this significantly affects the cost of repairs.

How to remove the rear struts of a VAZ 2110 – step-by-step instructions + photos

In order to replace the rear struts on a VAZ 2110 we will need the following tools:

jack or lift;
support for wheels and bottom;
WD-40;
hammer;
keys at 17, 6, 19;
screwdrivers;
pliers;
original shock absorbers for rear struts with number 2110-2915004.

And so let’s move on to the work itself:

In order to get to the upper mounting of the rear pillar, you need to remove the backrest on the rear seat and move the upholstery on the rear wheel arch to the side.
Read also: The first crossover Lada Cross 2022 has been presented: this is what the SUV from AvtoVAZ will look like?
After unscrewing, the nut is removed, after which it is necessary to remove the support and spring washer, as well as the upper rod cushion. Then, using a jack, raise the car, after which the rear wheel is removed from the side where the strut is being replaced. The wheel is removable for easy access. If desired, this procedure can be carried out without removing the wheel.
Using a 19mm wrench, unscrew the nut of the bolt that secures the shock absorber strut to the rear beam. To prevent the bolt from turning when unscrewing, it must be held with another wrench.
Next, the bolt is removed. If the mounting bolt cannot be removed by hand, it must be knocked out using a hammer and a mandrel.
After which the shock absorber is removed, along with the spring. From the removed shock absorber, remove the spring, the lower cushion with the bushing, as well as the compression stroke buffer and protective cover. It is necessary to remove the rubber spring gasket from the body support cup.

If something went wrong

Difficulties often arise in the process of replacing front and rear pads. The most common problems and ways to solve them are below.

Brake drum won't come off

It is necessary to loosen the handbrake cable;
WD-40 is used;
If both of the above methods did not help, you need to carefully hit the wooden lining with a hammer several times.

The fluid level in the brake reservoir has dropped

The required amount is added;
The brakes are being pumped;
Brake fluid is added again.

Installing rear struts on a VAZ 2110 – step-by-step instructions + photos

Before installing a new rear strut, the previously removed lower support cup is attached to the shock absorber, and a compression stroke buffer, a protective cover, a cushion, and a lower thrust washer are attached to the shock absorber rod.

Next, a spring is installed on the shock absorber, which must be positioned so that the rubber gasket on the spring coincides with the support washer on the car body.
Then the lower part of the rack is secured to the rear beam, while the fastening bolt should not be fully tightened, but simply slightly tightened.
On the shock absorber replacement side, a stop is placed under the rear beam, and the car is lowered on a jack, while it is necessary to direct the strut rod into the hole in the body. After the rod comes out of the hole in the body, the upper support washer and cushion are put on it, the rod nut is tightened, and the wheel is installed.
The lower mounting bolt of the strut to the beam is tightened after the car is removed from the jack and is on its wheels.
When the rear struts of the VAZ 2110 have been replaced, it is necessary to adjust the camber of the front wheels and the pressure regulator of the rear brakes.

Video: Do-it-yourself replacement of VAZ 2110 struts

Order of Operations

Removing old shock absorbers and installing rear struts of the VAZ 2114 and other models can be done without an inspection hole or overpass - just jack up the car. But before you lift the car, you need to remove the assembly plugs located in the trunk. So:

You need to remove the trunk shelf, bend back the upholstery and use a screwdriver to pull out the plug. The rod nuts are located under them; they need to be unscrewed and the washer and plate removed.

Now you need to jack up the car. This is necessary so that the lower rack lock is accessible. This bolt is most often tight, so it is better to pre-coat it with a special lubricant. If after this you cannot unscrew the fastener, you need to knock it out with a smaller bolt.

Now you can remove the stand, be sure to support it - it may fall. It's easier to do this if you move the end towards the rear of the car

Note! After dismantling the stand, a rubber gasket remains in the glass. It needs to be removed because the material has lost its elasticity. A new spacer must be installed, which is purchased separately from the assembly.

A new spacer must be installed, which is purchased separately from the assembly.

Now you need to remove the spacer sleeve, shock absorber cushion and bushing, remove the cover from the casing, and remove the bump stop from the rod.

You can begin installing the new unit. The rod element must be fully extended. We install the bushing, cover, its cover, and bump stop on the rack. The spacer and spring are assembled after all other parts. On a note! It is advisable to bleed the shock absorbers before assembly. This will increase their functionality and service life. The procedure is performed by turning the device over. This will allow the oil to spread evenly throughout the entire assembly.

Installation is performed in reverse order.

Then all the above operations are repeated on the other side of the machine. Difficulties may arise during assembly:

if the unit does not want to be placed in its normal place, you can use the jack beam;
if the old parts have lost their integrity, they need to be replaced, if they are in order, wipe them with kerosene;
if the support bearing comes out separately during dismantling, this is normal;
to install the spacer without any problems, you need to glue it to the spring with masking tape;
Some experts believe that when final tightening the fasteners, you first need to remove the car from the jack.

The sequential replacement of the rear struts of the VAZ 2114 can be seen in this video:

Disassembly and assessment of the condition of parts

To simplify the disassembly process, especially if you do the work yourself in an inspection hole in the garage, you need to raise the rear of the car by half the suspension travel to eliminate the influence of the bending moment of the suspension beam. When lifting the car, do not forget about safety and use stable stops or special trestles, the upper part of which is securely fixed to the body.

After hanging the car, you can proceed directly to dismantling the rear pillar, for which:

We lift the car with a jack from the side where the rack is being replaced until the wheel lifts off the ground.
We remove the protective cover at the top of the glass in the trunk of the car and use special keys to unscrew the fastening nut.
We move under the car and unscrew the bolt securing the lower ear of the shock absorber.
Carefully remove the strut along with the spring, paying attention to the dismantling of the rubber cushion installed between the upper coil of the spring and the car body.

On many cars, drivers install “house” spacers or larger rubber cushions to increase ground clearance. In this case, more suspension travel will be required to pull the strut out. It is enough to press down on the suspension beam with a pry bar or other suitable tool and the stand can be freely removed.

After dismantling the parts, we check their condition. The spring may have cracks and peeling of the protective coating, and the size in the free state does not correspond to the norm. In this case, both springs must be replaced.

After dismantling the shock absorber strut of the VAZ-2110, it is necessary to check the condition of the glass on the body. The rubber cushion, with the help of dust and sand, quickly erases the protective coating and the metal remains unprotected from corrosion, the destructive effect of which is enhanced by poor ventilation of the wheel arch. There may come a time when the rusted glass cannot cope with the load from the rear of the car and the spring “falls” into the cabin.

Installing a new rear pillar

Installing the rear suspension strut is done in the reverse order:

While holding the strut in a vertical position with the rod extended, we put on the spring, rubber cushion and shock absorber rod mounting washers.
We insert the drain into the glass, trying to get the upper part of the shock absorber rod into the mounting hole, and fix the strut with the lower fastening bolt.
We lower the car onto stands so that its weight presses the spring and makes it possible to fix the upper mount of the rack.

The most difficult part of installing the rear strut is getting into the hole in the upper rod mount. If with a gas-oil strut the internal gas pressure prevents the rod from going down and getting into the hole relatively easily, then with a conventional oil-filled strut the rod always tries to drop to the bottom position. A thin, strong rope tied to the upper threaded part of the rod and threaded into the mounting hole will help guide the rod into the hole. Having installed and secured the stand by the lower ear, just gently pull the rope, the rod will gradually rise and fall into the upper mount. All that remains is to install the upper rubber ring, the Belleville washer and “tighten” the nut. After removing the rope, you need to tighten the nut to the required torque.

After tightening the upper fastening, it is necessary to remove the stands from under the body and tighten the nut of the lower fastening of the shock absorber strut to the required torque.

By performing similar actions on the other side, you can enjoy the quiet and safe operation of the rear suspension and the smooth ride of your car.