Replacing the rear springs of a Kalina station wagon with your own hands

How to remove and install the rear shock absorber Lada Kalina

It is convenient to carry out the work in an inspection ditch.
But if necessary, you can remove and install the spring and shock absorber of the rear suspension by placing the car on a flat horizontal platform. To perform the work, you will need an assistant, as well as:

— inspection ditch or overpass;

— a device for disassembling suspension struts.

We prepare the car for the work and hang the rear of the car on stands.

If there is no inspection ditch or overpass, remove the rear wheel of the car from the side of the shock absorber being replaced.

Recline the rear seat back.

Use a screwdriver to pry it off and remove the plug.

Using a 17mm L-shaped wrench, unscrew the nut of the upper shock absorber mounting, holding the shock absorber rod from turning with a special wrench.

You can use a 6 mm wrench to hold the shock absorber rod from turning, and use a 17 mm spanner to unscrew its nut.

Using a magnet, remove the spring washer from the shock absorber rod

Remove the upper support washer

Remove the top cushion from the shock absorber rod

Using a 19mm wrench, unscrew the nut of the bolt securing the shock absorber to the beam, holding the bolt from turning with a wrench of the same size.

If there is difficulty, knock out the bolt with a soft metal drift.

Move the lower end of the shock absorber towards the rear of the car and remove the shock absorber along with the spring

The spring gasket usually sticks to the body, from where it must be removed and ensure that there are no deformations or tears.

Remove the spring gasket

Remove the spring from the shock absorber

Remove the spacer sleeve with the lower cushion from the rod.

Remove the cover with the compression stroke buffer.

We take out the compression stroke buffer from the case

For ease of assembly, we attach the gasket with tape or tape to the spring, which will facilitate installation, while the end of the spring coil should rest against the protrusion of the gasket.

We put the cover on the cup, while the corrugation of the cover should be put on the flange of the cup.

We insert the compression stroke buffer into the case so that its corrugated part is at the bottom.

The end of the lower coil of the spring should rest against the protrusion of the shock absorber support

To make installation easier, you can put a piece of hose on the end of the rod

The hose will allow you to guide the rod into the hole in the upper support on the body

We install the shock absorber so that the shallower recess (shown by the arrow) under the spring faces the wheel, while the end of the lower coil of the spring on the left side of the car will face the rear of the car, and on the right - to the front.

We secure the lower end of the shock absorber, but do not tighten the nut.

Lowering the car onto the wheel, or lifting this side of the beam with a jack, insert the end of the shock absorber rod into the hole in the body and secure it.

Tighten the lower shock absorber mounting bolt in the “car on wheels” position.

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 kgf m), the nut of the upper fastening of the shock absorber – 51–63 Nm (5.1–6.3 kgf m).

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

Source

Replacement procedure

First of all, you need to prepare the necessary tools. To carry out the work you will need:

• two spanners 19;
• open-end wrench 6;
• hammer;
• curved socket wrench 17;
• mount;
• WD-40 or other penetrating liquid;
• spring ties;
• flat screwdriver;
• jack.

Replacing the rear struts of the Kalina can be done with or without removing the wheels. The second method is somewhat simpler and much safer, but is only possible if there is an inspection hole or overpass. Therefore, it is recommended to take care of this in advance.

Replacement is carried out in the following sequence:

1. Drive the car into the inspection hole and set the parking brake.
2. Remove the rear seat along with the backrest.
3. Using a screwdriver, remove the decorative plugs from the top mounting of the racks.
4. Holding the shock absorber rod with a wrench (No. 6), unscrew the nut that secures the strut with a spanner wrench (No. 17). Sometimes this is not easy to do, especially if the replacement is being made for the first time. You will have to worry about finding a special device. If the nut is unscrewed, the work in the interior is finished for now.
5. Using a jack, the rear wheel is hung from the side of the rack being dismantled. Now you need to go down into the inspection hole.
6. From below, the stand is attached to the bracket with a long bolt and nut, which should be treated with WD-40.
7. Use a union nut (No. 19) to unscrew the nut, holding the bolt itself with another wrench. Sometimes such manipulations do not help; you have to use a special tool to remove the stand.
8. We take it out of the bracket. It is pressed from above by a spring, so care must be taken.
9. We inspect all rubber parts. If possible, it is better to replace them with new ones. Assembly is carried out in reverse order.
10. When installing a rubber buffer on the top of the spring, you need to ensure that the last turn rests on a special protrusion. Now you need to secure it with electrical tape or nylon ties.
11. The lower coil of the spring should rest against the protrusion on the cup.
12. We install the stand in place, fix it using the lower fastening.
13. Now you need to compress the spring, gradually lowering the jack. The complexity of this operation is that at the same time the shock absorber rod must be directed into the hole in the upper mounting. It's better to use a friend's help.
14. As soon as the rod gets into the hole, you need to attach a nut to it. This will help pull it out to its maximum length, after which it can be unscrewed.
15. Place the support washer and rubber cushion on the rod. Now you can tighten the nut.

The second rack is replaced in the same way.

How to replace shock absorbers and springs of the rear suspension of Lada Granta, Kalina, Priora

Rear suspension with coil springs, double-acting telescopic hydraulic shock absorbers and trailing arms elastically connected by a transverse beam and a stabilizer bar. The following are instructions on how to change the rear shock absorbers and springs on a Lada Granta, Kalina 2 and Priora yourself.

The replacement process is shown on a Lada Granta car. For other models everything is done similarly.

When to change

The service life of the “supporters” is on average 50-100 thousand km, depending on the conditions in which the car is used. Replacing the timing belt on a vw passat b3 1.8 rp. Video how. After this resource has expired, it is recommended to change them. How to change the front strut support on a viburnum, replacing the support bearing: catalog of materials. Correct replacement of the stabilizer bar on a Ford Focus. The front suspension arm of the VAZ 2110 is attached to the hub with the front struts of the VAZ 2110. Replacement. Replacing cushions The video shows a detailed process of replacing engine cushions on a VAZ 2110. Replacement is also necessary if any defects are detected.

Removal

Place the vehicle on a two-post lift and turn off the ignition.

Place stands under the rear suspension arms and lower the car until the springs begin to compress.

Tilt the rear seatbacks forward.

Figure 10-1 — Attaching the rear suspension shock absorber to the car body: 1 — plug; 2 — rear suspension shock absorber rod; 3 — shock absorber rod mounting nut

Figure 10-2 — Rear suspension shock absorber with spring: 1 — protective casing; 2 — compression progress buffer; 3 — casing cover; 4 — bushing of the shock absorber hinge; 5, 9 — shock absorber cushions; 6 — spring washer; 7 — nut for fastening the shock absorber rod; 8 — shock absorber washer; 10 — upper gasket; 11 — rear suspension spring; 12 - bolt; 13 — rear suspension shock absorber; 14 - nut

Remove plugs 1, Figure 10-1, covering the mounting points of the rear shock absorber rods (flat-head screwdriver).

000–108

Since Sistema Technologies produces suspension components, we decided to try something out on our Kalina. We installed stabilizer bars, original upper mounts and camber plates on the rear axle, increasing the angle to two and a half degrees. There was a mistake with the spacers that widened the track - they did not fit tightly to the hub, and we settled on Proma spacers. This set of measures changed the behavior of the car at the level of nuances and allowed us to remove a couple more tenths of a second from the lap, but again there was no breakthrough.

Installation

Figure 10-4 — Orientation of the rear suspension shock absorber: 1 — lower spring support cup; 2 — rear suspension shock absorber; 3 — rear suspension arms; 4 - wheel; A - top point of the support cup

Install the shock absorbers into the eyelets of the levers, insert the bolts and tighten the nuts without tightening (spanner 19, interchangeable head 19, wrench).

Attention!

Orient the shock absorber so that the highest point “A”, Figure 10-4, on the lower spring support cup faces the wheel.

Install the compression stroke buffer, the protective casing assembled with the casing cover, the shock absorber hinge bushing, the lower cushion, the spring and the upper gasket onto the shock absorber.

Insert the shock absorbers into the holes in the rear wheel arches and lower the car until the shock absorber rods appear in the mounting holes to the car body.

Install the shock absorber upper hinge cushion, cushion washer, spring washer onto the shock absorber rod and tighten the nut, securing the shock absorber rod. The tightening torque of the nut is 31. 37 N.m (3.1. 3.7 kgf.m) (wrench A.57070, wrench type KL-4071-3117 f. “KLANN”, ratchet wrench, torque wrench).

Install the plugs for the shock absorber rod mounting points.

Raise the rear seat backs.

Place the vehicle on a four-post lift, apply the parking brake, and turn off the ignition.

Push the rear suspension two to three times with your hands.

Finally tighten the nuts of the bolts securing the shock absorber to the rear suspension arms. The tightening torque of the nuts is 70. 80 N.m (7.0. 8.0 kgf.m) (ring wrench 19, replaceable head 19, torque wrench).

The process of replacing rear shock absorbers and springs is also shown in the video:

Have you ever had to change the rear shock absorbers on a Grant or Kalina yourself?

Source

PRICE OF A SECOND

The best result achieved by replacing wheels, brakes and suspension allowed us to lose no more than seven and a half seconds on the Smolensk Ring. The main gain - 3.1 seconds - came from the wheels: for these you will have to pay 34,800 rubles (but without such tires and wheels there is no point in going to the track); the AST suspension, which made it possible to gain 3.4 seconds, will cost 80,000 rubles. A set of JBT front brakes costs 36,000 rubles, but the gain compared to standard ones is no longer so significant - just a second. True, all these are the results of measurements on a Kalina with a standard engine: a light and low-power car is not difficult to stop.

This year we plan to continue improvements. The Lada Sport factory division will launch the 140-horsepower Kalina NFR - with the help of its specialists, we are also boosting our car. And to avoid slipping, we will install a VAL Racing limited slip differential. And then, perhaps, it will be possible to remove another eight seconds that separate our Kalina from the podium in the RHHCC series.

In general, to be continued!

We would like to thank Russian Shock Absorbers and KMS-Tuning, which provided SS20, Damp and AST suspensions for testing, as well as DSG-Service for technical support.

Necessary tool

To perform the replacement, you will need to initially prepare the tool. This will speed up the whole process, so you need to arm yourself with:

• keys 6 , 17 and 19 ;
• flat screwdriver;
• spring ties;
• hammer;
• lubricant for bolts;
• knob and levers to it.

Algorithm

1. Place the car on a flat surface, put on the handbrake and check its effectiveness.
2. Jack up the rear wheels one at a time.
3. Go to the salon and remove the rear sofa. Using a screwdriver, pry off the plastic caps covering the strut rod.

Pry up the plug with a screwdriver and remove it.

Unscrew the shock absorber mounting nut, holding the rod from turning.

Compress the spring using zip ties.

Unscrew the lower shock absorber mounting with two keys.

The correct position of the spring is that the lower end of the coil should face the wheel.

Often the nuts “stick” or other problems with the fasteners appear; a lubricant like WD-40 . If the solution does not work, you will need to cut the bolt from the fastening point and insert a new one.

In the most severe cases, you have to use a grinder.

000–109

And the second set, with a more significant reduction in ground clearance, allowed not only to improve the result by two seconds compared to the serial struts, but also endowed the car with new qualities. Handling has become a little less interesting: if the Kalina with the standard suspension willingly turns when releasing the gas, then with the St. Petersburg shock absorbers the steering has become slightly understeer. But the potential of tires on this suspension is realized better: the low ground clearance made it possible to set a different camber angle of the front wheels (-2º), and when cornering the inner wheel hardly slips! Reactions have also become more accurate: while previously you had to set the trajectory in advance, with Damp struts the car follows the wheel almost instantly. Not a bad budget option.

Rear strut articles

If we consider the catalog articles for the rear pillars of the Lada Kalina, we can distinguish several variations based on their parameters:

1. Oil - 1118-2915402-20 or 1118-2915403-20 , if a complete installation kit is required, including a buffer. For the station wagon body, option 2110-2915402-01 . Shock absorbers for a smooth ride. Other types are for active driving.
2. Gas-oil - 2110-2915402-20 or 11180-291403-30 .
3. Gas-oil pumps have article number 11180-2915403-30 or 481.2915403 . , option 21100-2915402-40 with a rod stroke of 229 mm , while compression/rebound is 390/1100 mm .

"ASOMI"

This manufacturer offers two lines of parts. They are more versatile than the SS20 described above. This allows you to use spare parts without worrying about operating features:

• Gas-oil struts “Comfort PRO” can be used on roads with any surface. At the same time, shock absorbers have an excellent resource;
• Comfort CLASSIC, these are classic oil struts. Due to their high rigidity, they show good behavior at high speeds.

This manufacturer attracts attention with a combination of relatively low price and high quality.

Station wagon

. Quite high demands are usually placed on the suspension of station wagon cars. This is due to their greater carrying capacity. Structurally, the suspension on Kalina and Priora station wagons is practically no different from other body types. But for such modifications it is recommended to use stiffer shock absorbers. This will reduce the subsidence of the machine when loading it. Otherwise, it all depends on the tastes and wishes of the car enthusiast himself.

Conclusion

. Now the market offers a large variety of different shock absorbers for domestic cars. When choosing which struts are best to install on Priora and Kalina (+ Station wagon), you need to start from the characteristics of your driving. For fans of high-speed driving, hard shock absorber models are suitable. If the car is used as a family car, then softer racks should be selected.

How to determine if shock absorbers are faulty

Often, traces of oil appear and disappear over time, and then, when the driver notices a loss of controllability, the strut becomes dry again. To determine its serviceability, you need to grab the roof of the car and try to swing it strongly.

Serviceable shock absorbers should stop the body already on the second swing. If the car continues to rock, the struts need to be replaced.

The problem must be diagnosed at the first sign. There are several symptoms that indicate a damaged shock absorber:

• Knock when driving or extraneous sounds in the suspension. This problem occurs extremely rarely. As a rule, this implies destruction inside the strut housing and the rod simply begins to hit the housing, making unpleasant knocking noises. This sound will appear when driving over both large and small irregularities and will haunt the car owner no matter how much the car rocks.
• Deterioration in controllability. The most dangerous and obvious sign of shock absorber failure. As you know, struts are needed to dampen body vibrations that occur when suspension springs operate. If these vibrations are not suppressed, the car begins to sway strongly at high speed and the wheels may briefly lose traction with the road surface. It is worth noting that this malfunction is quite dangerous.
• Leaks on the rack body. Deterioration in controllability occurs due to internal damage to the shock absorber and its depressurization. Traces of leaking oil, which is the main shock-absorbing component of this part, may appear on the rack.

If, after all, the reason for the knocking on Kalina is in the shock absorbers, then you should select the right new spare parts. Don’t even try to restore them; doing so is impractical, labor-intensive and expensive.

As a rule, shock absorbers are not replaced individually, only in pairs.

Symptoms of a problem

Which struts are best to install on Priora and Kalina (+ Station wagon), first you need to make sure that it’s really time for you to change the shock absorbers. Surely they can tell you this in a service equipped with a special stand. But, there are also folk methods of determination. A sign of problems with this unit is a “breakdown” of the rack. At the same time, you will feel a shock when passing an obstacle.

Knocks may also be observed, but this may be a consequence of malfunctions of other components. In garage conditions, you can use the following method. To do this, press on the corner of the car and release. With a good stance, the car will make 1.5 moves and calm down. If more, then you can safely change the part. Please note that racks are replaced in pairs.

The original shock absorbers on Priors and Kalinas are oil-based. They are quite tough and often not very hardy. Depending on the operating conditions, they can travel 60-80 thousand kilometers. Experienced car enthusiasts do not recommend using original parts for replacement. If you want to use this type of rack on your car, then it is best to purchase analogues. They are more reliable and provide greater comfort.

How to choose shock absorbers for Lada Kalina

It’s worth mentioning right away that the Lada Kalina racks 1 and 2 are absolutely identical and interchangeable. Therefore, there is no need to look for a shock absorber for a specific model. After all, the bodies are the same. The difference can only be in the catalog numbers, and it is most likely explained by the stiffness of the shock absorbers.

But the selection consists of choosing a company and the appropriate settings. The latter will determine the product catalog number:

• rear shock absorber, Kalina 1 – 11180-2915004-20;
• rear shock absorber, Kalina 2 – 21928-2915004-00;
• front shock absorber, Kalina 1 – 11180-2905002-00;
• front shock absorber, Kalina 2 – 21928-2901031-55.

In fact, there are a lot of catalog numbers and their variations are combinations of rigidity, applicability for the right and left sides, as well as use in a certain modification and the possibility of use in conjunction with other suspension elements. These items are provided as an example.

As for companies, you should pay attention to the following:

Shock absorbers from these manufacturers are considered the best in the world. Shock absorbers for Lada Kalina from KYB (kayaba) are considered to be the most expensive. Kayaba offers a wide selection of shock absorbers and struts for Lada Kalina I and II cars with a wide variety of rigidity parameters.

There is also a budget option - SAAZ. It is stock and often ends up on the assembly line as an original. But the analogs are better than the factory ones, and the durability of the factory racks is nothing more than a legend! It’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth saving, because the cost differs insignificantly.

When selecting shock absorbers, stiffness plays an important role. Here you need to find the right balance. The stiffer the shock absorber, the better it keeps the springs from oscillating, which means the car’s handling increases significantly.

On the other hand, the stiffer the pillars, the worse the comfort in the cabin. The driver and passengers will constantly shake from the slightest irregularities on the road. Therefore, for a more comfortable ride (at the expense of handling), it is better to install softer struts that set the appropriate suspension travel.

How to make sure the rack is working properly?

Sometimes it is impossible to visually determine the cause of extraneous noise when the car is moving. For example, the rear pillars of the Lada Kalina are clean, without any oil stains. Rocking also does not allow one to unambiguously diagnose a malfunction. However, the knocking noise in the rear suspension area does not disappear.

In this case, you will have to drive the car onto a vibration stand. It simulates road irregularities, and special sensors monitor how various suspension elements perform. The data is transmitted to a computer, which draws conclusions about the serviceability of the racks. This pleasure, of course, is not free, but it won’t hit your wallet very hard either. The cost of computer diagnostics depends on the region and is within a couple of thousand rubles. But for this money, the owner will receive data not only on the condition of the shock absorbers, but also all components of the front and rear suspension, which is especially important if there is a long trip ahead.

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:

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

What happens if you ignore a shock absorber malfunction?

The clearance of the Lada Kalina is adapted to bad Russian roads. Consequently, the car should ride softer, but has a greater chance of losing control. If the shock absorbers are not replaced in time, the driver will have to drive at a lower speed to save his life.

Faulty shock absorbers will rock the suspension on any hole. And when a wheel hits a hole at high speed, the body begins to sway violently, causing a short-term loss of traction between the wheels and the road surface.

Because of this, the axle skids or drifts, which can cause an accident. Also, untimely replacement damages other mechanisms - for example, suspension silent blocks or support bearings.

RUSSIAN SHOCK ABSORBERS

Developments in St. Petersburg are led by Vladimir Olenikov, who previously headed the engineering department of the famous Plaza. Products appear in stores under the Damp brand, and among these shock absorbers there are interesting specimens. How do you like, for example, struts lowered by 50 mm while maintaining suspension travel? Or shock absorbers with rebound stiffness adjustment? We received both sets for testing.

Here the effect is clearer. The struts with adjustable rebound force really change the character of the Kalina both on regular roads (if the asphalt is uneven, it’s better to “unwind” them) and on the track. Lap times are comparable to those shown on the best SS20 kit, but the ride quality remains at an acceptable level.