Selection of springs and gas-filled shock absorbers


Springs are the most important component of a modern vehicle, since the operation of the car suspension depends on their functionality. Therefore, it is important for any driver to have information about when it is necessary to change these components, why and for which products?

Before answering the question - which springs are best to install on a VAZ - it is recommended to obtain data on what could result from ignoring damaged elements.

Why is it important to change car suspension springs on time?

So, what can happen if this car component has exhausted its resource or completely failed? There are several consequences of this unpleasant situation:

  1. The vehicle's ground clearance is reduced, which can lead to damage to other elements of the vehicle due to contact with poor road surfaces (potholes, bumps, etc.).
  2. The rubber of the wheels in the rear arches of the car begins to experience additional friction, which means it wears out faster.
  3. Control of the car deteriorates, as it may begin to tilt to one side and sway while moving.
  4. The service life of the depreciation system begins to decline sharply.

That is, a damaged spring can lead to very serious problems in the future. Therefore, the next question is quite natural: when is it necessary to make a replacement? Manufacturers usually claim that their products are ready to last for 5-10 years. But they mean that the car will only travel on good roads, without additional load. This is almost impossible to implement in the conditions of our country, so it is recommended to replace it approximately three years after the start of operation.

Important

Class A, as well as class B, have an absolutely equal right to exist. Color marking was introduced in order to eliminate the difference in their height on opposite sides of the car. After all, installing springs of different heights on both sides of one car axle will lead to a deterioration in its handling and stability, and will also lead to rapid failure of chassis parts.

Experts recommend using springs of only one class. It is allowed to use class A in the front suspension, and class B in the rear. If class B springs are used in the front suspension, then installation of class A in the rear suspension is strictly prohibited. In any case, springs of both the same type and the same class must be installed on one axis.

Features that the best springs for a VAZ should have

There are several factors that the owner of domestic cars should pay attention to, for example VAZ 2107, VAZ 2110, VAZ 2112 and so on:

  • Product diameter. Affects the level of suspension stiffness;
  • The number of turns - the more there are, the lower the stiffness characteristics.

Stiff rear springs are preferred by drivers who value steering response. True, in this case the grip on the road surface is reduced. That is, any option has its pros and cons. However, for any domestic model (VAZ 2115, VAZ 2114, etc.) you can always choose a universal type.

It is impossible to accurately answer the question - what are the best springs, since everything depends on their purpose, which is determined by the marking applied.

Replacement

If a problem is discovered and it becomes necessary to change the rear struts, then you need to carry out a number of operations. To begin, you will need to arm yourself with the following tools:

  • Key to 6;
  • Key to 17;
  • Key for racks
  • Key to 19.

Dismantling

  • we dismantle the luggage compartment in the area of ​​the rear arches;
  • Next, remove the rear belts, as well as the brackets that secure the rear seat;
  • take a special wrench designed for struts and unscrew the rear strut rod nut;

  • Now you will need to lift the car, or rather its rear part;
  • Next, unscrew the nuts securing the lower part of the rack;
  • remove the stand from its place.

At this stage, the removal of the rear pillar of the VAZ 2110 ends.

Installation

In the process, the new strut will need to be fitted with a compression stroke buffer, a special spacer-type bushing, a casing with an upper cover, a shock absorber pad, a support-type washer and a spring. Let's get started:

  • insert the shock absorber rod into the upper hole;
  • we press the rack with a beam, using a crowbar or a reliable lift;
  • Now you will need to insert the lower mount of the rear pillar into the beam;
  • after this you need to carefully fasten the nuts securing the stand;
  • install wheels;
  • we lower the car.

We select springs according to markings

So, a man came to the store to buy new springs. Which option should I choose? The decoding of the markings presented below will help with this:

  • 2101. Ideal for all sedans equipped with rear-wheel drive;
  • 21012. A very rigid product, which is usually used on special vehicles;
  • 2102. First of all, intended for domestic station wagons. When installing this option, the vehicle's ground clearance increases, which is very important if the vehicle is used off-road;
  • 2018. Usually installed on any variant with front-wheel drive, except for Oka and those cars that have a 16-valve power unit under the hood;
  • 2110. Designed for expert versions of domestic models from VAZ;
  • 2111. Used on models such as VAZ 2111 and 2113. Only on rear suspensions;
  • 2112. Similar to the previous version, only for the front suspension;
  • 2121. Typically used on four-wheel drive vehicles only. First of all, this is a domestic Niva.

We've decided on the labeling. What else should you pay attention to, for example, if a spring has flown on your beloved Priora? Of course, to the manufacturer.

Interesting

Very often, class A and B markings are also called hardness markings. Indeed, if you need to regularly travel with a full load, then it is better to use class A, as they can withstand a slightly larger load. However, this difference is small and amounts to approximately 25 kg.

Manufacturers do not always apply markings in accordance with the requirements of current standards. However, the color marking of the spring, assigning it to a certain class, must be applied. Moreover, it must be the same on both springs purchased, matching each other in color. If there is no such color marking, then it is better to refrain from purchasing them.

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The best spring manufacturers in the domestic market

Of course, most car enthusiasts try to be sure to purchase an original spare part. But, unfortunately, this opportunity is not always provided. Therefore, it is important to know about those companies that produce high-quality analogues.

Here is a list of the most popular ones, according to customer reviews:

  1. Sirius . An experienced manufacturer with an impressive range of products and the ability to individually order parts according to customer drawings.
  2. Phobos . Budget segment products. The products are inexpensive, but they will also last less than their counterparts from other manufacturers.
  3. Technoressor . Another budget option, but with higher quality products.
  4. Koni. Good products with the ability to independently adjust the rigidity.
  5. Eibach . Expensive, but the quality of the springs offered is excellent.
  6. SS20 and Kilen . Two manufacturers who claim 50 percent greater durability of their products than the original VAZ can offer.
  7. Asomi . They are made from specially selected alloys, which become even more durable thanks to a special protective coating.

Interesting

Very often, class A and B markings are also called hardness markings. Indeed, if you need to regularly travel with a full load, then it is better to use class A, as they can withstand a slightly larger load. However, this difference is small and amounts to approximately 25 kg.

Manufacturers do not always apply markings in accordance with the requirements of current standards. However, the color marking of the spring, assigning it to a certain class, must be applied. Moreover, it must be the same on both springs purchased, matching each other in color. If there is no such color marking, then it is better to refrain from purchasing them.

Some important tips when choosing the right products

There are several questions from domestic car enthusiasts that I would like to answer at the end of this material:

  • Which option is most suitable for the VAZ “seven”? In this particular option, experienced craftsmen do not advise choosing original products specifically for this particular car brand. It is better to take the springs for a VAZ 2104 and cut off one turn of the circle to give the products optimal rigidity for this car.
  • Will Niva products fit the “seven”? Yes. And this gives a good result, since the level of comfort while driving does not change, but at the same time the controllability of the car improves.
  • What is better to choose for the “ten”? Experts recommend installing products marked 2110 on the rear, and 2108 on the front suspension. The consequence of such actions is to increase the stability of the car when cornering.
  • VAZ 2114 – what to buy? It all depends on where the car is used. If it is used more often off-road, then it is better to take the 2112 model, as it can increase the ground clearance by several centimeters.

Actually, when it comes to springs for car suspension, there are a very large number of different options. Therefore, it is always recommended to first seek advice from a reputable and experienced technician before starting any replacement.

Knock or it's time for replacement

This often happens. The car runs about 30 thousand km and nothing, and then suddenly the wheel bearings start knocking at the rear. So it becomes necessary to replace the rear struts. In fact, the knocking sound of the rear suspension is a kind of signal indicating the need for replacement. At the same time, it is still unknown which part should be replaced. After all, a knock does not necessarily indicate a breakdown of the rear suspension, but can only indicate defects. Therefore, it will be relevant to touch upon the topic of determining the cause experimentally and professionally. Therefore, let’s look at the main causes of knocking from behind, so that you know what’s what:

  • If the car is moving on an uneven road and a knocking sound is heard, then the cause is most likely faulty shock absorbers that need to be replaced with new ones;
  • If it is clearly visible that the rubber bushings of the suspension arms are worn out, then the problem is in the suspensions themselves, which need to be replaced;
  • If the spring has settled, then it also needs to be replaced;
  • A knock may indicate weak fastening of the shock absorber itself or wear of the rubber bushings of the eyes (all worn elements are replaced with new ones, and the nuts and bolts are properly tightened);
  • A knock may also appear when the rear suspension is overloaded or due to its breakdown, which is possible due to the destruction of the compression stroke buffer;
  • Sediment or breakage of one of the suspension springs also requires replacement;
  • A knock can also occur when the rear axle of the VAZ 2110 moves due to destruction of the suspension arm bushings;
  • If the knocking comes from the suspension arms, then they simply need to be replaced with new ones;
  • The knocking can also be determined by unloading the trunk (passengers are not seated behind the car and thus the cause of the knocking is determined, which most likely lies in the shock absorbers or springs).

Main varieties

Four types of springs are widely used and are installed on all modern cars.

  1. Standard. They can be considered the basic option, which is installed at the factory during the manufacture of the car. Such elements are designed for vehicle operation under standard conditions, regulated by the vehicle’s technical passport.
  2. Reinforced. Designed to improve the performance characteristics of vehicles used in off-road conditions, during constant transportation of cargo or towing trailers.
  3. Inflating. After installation, they help increase the ground clearance and load capacity of the vehicle.
  4. Understating. Basically, such models are installed by fans of sports driving, since they lower the ground clearance and shift the center of gravity of the car downwards.

Stiffness in physics notation

In the Homework section to the question what letter denotes a spring in physics, asked by the author, the European best answer is No designation spring, stiffness -K

Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: what letter denotes a spring in physics

Reply from Dupe I know that spring stiffness is denoted by “k”, and spring...

Answer from YOUGOOOOY hardness coefficient - k

Reply from Igor Kazanzhi to

Elasticity coefficient on Wikipedia Look at the Wikipedia article about Elasticity coefficient

List of notation in physics on Wikipedia Check out the Wikipedia article about List of notation in physics

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The suspension springs of any vehicle perform many important functions. Properly selected, they have a qualitative impact on the entire process of driving a car and its load-carrying capacity, make uneven road surfaces less noticeable to the driver, and increase comfort during trips, especially long ones.

Class “A” and “B” - significant differences

For many motorists, the decoding of hardness by color is identical to the classification by class. In short, the A-class is a stiffer option, regardless of the color of the spring coils, and the B-class is a softer option in the same color. The color of the coils helps not to confuse the springs of the main group. They should always be the same color. But small color stripes indicate a subgroup, or hardness class - A or B in a particular group.

When choosing new springs, you should pay attention to the markings. There are no significant differences between classes

The main thing is that to compress a type A spring to a certain height, you will need 25 kilograms more than an analogue of type B. If there is no marker on the spring, it is better not to buy such a part. The exception is parts that are not marked (they are indicated in the table).

In addition to safety, a car equipped with high-quality springs will become more comfortable. Such a vehicle makes the ride smoother, which has a positive effect on the driver’s well-being during long trips.

Classification

There are several types of springs:

  • Standard. As a rule, they are installed at the vehicle manufacturer’s plant and ensure its operation under the conditions of the specified load parameters.
  • Reinforced. They are more rigid and improve the performance of the vehicle when driving on country roads or when transporting a trailer.
  • Raising. Helps increase ground clearance and load capacity.
  • Downgrades. Reduce ground clearance and lower the height of the center of gravity. Installed by fans of a dynamic driving style.

All of them, regardless of what type they belong to, have specific manufacturing features.

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