Do-it-yourself removal and replacement of bumpers on Lada Kalina cars

In the life of almost every owner of the domestic Lada Kalina model, there are situations that make it necessary to replace the front bumper or rear bumper or remove it in order to perform certain manipulations. The material structure of the product is quite fragile, so the risk of damage is very high. This can happen not only as a result of external mechanical influences, but also when an inexperienced owner directly attempts to dismantle it. You definitely need to know how to remove it correctly.

Therefore, before performing the dismantling procedure, it will be useful to familiarize yourself with the nuances of how the rear bumper and front bumper are designed and attached to the body of the Lada Kalina.

Reasons for removing and replacing bumpers

During operation, these body cladding elements are subject to numerous mechanical impacts, which causes the paintwork of the products to deteriorate, chips and even cracks to appear. Not to mention impacts in accidents or other circumstances.

Reference. In winter, the fragility of plastic increases under the influence of low temperatures, so it becomes easier to break. To get a crack, it is enough to rest the bumper against a high snowdrift.

The front body kit of the Lada Kalina suffers especially badly, as dirt from under the wheels and stones from oncoming cars get into it. Damaged paintwork can be restored, and broken plastic can be soldered, but sometimes it’s easier to replace the bumper, given that you can do it yourself.

The reason for removing and replacing the facing elements of the VAZ 1118 may be other circumstances:

• if it is possible to repair and paint a broken part, it must be removed from the car;
• when you need to carry out other types of body repairs or change headlights (unit - headlights);
• The owner of the car does not like the stock bumpers and wants to do a little tuning - install elements of a different shape.

Reference. Some Lada Kalina cars in the budget configuration were equipped with black unpainted body kits. To improve the appearance of a car by painting or replacing parts, they still need to be dismantled.

Sports modification

Using a modernized plastic element, you can give your car a unique look. Since the Lada Kalina model has been on the assembly line for quite a long time, auto accessory stores have a wide selection of tuning bumpers. Here you will need to choose the bumper wisely so as not to go wrong with the combination of the color of the product and the car body. If this action fails, then you can paint the purchased bumper yourself.

The sports version of the product for LADA Kalina consists of some components:

• gratings;
• reinforcing element;
• spoiler;
• overlays.

The design includes integrated air intake deflectors located on both sides. Also, the tuning version involves the installation of several ribs to improve rigidity.

The modified bumper for the stern has an original element - a diffuser, placed by the designers in the central part of the product.

To independently tune the bumper, you will need to first dismantle it. Then the installation of the structure is carried out as follows:

• install the amplifier;
• We mount the main component with the grille.

Usually there are no problems with this procedure. However, for example, the “I am a robot” version of the bumper is a few centimeters lower than the standard product, so during installation there is a certain risk of breaking the structure. It is also recommended to cover the bottom panel of this LADA Kalina body component with film to prevent damage to the coating.

How to choose a new bumper for Lada Kalina

As a rule, body kits for the VAZ 1118 are sold unpainted. It makes sense to buy such parts when several body elements of the car were crushed as a result of an accident, for example, a bumper with a fender and a hood. Then they will inevitably be repainted.

This is what the Booster series tuning bumper looks like

There are also painted parts on sale; the owner of Kalina can only choose the color according to the number in the catalog.

Note. To complement the standard body kits, instead of the usual black radiator grille, you can choose nice products of a different configuration with different coatings.

When purchasing new items, you should consider the following recommendations:

• carefully inspect the product for cracks (especially at fastening points) and chips in the paintwork;
• check the plastic from which the bumper is made - it must be elastic, hard products can quickly crack from the slightest impact;
• make sure that the tuning parts have openings for installing fog lights;
• compare with the old element - it’s great if there are additional stiffening ribs inside the body kit.

The prices of the products are quite affordable.

Cost of standard (sedan, hatchback, station wagon) and some tuning body kits - table

Removing and installing the front body kit

Since the bumper of the Lada Kalina car is attached in many places, including from below, it is most convenient to carry out work in the inspection hole. If necessary, you can do it without it, but then you will have to look for the lower screws by touch or lie under the car to see them.

Advice. Change body parts with an assistant supporting one side of the body kit while you remove the other. Otherwise, the element may fall and hit the concrete, causing part of the paintwork to fly off. The services of an assistant will also be needed when installing a new part.

The list of tools for disassembly is quite short:

• Phillips-head screwdrivers of different lengths;
• 10 mm socket wrench or socket;
• extension cord and ratchet wrench.

At the moment, there are 2 generations of VAZ 1118 cars, and they are disassembled in different ways. Therefore, the order of work must be considered separately for each modification.

Kalina 1

If you have fog lights installed, then before starting work, disconnect the battery and follow this algorithm:

1. Open the hood lid and unscrew the 3 screws holding the plastic radiator grille and carefully remove it.
2. Do the same with the bottom grille, removing the 2 screws that secure it.
3. Behind the grille there are 2 screws securing the bumper itself, unscrew them.
4. Move into the inspection hole and unscrew the 3 lower bolts located in the center.
5. Remove 2 pairs of lower screws located on the sides. They attach the body kit to the fender liner from below.
6. There are 2 more pairs of screws located in the front of the wheel arches; unscrew them last.
   

   Advice. When unscrewing the last screws, turn the wheel so that it does not interfere with your ability to insert the screwdriver properly.

7. When all the fasteners are unscrewed, the bumper continues to be held on by plastic latches. To remove it and not break off the latches, pry the side edge of the element (near the wheel) with your hands and gently pull it to the side, disengaging the latches.
8. Move the body kit forward a little and remove it from the car. At this time, the assistant must support the other end of the part, preventing it from falling.

Corrosion of body parts is often found under the removed element. To see the whole picture, remove the plastic amplifier (you need to unscrew 3 bolts) and remove the rust, then touch up these areas.

In case of corrosion of body parts, remove the plastic reinforcement and remove the rust

An important point when installing a new bumper is that you need to put it in place correctly and secure the latches.

1. Put on one side of the element immediately, and pull the other side together with an assistant. He should press on the corner of the part from the front, and you - from the side, until a characteristic click is heard.
2. Then screw all the screws into place.
3. Connect the connectors.
4. Install gratings.

Photo of the attachment points of the part

3 bolts press the bumper to the body from below 2 pairs of self-tapping screws secure the body kit along the edges 2 self-tapping screws connect the element to the fender liner Top fastening points To remove the grille, you need to unscrew the countersunk screws Access to these bolts opens after removing the grille

Front bumper on Kalina 2

On the new Lada Kalina model, the front body kit is attached differently: the lower screws are located far from the plumb line of the element, so it is very inconvenient to unscrew them without an inspection ditch. But you don’t need to dismantle the radiator grilles to get to the hidden fasteners. The removal operation is performed as follows:

1. Open the hood and remove the negative battery terminal.
2. From the inspection hole, unscrew the 3 bolts screwed to the bottom of the car. Two of them are in the center, the third is to the side (to the right in the direction of travel).
3. Unscrew 2 pairs of lower screws located at the edges of the bumper.
4. As in Kalina 1, unscrew 2 pairs of screws connecting the part to the fender liner and located in front of the wheel arches.
5. Unscrew the 6 bolts of the upper mounting of the body kit; they are located on the horizontal panel above the radiator.

Reference. The same front bumpers are used on hatchback and station wagon body types, so there are no differences in the work.

The procedure for dismantling and replacing the front body kit is carried out together with an assistant, as described above. Immediately after removing the element, disconnect the power supply connectors for the fog lights, and when installing, do not forget to connect them back.

Where is the fastener located - photo

The bolts on Kalina 2 are located quite deep. A pair of screws connects the fender liner to the bumper. 6 upper mounting bolts.

How to disassemble the front bumper - video

Why is it being removed?

The conversation about the need to replace the bumper comes up in a number of cases, not always directly related to this part. Sometimes for such manipulations it is enough that the spare part located next to it requires replacement or repair. The main reasons why removing the front bumper of the Lada Kalina, as well as replacing the bumper may be necessary:

1. If it's time to restore this part of the car, update the decorative coating. After all, it is regularly exposed to external influences of varying degrees of aggressiveness. As a result, the paint loses its appearance, scratches, dents and other defects appear.
2. If the front bumper needs to be replaced, then most often the reason is cracked carbon fiber, which is not impact resistant. This may be a consequence of a collision with a snowdrift with increased fragility due to weather conditions.
3. Sometimes this part suffers greatly after accidents or other accidents.
4. When you need to replace the headlight units, you also need to remove the bumper.
5. If you need to install a front body kit, you will first have to dismantle the main part, tune it, or replace it with a ready-made improved version.

What is needed for that

It is necessary to create conditions for the operation to be carried out: to provide access under the machine. The best way is to provide an inspection hole, or in extreme cases, a lift. They are needed for visual contact with the parts and the device itself even before removing the bumper on Kalina.

If this is not possible, the task remains feasible, however, the conditions become more complicated: you will have to work by touch. This means that the task will be to determine where the nuts are located and unscrew them. You can also lie with your back under the car.

It is recommended to leave the idea of ​​starting to remove the Kalina front bumper alone and do it with a partner or assistant. At some points you will need a second pair of hands, and the tools you need to have are:

• curved screwdriver;
• socket wrench number 10, socket will also work;
• extension;
• collar

All this will come in handy if the bumper is replaced or simply dismantled.

It is important to remember to remove the ground from the battery so that a short circuit does not occur after electrical appliances are turned off.

Kalina-1

Before removing the front bumper of the Lada Kalina -1, you should read the instructions, because damaging the part will not be difficult, but fixing it will be problematic.

First, under the open hood you need to find a plastic radiator grille, which is secured with 3 self-tapping screws. Unscrew them and remove the plastic. Below there is also a similar part; replacing the bumper also involves dismantling it by unscrewing 2 screws. All that remains is to disconnect the PTF and screw together the two fasteners of the main part (they are behind the grille) in order to start working from the inspection hole.

Find 3 bolts from below, which can be considered central fasteners, and unscrew them. You also need to get rid of 2 pairs of screws located on the sides; they secure the body kit and fender liners. The same must be done with the screws in the front wheel arches.

The last stage is to detach the plastic latches and remove them from the clutch. The owner must hear a click before removing the front bumper on Kalina. It is better to do this step by two people so that the spare part has no chance of being damaged during the dismantling process. After all, this is a long object, it can fall out of your hands and become deformed, then it will not fulfill its functions, and the bumper may need to be replaced.

Kalina-2

This car is a new generation model, so replacing or removing the bumper is different from the first option. This procedure looks like this:

1. You need to unscrew 3 fastening bolts located at the bottom (a couple of them are central, the last one is on the left).
2. Remove 4 self-tapping screws, which are edge fasteners; without this, replacing the bumper cannot be carried out.
3. Unscrew a pair of self-tapping screws securing the fender liners on each side. .
4. Find 6 bolts on top and remove them one by one.
5. By prying and unsnapping the plastic clasps, slightly move the bumper forward to unlock them.
6. Call a partner to take the part from each side and carefully remove it without damaging the part.

You can install it in the same way as removing the front bumper of a Lada Kalina, only in the reverse order.

Removing and attaching rear body kits

To remove the rear bumper of the first generation model, the tool kit must be supplemented with a short Phillips screwdriver, since it is impossible to insert a long one between the tire and the wheel arch, and turning it from the side is inconvenient. In addition, TORX key screws (the so-called sprocket) are used for fastening to the fender liner.

Advice. Usually the back of the car gets more dirty than the front, so it is recommended to wash and dry the car before disassembling.

Later generations of hatchback and station wagon cars are even more difficult to disassemble, because the rear lights have to be removed to remove the body kit. The primary fastening of the elements is also provided with latches, so they are removed in the same way as the front bumper. But due to the difference in design, disassembly must be considered separately.

To install the rear body kit, you must repeat the presented algorithm in reverse order.

Removing the rear element of Kalina 1

Disassembly work can be carried out without an inspection hole, since the lower bolts are located close to the overhang and access to them is not difficult. The procedure is as follows:

1. Unscrew the 3 screws located at the rear of the wheel arch. Two of them hold the mudguard, the third is located a little higher.
2. At the back of the mudguard there is 1 more bolt with a 10 mm head, unscrew it.
3. Using a 10 mm wrench, remove the 3 bolts securing the bumper from the bottom. Two of them stand in the middle, the third is a little to the left (in the direction of travel).
4. Open the trunk lid and unscrew the 4 screws of the upper body kit mounting.

The main thing is to carefully pull the edge of the part and release the latches

Then proceed in the same way as with the front element. Pull the side of the part, unlocking the plastic latches, and carefully remove it with an assistant. If you need to get to the body, then unscrew 3 more bolts and remove the plastic bumper reinforcement.

Places where fasteners are located

One screw is hidden on the back side of the mudguard. Access to the 4 upper bolts is always open. There are 3 self-tapping screws near the wheel, two of them are TORX keys. The part is screwed from below with 3 bolts.

Differences in disassembling Kalina 2

To remove the rear bumper of a station wagon or hatchback, you will need to open access to the bolts that are hidden under the bottom of the lights, for which the latter will have to be removed. Their fastening consists of bolts with 8 mm socket heads located behind the rubber seal of the trunk lid. The bolts need to be unscrewed, and the lights need to be pulled out, disconnecting all the wires.

Attention! Before disassembling, be sure to disconnect the battery terminal.

2 of the 8 bolts are hidden under the taillights

Removing the body kit from the Lada Kalina 2 hatchback body is carried out in the following order:

1. From below, the part is screwed to the body with a pair of bolts (located in the middle) and two self-tapping screws (at the edges). Loosen and unscrew them.
2. Under the wheel arches, unscrew 3 screws (TORX keys T10 and T20) and remove the rubber retainer from the mudguard.

   In addition to 3 TORX screws, there is a plug

3. Unscrew the 8 top mounting bolts. Six of them are located near the threshold of the luggage compartment, two more are in the sockets of the removed lights. Location of the lower bolts

   On a hatchback there are a couple of bolts in the center and a couple of screws on the sides

4. Now unlock the latches and remove the bumper.

The difference between disassembling Kalina 2 in a station wagon is that the element is attached to the body from below with 3 bolts, but there are no side screws. In other places the fastening is the same - 3 screws under the arches and 8 bolts around the luggage opening.

In a station wagon, the body kit is screwed on from below with 3 bolts

Necessary tool

All you need to remove the rear bumper is time and the following tools: a 10mm socket wrench and a Phillips screwdriver .

Work schedule

Rear bumper mounting diagram.

To avoid problems with soured bolts , treat them with WD-40 . Next we perform the removal as follows:

• If the car has fender liners and mudguards, then we begin work by dismantling them.

  Using a Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the 3 screws on the mudguards.

• We unscrew the main screws that secure the bumper to the body.
• Unscrew 4 top bolts, which are located under the trunk sealing rubber.

  Upper bumper mounting bolts.

• Now we find 3 boltslocated at the bottom of the trunk. You may need an extension cord to unscrew them. The outermost bolt is located next to the exhaust pipe. The rest are located to the right of it.

  One of the three lower bumper mounting bolts.

• We remove the bumper from the latches, first on one side and then on the other. We just grab the end and pull it towards ourselves with a little effort. The bumper will give in without any problems, since nothing else holds it.

  The view with the bumper removed is a version with a plastic reinforcement beam (sometimes it may not be there).

In Kalina, there is a plastic amplifier under the bumper. It is held in place by three bolts .

• About the author:
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I am the editor-in-chief of the site. In our editorial office: Hyundai Accent, Hyundai Solaris, Hyundai Santa FE (turbo-diesel 2015). I now have a Lada Kalina LUX (98 horses). A car fanatic, he has owned both left and right hand drive cars. Robots, CVTs, mechanics. The only thing missing was DSG. But it will be soon.

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