How to choose and replace rear shock absorbers on a VAZ 2107
Content
The controllability and ease of use of the VAZ 2107 directly depends on the suspension, in which the shock absorber is an important element. Each owner of this car should be able to identify damper malfunctions, independently select and replace it.
Shock absorbers VAZ 2107
Despite the fact that the VAZ "seven" is presented as a luxury version of the VAZ 2105, the design of the front and rear suspensions is no different from other classic models. This also applies to shock absorbers, which do not suit all owners with their work.
Purpose and design
The main function that shock absorbers perform in the suspension of a car is to dampen vibrations and shocks that affect the body when driving over bumps. This part ensures reliable contact of the wheels with the roadway and maintains controllability of the vehicle regardless of the condition of the road surface. Structurally, the shock absorber consists of two elements - a piston and a cylinder. Depending on the type of damping device, chambers with oil and air or oil and gas are located inside the cylinder. The gas or oil medium resists during the movement of the piston, converting vibrations into thermal energy.
What are the
There are several types of shock absorbers:
- oil;
- gas;
- gas-oil with constant hardness;
- gas-oil with changeable rigidity.
Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Oil twin-tube shock absorbers are installed on the VAZ 2107 front and rear.
Table: dimensions of the rear original dampers of the "seven"
| SKU | Rod diameter, mm | Case diameter, mm | Body height (excluding stem), mm | Rod stroke, mm |
| 21012915402 | 16 | 42 | 310 | 182 |
Oil
The working medium in oil damping elements is oil. The advantage of such products is reduced to a simple and reliable design. This type of damper can work without problems for several years without compromising the driving performance of the vehicle. Of the minuses, it is worth highlighting the slow reaction. The fact is that when driving at high speeds, the damper simply does not have time to work out irregularities and return to its original position, as a result of which the car begins to rock. Shock absorbers of this type are recommended to be installed by those motorists who move at a speed of no higher than 90 km / h.
Learn how to change the oil on a VAZ 2107 yourself: https://bumper.guru/klassicheskie-modeli-vaz/dvigatel/zamena-masla-v-dvigatele-vaz-2107.html
Gas
Gas-type products are the most rigid. The design, compared to oil damping elements, has two chambers: oil and gas, in which compressed gas (nitrogen) is used at a pressure of 12–30 atm. Such shock absorbers are used in racing cars and on some SUVs.
Pure gas shock absorbers do not exist, since oil is used to lubricate the pistons and seals.
Gas-oil with constant hardness
The design of this type of damper is two-pipe, i.e. there is an inner pipe in the outer pipe. The product has two pistons with valves, contains gas under pressure of 4–8 atm. and oil. When the shock absorber rod is compressed, part of the oil remains in the inner tube and works as in an oil damper, and some passes into the outer tube, as a result of which the gas is compressed. When decompressed, the gas pushes out the oil, returning it to the inner tube. Due to this work, smoothness is ensured, leading to smoothing of shocks. Such shock absorbers are less rigid than gas shock absorbers, but not as soft as oil shock absorbers.
Gas-oil with changeable hardness
On the Zhiguli, dampers with variable stiffness are practically not used, due to the high cost of such products. Structurally, such elements have a solenoid valve that automatically adjusts to the mode of operation of the vehicle. In the process of adjustment, the amount of gas in the main damper tube changes, as a result of which the stiffness of the mechanism changes.
Video: types of shock absorbers and their difference
Where are located
The shock absorbers of the rear suspension of the "seven" are installed near the wheels. The upper part of the damper is pinned to the car body, and the lower part is fixed to the rear axle by means of a bracket.
More about the rear suspension device: https://bumper.guru/klassicheskie-modeli-vaz/hodovaya-chast/zadnyaya-podveska-vaz-2107.html
Shock absorber malfunctions
There are a number of indicators by which you can determine that the depreciation elements of your car have become unusable and will need to be replaced in the near future. Otherwise, there will be difficulties in driving, and the braking distance will also increase.
Oil smudges
The simplest sign of damper wear is the appearance of oil smudges on the body, which can be determined by visual inspection.
With such signs, it is recommended to make sure that the element in question is malfunctioning, for which they sharply press their hands on the rear wing and release it. If the part is working properly, the suspension will slowly sag and return to its original position. When the damping element is not functioning properly, the rear of the car will bounce on the spring, quickly returning to its original position.
Video: identifying a faulty damper without removing it from the car
Knocking and creaking while driving
The most common cause of knocking in shock absorbers is fluid leakage. If there are no signs of leakage, it is necessary to carry out the test described above with the buildup of the machine. Knocking can also be the cause of damper wear. If the part has traveled more than 50 thousand km, then you should think about replacing it. Common causes of knocking also include air entering the outer damper cylinder due to oil leakage. You can try to fix the problem by pumping it. If, while driving, a creak is heard from the rear suspension, the cause of the malfunction may be worn rubber bushings of the upper and lower shock absorber lugs.
Uneven tire wear
Shock absorber failures can also be seen by uneven tire wear, which greatly reduces their life. This is explained by the fact that the wheels while driving with a faulty damper often come off the road surface and cling to it again. As a result of this process, the rubber wears unevenly. In addition, you can notice wear in the form of patches, which is due to a violation of the balance of the wheels. Therefore, the condition of the tire tread must be periodically monitored.
Sluggish braking
In case of faulty shock-absorbing elements or problems in their operation, the contact of the wheels with the roadway worsens. This leads to short-term tire slippage, reduced braking efficiency and increased brake pedal response time, which in some cases can lead to accidents.
Pecking and pulling the car to the sides when braking
Violation of the shock absorber valves, as well as wear of the seals inside the product, can cause a noticeable buildup of the body when you slightly press the brake pedal or drive. A clear sign of a malfunction is strong body roll when cornering, which also often requires taxiing. A malfunction of the shock-absorbing elements is also indicated by the pecking of the front or rear of the car during heavy braking, i.e. when the front is strongly lowered and the stern lifts up. The vehicle may pull to the side, for example, if the rear axle is not level. This is possible with a breakdown of the longitudinal rods and subsequent poor-quality repairs.
Vehicle stability on the road
If the “seven” behaves unstable during movement and throws it to the sides, then there can be many reasons for such behavior. It is necessary to inspect the condition of the elements of both the front and rear suspension, as well as the reliability of their fastening. With regard to the rear of the car, it is worth noting that attention should be paid to the condition of the shock absorbers, rear axle rods, and rubber seals.
Vomited shock absorber
Sometimes car owners of the VAZ 2107 are faced with such a problem when it breaks the mounting rings of the rear suspension shock absorbers. Such a problem arises when installing spacers under native springs or springs from VAZ 2102, VAZ 2104 in order to increase the clearance. However, with such changes in the length of standard shock absorbers, there are not enough and the mounting eyes tear off after a while.
To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to install a special bracket with which the shock absorber travel is reduced.
There is another option - to weld an additional "ear" from the bottom of the old damper, which will also reduce the travel and prevent failure of the suspension element in question.
Video: why the rear shock absorbers are pulling out
Rear shock absorbers VAZ 2107
If you want to replace the rear suspension shock absorbers on the seventh model Zhiguli, then you need to know not only the sequence of actions, but also which dampers should be installed.
What to choose
When choosing shock-absorbing elements for your car, you need to understand what you want to achieve. Oil-type dampers are great for measured driving. They are softer than gas and provide a higher level of comfort when driving over bumps, and no extra load is transferred to the body elements. In the process of repair for many, the price is a decisive factor. Therefore, for classic Zhiguli, oil shock absorbers are one of the best options. If you like sports driving, then it is better to give preference to gas-oil dampers. They are stiffer and allow you to take corners at higher speeds.
Oil shock absorbers can be purchased from any manufacturer, for example, SAAZ. If we consider gas-oil elements, then they are practically not produced by domestic manufacturers. The most common brands that you can find in stores include:
- Kayaba;
- Sachs;
- Horses.
Table: analogues of the rear shock absorbers VAZ 2107
| Manufacturer | SKU | price, rub. |
| KYB | 343098 | 1400 |
| KYB | 443123 | 950 |
| Fenox | A12175C3 | 700 |
| QML | SA-1029 | 500 |
How to replace
Non-separable shock absorbers are installed in the rear suspension of the VAZ 2107. Therefore, the part is not repairable and must be replaced in case of problems. It should be borne in mind that the elements in question are changed in pairs, that is, two on the front suspension or two on the rear. This need is due to the fact that the load on the new and old shock absorber will be different and they will work differently. If the product has a low mileage, for example, 10 thousand km, only one part can be replaced.
To work, you will need the following list of tools and materials:
- key for 19 and a head with a ratchet and a knob;
- a hammer;
- WD-40 or any other penetrating lubricant.
We dismantle the shock absorbers in the following order:
- We drive the car into a viewing hole, turn on the gear or tighten the parking brake.
- We unscrew the nut of the lower shock absorber mount with a 19 wrench, holding the bolt from turning with a similar wrench or ratchet.
From below, the shock absorber is fastened with a 19 wrench bolt. - We remove the bolt, if necessary, knock it out with a hammer.If the bolt cannot be removed by hand, knock it out with a hammer
- Take out the spacer bushing.After pulling out the bolt, remove the spacer sleeve
- Slightly moving the shock absorber away from the bracket, remove the remote bushing.Remove the spacer from the bolt
- Loosen the damper top mount.From above, the shock absorber is held on the stud with a nut.
- Remove the washer and outer rubber bushing.After unscrewing the nut, remove the washer and outer sleeve
- We dismantle the shock absorber, after which we remove the inner rubber band if it does not pull together with the damper.The inner sleeve is easily removed from the stud or together with the shock absorber
- Install damper in reverse order.
More about replacing rear shock absorbers: https://bumper.guru/klassicheskie-modeli-vaz/hodovaya-chast/zamena-zadnih-amortizatorov-vaz-2107.html
How to pump
During storage and transportation, the working fluid in the shock absorbers may flow from the inner cylinder to the outer cylinder, while the backwater gas enters the inner cylinder. If you install the product in this state, then the car suspension will make knocks, and the damper itself will collapse. Therefore, in order to avoid breakdowns and bring the part into working condition, it must be pumped. This procedure is mainly subjected to two-pipe dampers.
The pumping of oil devices is carried out as follows:
- We take out the depreciation element from the package. If the part was in a compressed state, then we extend the stem by ¾ of the length and turn it over with the stem down.
- Gently press and push the stem, but not all the way. We wait 3-5 seconds.Turning the shock absorber over, we press the rod, not reaching a few centimeters until it stops
- We turn the shock absorber over and wait another 3-5 seconds.
- We extend the stem ¾ of the length and wait another 2 seconds.We turn the shock absorber into working position and raise the rod
- Install the damper rod down and press it again.
- Repeat steps 2-5 about six times.
After pumping, the shock absorber rod should move smoothly and without jerks. To prepare the gas-oil product for work, we perform the following steps:
- We take the product out of the package, turn it upside down and wait a few seconds.
- We compress the part and wait a few seconds.
- We turn the shock absorber over, hold it vertically and let the rod come out.
- Repeat steps 1-3 several times.
Video: pumping gas-oil shock absorbers
Modernization of shock absorbers
Not every owner likes the soft suspension of the "seven". To make the car more assembled, reduce rolls and buildup, increase rigidity, motorists resort to modifications by replacing native shock absorbers with products with other characteristics. For example, to stiffen the rear suspension without any modifications and alterations, you can install shock absorbers from Niva. Based on the feedback from many owners of the "sevens", the car after such changes becomes a little tougher and holds the road better.
Double
To install dual shock absorbers you will need:
- 4 rear shock absorbers;
- a set of heads, screwdrivers, keys;
- a hammer;
- welding machine.
The essence of the refinement boils down to the fact that it will be necessary to make and fix a bracket for the second damper to the body.
The installation of the latter to the rear axle is carried out together with the standard shock-absorbing element by means of a long bolt or stud. The procedure is carried out in the same way on both sides.
With such modifications, it is recommended to install new shock absorbers.
Sports
If the car is being finalized for a sporty driving style, then the changes apply not only to the rear, but also to the front suspension. For such purposes, it is convenient to use a suspension kit, which includes springs and shock absorbers. Depending on the goals pursued, the installation of such elements is possible both without changing the clearance, and with lowering the suspension, providing maximum rigidity in all modes of operation of the dampers. The kit allows you to get excellent handling of the car. However, you can install sports elements separately - in front or behind, which depends only on your wishes. One of the most common options for sports shock absorbers, which are installed by the owners of the "sevens" and other "classics" - PLAZA SPORT. Installation is carried out in place of standard parts without any modifications.
"Zhiguli" of the seventh model in technical terms are a fairly simple car. However, the poor quality of the road surface often leads to the failure of suspension shock absorbers. It is easy to identify malfunctions of these elements even in garage conditions, as well as to replace them. To do this, it is enough to prepare the necessary set of tools, read the step-by-step instructions and follow them in the process.
