Purpose, malfunctions and repair of the steering gear VAZ 2107

Steering is present in all cars, regardless of the class and year of manufacture. The device must always be in good condition and no modifications are allowed. On the VAZ 2107 and other classic Zhiguli models, a worm-type steering column is installed, which needs periodic inspection and sometimes repair.

Steering mechanism VAZ 2107 - a brief description

The steering mechanism of the VAZ "seven" has a rather complex design, which ensures reliable control of the car in different driving situations. The steering wheel is endowed with good information content, which eliminates driver fatigue when traveling long distances. There are some difficulties when turning the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary. However, as soon as the car starts moving, the steering becomes less rigid and the handling improves.

The steering mechanism has one nuance - a slight backlash, which is the norm. This is explained by a considerable number of parts in the gearbox and the presence of rods. After modernization, a safety column was installed on the VAZ 2107, which has a composite shaft. Its design consists of two cardan-type joints, which allow the shaft to fold in the event of an accident. In this way, injury to the driver is excluded.

The steering gear is designed to transfer the power from the steering wheel to the steering rods for turning the front wheels at a given angle

Steering gear reducer device

Before proceeding with the repair of the steering column, you need to familiarize yourself with its structure, as well as the principle of operation. The structure consists of the following main elements:

• a unit designed to transfer the force from the steering wheel rotation to the actuators;
• steering column, which turns the wheels to the desired angle.

The steering mechanism consists of:

• composite shaft with cardan drive;
• steering wheel;
• a worm-type steering gear.

The structure has the following constituent elements:

• pendulum;
• swivel levers;
• steering rods.

Steering design: 1 - steering gear housing; 2 - shaft seal; 3 - intermediate shaft; 4 - upper shaft; 5 - fixing plate of the front part of the bracket; 6 - steering shaft mounting bracket; 7 - the upper part of the facing casing; 8 - bearing sleeve; 9 - bearing; 10 - steering wheel; 11 - the lower part of the facing casing; 12 - bracket fastening details

Since the outer rods are in two parts, this allows for adjustment of the toe angle. The steering functions as follows:

1. The driver acts on the steering wheel.
2. A worm shaft is driven through cardan joints, by means of which the number of revolutions is reduced.
3. The worm rotates, which facilitates the movement of the double-ridged roller.
4. The output shaft of the gearbox turns.
5. A bipod is mounted on the secondary shaft, which rotates and carries along the steering rods.
6. Through these parts, a force is applied to the levers, thereby turning the front wheels to the angle required by the driver.

A bipod is a link that connects the steering gear to the steering linkage.

Signs of a gearbox malfunction

As the vehicle is used, the steering column may experience malfunctions that require repair. The most common of them are:

• oil leakage from the gearbox;
• extraneous sounds in the mechanism;
• It takes a lot of effort to turn the steering wheel.

Table: VAZ 2107 steering malfunctions and ways to solve them

Malfunctions	Elimination method
Increased free play of the steering wheel
Loosening steering gear mounting bolts.	Tighten nuts.
Loosening the nuts of the ball pins of the steering rods.	Check and tighten nuts.
Increased clearance in ball joints of steering rods.	Replace tips or tie rods.
Increased clearance in the front wheel bearings.	Adjust clearance.
Increased clearance in the engagement of the roller with the worm.	Adjust clearance.
Too much clearance between pendulum axle and bushings.	Replace bushings or bracket assembly.
Increased clearance in the worm bearings.	Adjust clearance.
Steering wheel tight
Deformation of steering gear parts.	Replace deformed parts.
Incorrect setting of the corners of the front wheels.	Check wheel alignment and adjust.
The gap in the engagement of the roller with the worm is broken.	Adjust clearance.
The adjusting nut of the pendulum arm axle is overtightened.	Adjust the tightening of the nut.
Low pressure in front tires.	Set normal pressure.
Damage to ball joints.	Check and replace damaged parts.
No oil in steering gear housing	Check and top up. Replace seal if necessary.
Upper steering shaft bearing damage	Replace bearings.
Noise (knocking) in the steering
Increased clearance in the front wheel bearings.	Adjust clearance.
Loosening the nuts of the ball pins of the steering rods.	Check and tighten nuts.
Increased clearance between the pendulum arm axle and bushings.	Replace bushings or bracket assembly.
The adjusting nut of the pendulum arm axle is loose.	Adjust the tightening of the nut.
The gap in the engagement of the roller with the worm or in the bearings of the worm is broken.	Adjust gap.
Increased clearance in ball joints of steering rods.	Replace tips or tie rods.
Loose steering gear mounting bolts or swing arm bracket.	Check and tighten the bolt nuts.
Loosening the nuts securing the pivot arms.	Tighten nuts.
Loosening of the intermediate steering shaft mounting bolts.	Tighten the bolt nuts.
Self-excited angular oscillation of the front wheels
The tire pressure is not correct.	Check and set normal pressure.
2. Violated the angles of the front wheels.	Check and adjust wheel alignment.
3. Increased clearance in the front wheel bearings.	Adjust clearance.
4. Wheel imbalance.	Balance the wheels.
5. Loosening the nuts of the ball pins of the steering rods.	Check and tighten nuts.
6. Loose steering gear mounting bolts or swing arm bracket.	Check and tighten the bolt nuts.
7. The gap in the engagement of the roller with the worm is broken.	Adjust clearance.
Driving the vehicle away from straight ahead in one direction
Inconsistent tire pressure.	Check and set normal pressure.
The angles of the front wheels are broken.	Check and adjust wheel alignment.
Different draft of the front suspension springs.	Replace unusable springs.
Deformed steering knuckles or suspension arms.	Check knuckles and levers, replace bad parts.
Incomplete release of one or more wheels.	Check the condition of the brake system.
Vehicle instability
The angles of the front wheels are broken.	Check and adjust wheel alignment.
Increased clearance in the front wheel bearings.	Adjust clearance.
Loosening the nuts of the ball pins of the steering rods.	Check and tighten nuts.
Too much play in the ball joints of the steering rods.	Replace tips or tie rods.
Loose steering gear mounting bolts or swing arm bracket.	Check and tighten the bolt nuts.
Increased clearance in the engagement of the roller and the worm.	Adjust clearance.
Deformed steering knuckles or suspension arms.	Check the knuckles and levers; replace deformed parts.
Oil leakage from crankcase
Deterioration of the shaft seal of the bipod or worm.	Replace seal.
Loosening the bolts holding the steering gear housing covers.	Tighten the bolts.
Damage to seals.	Replace gaskets.

Where is the gearbox

The steering gearbox on the VAZ 2107 is located in the engine compartment on the left side under the vacuum brake booster. With insufficient experience at a glance, it may not be found, since it is usually covered with a layer of dirt.

The steering gearbox on the VAZ 2107 is located under the vacuum brake booster on the left side of the engine compartment

Steering column repair

Due to the constant friction in the steering mechanism, elements are being developed, which indicates the need not only to adjust the assembly, but also possible repairs.

How to remove the gearbox

To dismantle the steering column on the "seven", you will need the following tools:

• a set of keys;
• crank;
• heads;
• steering puller.

After preparing everything you need, perform the following step-by-step actions:

1. The car is installed on a lift or a viewing hole.
2. Clean the steering rod pins from dirt.
3. The rods are disconnected from the bipod of the gearbox, for which the cotter pins are removed, the nuts are unscrewed and the finger is squeezed out of the bipod of the steering device with a puller.
   

   Having unscrewed the nuts, disconnect the steering rods from the bipod of the steering gear
4. The steering column is connected to the steering wheel by means of an intermediate shaft. Unscrew the fasteners of the latter from the gearbox shaft.
   

   To remove the steering column, you will need to unscrew the fastening of the mechanism shaft to the intermediate shaft
5. The gearbox is fastened with three bolts to the body. Unscrew 3 fastening nuts, remove the fasteners and dismantle the steering gear from the car. To make it easier to remove the assembly, it is better to turn the bipod all the way into the column body.
   

   The steering gear is attached to the side member of the car with three bolts.

Video: replacing the steering column on the example of the VAZ 2106

Replacing the steering column VAZ 2106

How to disassemble a reducer

When the mechanism is removed from the vehicle, you can begin to disassemble it.

Details of the crankcase of the steering mechanism: 1 - crankcase; 2 - bipod; 3 - lower crankcase cover; 4 - shims; 5 - the outer ring of the worm shaft bearing; 6 - separator with balls; 7 - bipod shaft; 8 - adjusting screw; 9 - adjusting plate; 10 - lock washer; 11 - worm shaft; 12 - upper crankcase cover; 13 - sealing gasket; 14 — bipod shaft sleeve; 15 - worm shaft seal; 16 - bipod shaft seal

From the tools you need to prepare:

• standard set of keys;
• head 30;
• bipod puller;
• vise.

The work is carried out in the following order:

1. The bipod nut is unscrewed and the rod is pressed from the shaft with a puller.
   

   To remove the bipod, unscrew the nut and press the rod with a puller
2. Unscrew the oil filler plug, drain the grease from the crankcase, then unscrew the adjusting nut and remove the lock washer.
3. The top cover is attached with 4 bolts - unscrew them.
   

   To remove the top cover, unscrew 4 bolts
4. The adjustment screw is disengaged from the bipod shaft, then the cover is dismantled.
   

   To remove the cover, you will need to disengage the bipod shaft from the adjustment screw
5. The traction shaft with the roller is removed from the gearbox.
   

   From the gearbox housing we remove the bipod shaft with a roller
6. Unscrew the fasteners of the cover of the worm gear and dismantle it together with the shims.
   

   To remove the worm shaft cover, unscrew the corresponding fasteners and remove the part along with the gaskets
7. With a hammer, light blows are applied to the worm shaft and knocked out with a bearing from the steering column housing. The end surface of the worm shaft has special grooves for the bearing.
   

   The worm shaft is pressed out with a hammer, after which it is removed from the housing along with the bearings
8. Remove the worm shaft seal by prying it with a screwdriver. In the same way, the bipod shaft seal is removed.
   

   The gearbox seal is removed by prying it with a screwdriver.
9. With the help of the adapter, the outer race of the second bearing is knocked out.
   

   To remove the outer race of the bearing, you will need a suitable tool

After disassembling the steering gear, carry out its troubleshooting. All elements are pre-cleaned by washing in diesel fuel. Each part is carefully inspected for damage, scoring, wear. Particular attention is paid to the rubbing surfaces of the worm shaft and roller. The rotation of the bearings must be free of sticking. There should be no damage or signs of wear on the outer races, separators and balls. The gearbox housing itself should not have cracks. All parts that show visible wear must be replaced.

Oil seals, regardless of their condition, are replaced with new ones.

Assembly and installation of the gearbox

When the replacement of defective elements has been carried out, you can proceed with the assembly of the assembly. Parts that are installed inside the crankcase are lubricated with gear oil. Assembly is performed in the following order:

1. Using a hammer and a bit or other suitable device, press the inner bearing race into the steering assembly housing.
   

   The inner bearing race is pressed in with a hammer and a bit.
2. A separator with balls is placed in the cage, as well as a worm shaft. The cage of the outer bearing is mounted on it and the outer race is pressed in.
   

   After installing the worm shaft and the outer bearing, the outer race is pressed in.
3. Mount the cover with gaskets and press in the seals of the worm shaft and bipod. A small amount of lubricant is preliminarily applied to the working edges of the cuffs.
4. The worm shaft is placed in the mechanism housing. With the help of shims, the torque of its rotation is set from 2 to 5 kgf * cm.
5. Install the short pull shaft.
6. At the end of the work, grease is poured into the steering column and the plug is wrapped.

Installation of the node on the machine is carried out in the reverse order.

Video: how to disassemble and assemble the VAZ steering gear

Dismantling the steering gear assembly of VAZ.

Steering column adjustment

The adjustment work of the steering gear on the VAZ 2107 is resorted to in the case when the steering wheel began to rotate tightly, jamming appeared during rotation, or when the steering shaft was moved along the axis with straight wheels.

To adjust the steering, you need to know which element is responsible for what

To adjust the steering column, you will need an assistant, as well as a 19 key and a flat screwdriver. The procedure is carried out in the following sequence:

1. The machine is installed on a flat horizontal surface with straight front wheels.
2. Open the hood, clean the steering gear from contamination. The adjustment screw is located on top of the crankcase cover and is protected by a plastic stopper, which is pry off with a screwdriver and removed.
   

   Remove the plastic plug before adjusting the gearbox.
3. The adjusting element is fixed with a special nut against spontaneous unscrewing, which is loosened with a 19 key.
   

   To prevent the adjusting screw from loosening spontaneously, a special nut is used
4. The assistant begins to intensively rotate the steering wheel to the right and left, and the second person with the adjusting screw achieves the desired position in the engagement of the gears. In this case, the steering wheel should rotate easily and have a minimum free play.
   

   Adjustment is carried out by turning the adjusting screw with a screwdriver
5. When the adjustment is complete, hold the screw with a screwdriver and tighten the nut.

Video: adjusting the steering assembly VAZ 2107

Adjusting the steering gear on the VAZ 2107-2101

Gearbox oil

To reduce the friction of the internal elements of the steering column, gear oil GL-4, GL-5 with a viscosity grade of SAE75W90, SAE80W90 or SAE85W90 is poured into the mechanism. In the old fashioned way, for the node in question, many car owners use TAD-17 oil. The filling volume of the gearbox on the VAZ 2107 is 0,215 liters.

Checking the oil level

To avoid premature failure of parts of the mechanism, it is necessary to periodically check the oil level and replace it. It should be taken into account that the fluid from the gearbox, although slowly, leaks, and the leakage occurs regardless of whether a new column is installed or an old one. The level check is performed as follows:

1. With an 8 key, unscrew the filler plug.
   

   The filler plug is unscrewed with a key for 8
2. Using a screwdriver or other tool, check the oil level in the crankcase. The normal level should be at the bottom edge of the filler hole.
   

   To check the oil level in the gearbox, a screwdriver or other tool is suitable
3. If necessary, top up the lubricant with a syringe until it starts to flow out of the filler hole.
4. Tighten the plug and wipe the steering gear from smudges.

How to change the oil in the gearbox

As for changing the oil in the steering gear, this procedure should be carried out once every one and a half years. If the decision was made to change the lubricant, you need to know how to perform the procedure. In addition to the new lubricant, you will need two syringes of the largest possible volume (purchased at a pharmacy) and a small piece of washer hose. The procedure is carried out in the following order:

1. The filler plug is unscrewed with a key, a piece of tube is put on the syringe, the old oil is drawn in and poured into the prepared container.
   

   Old grease is removed from the steering column with a syringe
2. With the second syringe, new lubricant is poured into the gearbox to the desired level, while it is recommended to rotate the steering wheel.
   

   A new lubricant is drawn into the syringe, after which it is poured into the gearbox
3. Screw the plug and wipe off traces of oil.

Video: changing the oil in the classic steering gear

Changing the oil in the steering gear on a VAZ 2107-2101

Despite the complex design of the GXNUMX steering mechanism, each owner of this car can perform preventive maintenance, repair or replacement of the assembly. The reason for the repair are the characteristic signs of a malfunction in the mechanism. If parts are found with visible damage, they must be replaced without fail. Since the steering column is one of the critical components of the car, all actions must be performed in strict sequence.