Replacing the cross of the cardan VAZ 2107 with your own hands

The cardan cross in classic VAZ cars is a cruciform hinge that fixes the rotating axles of the transmission. Two crosses are installed on the VAZ 2107: one in the central part, and the other at the junction of the cardan shaft with the gearbox. Replacing these parts on a relatively new car is quite simple. However, over time, the crosses rust, and the procedure for dismantling them becomes a real torture for an inexperienced driver.

The purpose of the crosses of the cardan VAZ 2107

The need to use cardan crosses (CC) in the design of the car is due to changes in the position of the shafts relative to each other during movement. If the axes of these shafts were constantly on the same straight line, then the crosses would not be needed. However, when moving, the distance between the axles changes both in the vertical and horizontal planes.

The cardan joint is involved in the transmission of torque from the gearbox to the drive axles. Thanks to the KK, a flexible connection of the VAZ 2107 engine with the driving rear axle is provided. The design of the cardan also provides for hinges, intermediate supports and connecting devices. But it is the crosses that are responsible for transmitting torque at constantly changing angles between the shafts during movement.

VAZ 2107 is a rear-wheel drive vehicle, and its design provides for a special role for the cardan. It transfers all the work of the engine only to the rear wheels. Therefore, on the "seven" the cardan is located under the bottom and the floor is raised in the middle of the cabin.

Cardan cross device

KK is a hinge that ensures the alignment of all rotating elements, and consists of:

• cups
• needle bearings;
• retaining rings;
• sealing sleeves.

Each KK has four cups, which are the protruding elements of the knot. All of them must be periodically checked for rotation, which should be smooth and even. The cups can be easily removed to check for lubrication.

The cardan cross has a fairly simple device: 1 - cross; 2 - plastic gland; 3 - rubber gland; 4 - needle bearing; 5 - retainer; 6 - cup; 7 - retaining ring

Bearings are designed to move the cross in different planes. Needle elements located in the cups are fixed with retaining rings and prevent the bearings from moving during rotation. The size of the rings depends on the diameter of the axial clearance. They are picked up using a four-bladed probe, which measures the distance from the cup to the edge of the groove - this will be the diameter of the restrictive ring. Depending on the size of the crosses, rings with a thickness of 2107, 1.50, 1.52, 1.56 or 1.59 mm are installed on the VAZ 1.62.

The choice of the cardan cross for the VAZ 2107

I had an argument with a mechanic once. He argued that the crosses should not have an oil can, as it provides an extra hole for dirt to enter. The hinge quickly clogs and fails. I insisted that without an oiler it would not be possible to lubricate the crosspiece - it was somewhat insulting, since before that I had found an almost new screw syringe for lubrication in my grandfather's garage. “But why, if each part has its own resource,” answered my opponent, “when the lubricant runs out, change the part, especially since it is inexpensive. It is better to pay attention to the seals (o-rings). If they dry out, new lube won't help." Indeed, the way it is.

When buying new crosses for the VAZ 2107, you should be guided by the following points.

1. KK should not cost too much, as they have to be changed quite often.
2. Spare retaining rings must be included with the KK. On sale you can find kits without rings, consisting only of the cross and a rubber gland.
3. For the VAZ 2107, old and new crosses are produced. It is not recommended to install new reinforced crosses on old-style cardan yokes - this will reduce the rigidity of the hinges. Modern propeller shaft forks are equipped with "sevens" released after 1990. On such cars, you can safely put reinforced CCs with additional stiffening ribs on the cups, an increased number of bearing needles (one more than in a conventional hinge) and improved oil seal characteristics.

Reinforced crosses can be installed on VAZ 2107 produced after 1990

Of the manufacturers of crosses, the following companies have proven themselves in the best way:

• GKN (Germany);
  

  Crosses manufactured by GKN are considered the most reliable
• VolgaAvtoProm LLC;
  

  Crosses manufactured by VolgaAvtoProm LLC are of good quality at a low price
• JSC AVTOVAZ.
  

  AVTOVAZ installs crosspieces of its own production on its vehicles

Signs of a malfunction of the crosses VAZ 2107

Frog failures are usually associated with wear of the sealing collars and the ingress of dirt into the bearings, which, having abrasive properties, begins to destroy the metal. It manifests itself as follows.

• at a speed of about 90 km / h, characteristic blows from below are felt;
• vibration occurs when reverse gear is engaged;
• when swinging the cardan shaft from side to side, play is detected.

It is much easier to identify the failure of the crosses on the removed gimbal. If the bearings are destroyed, then the hinge will not rotate well in one of the planes, sounds will appear that resemble a crunch or rustling.

Clicking when touching

The first sign of a faulty cardan joint is ringing clicks when you turn on the first speed at the beginning of the movement. When such sounds appear, reminiscent of a pot ringing, it is recommended to rotate the cardan parts in different directions with your hands, while holding the hinges. If a large play is found, the crosses must be replaced. It is noteworthy that sometimes clicks can appear only with a sharp start from a place, and with a smooth start of movement they may not be.

Vibration

Often with faulty crosspieces, vibration appears during reversing. Sometimes it does not disappear even after replacing the frogs, but it begins to appear at medium speed. Moreover, the vibration may become even stronger than before the replacement of the CC. Such situations are the result of non-observance of the alignment of the cardan elements during its assembly.

Sometimes the vibration persists even after a well-done job. The reason for this is usually the use of low-quality products when replacing QC. Experts advise to tap the cups on all sides with a metal tube before installing new crosses. This will allow you to move the stuck retaining rings, and the vibration will disappear.

Replacement of universal joint crosses VAZ 2107

Defective crosspieces are not subject to restoration. Theoretically, the universal joint is considered a very reliable part with a resource of more than 500 thousand km. In reality, even the highest quality cross requires replacement after 50–70 thousand km. The reason for this is bad roads, intensive vehicle operation, etc. To replace the KK VAZ 2107, the following tools and materials will be required.

• set of wrenches;
• hammer and gasket made of soft metal;
• a spacer slightly smaller than the diameter of the lugs of the cross;
  

  The spacer should be slightly smaller than the diameter of the lug.
• round nose pliers or pliers;
  

  Pliers will be required to remove the circlips from the frogs
• puller for bearings;
• sharp chisel;
• metal brush;
• grease.

Dismantling VAZ 2107

Before replacing the CC, it is necessary to dismantle the driveline. This is done in the following way.

1. If the car has been in operation for quite some time, the universal joint nuts are filled with WD-40 or kerosene. After that, they are easily unscrewed.
2. With a sharp chisel or other tool, marks are made on the flanges of the cardan and bridge. This is necessary to ensure mutual alignment during the subsequent installation of the cardan.
3. With a 13 wrench or ring wrench (preferably curved so as not to damage the threads of the nuts), the universal joint nuts are unscrewed. If the bolts begin to scroll, fix them with a screwdriver.
   

   The nuts will loosen easily if the cardan bolts are secured with a screwdriver.
4. Remove the bearing bracket.
5. The cardan is pulled out.

Removing the cross of the cardan VAZ 2107

Cups and bearings can be removed from the cardan shaft clamped in a vice using a special puller. However, this device is not very convenient and is used extremely rarely. Usually use a standard set of tools. The dismantling of the cross is carried out in the following order.

1. With round-nose pliers or pliers, the retaining rings are removed from the four sides of the cross.
   

   To remove the retaining rings, pliers or round-nose pliers are used.
2. Cups with bearings are knocked out of the eyes. Usually one of the cups, after removing the retaining rings, flies out by itself. The remaining three cups are knocked out through the spacer.
   

   It is necessary to remove the cups with bearings from the cardan cross

Before installing new KK, the lugs, fork and grooves for the retaining rings are cleaned of dirt and rust with a metal brush. The installation itself is as follows.

1. Any two cups standing opposite each other are removed from the new crosses.
2. The cross is inserted into the eyelets of the cardan end.
3. Cups with bearings are generously lubricated with grease or G' Energy grease and installed in place.
4. Using a hammer and a soft metal spacer, the cups are driven in until the groove for the retaining ring appears.
   

   The cups of the new cross are driven in until the groove for the retaining ring appears.
5. The other two cups are removed, threaded into the eyelets and reassembled.
6. The bearings are driven in until the circlips are fixed.
7. The remaining retaining rings are driven in.
   

   A new cross must be generously lubricated during installation.

Installing the gimbal

When installing the cardan with new crosses in place, you must:

• lubricate all joints with grease;
• make sure that sand or dirt does not get on the lubricant;
• check the condition of the seals of the cross and, if necessary, replace them;
• install parts in accordance with the marks made during dismantling;
• first insert the splined part into the flange, and then tighten the universal joint bolts.

Video: replacing the cross of the cardan VAZ 2107

Replacing the VAZ 2107 cross, eliminating squeaks and knocks from under the bottom.

Thus, to replace the cardan cross, you only need the desire of the car owner to do it on their own and a standard set of locksmith tools. Careful observance of the instructions of specialists will allow you to do the job efficiently and avoid possible errors.