How to properly tune and strengthen the suspension of VAZ cars. How to do the tuning and strengthening of the suspension of cars VAZ VAZ 2107 chassis

Everyone will be happy to ride in a car seat. With the breeze, on a soft seat. No shaking or bouncing. Stop. And what ensures such a smooth running of the machine? This is the job of the car suspension. Even VAZs have several types of them that are worth considering.

Front suspension VAZ 2107

On any car brand, the front wheel suspension is more complex than the rear damping system. This is due to the fact that the front wheels are steering, and unlike the strictly directed rear wheels, they have freedom of directional movement. In general, the front suspension of the VAZ 2107 chassis is quite powerful. It is designed in such a way for the possibility of driving on roads that do not have an asphalt surface. After all, this car is the latest version of the so-called classic VAZ series. It is the cheapest in the price range, and therefore the most popular among rural residents.

Front suspension device vaz 2107

Conventionally, the VAZ 2107 suspension can be divided into 4 nodes. Two triangular levers. The bases, both levers, are attached to the car body on movable mounts. Between the protruding tops of the "triangles-levers", a pivot lever connected to the steering is fixed by finger joints. Between the lower arm and the side member, a spring with a shock absorber inside passes through the opening of the upper arm.

To synchronize the suspension of the right and left sides, a rod is installed between them lateral stability, which, however, has a decent freedom of position. It is attached to the lower arms. Basically, this is all a modification of the VAZ 2101 front suspension, then VAZ 2103, 2106. Preventive maintenance of the VAZ 2107 front suspension usually consists in replacing ball joints and rubber bushings.

Rear suspension VAZ 2107

The rear suspension of "classic" VAZ cars is directly connected to the rest of the chassis. In the rear suspension of the VAZ-2107, the driving rear axle is inscribed, which is connected to the car's engine through a cardan transmission and the rest of the transmission. The wheels are oriented strictly in the direction of the vehicle. These conditions determined the features of the rear suspension of the VAZ-2107. Like the front suspension, the rear is an upgraded version of the first VAZ model.

The figure below shows the rear suspension device of the VAZ-2107. Number 1 shows the thrust spring between the axle (4) and the vehicle body. Number 2, telescopic shock absorber damping sudden vibrations. Transverse reaction thrust 3, prevents the axle from shifting to the sides of the vehicle axis. Longitudinal rods 5 and 6 fix the position in the direction of travel. This arrangement of nodes allows you to compensate for road irregularities.

Front suspension VAZ-2110

Like any VAZ suspension, the tens' front suspension is independent. The front suspension device of the VAZ-2110 is more complicated than that of the classic models. This is due to the fact that the drive of the power unit goes through the gearbox to the front wheels. Therefore, the designers of VAZ had to solve the issue of not only the distribution of the load by the suspension, but also not to let it interfere with the operation of the drive. Here, too, the whole scheme is the result of a phased modernization of the front suspension, from the first version of the front-wheel drive model VAZ-2108. This variation, as the most successful, remained in the variations following the "ten".

Front suspension device VAZ-2110

The suspension kit includes the following components:

• lower arm;
• hub;
• spherical bearing;
• telescopic stand with spring;
• brake disk;
• wheel drive;
• stabilizing transverse bar (on both wheels);
• suspension arm with stretching.

It is the telescopic rack that plays a special role here. Now they are produced in several types. Liquid and gas racks. The principle of operation of the rack is based on a gradual, rather than abrupt, movement of the working rod in the body. This is achieved by in-cylinder bypass valves on the inner rod. Depending on the medium that the valves are bypassed, the struts are divided into hydraulic (liquid on oil) and gas. Usually the manufacturer installs cheaper hydraulic struts. One of the tuning positions of the VAZ-2110 chassis is just the replacement of liquid struts with gas ones. They are more effective and give stability to movement at any speed.

Rear suspension VAZ-2110

Racks are also used here. But since there are no unnecessary problems in the image of the rear-wheel drive, everything is somewhat simpler. The rear suspension includes the following units and parts:

The carrier beam is fixed to the car body with a movable joint. That is, the beam has a relative freedom of movement, like a lid hinged downward. The spring and shock absorber successfully dampen sharp vibrations, eliminating sharp impacts of the beam on the body. The main malfunctions of the rear suspension system are usually also primarily the malfunctions of the shock absorber strut. Also wear of rubber expansion joints in movable joints.

Attention! During any inspection of the undercarriage of the car, the mechanic-repairman must without fail check the condition of these parts.

Malfunctions of these components do not just cause discomfort from knocking. They contribute to the destruction of the body. A body repair pleasure is not cheap. It is better to replace the rubber bush on the hinge or even the strut in a timely manner than to pay for the bodywork later.

Suspension of the chassis VAZ-2121 "Niva"

The Russian off-road vehicle VAZ-2121 has all-wheel drive. This was reflected in the suspension of the chassis of the car. It has its own characteristics and slight differences from other models.

Rear suspension Niva 2121

The rear suspension of the Niva axle itself is identical to the design of conventional classic VAZ models. However, the moving parts have a little more freedom of movement and are manufactured with a large margin of safety for confident movement on terrain where there is no road surface. The new design element is the device of the brake drive pressure regulator. Depending on the position of the machine and the rear axle, a lever attached to the axle adjusts the opening of the rear brake valve. The rest of the suspension differs only in mobility and strength.

Front suspension VAZ-2121

The front wheel suspension is a little more complicated. The front wheels are both driving and steering wheels. Here, too, a larger angle of free movement of moving parts is provided. Therefore, for stabilization, an elastic bar is installed, which is attached to the body. The upper and lower support arms are made in an A-shape and are more reminiscent of the paired suspension arms of a front-wheel drive car than the classics. Despite the apparent fragility of the structure, its strength exceeds the strength of the "classical" structure due to the material and the form of rigidity calculated thoroughly. As in other suspensions, here it is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of the rubber bushings and ball joints.

Telescopic suspension strut VAZ

Telescopic struts replaced conventional shock absorbers with the advent of front-wheel drive VAZ vehicles. They perform the function of not only a shock absorber in the suspension system, but are also an important element of the suspension frame. If the shock absorber only mitigates the jerks when hitting bumps or bumps, the suspension strut mounted with the spring also prevents the suspension parts from moving in different directions. Keeps the suspension arms in position.

Therefore, all its parts are made of materials that are stronger than the shock absorber. Therefore, the price of the rack is much higher.

The device and principle of operation of the telescopic suspension strut

In fact, the rack resembles a medical syringe. The body is the barrel of such a syringe. A rod with a piston at the end moves inside. Only in the absence of an outlet, the fluid in the hydraulic struts is usually the spindle oil, which, with the help of valves built into the piston, smoothly moves to the top when compressed. When stretched also

smoothly moves back. Unlike the shock absorber, the suspension strut housing is equipped with cups for mating with a shock absorber spring, which provides additional suspension stability. In addition, depending on the type of rack, the lower attachments of the body to the suspension arms are arranged differently. The strut is not a repairable suspension unit. In the event of a malfunction, it must only be replaced.

Important! When replacing the rack, the spring is reinstalled on it. This can be done only with the help of a special tool - a spring clamping puller, in order to avoid serious injuries.

Brake system of VAZ cars

On the VAZ prototype, Fiat 124, the designers installed a disc brake system. It is ideal for highways and highways, those that are called federal in modern Russia. However, at that time, there were no roads of this level in the USSR. The vast majority of roads were of poor quality, and did not represent the possibility of high-speed movement. And in conditions of low and medium speeds, disc brakes did not perform well. Therefore, the drum type was adopted, where the semicircular pads were unclenched by hydraulics and pressed against the walls of the drum over a large area. So it was customary to install drum brakes on the classics. They did not become wise by switching to front-wheel drive. The first "chisels" VAZ-2108, and after them and 2109, were equipped exclusively with drums.

Switching to disc brakes

However, time passed, and the situation with the roads began to improve markedly, the speed limit increased. The drum brakes were already performing poorly. Installing a full disc braking system, however, meant completely eliminating the sale of new models to customers in peripheral areas, where many roads still leave much to be desired. The "Solomon's decision" was made - the rear brakes remained drum, and the front ones were put on discs. Since then, this formula has been fixed on the VAZ. The only exception is Lada Kalina Sport. This special speed model is equipped with brake discs from the factory.

Tuning chassis and suspension system VAZ

There are no special improvements in tuning the suspension of any brand. A common practice in this direction is to replace drum brakes with disc brakes. But this should be done in the event that a general modernization of the engine and gearbox has been carried out. It is possible to replace some units with products made of lighter and stronger, correspondingly more expensive, material. Another tuning position is the manipulation of the length of the springs. Some owners, striving to give their car the look of a sports car, cut off 1-2 turns from the spring. Others, those who expect to carry heavy loads, on the contrary, "lift" the car with the help of special cushions under the springs, and even buy non-standard ones, with a large number of turns. Both options are unsafe. When cutting, "understating", the car loses a decent amount of depreciation, the shock absorber strut breaks down faster. The body is destroyed, control is deteriorating. When the body is lifted, the machine becomes less stable at high speeds and the risk of overturning increases. In general, tuning a suspension requires careful thought and serious consultation.

The video shows the repair of the front suspension of the VAZ-2107:

The most loaded element of the VAZ 2107 car is the front suspension. Indeed, it takes on almost all the mechanical loads that occur during movement. For this reason, it is important to pay careful attention to this unit, to carry out repairs in a timely manner and modify it, as far as possible, installing more durable and functional elements.

Purpose and device of the front suspension

It is customary to call a suspension a system of mechanisms that provide an elastic connection between the chassis and the wheels of a car. The main purpose of the unit is to reduce the intensity of vibrations, shocks and shocks that occur during movement. The machine is constantly experiencing dynamic loads, especially when driving on low-quality roads and when transporting goods, that is, in extreme conditions.

It is at the front that the suspension most often takes bumps and shocks. By right, it is the most loaded part of the entire car. On the G7, the front suspension is made better and more reliable than - the manufacturer certainly took into account the high load on the unit, but this is not the only reason. On rear wheel drive vehicles, the front suspension has fewer parts than the rear, so it is less expensive to set up.

The front suspension diagram on the VAZ 2107 includes important details, without which the smooth movement of the car would be impossible.

1. Anti-roll bar or anti-roll bar.
2. The double wishbone suspension is the main undercarriage assembly at the front, consisting of the upper and lower independent wishbones. One of them is fixed with a long bolt through the mudguard strut, the other is bolted to the suspension cross member.
3. Ball joints - are connected to the wheel hubs through the steering knuckle systems with a trunnion.
4. Wheel hubs.
5. Silent blocks or bushings - designed for free movement of the levers. They have a resilient polyurethane (rubber) liner that significantly softens the shock of the suspension.
6. Damping system - includes springs, cups, hydraulic shock absorbers. On the VAZ 2107 models of the last years of production and on the tuned "sevens", stands are used.

Front beam

The task of the front beam is to stabilize the car passing corners. As you know, when maneuvering, centrifugal force arises, which can cause a car to roll over. To prevent this from happening, the designers came up with a beam of lateral stability.

The main purpose of the part is to twist the opposite wheels of the VAZ 2107 using a torsion elastic element. The stabilizer is attached with clamps and rotating rubber bushings directly to the body. The bar is connected to the suspension elements through double levers and shock absorber struts, or, as they are also called, bones.

Levers

The front levers are the guiding components of the chassis of the VAZ 2107. They provide a flexible connection and transmission of vibrations to the body.

The levers are directly connected to the wheels and the car body. It is customary to distinguish between both suspension arms of the "seven", since their replacement and repair is carried out in different ways:

• the upper levers are bolted and easier to remove;
• the lower levers are screwed to the cross member connected to the spar, they are also connected with a ball joint and a spring - their replacement is somewhat more difficult.

Find out more about repairing the front lower arm:

Front shock absorber strut

The owners of the VAZ 2107 learned about the existence of racks when the VAZ 2108 model appeared. Since that time, the manufacturer began to gradually install new mechanisms on the "seven". In addition, the racks have been chosen by specialists who are modernizing a classic car.

The strut is part of the damping system, the task of which is to dampen the vertical vibrations of the body, taking on some of the impacts. The stability of the car on the road depends on the technical condition of the rack.

The front shock absorber strut includes several separate elements:

Spherical bearing

The ball joint is a front suspension element that provides a fairly rigid attachment of the lower arms to the hub of the machine. With these hinges, the car on the road is able to provide smooth movement and the necessary maneuvers. In addition, thanks to these details, the driver can easily control the wheels.

The ball joint consists of a pin with a ball, a thread and a body with a recess. A protective boot is provided on the finger, which is an important part of the element. Regular checking of the ball boots by the driver avoids breakdowns - as soon as a crack is found on this protective element, the hinge must be inspected urgently.

I remember how I changed ball valves for the first time in my life. It happened unexpectedly - I went to the village to see a friend. An exciting fishing trip was expected. On the way to the lake, I had to brake sharply and turn the steering wheel. There was a crunch, then a knock, the car began to pull to the left. "The ball flew" - Tolya (my friend) said with the air of a connoisseur. Indeed, when they lifted the car on a jack, it turned out that the "bull's-eye" jumped out of the nest - what a force the blow should have been! Apparently, the ball was also subjected to heavy loads before that - I often went to the dirt road, and I didn’t regret the "seven", sometimes I drove across the field, stones and pits. Tolya went on foot to find new hinges. The broken part was replaced on the spot, the second I installed afterwards in my garage. Fishing failed.

Hub

The hub sits at the center of the front suspension structure and is a rounded piece connected to the shaft. It has a bearing, the model and strength of which depends on the design tasks.

Thus, the hub consists of a housing, metal wheel studs, bearings and sensors (not installed on all models).

The steering knuckle is an important part of the hub as it integrates the entire front suspension with it. The element is fixed by means of hinges to the hub, steering tips and rack.

Front suspension malfunctions

Problems with the VAZ 2107 suspension arise due to bad roads. First of all, the ball joints suffer, then the struts and other elements of the shock absorption system fail.

Knock

Quite often, the owners of the "seven" complain about a knock when driving at a speed of 20-40 km / h. Then, as you accelerate, the dull sound disappears. Noise area - front suspension.

Experienced owners of the VAZ 2107 claim that the knock at low speed, which disappears with acceleration, is associated with shock absorbers. They receive a vertical blow from below when the movement of the machine is weak. At high speed, the car levels out and the knocks disappear.

Detailed instructions for the actions of the driver who notices the knock are given below.

Video: what knocks on the front suspension

The car is pulled to the side

If the machine starts to pull to the side, the steering knuckle or suspension arm may be deformed. On old VAZ 2107 cars, the loss of the spring of the strut spring is not excluded.

Basically, if the car pulls to the side, this is due to brake pads, steering play and other third-party reasons not related to the suspension. Therefore, it is recommended to proceed with the elimination method, and only then test the suspension.

Hum when cornering

The hum when cornering is due to wear on the hub bearing. The nature of the noise is as follows: it is observed on the one hand, appears up to a speed of 40 km / h, and then disappears.

Here's how to check a wheel bearing for play.

Suspension upgrade

The standard "seven" suspension is considered soft and imperfect. Therefore, many decide on tuning and improvements. This helps to dramatically improve handling and overall comfort, as well as extend the life of springs, balls, bushings and other components.

Reinforced springs

Springs are the main element responsible for smooth running, directional stability and good handling. When they weaken or sag, the suspension is not able to compensate for the loads, therefore breakdowns of its elements and other troubles occur.

Owners of "seven", often driving on bad roads or driving with a loaded trunk, definitely need to think about upgrading the standard springs. In addition, there are two main signs by which one can judge that the elements need to be replaced.

Spacers are the first thing that comes to mind to the owners of the VAZ 2107. But this conclusion is not entirely correct. Yes, they will restore the stiffness of the springs, but they will negatively affect the resource of the elements. Cracks will soon be found on springs reinforced in this way.

Therefore, the only correct solution would be to replace conventional springs with reinforced or modified ones from the VAZ 2104. At the same time, the shock absorbers must be replaced with more powerful ones, otherwise the reinforced springs will easily damage the standard system.

Before starting the replacement procedure, you need to arm yourself with the following tools.

1. Lift.
2. A set of different keys, including a balloon one.
3. A crowbar.
4. Bruskom.
5. Wire hook.

Now more about the replacement.

1. Put the car on a jack, remove the wheels.
2. Dismantle struts or conventional shock absorbers.
3. Loosen the upper arm catches.
4. Place a block under the machine, raise the lower arm with a jack.
5. Unscrew the stabilizer bar fastening.
6. Remove the lift.
7. Loosen the nuts of the lower and upper ball joints, but do not completely loosen them.
8. Knock out the support pin from the steering knuckle using a pry bar and a hammer.
9. Fix the upper arm with a wire hook and lower the lower arm.
10. Pry the springs with a pry bar from below and remove them.

Then you need to release both springs from the gaskets, check the condition of the latter. If they are in good condition, install on the new spring using electrical tape. Put reinforced springs in place of the regular ones.

Air suspension

"Seven" has great potential in terms of modernizing the front suspension. And many car owners decide to install air suspension with an electric compressor, hoses and a control unit.

This is a real electronic assistant that allows you to change the value ground clearance depending on traffic conditions. Thanks to this innovation, the stability of the car at high speeds increases, long-distance trips become comfortable, the car passes bumps more smoothly, in a word, it looks like a foreign car.

The modernization of the system goes like this.

Video: air suspension on a VAZ, worth it or not

Electromagnetic suspension

Another upgrade option involves the use of an electromagnetic suspension. It is a collection of mechanisms and components that act as a link between the road and the body. Thanks to the use of this type of tuning suspension, a smooth ride, high stability, safety and comfort are ensured. The car will not "sag" even during long-term parking, and thanks to the built-in springs, the suspension will remain operational even in the absence of commands from the on-board network.

Today the most famous manufacturers of electromagnetic suspensions are Delphi, SKF, Bose.

The front suspension of the VAZ 2107 requires timely maintenance and control over the main components. Remember that road safety depends on it.

The desire for tuning begins with the discomfort when everything is right, but something is still wrong. And the rest of the actions already depend on the driver himself - someone with a head has enough instrument combinations with the original design of the scales, and someone wants to modernize almost every element of the vehicle.

Due to the high demand for tuning certain elements, the stores were simply overflowing with various accessories, auto workshops had to recruit specialists in tuning of varying complexity, and thematic publications appeared on the shelves of the kiosks.

Our article will not be replete with gigantic pictures, since the focus is on information, not images.

Every motorist wants his vehicle to be perfect in all aspects, from interior elements to the engine.

For the most part, vehicle improvement stops with the installation of aerodynamic elements, sports locks, mufflers, steering wheel and seats. There is no shame in striving to see your vehicle different from what the manufacturer intended. It all depends on the tastes of each person. However, it is important to know when to stop, since excessive enthusiasm for tuning makes the car look somewhat strange and incomprehensible.

There are other tuning enthusiasts out there who dream of engine improvements. They just simply torture car engines, expanding the working volumes, the level of compression, modernize the KShM and timing, carry out chip tuning, put nitro and other elements. But here it is already worth thinking well, because such methods, which increase the power of the vehicle, also require an increase in responsibility on the owner in the form of additional obligations.

The reason is that any, even a weak vehicle, is dangerous in itself, and if the car has just enormous power, not comparable to the braking dynamics, then it is already worth considering. How can you protect yourself, and how to protect others from potential dangers? It is wrong to believe that a motorist who decides to increase the power of the motor will limit himself in the speed of movement, because such operations are done to squeeze all his strength out of the motor. The speed will increase, and any serial unit will simply not be able to cope with the assigned tasks. The suspension and its average characteristics are completely unsuitable for this business, the brakes even reach a critical mode of operation. Standard tires are not able to provide the car with the delicacy that is necessary for intensive handling at high speed.

However, in general, the modernization of the suspension brings with it such advantages, the reduction of body turns during cornering, longitudinal and lateral swinging and a number of other nuances are almost completely lost. In addition, the overall suspension becomes very stable.

Tuning problems

When on a slippery road a stream of cars is overtaken by a dull tinted car with a raised stern, ten minutes later you have to observe the work of rescuers who get a vehicle caught in reinforced concrete bumpers. After that, I involuntarily want to ask a pretty obvious question. The old wisdom that it is not worth picking up high speed without the necessary confidence will be relevant at all times. In such cases, it remains to advise a banal rule - never exceed the speed, contrary to your wishes.

A professionally sharpened tool requires a firm and confident hand. Therefore, the approach to the expedient exploitation of all the power reserves of an extreme vehicle should be as serious as the attitude of doctors to their work in the course of operations is serious. A quality scalpel will become useless and dangerous in the hands of an amateur who has never opened an anatomy book. Because professional driving is more important than a boosted engine, reference suspension and modified brakes.

For every driver, such traits as calm character and patience with other drivers or pedestrians are important. There is no need to turn on the signal for pedestrians with or without reason, no need to frighten them by gaining speed after the green light is on. You also need to be more sensitive to drivers for whom driving can be stressful. Old women, children, young mothers also need to be treated more indulgently. Of course, after a hectic day, it's easy to forget about it, and I want them all to move faster. Still, you need to understand that city streets are not the most suitable place for rapid acceleration.

Before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle, it is worth considering the following nuances: will the gasket between the steering wheel and the seat withstand the power that the head gasket can handle? If you cannot answer affirmatively to this question, then it is better not to use the full potential of the machine in one fell swoop. Well, if ambitions are overwhelming, it makes sense to visit a school focused on extreme driving. Taking into account the situation on domestic roads, it will be very, very useful. At the end of the course, few drivers will step on the gas without thinking it over in advance. After all, it is natural for a person to acquire not only specific skills, but his attitude towards driving a car as a whole as a phenomenon changes.

Before proceeding with the modification of the vehicle, it is important to know exactly what it will be, how radical the changes will be, and what they will bring with them. It's one thing to fit pedal pads, a chrome-plated gear knob, sports seats and a steering wheel. But interference in the design of the engine, suspension, brakes and body is a completely different matter. Although both branches fall under the same category.

It is also important which vehicle will be modified. It is possible to make sports vehicles out of vintage cars around, but there is practically no sense in this. Putting a powerful engine on a rarity is only half the battle, in order to realize its potential without harming yourself and others, you will need to revise the vehicle design as such. Of course, no one can stop the true fans of this activity, but to an ordinary car enthusiast, this idea will seem difficult to implement and hard hitting the pocket. Therefore, the choice must be final and complex. A process such as tuning the suspension requires adherence to a certain regular sequence. First of all, you need to do everything in a logical way, due to which the transport will acquire a new character, the degree of rigidity of which rests on the wishes of the owner.

It is also worth paying attention to the brake system. It makes sense to work on a reserve.

In the future, they begin to design the motor. At this point, a wide choice is provided for the activity: from multifaceted modifications to the standard motor and ending with the installation of a more powerful version. It also depends on the tastes and priorities of the owner.

Having received an engine with different characteristics, it becomes necessary to get an engine aggregated with a transmission in order to get the most out of it. As you know, a standard gearbox in combination with a GP with an updated engine will impede the coordinated operation of the system, therefore a selection of rows and gear ratios will be required.

Alternatively, you can calculate in advance, starting from the power of the motor, calculate the required transmission and braking parameters. Having decided on the operating conditions of the vehicle, you need to tackle the selection of the optimal suspension characteristics, including wheels and tires.

Having dealt with the chassis, you can get down to the exterior and interior decoration. There is also a wide selection: unique lighting devices, aerodynamic solutions, image application and other interesting things. The interior changes are also difficult to call something incredibly complex - additional devices, sports seats and a steering wheel, various linings and controls, floor mats, and many other elements that give the car a personality.

The first stage of suspension modernization

People who have always dreamed of unlimited freedom have always been attracted by the thought of long journeys. However, there are many places that you cannot visit on foot, so the man had to tame the horses. Wandering alone turned out to be dangerous and boring, and the poor cloven-hoofed man could not bear to pull more than one or two people on his own. And this is not to mention the road belongings - that's why the idea of ​​a carriage came to people. In the interval between admiring the beauty of the surrounding landscapes, people more and more often thought about the comfort of travel, which was the reason for the appearance of a leather belt. Wooden springs came to replace the belt. But then they were supplanted by more practical metal variations.

Over the years, horses were replaced by steam engines and the first engines.

The speed increased more and more, as did the demands on the vehicles and drivers themselves. Safety, handling, ride quality, comfort and durability were the main factors. It took a complete revision not only of the design features of the suspension, but also of the vehicle as such.

Suspension elements can be divided into: basic and additional. The main features are divided into steel products, gas and pneumatic elements, rubber, and plastic products. Their task is to hold the body in a specific position and to ensure the elastic interaction of the vehicle with the road.

Additional elements include hinges connecting elements of the movable type in the suspension with the body. They are necessary to suppress vibrations and vibrations in the high frequency range.

If we talk about specific elements - springs, then they are divided into linear and progressive. In the first case, the spring stiffness changes in proportion to the changes in length. These in-line coil-type springs with a fixed pitch and bar thickness are designed for a safe and extremely comfortable ride on a flat road.

In the second case, the spring stiffness changes regardless of changes in length. There are cylindrical shapes with variable pitch. They got their name due to a significant increase in stiffness during compression, avoiding punctures and increasing vehicle handling.

It is also important to note the composite elastic elements, consisting of a pair of springs of different stiffness. They are separated by a special washer with the required level of elasticity or rigidity.

This option will reduce vibration from small vibrations, thanks to the work of an elastic element with a small diameter of the bar and with a small step. Thanks to a second, stiffer spring, suspension holes are eliminated in case of large damage on the road. As a result, the vehicle will get good handling without sacrificing comfort.

Shock absorbers

These elements are necessary in order to damp body vibrations caused by road irregularities or inertial forces. Prevents vibrations of wheels, tires, wheel brakes, axles, axles, beams, hubs and levers in relation to the body.

It is the efficiency of his working process that affects the comfort and safety, since, in addition to reducing vibrations, his tasks include ensuring the reliability of contact between the wheels and the roadway.

The most common in modern suspensions are hydraulic and hydropneumatic shock absorbers, which are characterized by reliability, efficiency and manufacturability.

Their workflow involves converting a specific number of kinetic vibrational energy into heat and dissipating heat. The amount of this energy depends on the mass of the vehicle, spring stiffness and vibration frequency. The principle of operation is based on the viscosity and compressibility of the liquid.

Shock absorbers can be divided into three types:

• Hydraulic two-pipe solutions.
• Hydropneumatic two-pipe solutions.
• Hydropneumatic one-pipe solutions.

If we talk about two-tube pneumatic shock absorbers, then they have long become the classic representatives of the family of hydraulic variations.

Twin-tube variations are characterized by matching cylinder axes. The outer cylinder is called the reservoir, while the inner cylinder has no other name. The cylinder contains a movable piston on which a bypass valve is installed. The lower part of the cylinder houses the bypass and compression valve, each of which was mounted in a separate housing. The cylinder is filled with a shock-absorbing liquid to its full volume, the reservoir is only two-thirds filled, and the free space above the liquid is filled with air.

The damping process is carried out due to the hydraulic resistance provided by the water when circulating through the valve system. The resistance, as well as the level of hardness, is regulated by the above-mentioned valves. The bypass valve allows fluid to flow in a specific direction.

During the compression of the shock absorber, water flows from the area below the piston to the area above the piston, and the volumes of liquid displaced by the parts of the incoming cylinder rod enter the reservoir from the outside. During the release, the process proceeds in the reverse order.

It is worth dwelling in detail on a single-tube hydropneumatic shock absorber, commonly referred to as a "gas" shock absorber.

In principle, it is similar to the two-pipe version: damping is performed due to the passage of fluid through calibrated compression and rebound valves. In this case, each valve is located on the piston, and the only pipe plays the role of both the body and the cylinder, therefore the reservoir is absent as such. Now it's worth talking about physics. A liquid cannot be compressed, but in the case of a gas, everything is different - it can be compressed. This property was used by the designers during the development of elements. They placed a separating piston at the bottom of the cylinder, and also pumped neutral nitrogen into the resulting volumes. As a result, the volumes of fluids displaced by the piston during compression are compensated for by the compressible gas below the separation piston.

Recently, they have been trying to introduce, and in some cases have already serially introduced shock absorbers controlled by electronic technology. In addition, systems are operated with half-active control, due to which the shock absorber is adjusted, starting from the speed of the vehicle.

Used constructions

As you know, there is always something to strive for, even if the path to striving is not always obvious.

Therefore, each new technical solution surprises with its verified complexity or simplicity, however, both categories prioritize the modernization of the qualities of the vehicle. We will not be able to study each of the available pendants, therefore it is worth dwelling on the most famous ones.

It is important to note that suspensions are divided into two main types: dependent and independent. The first ones are used on trucks and heavy off-road workers, therefore they are not the cornerstone of the article. But the independent type is the most appropriate for this article, since it is used in passenger cars.

The most common designs of independent rear axle suspension are with longitudinal, transverse or oblique arms.

Front and rear axles can be used in the case of MacPherson strut, upper and lower A-wishbones, and oblique wishbones.

All of them are characterized by a variety of kinematic capabilities, as well as pluses and minuses, on which there is no particular point in focusing attention. But in the case of general system requirements, it is better to remember.

As everyone knows, suspension performance is directly related to the various parameters of specific parts and their interactions. Manufacturers of mass-produced vehicles always make a choice in favor of the average variants. Nobody will allow to reduce the level of safety for the sake of comfort, and the reputation from such actions will be damaged. At the same time, cutting comfort for the sake of safety is also a highly irrational decision.

Therefore, manufacturers are trying to find a certain compromise that can satisfy the average consumer.

If we talk about the topic of requirements for ordinary transport, then we will not touch on them and turn directly to the topic under consideration.

To obtain the required output, it will be necessary to replace the characteristics of the elastic and damping type elements. It is worth starting with elastic elements.

The softness of the springs and the large travel of the suspension are the precursors to a high ride comfort, sufficient freedom of longitudinal vibration of the body and acceptable contact of the wheels with the road surface. However, there is one important drawback regarding the softness of the spring.

This factor is the reason for the large overbalance of the body when cornering and the reduced ability of the tires to react to lateral forces. In other words, when cornering, the vehicle will deviate from the planned trajectory, making the high-speed passage very problematic. It follows that for fast driving, a suspension with great stiffness and short travel is required.

How can this be done? The answer is quite simple - by installing modified springs and shock absorbers. In addition, you can take a closer look at progressive springs, which is useful if you want to reduce the vehicle's clearance.

If we talk about damping solutions, then shock absorbers with stiffness contribute to excellent contact of the wheels with the road surface, with minor losses in smoothness.

We can talk about the advantages of shock absorbers and springs for a long time, but it is worth reducing the unsprung masses. This is precisely the purpose of easily alloyed and forged wheels. It is also worth noting the tires, because high-type profile rubber is able to nullify almost any transformation in the suspension, regardless of its rigidity.

First of all, this is a decrease in body roll during cornering, longitudinal and lateral swaying and a number of other nuances almost completely disappear. In addition, the overall suspension becomes very stable.

In addition, the vehicle will react more quickly to one or another turn of the steering wheel, losing the pause inherent in stock variations when changing lanes, sharper reactions will dominate in habits. It is also worth noting that the ground clearance will be reduced, thereby reminding of sports cars.

Probable problems

It is worth remembering that the increased level of rigidity of the suspension elements will not have the most desired effect on the body: the dynamic loads to which the load-bearing elements are susceptible will be increased, the body will be more loaded with vibration. Since when driving over an uneven surface, the same amount of energy is extinguished as in the case of a soft serial spring and shock absorbers in suspensions with a long but shorter stroke, and this feature contributes to a decrease in the resource of the body, contributing to the premature destruction of ball joints, hinges, motor cushions.

With a significantly reduced ground clearance, it is not recommended to meddle on broken country roads for obvious reasons. And in urban environments, you can accidentally catch on something with the lower part of the bumper or suspension arm. In the best case, these will be small stones.

However, the issue with clearance is not as bad as it might seem. Many firms selling elements for the element in question make complete sets that include shock absorbers and springs with pre-selected characteristics. In addition, developments are presented that are capable of adjusting the ground clearance and the level of rigidity in a fast theme and in a wide range. It follows from this that you can get add-ons in fact for a wide variety of conditions of use, thereby satisfying any request with just one kit.

“Seven” is the last rear-wheel drive car in the VAZ model range. The front suspension of the VAZ 2107 has fewer parts than the “older” front-wheel drive models, so its repair is easier.

Front suspension device VAZ 2107

"Seven" is equipped with independent suspension consisting of an upper and lower arm, a spring and a shock absorber on each side. The lower arms are interconnected via the anti-roll bar.

The axles of the lower arms are rigidly attached to the cross member (beam), which is attached to the front side members of the body. The role of the axes of the upper levers is performed by the mounting bolts with which the levers are screwed to the mudguard struts.

The mobility of the levers is provided by rubber-metal hinges - silent blocks.

The wheel hub is bolted to the steering knuckle, which is held at the ends of the levers by ball bearings (top and bottom). This ensures that the wheels turn around the vertical axis.

The front suspension springs are located between the lower arms and the mudguard, which smooth out bumps when driving on uneven sections of the road. So that the springs do not move during the ride, their edges are inserted into the support cups.

The shock absorbers, which absorb vibration energy, are attached by the body to the lower arm, and their rods are screwed to the mudguards through rubber cushions.

The anti-roll bar is connected to the arms and side members through rubber bushings to eliminate direct metal contact and absorb shock loads.

VAZ 2107 front suspension malfunctions

Repair or replacement of the VAZ 2107 front suspension is required in case of wear or breakdown of its parts. The most susceptible to wear are rubber and rubber-metal bushings, shock absorbers and ball joints. Breakage of the latter is the most dangerous, since the steering knuckle in such cases turns out together with the wheel, and the car loses control.

To determine breakdowns, it is necessary to inspect and diagnose the condition of the front suspension.

The inspection consists in checking the absence of oil leaks from the shock absorbers, the condition of the rubber parts of the parts and the integrity of the spring.

Checking the front suspension parts of the VAZ 2107

It is easy to check the condition of the shock absorbers: press down hard on the wing, forcing the spring and shock absorber to compress and release. The machine should return to its original state and not continue to swing.

The condition of the ball joints can be assessed by checking the backlash of the parts with a loaded and unloaded suspension.

All rubber parts (anthers, bushings, bushings) must be replaced at the first sign of wear or damage. Silent blocks must also be replaced if there is a lever play on the axle.

Replacement of ball joints VAZ 2107

To replace the ball, it is necessary to jack up and remove the wheel. Then unscrew the nut holding the support pin in the steering knuckle and press out the latter.

After that, you can unscrew the support from the lever and remove it together with the boot. It remains to install a new ball joint with a new boot and assemble by performing the previous operations in reverse order.

After replacing the ball, it is advisable to adjust the angles of the front wheels (wheel alignment).

Replacement of silent blocks VAZ 2107

Repairing the front suspension of the VAZ 2107 often requires replacing the silent blocks. To carry out this operation, the upper arm must be removed. The bushing of the lower arm can be changed without removing the arm from the vehicle.

The silent blocks are pressed out of the lever and pressed into it using a special puller. To remove the upper arm, it is necessary to press out the support pin.

The bushing of the lower arms can be replaced by unscrewing the nuts on the arm shaft. Removing the lower levers is only worth replacing with new ones. But such an operation is usually required only when eliminating the consequences of an accident.

Replacing the front shock absorbers VAZ 2107

The front shock absorbers of the VAZ 2107 cannot be repaired, therefore, in case of poor performance or the presence of oil drips, they are changed to new ones. To replace them, it is enough to unscrew the two fastening nuts on the lower arm and the nut that secures the shock absorber rod in the mudguard cup. The shock absorbers are removed and inserted through the hole in the lower arm. To get or insert the shock absorber, it must be squeezed.

Replacing the front springs VAZ 2107

Replacing the front suspension springs is done after removing the shock absorbers and undocking the anti-roll bar (the latter interferes with the free movement of the levers). Also, to replace the spring, loosen the nuts securing the axis of the lower arm.

To lower the lower arm as much as possible and release the spring, it is necessary to press the pin of the lower ball joint from the steering knuckle.

Before installation, a new spring must be compressed and fixed with special ties.

The assembly of the assembly is carried out in the reverse order. Spring ties can be removed only after attaching the ball pin in the steering knuckle.

For more information on replacing springs, you can read

Repair of the VAZ 2107 suspension is not particularly difficult and does not require special knowledge and special qualifications. The only question is whether there is a special tool (pullers and ties) and a viewing hole in the garage.

Here is a video of the complete disassembly and correct sequence of the front suspension.

The classic has proven itself well on Russian roads and will probably not retire soon. This car is usually used by people with an average income. It is quite inexpensive to maintain and has good technical characteristics. He has small factory flaws, which were noticed, probably, by everyone who operated this car. It is enough to place several people in the cabin, as the car sinks noticeably. This indicates a very weak and unfinished suspension.

The chassis of the VAZ-2107 is imperfect and requires some modifications

Of course, it is better and more convenient to make a VAZ-2107 in specialized workshops, where they can offer various ways to solve this problem. But the main problem, as you know, is finance, so here everyone needs to decide for themselves how to be, depending on their capabilities. Basically, they are trying to tune the VAZ-2107 suspension. In other words, they want to see a good effect for little money. And in principle, this is justified.

It is advisable to do tuning of the VAZ-2107 chassis at the same time. That is, not parts that are aging and will not be in harmony with new details. It is better to thoroughly prepare for this business and strengthen the suspension of your vehicle.

Increasing the stiffness of the rear suspension

In order to tune the rear suspension of the VAZ-2107, you need to replace several components. Namely: springs, shock absorbers, silent blocks and rubber bumpers.

In order to make a balanced revision of the rear suspension, you need to take into account the lift height and spring length. You may need to remove a few turns to fit properly. The springs need to be changed to more powerful and stiffer ones. Usually well suited for replacing the spring from a Niva car.

The next step is to replace the shock absorbers. The main thing here is to meet the requirements. It is best to look for fixed stem shock absorbers, as they tend to be much stiffer than their counterparts.

Even at first glance, insignificant parts: bumpers and silent blocks must be replaced with more reliable and powerful ones. Because the abrasion of the rubber bands leads to a deterioration in the car's handling. You can feel it immediately, so the modernization of the chassis makes the car more reliable in use.

Safe turns

It's no secret that not only the engine is important for any car, but also the confidence in driving. Reliable grip on the track, no roll when cornering - the result of good work of the rear suspension. Therefore, it is very important for the drift of the VAZ-2107 rear suspension. By the way, the word drift means a skillful turn. In order for it to be safe, you need to keep all the components and parts of the suspension under constant control.

Strengthening the front suspension

Particular attention should be paid to tuning the front suspension of the VAZ-2107. The main weight of all units is concentrated here. It is advisable to install the replaced parts highest quality, you can use foreign production. All replacement work is carried out by analogy with the rear part.

After replacing all parts with more powerful ones, the rigidity of the suspensions will increase significantly. But there may be inconveniences of management vehicle... A slight tilt of the body will be noticeable when cornering. Here additional work needs to be done to improve the VAZ-2107 suspension.

It is imperative that after the completion of the VAZ-2107 suspension, it is necessary to make wheel alignment. This operation, of course, is best done at the station using special equipment.

We put a double stabilizer

The revision of the VAZ-2107 front suspension in terms of installing a second stabilizer will not only provide additional control reliability, but also strengthen it. To install another stabilizer, respectively, you need to additionally weld the rings for the bushings. Next, weld the paired rings to the stabilizer (to the existing mountings) and install the second stabilizer in place.

Improvement to strengthen the chassis

It is also important to process the studs, which are located on the lower arm against corrosive wear. Before tightening the nuts, they must first be lubricated. The tips of the studs can be fused with plastics. To do this, you can take any thing made of plastic, cut off a piece, lean against the tip of the hairpin and melt it.

Additionally, you can strengthen the stabilizer brackets. To do this, it is recommended to weld special steel corners on them. Then carry out anti-corrosion treatment.

For the chassis VAZ-2107 makes the car more reliable and convenient to use.