The shock absorber strut of the front suspension of the Lada Granta car consists of several elements. It should be disassembled when it is necessary to replace one of the rack elements - either the shock absorber (cartridge), or the spring, upper support, boot.
All components and elements of the front suspension strut are shown schematically below.
Designations in the figure: 1-Shock absorber rack (cartridge and glass assembly); 2-barrel spring; 3-rack stem nut; 4-limiting washer of the upper support; 5-top support of the rack; 6-bearing of the upper support and spring cup; 7-bottom spring gasket; 8-bump stop (compression stroke buffer); 9-stop of the compression stroke of the upper support; 10-strut protective cover.
Usually, repairing a front shock absorber in a garage does not lead to a good result. In this regard, we will not consider the repair of the strut damper itself. If it fails, replace it with a new one.
In order to disassemble this front suspension unit you will need tools (for spring compression) and a set of tools (keys "14", "22", hex key "6").
How to disassemble a rack on a Lada Grant
So, to disassemble the rack, follow all of the following illustrated steps. Sequence of work| 6. | The upper strut mount can now be removed as well. |  |
Checking units and elements of the shock absorber strut
Check the strut body and shock absorber for cracks, damage. If the latter are found, replace the stand. It is forbidden to carry out any repair welding work on it, as this can greatly affect the further performance.Install the shock absorber strut in a vertical position and try several times, as shown in the photo, to lower and raise the strut rod from stop to stop.
The stem should move without noticeable dips or bounces, without jamming or knocking. Also, there should be no traces of shock absorber oil leakage from the strut. If there are any of the above defects, the rack should be replaced.
Next, inspect the compression travel buffer and protective boot.
The parts must not be cracked or damaged, otherwise replace them.
Also inspect the shock strut top mount and bearing.
The bearing must not have an axial play in the bearing housing and there must be no grease leaks from under the protective rings. Check its rotation, it should be free of jam. Replace questionable bearing with support.
The same goes for the strut spring. Examine it for cracks, deformations. Replace it if necessary. 
It is also worth checking the threads on the bolts and nuts and replacing them with new ones as needed.
The rack is assembled in the reverse order of disassembly.
The front struts on Lada Grant cars can safely move more than 100 thousand kilometers without any signs of wear. But there are also exceptions to the rule. Usually, the first symptoms of a failure can be considered:
- Leaking shock absorber
- Breakdowns and knocks when driving on uneven surfaces
If you see traces of oil on the counter, it means that it needs to be changed. If the rack is collapsible, then replace the cartridge, which will be a little cheaper than buying an assembled rack.
Also, if knocks appear when passing speed bumps, holes or potholes on the road, check the operation of the rack. In the case when defects in its work are evident, it is necessary to replace it. To do this, you need the following tool.
- Spring ties
- Jack
- Balloon wrench
- Penetrating grease
- Wrench for 13, 22, 19 and 17 mm
- 9 mm wrench for holding the stem of the stand (or a special device)
- Pliers
- Pry bar with hammer
The procedure for removing the front pillar module assembly on the Lada Granta
So, first of all, you need to open the hood of the car and at the moment when the car is still on its wheels, loosen the nut that secures the upper support. At this moment, it is necessary to keep the stem from turning with a 9 mm wrench.
Disengage the brake hose and then apply penetrating grease to all screw connections that need to be unscrewed.
Bend the cotter pin out of the steering end pin using a pair of pliers. Unscrew the nut using a 19 mm wrench, as shown in the picture below.
Using a special puller, or using a hammer and pry bar, release the finger from the pivot arm of the rack.
After that, using the heads and knobs, unscrew the two nuts securing the strut to the steering knuckle of the Grants front suspension.
Of course, on the reverse side, it will be necessary to keep the bolts from turning.
If the bolts have not been loosened for a long time, then it will not be so easy to knock them out. But with a sufficiently strong effort, as well as the presence of a breakdown and a hammer, it will be possible to do all this.
After that, we remove the rack from the bottom of the engagement, as shown in the photo below.
And now it remains to unscrew the three nuts securing the pillar support to the body glass.
Now, without any problems, you can pull out the entire module assembly, since nothing else holds it.
Disassembly of the module: replacement of the rack, spring, support and support bearing Grants
In order to disassemble the A-pillar module on the Grant, its springs must be tightened using special ties. This process is clearly visible below.
When the spring is tight enough, you can unscrew the top nut all the way.
The support is now removed. In the photo below, it was shot without a bearing, but it is better to remove it assembled with a bearing.
In this example, the entire Granta front suspension has been changed to SS20.
Of course, after the complete installation of new modules on the car, it will be necessary to contact the service station to set the camber-toe angles of the front wheels. The price of new springs is from 1000 rubles per unit (factory), the stand is from 2000 rubles (DAAZ - plant.), A support with a bearing (500 rubles apiece).
The design of the front struts of the Lada Granta car is telescopic, which allows you to replace a specific element that has failed. To do this, you only need to disassemble the rack into separate parts. For a detailed consideration of this operation, you will need to pay attention to manipulations with one of the racks, since the second is being repaired in a completely similar way. The best help in the work will be hanging the car with a lift compared to lifting with a conventional jack. In the latter case, place the LADA Granta car on a flat surface. You also need to know which racks are best to put.
Preparatory procedures
Many car owners are interested in which racks are better to put, as well as how to do everything correctly. Before repairing the A-pillars, you will need:
- We stop the LADA Granta car with the handbrake and put chocks under the stern wheels.
- Under the hood, we find the shock absorber rod, into the hexagonal recess of which, located at the end, we insert the key of the corresponding profile.
- Using the second wrench, weaken the tightening torque of the nut that secures the suspension element to the body. In the meantime, we hold the stem with a hex wrench from the desire to turn in collaboration with the nut.
- We "dive" into the LADA Granta wheel arch and find a bracket that holds the brake hose on the rack body.
- We unscrew the specified fastener, removing the hose itself from the holding bracket. This will allow space for unscrewing the bottom strut mount. You will have to work in tandem with a key "17" standard size.
It is worth daring to replace the struts in cases where the fact of a leakage of the working fluid from the shock absorber is detected, as well as if a knock appears, deformation of the stem or destruction of the silent block.
It should be remembered about the rule that the struts are replaced in a complex on one axis, even if the second shock-absorbing element is serviceable.
What tools to choose?
- Hex key with size "6".
- Conventional (sockets can be used) wrenches, the standard sizes of which are as follows: "13", "17", "19" and "22".
How to remove the spring and shock absorber on Grant?
- If the equipment of the car implies the presence of the ABS system, then before starting the repair process with shock absorbers and springs, it is imperative to dismantle the sensor of this safety unit.
- Now you can disconnect the steering rod. This manipulation involves the simultaneous disconnection of the tip of the steering gear from the pivot arm located on the shock absorber.
- To prevent a large error in the installation angles of both Lada Grant wheels, it is required before dismantling to mark the location of the upper bolt with a washer, with which the suspension element is attached to the pivot pin with its bracket. An ordinary marker can be great for this. Such a simple action will allow you to calmly get to the service in order to subsequently correct the camber and toe. And on the move, the car will not so clearly tend to go to the side.
- We unscrew the bolts fixing the rack and fist. First, we release the upper bolt paired with the eccentric washer, and then remove the lower fastener. Now the moment has come to detach the strut from the trunnion. We proudly perform this action.
- We return under the hood. We find three points (nuts). This is the attachment point for the shock absorber to the side member body cup. The nuts are loosened evenly (in turn, but by a small amount). This will prevent the rack from skewing. The damping element itself is supported from the inside of the wheel arch, so as not to cause it to fall. The whole event is realized by means of the key on "13".
- Having made a victory over the nuts, we solemnly remove the rack.
- We use ties for spring elements. The process of clamping the coil with these devices is carried out until the moment the spring is released from the thrust between the stand and support cups.
- After making sure that the spring is free, unscrew the central stem nut with a key "22".
- Now we proceed to disassemble the rack. We dismantle the support with its bearing, remove the upper metal cup and the damping element. The boot and the spring itself remained.
- We inspect all parts for signs of wear or damage.
Subtleties when installing a suspension element
- We begin to assemble the suspension element according to the reverse dismantling process of the algorithm.
- We recommend checking the shock absorber before direct installation. To do this, you need to push the stem all the way down and track its behavior. If the pressing force is high, and the stem subsequently slowly (without delay) returns to the extended position.
This indicates the health of the element. - A special mark, which the manufacturer has kindly put on the surface of the product, will help to correctly install the front pillars. The direction of the mark should be oriented along the course of the Lada Granta car.
- Having reached the correct location of the marks, feel free to assemble the shock-absorbing unit, observing the well-known sequence of actions.
Summarize
Now you know which racks are best to place. Replacing the shock strut, as well as disassembling it in order to change specific parts, was not an intricate procedure. This work is within the power of the ordinary owner of Lada Granta, who has the desire and the tool. After completing the repair activities, do not forget to check and adjust the camber.
Before proceeding with the direct assembly, make sure that all marks are completely aligned with each other. Also, be sure to check the angles at which the front wheels of the Lada Grant are installed. If you are convinced of a problem, perform an alignment camber for more reliable operation of the car.
Asks: Anastasia.
A-pillars have started knocking since the summer. I go to a village a hundred kilometers from the city. And the roads there are like an ironing board, and sometimes there are holes as deep as a wheel. And it often began to knock when traveling. In the summer it was not so audible, now it is louder.
I left the car in the service center in the winter, but after a month it also started making noise, plus the knocking resumed.
- What should I do about it?
- And how deplorable is that for a car?
Expert answer
The following two tabs change content below.
Expert on Lada cars with many years of experience. I own a Lada Grant car, collect cramps at the Priora base. Sometimes I spend the night in the garage. My wife is more jealous of cars than women.
Squeaks and knocks can occur for various reasons, and it is not necessary that this is exactly the rack.
Lada Grant's suspension design is “simpler than a steamed turnip,” but this does not mean that it is bad, on the contrary, this is exactly the case when simplicity is good!
What to do
Regarding the question, what should you do about it. The easiest option, and in my opinion the most correct one, is to contact a specialized service. Preferably not the one in which you were diagnosed with the car last time. If the knock passed, and then reappeared, then you could have replaced the part with a low-quality one (used), possibly with a profit. Or maybe there was an accident and the spare part turned out to be of poor quality.
Diagnostics of the elements of the front suspension in the service center
In addition to diagnostics of the strut (shock absorber), the service center will also check the rest of the suspension elements, such as ball, "crabs" and stabilizer struts.
How deplorable it can be
Working on the diagnosis and repair of the front suspension is such a routine in car services that problems should not arise. Moreover, the Lada Granta is a very common car, and therefore it was studied by the staff of the repair stations "far and wide."
I advise you not to delay the repair, as this can develop into much more serious problems, not to mention your safety while driving. Driving a car with a faulty suspension is life-threatening!
Cracked glass. It's good that not a glass with a body number, otherwise problems with the traffic police could not be avoided
Under increased load, the "glass" on the body can crack, and this is body repair with painting, which will reduce the cost of your car if it is sold on the secondary market. Plus, there may be difficulties with the traffic police, after all.
Shock absorbers in the car provide handling and comfortable movement, smoothing out the shock of the suspension on uneven roads. There are a lot of products on the market from various manufacturers of racks that can be installed on domestic VAZ models.
The huge assortment is divided into naturally formed categories in terms of price and quality of products, and for the convenience of the reader, our review repeats this gradation. The rating of the models is based not only on the characteristics of the manufacturer, but also on the experience of practical operation, which the owners kindly share in their reviews.
The best racks for VAZ economy class
The most inexpensive spare parts for their car are usually bought by people with limited financial resources. The main thing for them is to fix the car and go fishing or into the forest for mushrooms. There are several leaders among the firms operating in the economy segment.
4 SAAZ
The best domestic gas strut
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.5
The leading supplier of spare parts for the conveyors of domestic car factories is SAAZ. The products of the Skopinsky Automotive Aggregate Plant are well known to domestic motorists. The company has recently specialized in the production of gas shock absorbers and stops, telescopic struts. The quality of the products meets the requirements of the RF standards and the ISO 9001 system. The technological base is constantly updated, which makes it possible to successfully compete with foreign companies.
VAZ car owners, who supplied gas-filled stands, note the excellent stability of the car at high speeds. Steep turns can be done without any problems. So far, there are many complaints in the reviews about the reliability and durability of domestic racks.
3 MONROE
The optimum ratio of price and quality
Country: USA (produced in Belgium)
Rating (2019): 4.7
Despite the American origin of the brand, the products have been assembled on the European continent for a long time. The factory located in Belgium is famous for its quality control and it is almost impossible to acquire an original defective part. It is used on many American and European cars, as well as on domestic VAZ. Since the price of products is one of the most balanced, these shock absorbers are in demand in our country.
In the reviews, the owners express their complete satisfaction with the characteristics of MONROE. The available range of models allows you to select products in accordance with the driver's preferences. The most popular among VAZ owners is the Reflex series of gas-oil struts - they have better comfort, although they serve less than Van-Magnum (they are designed for off-road conditions and have a decent margin of safety, allowing them to operate more than 50 thousand km). Consumers who are faced with the discrepancy between Monro racks and the declared characteristics, as a rule, purchased a cheap fake under the guise of a branded part. Counterfeit is often found in the domestic market, so the reliability of the supplier matters when choosing.
2 Fenox
Best price
Country: Belarus
Rating (2019): 4.8
The Belarusian concern FENOX Global Group unites a number of enterprises that specialize in the production of spare parts for cars. The first parts were made for VAZ cars. Oil racks are available for timeless classics, Niva SUVs, eights and nines. The products are distinguished by an affordable price with good quality. The consumer is offered both front and rear shock absorbers. All parts are subject to strict control at the factory, so you rarely hear about defective racks.
Domestic motorists note the good stability of cars when installing Belarusian shock absorbers on them. The car behaves better on the road, allows cornering at a higher speed. Oil models stand up to the test of the Russian winter. From frequent off-road driving, the service life can be limited to one year. Also, among the shortcomings, car owners note the rapid appearance of oil leaks.
1 DELPHI
Hardest Oil Rack
Country: United Kingdom
Rating (2019): 4.8
The largest manufacturer of auto parts in the world is the British company Delphi Corporation. It is the main supplier of components for the General Motors assembly line. For domestic VAZ cars, the British made hard oil shock absorbers. They allow you to experience pleasant emotions from sports driving, without fear of flying into a ditch. Front and rear struts are offered to owners of the VAZ-2110 model range. The products are manufactured on modern high-precision equipment, using innovative technologies and high-quality materials.
Customers who have supplied British shock absorbers note the car's excellent roadholding. The harsh operating conditions in Russia significantly reduce the service life of DELPHI racks. On average, motorists manage to drive about 200 thousand km, but knocks at knots appear after 150-170 thousand km.
The best racks for a combination of price and quality
When choosing suspension struts, some car owners are looking for a middle ground. It manages to deliver durable front and rear shock absorbers for a reasonable price. They behave well on asphalt, withstand the test of dirt and forest roads.
4 Tokico
The most reliable racks
Country: Japan (produced in Taiwan)
Rating (2019): 4.6
The choice of such manufacturers as Lexus, Toyota (Camry and RAV-4 models) speaks in favor of this little-known manufacturer of car struts in the domestic market. The characteristics of the suspension kits provide better handling and stability of the car on the track. So, the owners who installed racks of this brand on their VAZ 2121 were more than satisfied with the result.
The reviews indicate the quality of work incomparable with competitors and high reliability. The car acquires excellent speed characteristics, and the level of driving safety also increases. There is another advantage of the racks of this brand - due to the low popularity in the domestic market, the percentage of counterfeiting of original products is much less than that of the nearest competitor.
3 Boge
Good build quality. Buyer's choice
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 4.8
The pillars, which are made by the German company Boge, are standard equipment for various car brands manufactured by Volkswagen AG and the Swedish safety standard Volvo. On the basis of these original products, you can completely trust and have no doubt that the quality of these shock absorbers is worthy of praise.
The production line consists of five concept series, among which the Turbo-Gas and Automatic stand out. The latter are the most comfortable oil dampers that can transform the behavior of the car on the road beyond recognition. True, for greater effect, the front and rear struts should be changed immediately, but the result is worth it. As for the Turbo-Gas series, the gas-oil shock absorbers are adapted for sporty driving. The owners who installed Boge on their VAZs note in the reviews that the effect exceeded all expectations - the maneuverability and stability of the car became an order of magnitude higher.
2 BelMag
Best hydraulic strut
Country Russia
Rating (2019): 4.8
Until recently, a young company from Magnitogorsk rented space for the production of auto parts. Today BelMag occupies a leading position in the country, operating at its own industrial site. The assortment includes a wide range of suspension parts, steering gear, transmission, brake system. Deliveries are made to domestic car factories VAZ, GAZ, and are also exported. Front and rear hydraulic car struts are reliable and durable. Thanks to an extensive dealer network, the products of this company can be purchased in the most remote regions of the country.
Consumers note the good performance of the shock absorbers on unpaved roads, the car goes smoothly over bumps and bumps. Excessive softness appears on the asphalt surface, which causes swinging at a speed of more than 90 km / h.
1 Kayaba
High quality and reliability
Country: Japan
Rating (2019): 4.9
One of the best brands, whose products are excellent for use on domestic cars, including VAZ. There is no doubt about the characteristics of the original racks - the company's supplies provide not only the international market for spare parts, but also up to 80% of assembly lines in Japan. The quality of products for assembly and those supplied to the aftermarket does not differ.
A series of racks are available for a comfortable and sporty ride. Gas-a-Just monotube rear shocks are popular. They are reinforced and have a high margin of safety, which is an important criterion for choosing a VAZ for VAZ owners. The MonoMax series, installed on the front suspension, radically changes the idea of the controllability of domestic cars, increasing the steering sensitivity. Based on feedback from owners who prefer aggressive driving, the lightweight Kayaba Ultra SR struts are most effective in high-speed corners, and the Exel-G are great for everyday city driving.
The best racks of the premium segment
The highest quality and durable work is allocated to shock absorbers for VAZ premium segment cars. For their manufacture, selected materials are used, and the processing of parts and assembly of units is carried out on machines with software. The following manufacturers are in our top.
4 Bilstein
Excellent performance
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 4.7
Bilstein stands are positioned on the world market as components for luxury cars, but in our country they are also installed on the VAZ model. The quality of the products is at the highest level - the depreciation kits of this company are involved in the factory assembly of Subaru cars, which are distinguished by their reliability.
Before choosing one of the series of these racks offered on the market, it is better to consider the experience of the owners. Drivers who installed Bilstein gas-oil shock absorbers on their VAZs complain about the high rigidity of the kits in reviews, but the car received amazing stability in high-speed corners. For aggressive driving, the Sport (B-6) or Sprint (B-8) series are perfect, and for those looking for a little more comfort, the series of struts with oil shock absorbers (B-2) should be chosen.
3 KONI
The best buyer's choice
Country: Holland
Rating (2019): 4.7
KONI shock struts are considered to be among the best in the world. In Germany, where the lion's share of production is exported, a lifetime warranty is valid for the first buyer, which speaks of the indisputable advantages of this brand. In the domestic market, one of the latest developments of the company is in demand - FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) racks, which can automatically change the operating mode, depending on the nature of the ride.
Despite the fact that such a kit for domestic cars VAZ (2110-2112) is more than expensive, many owners go to such costs, since the result exceeds all expectations - the dynamics and stability of the car radically change to a level comparable to foreign cars. The feedback from the drivers is dominated by positive assessments of the performance characteristics of the KONI FSD. True, it is necessary to change all the racks at once. Installing only the front or rear kits will not produce the desired effect.
2 SACHS
Long service life. Manufacturer's warranty
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 4.9
The largest European manufacturer of shock absorbers and clutches is the German company SACHS Handel GmbH. Production facilities are located in 17 countries of the world. There are more than 6,000 types of spare parts in its assortment. The company gives a two-year warranty for all products. Thanks to such a responsible approach, such well-known automakers as Mercedes, VW, Volvo, BMW have entered the number of consumers. Manufacturers of shock absorbers and the domestic auto industry did not ignore them.
There are two designs to choose from. Standard shocks with blue stripes are SuperTouring. For sporty riding, there are stiffer struts with the red Advantage stripe. Those who installed these gas shock absorbers on VAZ cars note the good stability of the car on any roads. When buying, it is important not to buy a fake in the hope of saving some money.
1 FINWHALE
The most versatile stand
Country: Germany
Rating (2019): 5.0
FINWHALE is a part of the well-known German concern Grunntech GmbH. Auto parts of this company have been sold on the domestic market since 1998. They quickly gained popularity among domestic motorists due to their high quality, well-thought-out design and reasonable prices. Finval brand products are produced at the most advanced factories in Europe. The main partners of the German firm are many auto giants, from Volkswagen to General Motors.
Domestic car owners speak positively about the universal properties of Finval racks. It is enough to put this unit on the VAZ in order to subsequently change only the cartridges (there are oil and gas).
