Without exception, all VAZ 2107 owners often wonder what shock absorbers can be installed on their car. This dilemma is quite obvious. The development of the model took place back in the 60s, and today any such car is simply not able to handle well at speeds above 100 km/h. This fact will be proven by any owner of the seven. The car rocking at high speed is often the cause of factory parts. Therefore, VAZ modifications begin with improving the suspension.
It so happens that most owners who are keen on constant modifications immediately replace standard parts with improved ones.
What types of shock absorbers are there?
It is possible to install one of three types on a classic:
- oil;
- gas-oil with variable hardness;
- gas-oil with constant hardness.
As a rule, each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. Standard shock absorbers are oil shock absorbers that come from the factory. This is the manufacturer's recommendation.
As for double-sided shock absorbers, they cannot be installed on a VAZ, because they cannot be secured in the traditional way. Drastic changes to the fastening system will be required.
Shock absorbers suitable for the VAZ 2107 can also be installed on other models of this manufacturer. The exceptions are 2104 and 2102 - longer and more powerful shock absorbers are installed on these machines.
Front shock absorber VAZ 2107
The suspension design of any car uses shock absorbers to increase the comfort and safety of movement. Since VAZ 2107 shock absorbers, like other suspension elements, are subject to constant loads and fail over time, you need to know how faults manifest themselves and be able to replace the part if necessary.
Purpose
The normal and correct operation of the front suspension of the “seven”, and the rear one too, is ensured by the main structural elements - a spring and a shock absorber. The spring softens the shocks of the body while the car is moving. When hitting any kind of obstacle (potholes, bumps), the wheel comes off the road, and thanks to the elastic element it returns to work. When the wheel hits the surface, the body presses down with its entire mass, and the spring should make this contact as soft as possible. The work of the shock absorber is aimed at dampening vibrations of the elastic element as quickly as possible when the body rocks. The part is completely sealed and, when fully operational, is capable of absorbing about 80% of impact energy. The shock absorbers of the front suspension of the VAZ 2107 are attached with the lower eye through the bracket to the lower suspension arm. The damper rod is fixed through the support glass using a nut.
Important elements of the front suspension are springs and shock absorbers
Table: parameters of standard front shock absorbers VAZ 2107
| vendor code | Rod diameter, mm | Case diameter, mm | Body height (excluding stem), mm | Rod stroke, mm |
| 21012905004, 21012905402 | 12 | 41 | 215 | 112 |
Device
The front end of the VAZ 2107 comes from the factory with oil-filled twin-pipe shock absorbers. Structurally, in addition to the flask, piston and rod, they have another cylinder with a flask containing liquid and a piston element. During operation, the liquid is compressed by the piston, which causes it to flow through the valve into the outer cylinder. As a result, the air is further compressed. During rebound, due to the opening of the valves on the piston, the liquid flows back into the inner cylinder. This design of shock absorbers, although simple, has certain disadvantages. Since liquid from one flask to another passes through valves under high air pressure, aeration occurs, during which the liquid mixes with air, causing its properties to deteriorate. In addition, due to two flasks, the damper is cooled worse, which reduces its efficiency.
Design of shock absorbers of the front and rear suspensions: 1 - lower eye; 2 — compression valve body; 3 — compression valve discs; 4 — throttle disk of the compression valve; 5 — compression valve spring; 6 — compression valve cage; 7 — compression valve plate; 8 — recoil valve nut; 9 — recoil valve spring; 10 — shock absorber piston; 11 — recoil valve plate; 12 — recoil valve discs; 13 — piston ring; 14 — recoil valve nut washer; 15 — throttle disk of the recoil valve; 16 — bypass valve plate; 17 — bypass valve spring; 18 — restrictive plate; 19 - reservoir; 20 - rod; 21 - cylinder; 22 — casing; 23 — rod guide bushing; 24 — sealing ring of the tank; 25 — rod seal race; 26 — rod seal; 27 — gasket of the rod protective ring; 28 — rod protective ring; 29 — tank nut; 30 — upper shock absorber eye; 31 — nut securing the upper end of the front suspension shock absorber; 32 — spring washer; 33 — shock absorber mounting pad washer; 34 — pillows; 35 — spacer sleeve; 36 — front suspension shock absorber casing; 37 — rod buffer; 38 - rubber-metal hinge
What to choose
Before placing a bet on any type of shock absorbers, you need to take into account your driving style and the conditions of upcoming use. As mentioned, each species has its own set of properties, which determines their behavior. Let's look at the characteristics in more detail:
- Oil shock absorbers are a factory equipped item. People call them “relatives”. The working fluid is oil, and two-pipe versions are installed on classic models to improve reliability. A significant disadvantage of oil shock absorbers is their slow response. At high speeds, the damper simply does not have time to return to its original position to effectively maintain balance. The result is quite a bit of wobble. We advise those people who drive no more than 90 kilometers per hour to choose such shock absorbers.
- The gas-oil damper consists of two types of substances. The main one is oil, and gas is used for stabilization (eliminates excess foam). The result is more efficient shock absorber performance when road conditions change. Installing such a solution on a Zhiguli significantly improves the driving properties of the car. There is virtually no sway. The disadvantages of a gas-oil shock absorber relate to the tendency to miss sharp shocks.
- Gas-oil dampers with variable stiffness are rarely used on Zhiguli cars. First of all, this option itself is expensive. The part has an electromagnetic valve that automatically adjusts to the driving mode, and therefore changes the amount of gas in the main shock absorber tube. The result of this process is a change in rigidity.
When to change the design
The main criterion when replacing car shock-absorbing devices is the manufacturer's recommendation. It is believed that a standard kit installed at the factory can last longer than the recommended period.
Original products can withstand from 120 thousand to 150 thousand mileage without any problems. Although some manufacturers recommend replacing them after 1-2 years of operation or a mileage of 50-70 thousand km.
The given figures are not ideal and may concern prudent drivers who operated their vehicles on roads with good coverage. In general, the average survivability of car kits can fluctuate in one direction or the other and depend on many factors.
What other options are there?
Most drivers leave the standard “original” shock absorbers. Some people install dampers from the Niva - such parts are much stiffer, because the 2121 model was originally designed for poor road conditions.
Gas-oil ones are not particularly popular, but are great for those who drive quite quickly. This is an indispensable part for tuning. Improved comfort. Adjustable shock absorbers are used in sports cars. For ordinary cars, such a solution is impractical.
Installing the purchased kit on a car
Installing shock absorbers: practical advice for motorists.
First of all, you need to buy a kit and prepare the necessary tools:
It should be borne in mind that installation of the front structures takes longer than the rear ones. Although, the technology of dismantling and installation is almost the same. This is due to the more complex front suspension.
Do not forget! Replacing failed shock absorbers is done in pairs. This is a requirement for all vehicles and types of shock absorbers.
The algorithm of actions is as follows:
Advice: Do not disconnect the brake hoses from the calipers. This will eliminate the need to bleed the brake system.
On a note! It is necessary to check the shock-absorbing springs after installation. Inspect for hidden defects: cracks.
Experienced motorists advise involving an assistant in the process. Sometimes unforeseen situations arise!
How to properly bleed new struts before installation
Bleeding a new product before installation is a mandatory procedure. This way you can identify manufacturing defects and prepare it for work.
For example, how to pump an oil shock absorber:
Please note: It is necessary to perform the steps specified in paragraphs 3-6 times. 2-5.
After pumping the new product 3 times, check it: press the rod several times. It should move smoothly. Jerks excluded.
Which manufacturer to choose
In fact, all manufacturers of parts for VAZ cars should be the same, but there is still a difference in driving performance.
Oil shock absorbers from different companies do not differ from each other. It will not be possible to find gas-oil parts made by “our” manufacturers - they are simply not produced. Therefore, foreign companies come to the rescue. The most common companies are:
- Kayaba;
- Sachs;
Here are the most common companies that meet the price/quality criterion. In fact, for domestic classics you can find a list of manufacturers that will be several times larger. If you have not found products from the above brands, before choosing another company, read the detailed information in detail. Forums and all kinds of communities will become faithful assistants in this matter.
The right choice of designs
Let's first decide where to go to buy a new kit.
So, let's find out how to protect yourself when buying a new set. The dimensions of the rear shock absorbers and front structures vary; the length of each can be easily determined using a ruler and tape measure.
The characteristics by which sets are selected, in addition to length, include taking into account:
It is the above indicators that you need to look at when testing this device.
An important aspect when purchasing new shock-absorbing units in a store is:
You should be aware that having a warranty on a product if you install it yourself will deprive you of benefits. Therefore, it is recommended to install original products in specialized centers.
The choice can be made based on indicators such as:
Let's look at the performance of domestic mechanisms using the example of some cars.
Bottom line
As a rule, shock absorbers on classic VAZ models are highly reliable, and many do not even think about replacing them prematurely. But it is necessary to have information about what shock absorbers can be installed on the seventh model. Over time, parts will still need to be replaced. A clear sign of damper failure is the car swaying even at low speeds.
It is best to make the replacement yourself if you have previously done similar things and have some experience. Otherwise, it is better to contact a private workshop or car service. The price of repair work for a VAZ is quite affordable and does not require large investments in comparison with foreign cars.
Dimensions of domestic designs
When choosing a shock absorber by size, you must initially know the performance of the installed kit on your car. They (sizes) may vary depending on vehicle model. In addition, you need to understand what type of shock-absorbing structure is on your car.
You can select shock absorbers by size yourself or seek help from a sales consultant. It is his responsibility to explain all the nuances to you and choose the required option.
And one more nuance: a special table will help you choose the right part by size. It can be found on the Internet. Moreover, there are tables for certain manufacturers and types of machines.
You can choose a set:
Each of them has a special marking:
As an example, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the indicators for domestic cars:
The table shows not only the length of the shock absorber, but also other indicators that are no less important, see for yourself.
Advice! When buying a design in a store, take an old product. Ask the seller to give you exactly the same product with the indicated indicators on the failed device.
Lada 2106 Fairlady › Logbook › Selection of shock absorbers for classics. Comparison, table
Good day to all! Today I will tell you a little, just a drop, about classic shock absorbers, their interchangeability with Nivovsky ones and other little things. You can often meet people who install Niva shock absorbers on classics, but there are also a lot of Nivas, so I’ll tell you a little about them. As an example, I’ll take factory shock absorbers from SAAZ, models 2101, 2121, 21214 and 2123. As I was able to find out and generally by touch, shock absorbers 2123 and 21214 are almost identical; in any case, for the latter I was not able to get any information on the characteristics, but the sizes are several different.
Visual comparison of the lengths of the front shock absorbers - 2101, 21214, 2123, 2121
Visual comparison of the lengths of the rear shock absorbers - 2101, 2123, 2121, 21214
I'll start with a short course on "concepts". A rebound is when the wheel goes down, for example when going over uneven surfaces, into holes, etc. Compression is when the wheel goes inside the arch, when hitting obstacles or when leaving a hole. In general, this is where expressions like “it breaks through the strut” come from (when it knocks under compression). I found a table on the Internet with the characteristics of the rear shock absorbers, and decided to make my own with the front shock absorbers as well. A larger value of “rebound” relative to “compression” will give the effect of lowering the car at speed and add stability.
Purely in my opinion, if you take a classic, which at least sometimes drives at a speed of more than 100 km/h, then you can’t take your relatives, you need it from the Niva (2121). If shock absorbers 2123 are installed, then they will be installed on the original springs, but the front ones can be from 21214. Reassurances from sellers on the topic that SAAZ gas-oil shock absorbers have greater rigidity will turn out to be a lie, because the characteristics are still the same, it’s just that gas is added there to increase the cavitation limit ( foaming) of oil, that's all. Cavitation occurs during continuous loads on the shock absorber, such as off-road, slalom, etc., and it directly depends on the oil itself; as a rule, the cheapest one is poured, and therefore it loses its characteristics quite quickly.
Thank you all, I hope it was interesting, correct me if I was wrong somewhere!
For lovers of fast driving
Gas-oil shock absorbers contain additional gas pumped under pressure. They are thirty percent more expensive than oil ones, and are suitable for those who like aggressive behavior on the highway. These shock absorbers hold the road well when driving over small and large bumps. Thanks to its characteristics, the gas-oil shock absorber of the VAZ hood better presses the wheels to the road, contributing to more reliable behavior of the car when cornering. If you value handling and enjoy the car's correct cornering, gas-oil shock absorbers are for you. When installing them, do not forget to strengthen the body and add a stabilizer bar to the rear axle
Twin-pipe gas-oil shock absorbers with variable stiffness are distinguished by the geometry of the middle part of the working cylinder, due to which the piston experiences significantly less resistance to movement, creating soft suspension operation. The updated shock absorber struts of the VAZ 2110 result in increased resistance at the extreme points and the shock absorber becomes stiffer.
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