Despite the fact that some car suspension repair work is carried out according to regulations, unscheduled interventions cannot be ruled out. Each car service has a price list, which indicates the cost of a particular service without taking into account the cost of spare parts. Among the entire list is the replacement of silent blocks. Not every car owner knows what this unit is and what it serves. Meanwhile, this work is expensive, so most motorists prefer to carry out such manipulations themselves. If, for example, you replace the silent blocks of a Chevrolet Niva yourself, you will be able to save several thousand rubles on repairing the front suspension.
What are silent blocks and their features
Silent blocks are units that connect suspension parts to each other and absorb shock loads when driving. They absorb vibrations during driving, providing comfort to passengers and driver. The parts are bushings with elastic inserts.
In the store you may hear a question about when your Niva was released. This is very important, since for models that came off the assembly line after 2008, silent blocks are made with an increased internal diameter by 2 mm, and an increased external diameter by 7. Thanks to this, the service life of the part increases. When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the diameter of the nodes.
List of new spare parts and tool kit required for replacement
The domestic spare parts market offers a wide range of new parts of several types, with polyurethane and rubber filling, and to replace the front silent blocks on a VAZ 2107, the automaker recommends using the former, namely:
- a set of polyurethane silent blocks for the upper arm (art. 2101 - 2904040);
- a set of polyurethane silent blocks for the lower arm (art. 9RU01N);
- upper front arm mounting bolt;
- lower front arm mounting nuts.
Installation of new spare parts is carried out using standard tool kits and some specialized pullers, which significantly simplify the entire work process, namely:
- silent block remover for classic VAZ models;
- ball joint remover;
- open-end spanners with 13, 22 and 24 mm diameter;
- socket heads in a set from 10 to 24 mm and wrenches;
- hammer;
- medium mount;
- bottle WD – 40 for cleaning threaded connections;
- brush;
- gloves for hand safety.
The process of replacing the upper silent blocks on a VAZ 2107 is very different from the lower ones, both in terms of the volume of work performed and the cost in auto repair shops. Official service stations at the end of 2021 estimate this service at 1500-2000 rubles for the upper and lower levers, respectively, and private services at approximately 1300-1800 rubles.
How to understand when it's time to change parts
Checking the condition of the silent blocks of the front levers and torque rods is carried out according to the instructions:
- raise the car on a jack or lift;
- inspect the insert for breaks and cracks;
- rock the suspension elements to eliminate play.
If you find excessive mobility, tears and cracks, then it is necessary to urgently replace it. Additional signs of wear on the unit are:
- problems with car controllability;
- the steering wheel turns hard or the car responds to your command with a delay;
- wheel alignment curvature;
- uneven tire wear.
If you wait, suspension repairs will be more expensive. But what is more dangerous is that the risk of an accident increases; you cannot drive such a car.
Why is the node disassembled?
There are several objective reasons why it is necessary to disassemble the entire front suspension and remove the lower arms. They are associated with the following circumstances:
- most often the unit is disassembled to replace the rubber-metal articulated bushings - silent blocks;
- the lower arm needs to be replaced due to its damage or breakage;
- It is necessary to remove the front beam to replace it or carry out other repair work.
The problem is that on about 50% of Niva cars, the bolt, which is the axis of the lower arm, does not want to voluntarily leave the front beam bushing. In other words, the axle becomes so sour that it is not only impossible to pull it out, but even to turn it. Moreover, on Nivas produced back in the Soviet era, this problem does not exist.
This raises another reason why it is very advisable to disassemble the lower part of the suspension in the first year of operation of the machine - prevention.
Before the axis of the lower arm has time to firmly stick to the bushing, it must be removed, cleaned and lubricated with graphite lubricant. This will save you from many problems in the future, since dismantling a stuck bolt will take a huge amount of time at the most inopportune moment.
Which silent blocks to choose for replacement
For Chevrolet Niva, silent blocks with rubber or polyurethane inserts are produced. Car enthusiasts often choose more modern material, but do not take into account its disadvantages:
- the material quickly collapses under torsional loads;
- high cost of a set of parts;
- When used at temperatures below -20 °C, they often tear and lose elasticity.
Polyurethane inserts work best on new parts; you should not buy them for cars manufactured before 2008. It is worth deciding on silent blocks made of polyurethane for the following reasons:
- slow wear of the part;
- resistance to heat;
- preservation of properties under the influence of chemicals and motor oil.
If you want to change the upper silent blocks, then the best choice would be the Mitsubishi MB633820 part, which are resistant to low temperatures and create comfort when moving. It is best to replace the lower units with classic ones made of rubber, designed specifically for the Chevrolet Niva.
How to change silent blocks on a VAZ-2121
The iconic SUV from VAZ, the Niva, has always been used under heavy load conditions.
It is no wonder that the suspension components in this case wear out much earlier than their stated service life and require replacement. The most striking representatives of this phenomenon are suspension silent blocks. How silent blocks are replaced on a Niva or Niva Chevrolet will definitely not be superfluous for the happy owners of these cars to know.
Preparing to replace units
You need to carry out the work in the garage, having at hand not only new parts for the Chevrolet Niva, but also a set of tools:
- can of WD-40;
- a set of cranks, heads and open-end wrenches;
- pipe to increase torsional moment;
- bottle type jack;
- chisel;
- hammer;
- special puller.
If you have all the necessary tools, then you can save up to 4-5 thousand rubles on replacing silent blocks. Therefore, it is worth investing in a puller, although it will increase the cost of the first repair.
Parts and consumables:
First I tried to use the silent block remover that I used on the VAZ classic. They didn’t pull, they turned out to be too weak for such a tight fit of the Nivov silent blocks.
I tried, as many people on the Internet advise, to knock harder with a hammer. After that, using a classic puller, I pulled out the inner bushing of the silent block with rubber, and then knocked out the outer bushing with a hammer and chisel.
Niva. replacing lower arm silent blocks
Although I fiddled with it for a long time, I still pulled out everything unnecessary and the lever was not damaged. But I didn’t manage to press in the new silent blocks.
Removing the upper arm The upper arm is even easier to remove - you need to unscrew the two bolts securing the axle and the three bolts securing the lever to the ball joint. In this case, if the lower arm has not yet been assembled, you need to tie the front hub with the caliper to the body so as not to damage the brake hose.
Tools:
The upper silent blocks are pressed in similarly to the lower ones. The upper silent blocks are pressed out and pressed using the same technology as the lower ones; it is highly advisable to use a puller so as not to look for adventures on your silent blocks. Video about replacing silent blocks in the front suspension of a Chevrolet Niva. Important note And one more important note: This is an axiom and cannot be ignored.
Otherwise, silent blocks will last no more than a thousand kilometers. In addition, there is a torque rating for the lower axle nut.
For the Niva Chevrolet it is N. This is quite a large force and without a long lever it will not be possible to tighten the nut correctly. We press the silent block with a tool head of a suitable size using a piece of pipe.
Install the lever in reverse order. After replacing the silent blocks, check and, if necessary, adjust the wheel alignment angles.
Silent block remover NIVA
Depending on operating conditions, the lifespan before replacing silent blocks on Niva and Urban is reduced significantly. Diagnostics should be carried out if the following symptoms occur: Lack of timely attention to the problem leads to damage to adjacent suspension parts, deterioration of controllability and driving safety.
Replacing the silent blocks of the upper arms Unscrew the bolts of the wheel rims, remove the wheel, having first installed a reliable support.
We immediately apply the appropriate cutouts to the new silent blocks and begin installing it in both arms of the rear suspension. First, we attach a puller to the lever eye from the outside, and try to align their marks.
We put a washer on the bolt, insert it into the eye of the lever and a new silent block. To do this, it is not necessary to remove them from the car, but only need to carry out a visual inspection in the inspection hole.
Having found out that the front hinges need to be replaced, we will begin to do it ourselves. Replacing the hinges of the front arms Before starting work, you must make sure that you have the following tools: Unscrew the nuts and remove the washers with a 22mm wrench; a special puller for removing and installing new hinges; standard set of tools.
Of course, before starting work, do not forget to purchase new silent blocks for the front control arms for the Chevrolet Niva. Replacement of the upper silent blocks is carried out for both sides of the front suspension, even if only the hinges on one side are faulty. We begin to dismantle the old hinges of the upper arms, after which they are replaced with new ones:
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Instructions for installing new silent blocks
Replacement of parts on a Chevrolet Niva is carried out for the right and left levers according to the same instructions.
- Raise the car using a jack. Remove the wheel.
- Place a support under the lower arm.
- Using a jack, raise the lower arm or, conversely, lower the car slightly to increase the load on the suspension. It is best to use a second jack to fully compress the spring. This way you will achieve this effect faster.
- Install the tie down spring and then lower the second jack to relieve stress on the anti-roll bar.
- Release the lever from the stabilizer clamp.
- Remove the shock absorber mounting bolt from the eye, having first unscrewed it.
- Remove the three nuts that secure the ball joint to the arm.
- Remove the second jack and remove the spring. Unscrew the lower arm axle nut and use a spacer to knock out the axle.
- Remove the lever. Pay attention to the location of the front suspension axle shims. Try to remember their number so that there are no problems when reassembling.
- Remove the nuts from the upper arm axis. Remove them along with the washers.
- Using a puller, press the old parts out of the lever lugs. If this cannot be done with a tool, then you need to use a blowtorch or gas torch. Clean the seat.
- Install new silent blocks and press them with the same tool. Before this, it is advisable to coat the lever and bushing with graphite lubricant, Litol or Movil.
Now you need to install the lever in place, making sure to place the shims correctly. Before you install this part, you can change the silent blocks on the upper arm. This operation is carried out according to simpler instructions:
- Tie the front hub together with the caliper to the body so as not to break the brake hose during the work.
- Remove the upper arm by unscrewing the bolts securing the axle and arm to the ball joint.
The rest of the work follows the same principles as when installing parts on the lower arm. First, the worn bushing is removed with a puller, and then a new one is installed in its place. Don't forget to clean the seat of the upper assembly and treat it with lubricant. After installing this part of the suspension, carry out final assembly.
The final tightening of the silent blocks should only be carried out with the machine standing on the ground. The Niva manufacturer recommends tightening the lower axle nut with a force of 100-170 N. After replacing the components on both sides, it is recommended to have a wheel alignment performed at a service station. This will help increase the life of the suspension and tires.
Changing the silent blocks of the front levers on a Chevrolet Niva
From time to time situations arise when it is necessary to change the silent blocks on a Chevrolet Niva SUV. But before you find out how this is done, you should find out what kind of product it is and what component in the car it is responsible for? Indeed, most novice drivers have never encountered such a name, but as they say: “if you love to ride, you also love to carry a sled.” So, the time comes when you need to pay attention to your car and replace the silent blocks of the front control arms with your own hands. This is exactly what this material was created for.
Purpose and design of the product
The main purpose of a silent block or, in simple words, a rubber-metal hinge is to connect suspension parts and dampen oscillatory movements due to the rubber filling inside the product. A truly useful product that has the simplest design. It is a silent block, a metal double bushing with rubber or polyurethane filling inside. This filling performs the main role - damping vibrations and vibrations. The photo below shows silent blocks.
These parts are installed mainly in the front suspension of the Niva Chevrolet vehicle. With their help, the connection between the front suspension arms and the anti-roll bar is ensured. A similar connection is provided in the vehicle's rear suspension, gearbox and engine.
Location of the upper silent block
When is a product replacement necessary?
Each part in a Chevrolet Niva car has its own performance properties. There comes a time when the hinges fail and need to be replaced. But first, it is important to find out when to start such procedures or how to determine whether a silent block is faulty.
For cars that are operated on high-quality road surfaces, the service life of silent blocks is 100,000 km. But for the Chevrolet Niva SUV, these joints will have to be replaced at least 3-4 times before this time. But you shouldn’t rely on mileage; you can determine the need to replace products based on the following factors:
- vehicle control has deteriorated;
- When turning the steering wheel, the movement of the wheels is felt to be slow.
- On bumps, knocking noises appear from the front of the car.
To confirm their malfunction, you can contact a service station, but here you will have to pay for diagnostics, so you will need to remove the hinges and determine their wear, as they say - by touch. To do this, it is not necessary to remove them from the car, but only need to carry out a visual inspection in the inspection hole. Having found out that the front hinges need to be replaced, we will begin to do it ourselves.
Replacing front arm joints
Before starting work, you must ensure that you have the following tools:
