Adjusting the pivots on a UAZ Patriot with your own hands

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In case of difficulties on the road, it may often be necessary to replace the king pins on the UAZ Bukhanka.

Of course, if the car is not used too often and drives on non-hazardous roads, then the kingpins can last a very long time, but with constant active use on rough off-road conditions, sooner or later they will certainly need to be replaced.

But don’t be afraid, because it’s not at all difficult to do. It's important to just work correctly.

Symptoms of a problem

Symptoms of a breakdown do not appear immediately. So, the motorist will notice uneven tire wear.

• Raise the front axle.
• Check the wheel play without removing it in the radial and axial direction.
• When worn out, the UAZ kingpin is replaced with a new one.

They also check the distance between the beam and the fist. The gap should not exceed 0.2 millimeters.

How to detect backlash

To detect play, simply shake the wheel sharply without lifting it with a jack to detect characteristic sounds. However, to more accurately determine the play, the wheel should be hung.

Elimination of play can be done using adjusting shims under the steering knuckle. The number of such metal plates must be the same at the top and bottom; when the backlash decreases or increases, the spacers are added or removed.

During this procedure, the king pin is tightened and the play is removed. After the manipulations, the play should be re-checked. If there is a lot of wear on the pins, you should not try to correct the situation with gaskets; in this case, it is better to replace the pins.

It is worth remembering that the first time after adjusting the pivot assembly, the steering wheel will turn a little stiffly, and the car will be delayed when turning.

After the first 100 km, the car's control will improve and the steering wheel will turn easier. After some time, it is worth re-checking for play.

How to replace kingpins with your own hands?

First, drain the oil from the bridge. If it is black, it cannot be reused. Next, we remove the wheel bolts and jack up the car. Having hung the bridge, we begin to dismantle the caliper and brake shield - they will interfere with us when replacing the kingpins on the UAZ.

Next, screw an M10 bolt into the kingpin. Then we pull out the cap and remove the element in this way. If dismantling with a bolt does not work, a steel plate will be required. We fix it above the kingpin and make an M10 hole. We screw our bolt of the appropriate diameter through it. Place several nuts under the plate and tighten them.

When replacing the UAZ kingpin, it is important to completely clean the old bushing of grease. A new one is being laid in its place. Litol-24 is used as such. Next, a new king pin is installed. It is hammered through a wooden die. The king pin is not pressed in completely - it is important to eliminate the slightest distortion. Otherwise, it will go tight and with a characteristic sound. If this happens, the kingpin is pulled out and pressed in again. All other elements are assembled in reverse order.

The need to lubricate the steering knuckle of the UAZ Patriot

The UAZ Patriot SUV is equipped with a steering knuckle in its front suspension design. This element is present on all vehicles, since without it it is impossible to turn the front wheels.

The main purpose of the steering knuckle is the ability to deflect it at a certain angle from the longitudinal axis. Due to this possibility, the front wheels turn at a certain angle.

But besides this, the steering knuckle is also designed to accommodate the installation of a wheel hub with bearings, a brake caliper, a brake shield and a number of different sensors. Also, this device is a connecting element of three systems:

• front suspension;
• steering;
• braking system.

You can learn more about this element on the UAZ Patriot in the material about the steering knuckle. Today we will pay attention to lubrication of the steering knuckle of the UAZ Patriot SUV and what you need to know.

Why do you need lubrication?

UAZ Patriot is a creation of the Russian automobile industry, the heart of which is located in the city of Ulyanovsk. Of course, in some ways the domestic UAZ Patriot SUV is inferior to foreign ones, but in others it is not.

One of the problems is that from the factory such a mechanism as the steering knuckle receives insufficient attention. Its design contains not only little, but practically no lubrication, which leads to adverse consequences. Already on the first day after purchasing a new SUV, motorists may notice an unpleasant sound of metal rubbing against metal. But, of course, such a phenomenon should be eliminated not because of an unpleasant sound, but in order to avoid an early failure of the fist.

The UAZ Patriot has two steering knuckles, which require maintenance from the first day after purchasing the SUV from the showroom. If you do not properly lubricate the product, then over time its working parts will wear out, become corroded and immediately fail. To protect yourself from unnecessary waste in the near future and your SUV from the need to replace new parts, you need to lubricate the steering knuckle in a timely manner, which will be sufficient for at least 60-80 thousand kilometers.

What is used for lubrication

The actual service life of a part depends not only on the presence of lubricants in the product, but also on the quality of these lubricants. The steering knuckle and CV joint experience heavy loads, and therefore heat up. Therefore, it should be taken into account that the material must not only have good anti-wear properties, but also withstand high temperatures.

The lubricant must also perform a protective function, protecting important structural elements from water, dust and sand. These negative factors, when they get into the steering knuckle, lead to its failure. The presence of a lubricant prevents these factors from entering the device structure even if the protective boots fail.

Thus, in order to lubricate the steering knuckles on a UAZ Patriot SUV, you need to use the well-known Litol-24 lubricant. One device will require about 400 grams of Litol-24. In the process of lubricating the steering knuckle, it is necessary to apply lubricant to the CV joint. For the CV joint, it is necessary to use CV joint grease-4M, which requires about 100 grams for one side.

Lubrication process

To thoroughly lubricate the steering knuckle and CV joint, it is necessary to remove these parts, clean the internal filling if necessary and apply new material. To carry out the work, you must perform the following steps:

1. The UAZ Patriot car is placed on a flat surface and the handbrake is released.
2. The front part must be jacked up and the wheel unscrewed.
3. After the wheel is removed, it is necessary to unscrew the two bolts securing the brake caliper to the knuckle. There is no need to remove the brake hoses.
4. Using a wrench set to “14”, you need to unscrew the five bolts securing the ball joint to the axle housing flange. The turn stop stop is removed.
5. The flanges are separated by tapping with a hammer through a wooden block.
6. After disconnecting the flanges, you can remove the steering knuckle.
7. The removed device is fixed in a vice and the product is further disassembled for lubrication.
8. The bolt is unscrewed at “14”. Loosen the locknut with a wrench set to “17” and unscrew the stop bolt to “12”.
9. Next, using a “10” key, you need to unscrew the remaining 8 bolts that secure the cuff clip.
10. The cuff and felt ring are removed.
11. The king pin is removed using a special key set to “27”.
12. The ball joint is marked in relation to the location of the fist and removed.
13. The axle shaft with CV joint is removed from the steering knuckle.
14. Next, the steering knuckle and CV joint are lubricated. If necessary, the inside of the fist must be cleaned with gasoline before doing this.
15. After lubrication, all removed parts are assembled in the reverse order of removal.

Don't forget to replace the old thrust washers with new ones.

At this point, the lubrication process is completed and after installation, a similar procedure is carried out on the other side of the car. To summarize, it should be noted that the presence of lubricant on all required parts allows them to last much longer.

Source: https://prohodimets.ru/xodovaya/smazka-povorotnogo-kulaka-uaz-patriot.html

Adjusting the UAZ king pins

A mandatory step after replacement is adjusting the steering. Otherwise, problems may arise with tire burning and the car pulling to the side. The adjustment is done using spacers. Start with the top kingpin. For the bronze element, 4 spacers, each 0.5 mm thick, are used. For roller bearings - 5 with the same thickness. Next, we tighten the mechanism and go for a test drive. It is unacceptable for the wheel to heat up. If this is the case, the kingpin will need to be loosened by reducing the number of shims.

Which ones to choose?

In addition to the factory carbon fiber ones (which owners do not recommend installing in any way), there are several types of king pins:

• Bearing.
• On a bronze bushing.

The first type has a complex design. Such UAZ kingpins combine the lower half with a tapered bearing and thrust ring, as well as a cage.

Bronze elements are highly resistant to shock loads - such bushings are an order of magnitude stronger than bearing bushings. But the steering will be tighter. The cost is almost identical to the previous ones - 1.5 thousand rubles per set. These are excellent kingpins for UAZ “Loaf”, “Hunter” and 469. True, like the previous ones, they require regular lubrication and inspection. We will describe this procedure in detail below.

Design and operating principle of bearing pins

Structurally, the kingpin with the bearing is the most complex; it consists of three parts: the lower half, onto which a tapered bearing is pressed (an additional thrust ring placed under the bearing can be used), and a bearing race, pressed into the steering knuckle housing. In the lower half there is an axial channel for supplying lubricant; in the bearing race there is a side channel for the pin and a central channel for installing a grease fitting.

In essence, this type of kingpin is a modernization of the kingpin on a ball, but here the two halves rotate on a bearing, which can significantly reduce friction forces and generally increase the reliability of the unit. The use of tapered bearings provides increased resistance to axial loads that arise during vehicle operation.

About syringing

This is the name for the procedure for lubrication of mechanism bushings. It is produced through grease nipples using a specialized syringe. A waterproof lubricant (for example, Litol-24) is placed inside the latter.

How often should the pins be injected? This procedure is performed every 20 thousand kilometers or once a year. This simple preventative measure will extend the life of the bushings and ensure easier steering rotation. This is noticeable already from the first meters of the road.

What tools are needed to replace king pins?

To carry out the procedure for changing the king pins, you will need the following tools:

• jacking mechanism;
• set of open-end wrenches;

Stand support

• anti-rollback stops;

Socket set

• steering wheel finger removal tool;
• puller (homemade option is possible);
• a set of new kingpins;
• grease syringe;
• hammer;
• mites;
• pipe for knocking out the king pin;
• wire mechanism for cleaning channels;
• brush, cleaning cloth;
• tweezers;
• sharp-nosed pliers or wire cutters;
• ruler, caliper.

It is recommended to carry out work in a garage with a lift available. Before replacing, it is recommended to thoroughly wash the car for better visualization. And also thoroughly wash the wheel arches and the disassembly area.

Replacing UAZ Bukhanka king pins with bearings

Separately, it is worth saying a little about the installation of kingpins on bearings.

There are important points here:

• The bearings must be exactly and evenly aligned with the axis. I think it’s clear what will happen if the axes don’t match.
• You need to be careful when welding so that the bearing race seat is not damaged. At a minimum you will have to cook with heat.
• An important nuance is the tension. A system that has a tapered clamping sleeve works better when it has an elastic liner; but the bearing is rigid, and you need to tighten it with all your might.

Correct injection of pins

The pins periodically need to be lubricated for long and comfortable use. The injection process is quite simple if you follow the basic instructions:

• Raise the car with a jack and hang the wheel.
• Turn the steering wheel to open access to the oil nipples.
• Clean them.
• Turn the top of the oil cans.
• Fill the air gun with lubricating fluid (you need to fill it until the old type of lubricant completely comes out), then bleed the air

• Lubricate until all the old grease comes out. After the procedure, close the grease nipple holes.
• Secure the wheel to the standard position.

With regular injection, all the pin channels will penetrate well, without stagnation. In winter, the frequency of syringing should be increased, but in summer this manipulation can be performed less frequently.

It is better to carry out work in winter in a garage to avoid freezing of the pins. If after these manipulations the pins continue to creak or knock, they will need to be completely replaced.

Replacement of new UAZ Bukhanka king pins

Let's say a few words about the new type of king pins. In general, reviews from car enthusiasts are negative: the material is fragile, poorly made, difficult to replace without damaging anything; and they serve less than the “classics”.

Poorly cut threads are also noted. Perhaps you should listen to the opinions of experienced motorists and prefer the classics until new products are improved.

The frequency of replacing kingpins directly depends on the conditions in which the UAZ “Bukhanka” is operated. With constant driving on severe off-road conditions, repair of this part of the car will naturally be needed earlier than with moderate use.

UAZ bridges

Many axle options were installed at the factory on UAZ vehicles of different models and at different times. Let's try to figure this out.

UAZ Timken bridge (civilian or collective farm)

This is a split type bridge, that is, a bridge consisting of two halves. A military bridge (also known as a gear or portal bridge) can also be classified as this type. From the factory, civilian axles are installed on UAZ trucks of the cargo range (loaf, flatbed, farmer), as well as on passenger cars of the UAZ-3151 (469) range.

Timken front civil axle for UAZ 469 and loaf cars

Rear axle Timken (civilian), for UAZ 469 and loaf cars

Photo of the gearbox of a half civil bridge

Photo of the Timken Civil Bridge tailpiece

The UAZ Hunter is equipped with so-called hybrid axles, with a stocking from conventional Timken axles and a steering knuckle from Spicer.

Gear ratios of the Timken bridge (civilian).

Until July 1989, civil axles were equipped with a main pair with a gear ratio of 5.125 (41 teeth), now - with a gear ratio of 4.625 (37 teeth), i.e., more “fast” but less “powerful”. You can find both in stores. You will most likely have to replace the “new” with the “old” main pair when installing very large wheels. It is recommended to replace the main pairs only as a complete set (in the front and rear axles), otherwise the front axle will have to be turned on only in mud, snow, sand, etc., so as not to damage the transfer case or spoil the tires. How to determine the gear ratio? You need to twist the cardan by hand and count the revolutions of the wheel. For example, 46 cardan revolutions - 10 wheels = 4.6 pair, etc.

Algorithm for replacing the king pin on a UAZ “Bukhanka”

• The front axle of the car should be hung on jacks ; jacks are more often used. Additionally, something strong is substituted so that if the jack breaks, the car does not fall.
• The transmission oil needs to be drained from the axle.
• Next, remove the brake shield , brake caliper, steering tip and turn out the oil nipple.

• Direct removal of the king pin . You need to screw a bolt with a diameter of M10 into it and try to pull it by prying it by the head. If this does not work, you should firmly fix the steel sheet above the pin and make an M10 hole in it through which the bolt will be screwed. A pair of nuts are attached to the bolt under the plate, through which the kingpin will successfully rise to it.

• Then you can get the washer without any problems, but you need to tinker with the bushing. You can get it out with a sharpened nail, carefully sliding it from the side of the lock under the sleeve. Oscillatory movements must be done in a circle until it becomes possible to grab the bushing with pliers. After removal, the bushing is washed with gasoline, and then a new lubricant, usually lithol, is applied.

• The new kingpin is carefully hammered into place with a hammer, preferably through a wooden board, avoiding the part being distorted.
• The remaining parts are installed in their places.

Replacing kingpins without disassembling and removing units from the machine

The replacement method described above is not always possible, since many UAZ owners simply weld the mounting joint between the axle housing and the steering knuckle. In this case, replacing the kingpins is done on site without removing or completely disassembling the steering knuckle.

Changing the kingpins on site is a completely feasible task. It's better to do it on a lift. It is difficult to replace the lower kingpin from the inspection hole, because it is very low, and therefore inconvenient - difficult to change and adjust. In terms of technology, replacing a kingpin differs from the previously described method only in that all work is carried out under the machine in a limited space and insufficient lighting. The advantage will be that fewer operations will be required, since there is no need to remove the brake caliper, steering rod and the entire steering knuckle and hub assembly. Perhaps this will compensate you for the inconvenience and difficulties.

We recommend: Why does a gasoline engine smoke and what to do in this case?

You can watch a video on how to replace the king pin indiscriminately:

Steering adjustment

This is mandatory, otherwise problems with driving the car will inevitably occur and premature wear of the tires on the front wheels is possible.

The steering is adjustable with shims. For a standard kingpin, 4 pieces are suitable, and for a roller pin – 5 pieces of 0.5 mm each. After the test ride, you need to touch the wheel and kingpin. When the wheel heats up, a couple of spacers should be removed, but if the kingpin is hot, then add it.

The quality of UAZ control depends on the condition of the pivot. If it malfunctions, you will feel impacts on the steering wheel, so you should replace it in time. It is quite possible to carry out this repair with your own hands, however, if you have the opportunity to contact a specialist, you should not neglect this.

The main functions of the steering knuckle in a car

Everyone knows that the rotation of the wheels in the UAZ “Patriot” car is reproduced using the steering mechanism. The drive axles transmit torque from the transmission to the hubs, which together with the bearings are located in the steering knuckle. Changing the steering angle of the wheels is done by connecting the knuckle to the hinge components of the suspension. The steering knuckle performs the function of changing the angle of inclination of the front wheels. That is, simply put, if there were no such mechanism, the car could only go straight, without being able to turn.

And also, this unit performs some functions:

• The ability to attach a wheel using a hub to suspension components.
• Attaching the wheel hub to the product.

Despite the fact that the steering knuckle is one of the less wearable parts of the machine, the disruption of its activity is temporary, since it can fail if used carelessly. In some cases, the protective cover may crack, allowing dust and dirt to enter.