How to remove the support bearing on a VAZ 2114

Hi all! How long does the average front support bearing last in Samara? When turning, you hear a knocking noise, and when you step into a pit there is also a knocking noise. If you drive straight, on a flat road, you feel as if the pillars and body are on their own. Is it necessary to replace the support bearing of a VAZ 2115?

On the VAZ 2115 the support bearing moves differently. No one can say the exact amount of time that this part will successfully serve. Much depends on the quality of the road surface, driving style and manner. One of my friends needed to replace the support bearing after 20 thousand kilometers on a completely new car.

Replacing the support bearing VAZ 2115

A characteristic symptom of a faulty bearing is a knocking sound in the suspension while driving. This part needs to be replaced urgently. How to check a bearing? It’s very simple: just grab it with one hand and, either yourself or ask someone for help, begin to rock the car little by little. The appearance of unnecessary sounds will be evidence of a failed bearing.

The replacement procedure is as follows:

1. We jack up the car and remove the wheel
2. Turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction from the one from which the repair is taking place
3. Using a hammer, remove the cotter pin and use a head to unscrew the support mounting bolts
4. Release the caliper bolts
5. Unscrew the three ball joint bolts
6. We unscrew the bearing fasteners, remove the old part along with the stand

Then we install a new support bearing. Then all we have to do is assemble the entire structure in reverse order. Which support bearing is best to choose for the VAZ 2115?

I recommend that you install ss-20. I constantly install these support bearings, they are very reliable and durable. They travel at least 30 thousand kilometers, I have been convinced of this more than once. There are conflicting opinions regarding the product on the Internet; many say that glasses and stands with ss-20 do not last long. But personally, I don’t trust these kinds of statements, but prefer to check everything from my own experience. Therefore, I fully vouch for the ss-20 support bearings.

Hello, dear friends! Let me call you exactly that. Today we have to discuss a fairly relevant topic for almost any car and its owner. We'll talk about the front strut support bearing.

Alas, the quality of our roads leaves much to be desired. Sometimes, when I travel outside the city center or into the suburbs, I am amazed at how anyone can drive there without visiting a service station every week.

The condition of the roads largely determines the need to change the support bearing quite often. The part is not the most expensive, but you will have to tinker with it if it fails.

Replacement

• spanners;
• spring tie;
• jack;
• hammer;
• mount;
• a device for removing the nuts securing the stand;
• mechanism for removing the steering tip.

Work order

1. You need to remove the hub cap and rip off the CV joint nut while an assistant presses the brake using a wrench or socket.
2. Raise the car using a jack and remove the wheel. The factory stand should also secure the vehicle.
3. With the steering wheel turned in the opposite direction from the support being repaired, you need to release the cotter pin. To do this, use a hammer, a pry bar and a steering rod puller.
4. Remove the 2 ball joint mounting bolts.
5. The brake hose is removed from the holder.
6. Next, the 2 caliper bolts are also loosened. It must not be allowed to hang on the brake hose; it must be taken to the side and hung on a wire.
7. To make it more comfortable to work with the stand removed, the nut needs to be removed, but there is no need to unscrew it completely. Then the 3 support nuts are unscrewed.
8. Unscrew the CV joint nut completely and simultaneously remove both the CV joint and the strut.
9. Use the device to compress the spring evenly on both sides.
10. You can easily disconnect the support from the compressed spring. A new support is installed.
11. Assembly is carried out in reverse order.

Getting to know the journal bearing

To begin with, I suggest the simplest thing - getting to know the device. The support bearing (OS) is necessary to create a movable connection between the machine body and the shock absorber. On VAZ 2110, 2114 cars, models such as Grant, Kalina, Priora, as well as on all kinds of foreign cars Mitsubishi, Volkswagen, Fiat or Toyota, for example, the location of the OP is approximately the same - the upper part of the pillar. Install the bearing between the support and the upper cup (or cup, anyone) of the shock absorber spring.

If we look at it purely from a design point of view, then we have a variation of rolling bearings. But OP differs from them in the large thickness of the outer ring. The rolling bodies are cylindrical rollers. They are placed perpendicularly and separated from each other. Due to this design, the unit can take on loads from different sides.

The task of the OP is to provide the shock absorbers with the ability to rotate freely in the supports. In any car, be it a Ford Focus or Mondeo, Chevrolet Lanos, Cruze, Lacetti, Aveo, Daewoo Nexia, Hyundai Accent or Skoda Octavia, the OP will always be slightly higher than the front spring. The shock absorber rod will pass through the central cavity of the element. Shock absorber bodies are always mounted to the body where the OP is located. As a result, two types of loads act on the support - axial and radial.

Before you replace and buy a new element to replace the old OP, you need to understand their types. This is where we will start. Do you agree? Then go ahead.

Types of OP

It’s difficult to say for sure which OP is better to buy. Much depends on the specific car. How to check if OP is good or not? First, ask how much the bearings cost. Good parts cannot be cheap. But it’s not worth chasing the most expensive models if you have a budget car. Try to choose the golden mean.

Besides the fact that you need to look at the manufacturer, the specific type of bearing will be an important consideration. There are several varieties of this device.

• OP having a built-in inner or outer ring. For installation, mounting holes on the housing are used, so there is no need for clamping flanges.
• OP, in which the inner ring is separated. Structurally, the outer ring is connected to the body. It is important to take such devices in cases where you need to achieve the most accurate rotation of the outer ring.
• OP having a detachable outer ring. This is the opposite version of the previous bearing. Accordingly, they are taken if necessary to obtain precise rotation of the internal element.
• Single split bearings. The outer ring on such OPs is divided into one precisely. With their help, high rigidity values ​​are achieved.

Types of support bearings

There are several most popular types of bearings used in modern cars. These include:

• bearing with built-in ring. This arrangement of the front strut support bearing is considered the most convenient to install. The built-in ring can be external or internal. The main feature of this type of bearings is the presence of special holes for installation. Its installation does not require the use of clamping flanges. The bearing ensures the rotation of parts using both the inner and outer rings;
• with outer detachable ring. The inner ring provides connection to the vehicle body;
• with detachable inner ring;
• single divided. This type of bearing is practically no different from all others, but its peculiarity is that it is made of more durable materials.

  

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What indicates a malfunction

It is not always necessary to undergo complex diagnostics and a visit to a service station to understand that the support bearing has come to an end.

In fact, there are two main indicators of a breakdown or, at least, an unsatisfactory condition of the device, which requires mandatory replacement in the near future.

Many cars experience a knocking noise. But this is not true for all cars, since knocking in the struts may be absent due to design features. Therefore, motorists more often pay attention to changes in steering behavior. It is more difficult to steer a car; you constantly need to steer if you are driving in a straight line. Moreover, when it leads in one direction or another, you can understand what kind of persistent problem it is.

Causes of failure

Everything about the signs is very clear. But you need to know why such a malfunction occurs, and try to prevent premature wear of the support bearing on the front struts in the future.

• Natural destructive processes. Each OP has its own resource, which is usually developed after 80-100 thousand kilometers. Sometimes, if operating conditions are difficult, wear occurs faster. Therefore, it is better to check the condition of the OP every 20 thousand km.
• Aggressive driving. If you like to race, corner sharply and literally rape your car, which I categorically do not approve of, then your OP will not last anywhere near 100 thousand km. Such piloting speeds up the wear process significantly.

.

Questionable bearing quality. Many car owners try to save money by buying cheap parts. But they serve little purpose and can fail at the most inopportune moment. Therefore, dear car owners, do not skimp on such important things.

Diagnostics

To diagnose the current condition of the support element, you need to perform a couple of simple steps.

1. Open the hood and place your palm on the element, that is, the bearing. In this case, your assistant should rock the car. If a knocking sound is heard, then it should be changed immediately.
2. Disassemble the structure to clearly see that the element is faulty and needs to be replaced. It is important to note that the approximate service life of the support bearing on a VAZ 2114 is 40 thousand kilometers. This is the recommended mileage after which the element must be replaced, regardless of its current condition.

Replacement procedure

If you look at the photo, then structurally all OPs look approximately the same. The layout of the front struts on different cars also has minor differences.

But this does not give reason to use, for example, a Zhiguli repair manual in the process of replacing a support bearing on a Renault Logan, Nissan Almera, Hyundai Accent or Mitsubishi Outlander car. I recommend arming yourself with the instruction manual that came with your machine. Even if you bought a used car, and the previous owner did not give you the manual, it will not be difficult to find it online or buy it in stores.

It is this manual for a specific car with a specific engine that is the best guide for self-repair and maintenance. So that you understand what is involved in the process of replacing a support bearing, I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the approximate process.

I tried to highlight the main points that each of you needs to know.

If the bearing is completely or partially broken, then there is no point in trying to repair it. There are no elements that could be restored. So feel free to buy a new bearing right away. Its price can be from a couple of hundred rubles.

• Loosen the tension on the nuts that secure the support. On most cars it is located in the engine compartment. There are 3 of them.
• Raise the part of the car with a jack where repairs are planned. Remove the wheel.

What conclusions can be drawn? OP, that is, the support bearing, is a relatively small suspension element. At the same time, it plays a huge role in the quality of its operation and the safety of driving. Therefore, it is important to monitor its condition and replace it on time.

Write in the comments what you think about this. Be sure to subscribe and invite your friends and acquaintances. Together, as they say, it's more fun.

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When malfunctions occur in the front suspension of a car, one of the first measures that its owner should take is to check the support bearing located between the support and the upper spring cup. To do this, you will need to grab the “cup” of the rack with your hand (put your hand on the support) and rock the car. Constant, sharply changing loads, including shock loads in combination with abrasive dust particles, contribute to the wear of the components of the support strut bearing and ultimately completely disable it. As a result, it begins to play, knock, squeak or squeak, and the shock absorber rod deviates from its axis.

Diagram of the support bearing operation

Such problems with its operation can lead to more serious consequences in the car’s suspension. Since wear of the support bearing will lead to a violation of the wheel alignment angles, and consequently, a deterioration in the car’s handling and accelerated tire wear. How to check and which manufacturer of thrust bearings to give preference to when replacing - we will tell you about all this in more detail.

Replacement

First of all, we recommend watching a training video about the replacement. This will allow you to broaden your horizons, clearly understand the replacement steps, and also consistently perform a similar procedure, thereby returning the shock absorbers and suspension to their previous functionality.

Structure

Replacing the support is performed in the following sequence of your actions.

1. Raise the car using a jack.
2. Unscrew the wheel nuts and remove them.
3. Remove the cover from the nut located on the hub.
4. Loosen the hub fastening.
5. Remove the steering linkage from the rack. To do this you will need a mounting tool and a hammer.
6. Now remove the ball joint and remove the mounting bolts.
7. The next step is to remove the brake caliper. To do this, the fasteners and brake hoses are first disconnected.
8. The stem nut must be loosened. There is no need to completely dismantle it.
9. Be sure to tighten the springs.
10. Unscrew the bearing fasteners. The stand, along with the support and the disk, is removed. You have to replace them with new ones.
11. The unit is being assembled with a new element. The procedure is performed in reverse order.
12. It is advisable to replace the nut with a new one and tighten it properly. Just calculate the force, since the fastening nut is often torn off.

Doing the job of replacing a support bearing yourself is not as difficult as you may notice. At the same time, it is extremely important to notice the primary signs of support malfunction in a timely manner and take appropriate actions to solve the existing problem.

Signs of a faulty support bearing

The main sign of a breakdown, which should alert the driver, is a knocking sound in the area of ​​the front left or right side members . In fact, other suspension parts can also be sources of knocking and squeaking, but you need to start checking with the “support”.

Unpleasant sounds are especially noticeable when driving on uneven roads, over potholes, on sharp turns, and when the car is heavily loaded. That is, in conditions of critical suspension operation. In addition, the driver will probably subjectively feel a decrease in the car’s controllability. The steering does not respond so quickly to its actions; a certain inertia appears. The car also begins to “scour” along the road.

Causes of failure

The main reasons for the failure of support bearings are dust and water penetrating inside, lack of lubrication there, and also, not rarely, due to a strong impact on the rack. Read more about these and other causes of support bearing failure:

• Natural wear of the part . Unfortunately, the quality of domestic roads leaves much to be desired. Therefore, when operating the machine, be prepared for the fact that the bearings will be subject to more wear than their manufacturer claims.
• Sand and dirt getting inside the mechanism . The fact is that a journal bearing is a type of rolling bearing, and it does not structurally provide protection from the mentioned harmful factors.
• Abrupt driving style and failure to comply with speed limits. Driving on bad roads at high speed leads to excessive wear not only on the support bearing, but also on other elements of the vehicle’s suspension.
• Low quality parts or defects . This is especially true for domestically produced bearings, in particular for VAZ cars.

Front support device

How to check a support bearing

Next, we will consider the question of how to determine a faulty support bearing with your own hands based on a characteristic sign. This is quite easy to do. To recognize how support bearings knock, there are three methods for checking the support bearing at home:

1. It is necessary to remove the protective caps and press the upper element of the front strut rod with your fingers. After this, rock the car from side to side by the wing (first in the longitudinal and then in the transverse direction). If the bearing is faulty, you will hear a familiar knocking noise that you heard when driving a car on a rough road. In this case, the car body will sway, and the stand will either stand still or move with a smaller amplitude.
2. Place your hand on the front shock spring coil and have someone sit behind the wheel and turn the steering wheel from side to side. If the bearing is worn out, you will hear a metallic knock and feel the recoil with your hand.
3. You can focus on sound. Drive your car on uneven roads, including speed bumps. When there is a significant load on the suspension system (sharp turns, including at high speed, driving over bumps and holes, sudden braking), a metallic knocking sound of the support bearings will be heard from the front wheel arches. You will also feel that the car's handling has deteriorated.

Checking the “supporters” on VAZs

How do support bearings knock?

To extend the service life of a given bearing, very often, if the design allows it, mechanics wash and change the lubricant. If the part is partially or completely out of order, the support bearing is not repaired, but replaced. In this regard, a logical question arises - which support bearings are best to purchase and install?

Ford Mondeo support bearing repair

Detailed photo instructions on how to independently restore the performance of a Ford Mondeo support bearing. Do-it-yourself repair of the support bearing of the Ford Mondeo shock absorber strut Read more

Shock absorber (car shock absorbers)

The shock absorber ensures safety and comfort when driving by absorbing shocks, jolts, and vibrations of moving suspension elements. Therefore, it is important to promptly eliminate shock absorber problems—properly maintain them and replace them in a timely manner. More details

Checking car shock absorbers

This video shows the consequences of faulty shock absorbers, and also describes popular testing methods: swaying, behavior on the road, what to look for during visual diagnostics Read more

How to choose support bearings

So, today on the auto parts market you can find “supports” from different manufacturers. It is best, of course, to buy original spare parts that are recommended by the manufacturer of your car. However, most car owners, as an alternative, buy non-original bearings in order to save money. And here a kind of lottery arises. Some manufacturers (mainly from China) produce quite decent products that can, if not compete with original spare parts, then at least come close to them. But there is a danger of buying an open marriage. Moreover, the likelihood of purchasing a low-quality bearing is much higher. We present to you information about popular brands of journal bearings, reviews of which we were able to find on the Internet - SNR, SKF, FAG, INA, Koyo. When purchasing branded products, always pay attention to the presence of branded packaging . It is, in fact, an analogue of a passport for a bearing, which is usually issued by domestic manufacturers.

SNR - thrust and other bearings are produced under this brand in France (some production facilities are located in China). The products are of high quality and are used by various car manufacturers in Europe (such as Mercedes, Audi, Volkswagen, Opel, etc.) as originals.