It must be said right away that the front suspension of the VAZ-2107 is a double-lever type, as on most rear-wheel drive cars. From time to time, it is necessary to monitor the technical condition of all suspension components, as this affects the normal handling of the car, as well as the comfort of the driver and passengers. Unfortunately, the quality of many components leaves much to be desired, so any element may unexpectedly fail. All work on checking and replacing suspension elements can easily be done independently. However, for diagnostics, for example, it is best if there is a viewing hole in the garage or overpass.
Suspension Diagnostics
And now about how to make a technical inspection of the car, or rather its suspension, for troubleshooting. First of all, look carefully at the tires. Their wear should be uniform. If the rubber began to wear off on one side more and less on the other, then the wheel alignment is clearly impaired. In addition, the uneven wear of the tires indicates that there is a breakdown in the steering rods. Then what is needed is not a VAZ-2107 front suspension repair, but a steering replacement.
Then check the clearance in each of the front wheel hub bearings . This should be done on a car mounted on a flat surface. It is necessary to grasp the wheel, or rather the upper part of it, and then sharply pull it towards you. If the play in the bearings is very large, then you will hear characteristic knocks. Please note that tapered bearings are installed in the front hub of the VAZ-2107. They should have a very small backlash. If the bearing adjustment does not help, then you will need to replace it.
Shock Absorber Check
If the front shock absorbers fail, they must be replaced. If there are oil smudges or deformations on the case, you need to install new ones. Please note that a broken shock absorber cannot absorb all vibrations of the car body while driving. In this case, the front suspension of the VAZ-2107 will not work properly. Before starting repairs, you must carefully check the shock absorbers to fully verify their malfunction. To check how well the front shock absorbers work, you need to carefully press on the front of the car, trying not to damage the wing.
If the shock absorbers are fully operational, then the body will immediately return to its original state. If the body continues to jump on the springs, we can conclude that there is a malfunction of the shock absorbers. It does not matter if one or both shock absorbers are broken, they need to be replaced only in pairs. It is worth noting that it is necessary to install new ones if there is a leak of oil from the shock absorber cartridge. In this case, only the repair of the front suspension of the VAZ-2107 will help.
Shock absorber removal
First, open the hood, unscrew the nut, with which the rod is attached to the car body. After unscrewing the nut, remove the washer and rubber gasket. Please note that the shock absorber rod must be held with the key at 6. But you can also use a special device. After that, unscrew the two nuts that secured the levers. The shock absorber is pulled out down. A complete replacement of the front suspension of the VAZ-2107 is not required.
Note that it cannot be removed on a flat surface, even if the stem is fully recessed. It is necessary to slightly raise the entire side of the car on which repairs are being made. But the most convenient, of course, is to do all the work on the lift or inspection hole. After removing the shock absorber, it is necessary to unscrew the nut, which is fastened to the bracket. This bracket is mounted on a new shock absorber.
Installing a new shock absorber
Next, proceed with the installation of the new suspension element. In fact, all work is done in reverse order. First, a lower cushion made of rubber is put on the rod. Then the shock absorber body is installed in its place through a special hole in the lower arm. The stem must be fully extended and held in the hole in the body. So the VAZ-2107 front suspension is easily repaired. The price of one shock absorber is an average of 900 rubles.
After that, you need to install the rubber cushion and washer. Bring a nut. At the bottom, tighten the nuts securing the bracket to the lower arm. Then tighten the nut on the rod all the way. The installation of a new shock absorber is completed, similarly, repairs are made on the other side of the car.
How to replace the upper arm?
It is necessary to change the upper arm of the front suspension of the VAZ-2107 in only one case: if it has mechanical damage. It must also be removed if the silent blocks are replaced. To carry out the work, you will need 13 and 22, as well as a puller for working with silent blocks. First remove the wheel, and then unscrew the bolt that secured the bracket for the automobile bumper. The upper ball joint must be disconnected from the lever.
All three nuts that secured the support housing to the lever must be unscrewed with a key by 13. Raise the upper lever, and then turn off all the nuts on the bolt with a key. With their help, the lever is attached directly to the car body. With the second, exactly the same key, you need to hold the bolt on the other side so that it does not turn.
Use a convenient poke to remove the bolt and remove the lever that the VAZ-2107 front suspension consists of. To remove the silent blocks, it is necessary to clamp the entire lever in a vice and install the puller. Slowly wrap the bolt, thereby extruding the rubber mount. The second silent block is dismantled in the same way. After that, you can repair the suspension arm.
Lever setting
With the help of a puller, silent blocks are installed in their places. Please note that when installing the upper lever, which is produced in the reverse order, it is best to use a new self-locking nut. Also, do not tighten the nut with the wheel hanging. First you need to put in place the bolt that secured the bumper, and then load the suspension.
If tuning the front suspension of the VAZ-2107 is required, it is best to put reinforced levers. For example, from the Niva. Then install a spacer under the lower lever and lower the car on the jack. Next, you need to put the ball bearing in place and only then tighten the nut. In the event that you removed the ball bearing completely by pressing the finger out of the hub, you must also replace the nut on it.
Preparing to remove the lower arm
As with the upper arm, the lower arm changes when there is damage. It is not necessary to completely remove it while replacing the rubber joints. Please note that the transverse link was mounted to it. This is exactly what the VAZ-2107 front suspension scheme looks like. To make repairs, you need to have heads on 22 and 19, a spring puller is also useful. First remove the wheel and remove the spring with the shock absorber. The lower ball is detached from the wheel hub and completely removed. After that, using the key on 22, it is necessary to unscrew both nuts that secured the lever to the car body.
Lever removal
Using a 19 key, unscrew the nuts securing the transverse link to the suspension arm. Only after that is it necessary to move the axle with the mounting blade and completely remove the lever. Please note that under the axis on which the suspension arm is mounted, there are special washers. With their help, the camber is regulated. Installing a new lower arm is done in the reverse order. Always install new nuts. With the help of a puller, the silent blocks are pressed into the new lever. That's all, the front suspension of the VAZ-2107 is restored, now it will serve for quite some time.