I took off my old ones and was surprised, they were different, one SAAZ 2121-2915006-03
Second SAAZ BB21213-2915006
The feeling after installation is wonderful, the ass stopped floating along the highway on uneven surfaces and flying up on speed bumps.
Another small misfortune happened, I caught a pebble on the highway
Shock absorbers 790r. per piece. Glass found in a stash.
There is also a question about the shape of the shayeb. On my shock absorber mounting bolts, one washer was straight, the other was bent “from the rubber”, as shown by the red curved line. I bent both washers in the opposite direction, as the blue line is drawn. Who thinks about this?
1200 rub. for the photo report
We pay for photo reports on car repairs. Earnings from 10,000 rubles/month.
Write:
Shock absorbers for Niva before the 94th year of production (VAZ 2121) and after the 94th (VAZ 21214) differ in the article numbers and also slightly in size. The manufacturer of original shock absorbers for classic Nivas is SAAZ (as for most domestic cars). The original shock absorber struts for the Niva are oil-based, with a single-pipe design.
Front and rear shock absorbers Niva 2121, 21213 and 21214
The Niva car feels great off-road, which is why it is so popular in our country. Considering the heavy loads that the racks of this machine can deal with, it is equipped with reinforced structures of this type. Sooner or later, even high-quality products fail, so it is so important to figure out in advance which shock absorbers are best installed on the Niva in order to maximize the life of the suspension. Next, the principle of selecting rear and front struts for this brand of car will be discussed in detail, as well as a step-by-step guide to replacing parts.
Why do you need to change shock absorbers?
Shock absorbers on the Niva need to be changed in a timely manner, since their wear leads to a significant and sometimes catastrophic decrease in driving quality. In addition, the poor condition of this part can hit your wallet. This is due to the fact that a shock absorber with poor wheel balance leads to an increase in the rate of tire wear; it affects the wear rate of all suspension parts (including the support bearing in the strut). A “dead” shock absorber can quickly lead to a breakdown of the brake mechanism or unexpected body work due to an extended braking distance in an accident. Tests revealed that when replacing parts worn out by 50-55% with new ones, the braking distance was reduced by 3-4 meters, and the maximum cornering speed increased by 15-20 km/h.
The average service life of conventional shock absorbers is about 50,000 kilometers. Some samples can withstand 60-70. They are consumables and need to be checked periodically. This can be done on a stand (the car is fixed on the platform and they begin to rock), listening to the suspension (if there are any extraneous knocks) or using the “rocking” method - you need to try to swing the car by the wing - if the shock absorber is “dead”, then there will be vibrations (the likelihood of detecting defects with this method is quite low).
In addition, shock absorbers must be inspected for oil leaks. It doesn’t hurt to listen to your feelings when driving, and if the Niva starts to drift when turning a corner on normal road surfaces, then it’s time to go to a car service center.
Original shock absorbers for Niva 2121, 21213, 21214 and analogues: characteristics and articles
The Niva car has been produced since 1977 and during this time some components and assemblies have been significantly improved. The changes also affected the shock absorber struts. For this reason, every owner of a domestic car of this brand needs to know that in terms of article numbers and sizes, products produced before 1993 differ from more modern modifications.
Front
The Niva front shock absorber, installed at the factory, is an oil-oil monopipe design. The original racks have the following characteristics:
Front shock absorber of Niva 2121:
Front strut for Niva 21214:
The listed suspension parts are interchangeable, that is, they can be installed on Niva cars, regardless of the model.
Attention! To replace standard front shock absorbers, you can use high-quality analogues from Trialli (art. AG01005, AH01005, AG01013, AH01013).
Rear
The original shock absorber struts for the rear suspension of the Niva 2121 are also oil-filled single-tube products. The racks differ slightly in characteristics depending on the car model. The rear shock absorber Niva 2121 has the following parameters:
Rear shock absorber Niva 21213:
If it was not possible to find original rear struts to repair a Niva 2121 car, then you can successfully replace them with the following analogues:
All listed models of original models and analogues can also be used for installation on any Niva car model.
Shock absorbers for VAZ 2121/2131 Niva and LADA 4×4
The SS20 company offers front and rear reinforced shock absorbers for the classic NIVU 2121, 2131 and their modifications, NIVU 21214M, LADA 4×4 (3 and 5 doors) and Urban versions.
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Applicability
- VAZ 2121
- VAZ 2131
- VAZ 21214, 21214M
- LADA 4x4, LADA 4x4M
- LADA 4x4 (3 and 5 doors)
- LADA 4x4 Urban (3 and 5 doors)
Advantages of using SS20 shock absorbers in cars of the NIVA and LADA 4×4 family
- the problem of body swaying is eliminated and “bouncing” is significantly reduced when the car bounces on uneven roads, driving becomes more comfortable;
- “breakdowns” of the suspension are prevented when driving at high speed on a road with large irregularities;
- there is a choice of characteristics: “Standard”, “Comfort-Optima”, “Highway” or “Sport”;
- stability of operation in difficult conditions (due to larger fluid volume and improved cooling) without reducing damping characteristics;
- increased resource;
- extended operating temperature range from -42 ˚С to +50 ˚С;
- unlimited mileage warranty;
- silent operation and stability of shock absorber characteristics throughout the entire service life.
The Niva car (VAZ 2121) has been produced since 1977 and during this time has undergone several modifications. Now the name of the car is Lada 4x4, but its essence, as the most affordable of SUVs, has not changed. Over the years of production, the Niva car (VAZ 2121) has proven itself from the best side, and according to plans, it will live on the assembly line for several more years. However, it has a number of disadvantages. For example, insufficient stability of movement at high speed, bouncing and swaying of the body. These shortcomings are partly explained by the short wheelbase, but the main reason is the standard shock absorbers.
Front suspension shock absorbers for VAZ 2121, LADA 4×4
Rear suspension shock absorbers for VAZ 2121, LADA 4×4
reinforced SS20 shock absorbers on the Niva will allow you to make your car suitable specifically for your operating conditions, and at the same time improve reliability.
The SS20 company offers front and rear reinforced shock absorbers for the Niva , which, unlike the standard shock absorbers of the VAZ 2121, have increased resistance during the rebound stroke, and an increased diameter of the body and rod . The increased oil volume in the SS20 shock absorbers for the Niva allows you to move for a long time on rough roads without overheating the shock absorbers and without reducing their performance.
Standard - shock absorbers with the softest settings, an excellent solution for those who prefer a soft suspension, a smooth ride, and quiet movement. This shock absorber setting is suitable for everyday use, mainly in city conditions.
The “Comfort-Optima” modification has increased rebound valve settings, which solves the problem of body sway and significantly reduces “bumping” when the car bounces on uneven roads. SS20 shock absorbers for Niva and LADA 4x4 with “Comfort-Optima” settings are suitable primarily for urban use.
Shock absorbers “Highway” have an even greater rebound force compared to the “Comfort-Optima” series, and in addition, they have increased compression forces, which prevents suspension breakdowns when driving at speed on large bumps. Such settings are suitable primarily for suburban use on roads and moderate off-road conditions.
The highest rebound and compression forces and, accordingly, energy intensity are found in shock absorbers with “Sport” settings. These shock absorbers are suitable for fans of off-road racing, for the most severe operating conditions.
absorbers for Niva VAZ 2121 and LADA 4×4 have no internal knocks. Also, one of the features of SS20 shock absorbers is their high stability of parameters at low and high temperatures. The body of the SS20 shock absorbers is enlarged compared to standard shock absorbers, which not only allows for an increase in oil volume, but also the use of larger diameter pistons. This significantly reduces the specific loads on the elements of the valve system and increases their service life. The skirted pistons used in SS20 shock absorbers provide excellent sealing and stability of shock absorber performance with extended service life. The lower silent block of the front shock absorber has an original design that surpasses the factory one in reliability and damping capacity.
Buy SS20 products in our online store or in stores in your city.
Which shock absorbers are better to install on Niva 2121, 21213 and 21214
From the variety presented on the spare parts market, it can be very difficult to choose the most suitable copy. The above parts are practically the same in terms of technical parameters, but the quality can vary significantly. Original spare parts, unfortunately, are not examples of reliability, so many motorists prefer foreign-made analogues.
Choice of type: gas, gas-oil, oil
First of all, when choosing new products, you should decide on the type of shock absorber struts. The significant difference between the models of such parts lies in the substance with which the inner chamber is filled. There are three main types of shock absorbers: gas, gas-oil and oil.
Gas struts are ideal for a sporty driving style, but are more expensive and cannot be repaired. Oil products are cheaper and softer, which makes the ride more comfortable at relatively low speeds. An alternative option is gas-oil struts, which are essentially gas vibration damping devices. Products of this type also contain a container with oil, but to give the product greater rigidity, the device also has a chamber filled with atmospheric air. Which shock absorbers are best installed on the Niva 2121, 21213 and 21214 depends, first of all, on the driving style of the car.
Best manufacturers: Sax, Kayaba, Trialli, SS-20
When installing new shock absorbers, in addition to the type of product, you must pay attention to the manufacturer of spare parts. The following companies are most popular among VAZ 2121 car owners:
The products of the listed manufacturers enjoy the well-deserved trust of domestic car enthusiasts.
Is it possible to install shock absorbers from a Chevrolet Niva?
Many owners of domestic Niva 2121 cars try to install racks from the VAZ 2131 on them. It is strictly not recommended to carry out such a replacement. On Chevrolet Niva, shock absorbers have a larger stroke. While it is quite possible to physically install the product in its standard place, during operation the fastening may break due to a breakdown of the suspension.
Attention! Installing racks from a VAZ 2121 car on a Chevrolet Niva is possible, but this will significantly reduce the comfort of driving and the service life of the part.
Expensive and cheap options
An exact answer to the question: “Which shock absorbers are better to install?” - does not exist, since each Niva owner has his own driving style and conditions, and the selection of these parts is not always large in Russian stores. The best products are considered to be from KONI, which in Germany have a lifetime warranty for one car under one owner. They need to be tuned frequently (30-40 thousand km). Red part numbers significantly improve ride quality without any loss in handling. The cost of one shock absorber can exceed a hundred dollars.
When to change shock absorbers on Niva
Diagnosing faulty shock absorbers is not difficult at all. It is enough to get out of the car, close the door, and rock the car, pressing one by one on the body in the area of each wing. If, after stopping the pressure, the car continues to oscillate for a long time, then the shock absorber only works as a spring travel limiter and does not dampen shocks.
Attention! Oil smudges, bending of the rod or jamming of this element are also indications for replacing the struts.
Recommend rear shock absorbers for 21213
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How to diagnose a problem
If it is necessary to more accurately check the shock absorbers, this procedure can be performed on a vibration stand. Such equipment allows you to simulate real road conditions while simultaneously reading information using special sensors.
If it is not possible to perform diagnostics of this type, then you can determine the performance of this part by rocking the car body, as described above, or by removing the shock absorber and bleeding it. If the rod moves freely, the shock absorber will have to be replaced.
What you need for replacement work: keys, components, consumables
To carry out work on replacing shock absorbers, you need to purchase original struts or high-quality analogues, prepare a set of keys, a jack and wheel chocks. This part comes with all the necessary components, including washers and gaskets. The main thing is not to lose small parts during unpacking and installation work.
Attention! To make it easy to unscrew the nuts, it is recommended to treat all threaded connections with penetrating lubricant before removing the racks.
Replacement of Niva 4x4 shock absorbers and their mounting brackets
It is recommended to carry out work on replacing Niva 4x4 Urban shock absorbers strictly in a certain sequence.
Front suspension instructions
The work of replacing the front shock absorber is performed in the following sequence:
Install the new strut assembly in the reverse order of removal.
Attention! Even if only one shock absorber fails, both front shock absorbers should be replaced.
Rear suspension instructions
Replacing the rear shock absorber is carried out in almost the same way as when repairing the front suspension. If it is possible to install the car above the inspection hole or raise it on a lift, then you can do without removing the wheel. In this case, the work can be done as follows.
When the faulty shock absorber is removed, a new product is installed. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure high-quality tightening of the threaded fastening.
Attention! Before installing new shock absorbers, it is recommended to bleed them manually.
Characteristics of suspension springs for VAZ cars
You can find out the price of a part by the catalog number (article), which is indicated in the tables.
1 Before coating. 2 Dimensions and parameters for reference. 3 Including control washers. 4 DP - existing production; PP - production preparation; ZCh - spare parts; OV - extended turn; n.d. - no data.
How to determine spring stiffness
The manufacturer applies markings to the suspension springs that correspond to four stiffness groups:
| Group number | Load, kN (kgf) | Number of marks |
| I | 5,83..5,93 (595..605) | One risk |
| II | 5,93..6,03 (605..615) | Two risks |
| III | 6,03..6,13 (615..625) | Three risks |
| IV | 5,73..5,83 (585..595) | Four risks |
There is also a color coding for springs:
| Car make, VAZ | Spring color | Marking color | |
| Class A (standard, rigid) | Class B (soft) | ||
| Front | |||
| 2101 | Black | Green | Yellow |
| 2101 lane step | Metallic blue | Green | Yellow |
| 2108 | Black | Green | Yellow |
| 2110 | Black | Green | Yellow |
| 2108 per. step | Metallic blue | Green | Yellow |
| 2121 | Black | No markings | White |
| 1111 | Black | Green | White |
| 2112 | Black | No markings | White |
| 2123 | Black | No markings | White |
| Rear | |||
| 2101 | White | Green | Yellow |
| 2101 lane step | Metallic blue | Green | Yellow |
| 2102 | White | Blue | Red |
| 2102 lane step | Metallic blue | Green | Yellow |
| 2108 | White | Green | Yellow |
| 2108 per. step | Metallic blue | Green | Yellow |
| 21099 | White | Blue | Red |
| 2121 | White | Black | No markings |
| 2121 per. step | Metallic blue | Green | Yellow |
| 2110 | White | Black | No markings |
| 2110 per. step | Metallic blue | Green | Yellow |
| 2123 | White | Black | No markings |
| 2111 | White | Blue | Orange |
| 1111 | White | Green | No markings |
Important! They need to be selected in pairs based on stiffness for the front and rear suspension. This wish accounts for 95% of all requirements for springs.
What springs are suitable for Lada 4×4
When making this choice, you should take into account the dimensions of the Lada 4×4 springs. If they do not correspond to the standard ones (for example, the springs from the Chevrolet Niva are longer), then other suspension elements will have to be changed, for example, shock absorbers, spacers, etc. The result is an elevator. To minimize costs, car enthusiasts simply cut off excess coils from the springs.
What springs can be installed on Lada 4×4:
So, which springs are best to choose? They should not be too hard (when the wheel loses contact with the road or the car “bounces”) or too soft (when the body rolls heavily when cornering, “nods off” when braking, and the suspension often breaks). You need to be able to choose the right balance that will be suitable specifically for your car and its operating conditions. For example, when installing a heavier engine (diesel), the springs should also be stiffer.
What springs did you choose for your SUV? What features did you notice during their operation? Leave feedback and take part in the survey.
Source
Springs on the field, practice
Let's divide the problem into two small tasks. Let them be called shorty and crocodile. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s Niva Classic, Niva-M or Niva-U. Before turning to the Swedes, a little more history. When in 2008, the classic Niva was replaced by the Niva-M, and in 2021 by the Niva-U, the plant proudly announced that they were aware of the problem of the front springs and that they would install a new type of spring, with a thicker coil and 20 mm longer. The result is written at the beginning of the second paragraph.
Shorty option. The front of the car is very overloaded. And if a winch or air conditioner (Niva Urban) is also hung on the front end, then it becomes completely sad. Therefore, according to our many years of experience, in all cases we install springs from a long-wheelbase Niva, that is, a crocodile. The rear springs for the shorty and crocodile are the same. I can recommend springs 4047001 (short wheelbase) only if you constantly drive alone and without a load, so we actually don’t keep them in stock. For the sake of fairness, I note that my family field rode on these springs for more than 7 years, until the first signs of spring sagging.
Crocodile option. There are two time-tested options. The first option is the standard. In front 4047006, behind 4247002. But there is one Russian, BUT. Few people buy a crocodile to ride alone or without a load. As a rule, this is hunting, fishing, 3-4 men, a bunch of luggage and a box of vodka, or an off-road “truck” (a very common option). In this case, we put rear springs from a Chevrolet Niva on the rear. In terms of geometry, they are exactly the same, but in terms of rigidity they are approximately 20-25 percent greater. A legitimate question, why not reinforced springs for the Niva? The answer is price. For some reason they are more expensive than springs from Shnivy. And please do not forget that if you want to make a suspension that is comfortable for yourself, then you need to consider the issue comprehensively, together with high-quality shock absorbers and silent blocks.
What springs to put on the Niva
The question of which springs are best to install on a Niva is asked by many responsible car owners. It is known that Nivas come in different generations and modifications. We will look at each of them and break down which springs are recommended for which Niva.
Content
What are springs
The shape of the spring is a twisted steel rod that resembles an ordinary spiral or torsion bar. The latter definition has French roots, directly reflecting the purpose of the part - literally translated as “twisting” or “twisting”. Typically the cross-section of this rod is round or rectangular. The spring itself can be cone-shaped, barrel-shaped or ordinary cylindrical.
The purpose of a spring in a car suspension is to keep the car in the same comfortable position along with the passenger and cargo, regardless of the characteristics of the road on which the vehicle is moving. This unit replaced the spring suspension and, since about the middle of the last century, remains the most suitable for use.
Together with shock absorbers, springs not only ensure the comfort of people and the safety of fragile cargo inside the car, but also significantly influence the behavior of the car on the road and the safety of movement in general.
Is the “spring + shock absorber” combination so important?!
Torsion bars, cushions or springs are used with shock absorbers to dampen body vibrations as quickly and effectively as possible. When driving on an uneven road, the car’s wheels may briefly lose traction with the surface - as if “falling” into the recesses. At such moments, the spring straightens, rushing behind the wheel, and very, very quickly manages to “pick it up” in order to prevent a strong imbalance of the entire suspension. What comes next?
When to change?
Let me refer to quotes from the forums: look at how your lower control arm is relative to the ground, measure the distance from the edge of the wheel to the arch, and the like. Of course, there is some truth in all this, BUT these are all consequences. We need to look at the reason, that is, at the spring itself. The next legitimate question is: where to look? The photo shows springs from the same car, one side before replacing the springs, the other after.
when to change springs?
For some reason I remembered the magazine “Murzilka” with pictures on the topic, find 10 differences)). Red circles indicate where to look. Why do springs in this condition need to be changed and why is this criminal? Different alloys have different physical characteristics. In particular, spring steels do not withstand shock loads at all. When the coils of the springs close to full contact, an impact occurs. Stress tends to accumulate, and at some point the spring bursts. If this happens at low speed, the face of the car will simply fall down. The fuse will be the shock absorber, which will bend, and if the swing was stronger, then the body will lie on the wheel. It is much worse if this happens at speed or somewhere on the descent from a hill. I saw a short video from the Ladoga Trophy, when a short Niva drives down a hill, bounces a little and turns over. What can be seen in the slow motion replay: when flying up, the suspension dissolves. Then, the face of the car goes down, the spring bursts, the body falls on the wheel... and the car does a somersault through this wheel, since the kinetic energy has not gone away.
