Replacing a ball joint on a VAZ 2110, video on how to change it

Purpose and location of the ball joint

The driving wheels of a car must provide movement and the ability to turn in a certain direction. A number of requirements are also imposed on the location of the wheels: they must be level and securely fixed. This purpose is served by the suspension, one of the main parts of which is the ball joint. It is located in the steering knuckle system and provides it with the required level of mobility.

In VAZ-2110 cars it is easy to find ball joints - they are located immediately behind the front wheels.

This is what a ball joint looks like

Identifying Symptoms of Problems

Replacing the VAZ 2110 ball joint is necessary when the main signs of malfunctions begin to appear.

They are as follows:

While driving over hilly terrain at low speed, a sound is heard from the front of the vehicle. This is a sign of a malfunction of the ball joint of the VAZ 2110. Perhaps there is no lubrication in it or a large hole has formed.
If, while moving, the car sways in different directions, this indicates the presence of a large backlash. There is a risk that the wheel will turn out and the car will fall to one side. In this case, the VAZ 2110 ball joint must be replaced as soon as possible.
If the surface of the tires on a VAZ 2110 wears unevenly, replacing the ball joint can eliminate this problem.
The need for great effort and the steering wheel squeaks when turning.

This is interesting: Ball joint remover - does the average car owner need this tool?

Causes of malfunction

During driving, the ball joint is subjected to heavy loads. It accounts for the bulk of the vehicle's weight. Wear will be especially rapid when driving for a long time on uneven surfaces.

The most common failure is wear of the contacting components. During operation, the gap between the finger and the body constantly expands. In normal condition, the pin should simply rotate, but when worn, it begins to move from side to side. If the problem is not solved, then after some time the support may fall out of the body, the support will no longer hold the wheel and the bottom of the car will fall onto the asphalt.

Need I say what consequences this will lead to at high speed?

If you haven't replaced your ball joint in a while, use extreme caution when making sharp turns or driving over obstacles. However, even a new support can suddenly fall out. This risk arises if a fast-moving car hits a hole with its wheel. The hinge instantly experiences a heavy load and literally breaks out of its socket.

Remember - the support must be inspected periodically. If water gets under the protective cover, corrosion will begin. Dirt causes abrasive wear. In combination with dynamic loads, this leads to serious damage.

Diagram of a ball joint for VAZ cars

How to diagnose a ball joint

This can be done in two ways - listening and feeling. Let's look at each separately.

This method does not require any additional equipment.
Place the car on a level surface and in as quiet a place as possible so that sounds can be heard better.
Place your foot on top of either front wheel.
Rock the car from side to side.
If, when rocking, the car makes dull metal impacts on one side, then there is a possibility that the ball joint on the side of the emanating sound has become unusable.

Advice! Of course, the words “there is a possibility” only indicate a possible malfunction. To diagnose an exact breakdown, it is best to use the second method.

First, the car should be raised so that the front wheel can rotate freely.
First, lift it with a jack, then support something and lower the car onto this object.
You can substitute bricks, a wooden block or other thing at hand.
Rock the wheel from top to bottom.
Again, when rocking, dull sounds should be produced.
To be sure, you need to place your hand (two fingers) at the junction of the lever and the ball joint.
With your fingers you will feel the knock that the ball joint pin creates.

Advice! If there is even a slight knock in the ball joint, it is better to replace it. Never delay car repairs - in the end, even your life may depend on it.

Do the same operation with the second wheel. If any problems are found, make appropriate repairs.

In this case, it is necessary to listen to extraneous sounds directly while the car is moving.
The malfunction of the ball joint will be especially audible when the wheel hits the slightest hole on the road.
A knock will be heard from the side of the faulty ball joint.
In this way, you can determine whether the VAZ 2112 ball joints need to be replaced or not.
But this method also does not fully guarantee that it is the ball joint that has failed!

Bad roads - a method for diagnosing ball joints and the cause of their failure

Diagnostics

The easiest way to identify the problem is to go to a car service center. If you do not have this opportunity or just want to save money, carry out diagnostic procedures yourself. To do this, you will need an inspection hole or a lift, as well as a source of intense lighting.

Rock the car and listen. Determine where the knocking is coming from. If it comes from the wheels, the supports are badly worn.
Press the brake pedal all the way to avoid bearing play. Rock the wheel with your hands, holding it at the top and bottom points. If there is play, there is a gap between the support and the body, which means the product needs to be changed.
In VAZ cars of the classic series, the check is carried out through the inspection hole. It is located in the lower support. For diagnostics, you will need a caliper or depth gauge to measure the distance between the outer part of the housing and the end of the support pin. The indicator should not exceed 11.8 mm. This method only works if you have not replaced the ball joint before.
To check the play of the upper product you will need a play meter with an indicator. The permissible value is no more than 0.8 mm.
Diagnostics without tools is possible, but you will need an assistant. Place your palm on the support body, touching the body and finger at the same time. The second person is rocking the wheel at this time. If there is play, you will feel it.

Signs of wear on the ball joint

Replacing a ball joint on a VAZ 2110

As the car moves, the unit that is responsible for turning the hub when the steering wheel rotates wears out. Replacing the ball joint of a VAZ 2110 is not particularly difficult. It can be done with your own hands if you have the right tools. Such work should be carried out in a timely manner, because the breakage of a part leads to serious consequences.

Design features of ball joints

To understand how to change the ball joint on a VAZ 2110, you need to have an idea of its design.

The unit consists of the following parts:

Hardened metal rod. There is a thread at one end and a ball end at the other end.
Polymer insert, consisting of 2 parts.
An anther responsible for the tightness of the unit, which delays the penetration of dust.
Retaining spring that holds the boot.
Washer for pressing the liner.
Frame.
Rolled clamp in the bottom of the structure.

Ball joint design

Identifying Symptoms of Problems

Replacing the VAZ 2110 ball joint is necessary when the main signs of malfunctions begin to appear.

They are as follows:

While driving over hilly terrain at low speed, a sound is heard from the front of the vehicle. This is a sign of a malfunction of the ball joint of the VAZ 2110. Perhaps there is no lubrication in it or a large hole has formed.
If, while moving, the car sways in different directions, this indicates the presence of a large backlash. There is a risk that the wheel will turn out and the car will fall to one side. In this case, the VAZ 2110 ball joint must be replaced as soon as possible.
If the surface of the tires on a VAZ 2110 wears unevenly, replacing the ball joint can eliminate this problem.
The need for great effort and the steering wheel squeaks when turning.

Ball joint diagnostics

In order to solve the question of how to check ball joints on a VAZ 2110, you need a pit, a lift and good lighting.

The verification procedure consists of the following steps:

The car is rocking normally. If a knock appears and is heard in the area where the wheels are located, it means that the VAZ 2110 needs to replace the ball joint.
There is another option to check the ball joint on a VAZ 2110. First, depress the brake pedal. Then the steering wheel makes oscillatory movements. The identified play indicates the presence of a gap between the support and the body.
You also need to know how to check ball joints on a VAZ 2110 if you don’t have a tool. 2 people take part in the work. One is in the pit and watches the ball joint, and the other makes rotational movements with the steering wheel. The presence of play indicates that the VAZ 2110 needs to replace the ball joint as soon as possible.

Causes of ball joint failure

The reasons for the breakdown of the ball joint on the VAZ-2110 are the following factors:

This unit is protected by a rubber apron. The boot of the ball joint of the VAZ 2110 prevents dust and dirt from getting inside. Over time, cracks form in the rubber. As a result, dirt gets between the rubbing surfaces and increased wear of the material occurs. To prevent this from happening, it is necessary to replace the boot of the ball joint on the VAZ 2110.
When driving on bad roads, the vehicle's suspension experiences greater load, which affects the life of the ball joints.
If there is insufficient lubrication, the ball joint will wear out prematurely.
If there is a gap in the assembly, repairs are required as soon as possible. Loose parts will speed up product failure.

Ball joint selection rule

In order for the unit to function for a long time after replacement, you need to understand which ball joints are best for the VAZ 2110. Of course, when purchasing, you need to know: how many ball joints are included in the kit for the VAZ 2110. Unlike the classic scheme with rear drive wheels, the front-wheel drive has 2 ball nodes.
Purchased parts must meet the following requirements:

Attention is drawn to the rod. It is made of highly hardened tool steel. After such heat treatment, the product acquires a gray color. At the end there is a rolled thread section.
The body is made of 2 halves
Scrolling of the rod should take place without biting. This is the main sign of low-quality ball joints. The check is carried out using a crank, since it is impossible to turn the part manually.
Rated manufacturers include a nut with boot in the kit. If they are absent, it is better to refuse the purchase.

Main manufacturers

To make a quality purchase, it is better to purchase from the most rated manufacturers.

These include:

"Belmag". The “Favorit” series is specially manufactured for the VAZ 2110.
"Cedar". The body is solid forged. The rod is rolled with diamond rollers, which ensures high manufacturing precision. After this, a zinc coating is applied to the surface. The boot is made of rubber with high elastic characteristics.
"Track". Often used in vases. The support is capable of traveling up to 60 thousand km.

Replacing the ball joint

Replacing the ball joint of a VAZ 2110 with your own hands is possible if you have the necessary tools. These include a jack, lubricant, hammer, puller, pry bar. To understand how to replace a ball joint on a VAZ 2110 with your own hands, you need to study the instructions.

It consists of several steps:

Dismantling the old unit.
Preparation of a new ball structure.
Installation of the prepared ball joint.

Removing the old unit

The instructions on how to change the ball joint on a VAZ 2110 consist of several points:

The car is being lifted. To do this, use a jack or several stands.
After removing the wheels, the ball joint nut is moistened with a special liquid and unscrewed.
If there is a puller, it rests on the rod and squeezes it out of the groove.
It is possible to remove the VAZ 2110 ball joint without a puller.
There are craftsmen who know how to remove a ball joint on a VAZ 2110 without a tool.
The pry bar is inserted between the fist and the lever, creating pressure. Then, blows are applied to the location of the lever. Gradually the rod comes out of the groove.
The lever is moved to the side, and the support is unscrewed from the fist.

Preparing a new ball joint

Before starting work on installing a new purchased support, it should be prepared. To do this, remove the boot, which is fixed with a special spring. The body is clogged with lithol. For better filling, a crank is used to turn the rod. The thread of the finger is driven using a die.

Installation of a new support

All work is done in reverse order:

The seat of the steering knuckle is thoroughly cleaned.
The support is inserted and screwed into it.
A lever is brought into which the rod is fixed. Here you need to use a mount.
At the last stage, the nuts of the supporting structure are tightened.

How to choose the right part

There are two types of such products: filled and with cermet bearings.

Filled options are best suited for front-wheel drive VAZ cars. They withstand heavy compressive loads. Metal-ceramic products are installed on the rear wheels and are characterized by high tensile strength.

The most popular manufacturers of supports for domestic cars are Za Rulem, Kedr, Trek and BelMag. HOLA, HI-DRIVE, Moog, FENOX and some other companies deserve trust.

Replacement process

When is a puller required?

During operation of a car, support parts are exposed to corrosion, friction and high temperatures. As a result, the components are tightly “glued” to one another. This happens especially often with a cone and a socket.

Previously, the problem was solved simply - with a sledgehammer and a gas torch. It is not recommended to use this method, as the steering rods can easily be damaged. A ball joint remover will help you avoid problems. It is recommended to have it on the farm - this will greatly simplify the task.

Ball joint remover in working order

Required Tools

key to 17;
key to 19;
puller;
hammer;
penetrating lubricant;
jack.

This bolt must be unscrewed first.

Let's get started

Raise the front of the car with a jack.
We remove the wheel, behind which the required ball joint is located.
Apply penetrating lubricant to the fastening bolts and nuts.
Unscrew the lower nut securing the pin using a 19mm wrench.
We install the puller and use it to squeeze out the ball pin.
We unscrew the two bolts that secure the ball joint. One of them is in front, the other is on the opposite side.
We press the lever and remove the support.
Lubricate the ball pin and put on the boot if you plan to install the same support, or install a new product.
Align the hole in the support with the thread, screw in the bolts. We repeat the steps performed during dismantling in reverse order. The work is completed.

What should the new ball joint be like for the VAZ 2112?

We all don't want to drive a car that has low quality parts and have to make frequent repairs. Therefore, replacing ball joints on a VAZ 2112 requires a serious approach. Let's list the characteristics of a really good ball joint.

Technical description of the ball joint

Type of good ball joint

The ball joint housing must be welded in two parts.
Carefully inspect the ball body for cracks and chips.
The ball joint pin must be hardened, not painted.
The finger should not dangle loosely in the body - in a good ball joint it is difficult to turn it by hand. Only using a crank will it turn.
Modern ball joints come with a nut and boot.
The nut should not be weak and have a Teflon insert, or a ball nut should be made with a cotter pin hole and a castle nut.
The boot must be intact, without cuts, cracks, or scratches. There should be a metal retaining ring inside the boot.
Well, the price, of course, for a good, decent ball joint is not the cheapest.

Manufacturers of ball joints:

Each car owner chooses the ball manufacturer himself.
There is only one principle - do not buy ball joints that are too cheap. There is a very high probability that they will not be of good quality and will have to be replaced again after a very short mileage.
Among many motorists, ball joints are considered the best.

Track – for VAZ 2112 ball joint

Ball joint puller

Puller for VAZ 2112 ball

Set of heads
Vorotok
Hammer
Crowbar or crowbar
Lubrication
Metal brush
Rust Cleaner
Jack
Car stand

As you can see, the price of a replacement tool is low, since most of the list is available to every motorist.