Niva chevrolet do-it-yourself chassis repair

The chassis of the Niva Chevrolet includes front and rear suspension. Since most of the troubles lie in wait for the owners of this model in the front independent suspension, consisting of several transverse levers, coil coil springs, as well as shock absorbers and a stabilizer for greater lateral stability, it is precisely its design and repair features that should be considered in more detail.

In order to check the technical condition of the front suspension elements, it is necessary to drive the car onto a lift or a viewing ditch. In the latter case, the wheels are suspended using a jack or other lifting device. Diagnostics begins with a visual inspection of the suspension structural elements.

So, for example, rubber parts should not show signs of material wear and there should be no mechanical damage to such parts. Hinges made from a mixture of metal and rubber should be free from cracking and signs of aging. If defects are found, the parts must be changed.

Next, a check is made of the condition of the protective covers of the hinges and the ball joint on each side. If damage is found on these elements, they will have to be replaced. On the upper hinges, we inspect the rubber pads, and on the lower ones - the rubber bushings of the shock absorbers. The algorithm for detecting defects is identical to the previous cases.

We examine the bushings on both levers. It is also necessary to check the condition of the bushings located in the anti-roll bar. Do not forget about the safe attachment of the stabilizer brackets and body side members to the lower arm.

In the case of an increased value of the clearance in the bearings in a certain speed range, you can feel the appearance of vibration. In this case, there is also unevenness (spotting) of tire wear, and a sharp decrease in the service life of the bearings. A zero clearance value can also lead to a decrease in the resource. In this case, stiffness can also be added to vibration when trying to rotate the hub. The bearing clearance should be 0.15 millimeters. In order to adjust this value, you will need to use a wheel bolt wrench, a hammer and a 27 wrench.

To determine the problem with the bearings, you need to shake the posted wheel a little. If even a small amount of play is felt, you will need to adjust the gap parameter. For the final check, you need to ask for a little help, as you will have to simultaneously hold down the brake pedal and swing the wheel. If such a manipulation does not reveal a backlash, then one hundred percent the bearing clearance needs to be adjusted.

General information about the repair and maintenance of the chassis of cars, see here. How to repair a bumper with your own hands and what materials are required for this, read here.

The first step is to dismantle the decorative cover, then unlock the hub nut and, at the same time, keep the hub from turning with a knob, unscrew the nut. In the process of adjusting the hub, it is imperative to have a new hub nut on hand, because once the adjustment is complete, it is unlikely to be securely locked in its old place. Most likely, the collar will be damaged due to the previous locking. And if you do not prepare in advance, the process can be delayed.

Next, we screw on and tighten the new hub nut using a torque of 19.6 Nm.In this case, you need to simultaneously turn the hub itself almost 90 degrees in each direction several times. Thus, self-alignment of the bearings can be achieved.

Loosen the adjusting nut and tighten it again with a force equal to 6.8 Nm. The adjustment nut can now be loosened 25 degrees.

We stop the hub nut by jamming the collar into several grooves on the trunnions located on the housing and install the previously removed parts in the reverse order.

At the end of the process of adjusting the clearance in the wheel bearings, you need to check how easily the wheels rotate. The very last step in checking the quality of the work performed is to assess the degree of heating of the hub after the car has traveled one kilometer without applying the braking system.

Among the main external signs that make it possible to judge the emergence of the need to dismantle the bearings for troubleshooting, it is worth highlighting the presence of increased noise while driving, as well as the absence of a positive effect from adjusting the nominal value of the clearance between the bearings. To dismantle and then replace the wheel bearings, you will need a wheel mount wrench, a few more wrenches, sizes 17 and 13, a flat screwdriver, a small hammer, a torque wrench, and a mandrel for pressing the oil seal. Of the fluids, a lubricant called Litol-24 and a little kerosene are needed for work. In addition, you need to find a suitable container in which the removed parts will be washed.

The process of work itself begins with the removal of the steering knuckle, removal from its design of the hub, distance ring, oil seal, as well as inner bearing rings. Do not forget to rinse every detail with kerosene prepared in advance. We carry out a visual inspection of the raceways of both bearing rings, as well as the working roller surface. The presence of visible wear and chips is unacceptable both on the rollers and on the rings. The defective part must be replaced together with the rings located on the outside. In this case, both parts of the car must be replaced at the same time.

With the help of hammer blows of small force on the beard attached to the outside of the ring, you need to try to squeeze it out of the fist. Further, with the same simple tapping with a hammer, it is necessary to press a new outer bearing, until it stops, into the shoulder of the socket located on the rotary cam. With the help of Litol, we fill in the empty cavities inside the rotary cam. Grease is applied to the outside of the bearing ring.

It remains only to put back the parts previously removed in the steering knuckle and carry out the process of adjusting the clearance parameter between the wheel bearings.

For normal operation of the car, you need to timely diagnose and repair the Chevrolet Niva chassis with your own hands or in a service. To save money, it is better to do it yourself according to the instructions that we have prepared for you in this material.

The front suspension of the domestic SUV has an independent design. On each side are two wishbones, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers and anti-roll bars.

To check the technical condition of the suspension elements of the car, it is necessary to raise it on a lift or put it over the pit and go down. In this case, it is important to suspend the front wheels. The rubber elements should show no signs of aging or mechanical damage. The rubber-metal hinges should also be free of cracks, signs of aging, unilateral rubber bulging or separation from the reinforcement. All damaged parts must be replaced.

Be sure to check the condition of the protective covers of the ball joints and bearings.If they are damaged, the entire joint assembly will have to be replaced.

Take a good look at the rubber pads of the upper joints and check the condition of the rubber bushings of the lower joints. Do not forget to inspect the rubber arm bushings - lower and upper. Diagnose the anti-roll bar rubber bushings and the quality of the attachment of the stabilizer brackets to the arms and side members.

If the clearance in the front wheel hub bearings is increased, at certain speeds you will feel vibration on the steering wheel. As a result, tires will wear out unevenly (stains are formed), and the bearing life will be reduced. The complete absence of a gap, which causes a tight rotation of the hub, can also reduce their resource. The clearance in the wheel bearings of the front wheels of the Chevrolet Niva should not exceed 0.15 mm. To adjust the front bearings, use a wheel wrench, a wrench 27 and a hammer.

Try to swing the suspended wheel vertically. If you feel a backlash, you will have to adjust the gap. Also ask the assistant to apply the brake and hold the pedal while you swing the wheel vertically again. If the play is gone, there is definitely a play in the bearings.

Remove the trim cover and unscrew the hub lock nut. Keeping it from turning with the knob, unscrew the nut. In the process of adjusting the hub when repairing the Niva chassis, it is recommended to install new hub nuts, since the old nuts may even after adjustment take the old position, and you will not lock it with sufficient reliability. In extreme cases, you can take a used nut from another car.

Screw on and tighten the hub nut to a torque of 19.6 Nm, turning the hub 90 degrees in both directions 2-3 times. This will allow the bearings to self-align. Loosen the adjustment nut and retighten it to 6.8 Nm, and then back it off 25 degrees.

Place the nut collar in the two grooves on the drive outer pivot pivot, thus locking the hub nut. Install the removed parts in reverse order.

After adjusting the clearance in the Chevrolet Niva bearings, check that the wheel turns easily. The final check of the adjustment should be assessed by the degree of heating of the hubs after overcoming one kilometer without braking.

When repairing the Chevrolet Niva suspension, you should change the lubricant in the bearings at the intervals indicated in the service manual. If there is little or dirty grease, the bearings will wear out quickly. To work, you will need a pair of 13 keys, a key for wheel bolts, a torque wrench, a hammer, a screwdriver, Litol-24 and a container for flushing the elements.

First you need to remove the wheel with brake pads. The caliper is dismantled without disconnecting the hydraulic hoses. Just take it to the stronu and hang it on the wire so as not to strain the hose. Pull the rubber holder out of the bracket with the hose.

Change the grease in the bearings at the intervals specified in the service book. If the lubricant is insufficient or contaminated, the bearings will quickly fail. To replace, you will need keys "13" (two), a torque wrench, a wrench for wheel nuts, pliers, a screwdriver, a hammer, clean grease Litol-24, a container for washing parts. Remove the wheel and brake pads.

Next, you need to split the pin nut of the outer hinge of the side link and unscrew it. Install a puller and press out the steering pivot pin that is held in the pivot arm boss. Remove three nuts each of the bolts that hold the ball joint and support to the arms and remove the hub nut. Pull out the bolts and dismantle the steering knuckle with hinges assembly. Press the hub out of the bearing rings using a suitable bushing.

Use a screwdriver to remove the oil seal from the hub, but note that it will have to be replaced after that.Pull out the spacer and inner bearing rings, and then rinse all elements with kerosene and fill the inner cavity with grease. Also apply Litol to the inner and outer bearing races.

Insert the inner and spacer rings into the steering knuckle, and then press the oil seal into the steering knuckle socket. Reinstall everything in the reverse order and adjust the wheel bearing clearance according to the above instructions.

Replacing the Niva Chevrolet wheel bearing on the front wheel is a rather difficult job, but we will tell you how to carry it out further. The need for this may arise when noise occurs when the wheel rotates, as well as the impossibility of achieving the desired clearance by means of adjustments.

To dismantle and install the front hub bearings, you will need a wheel wrench, a screwdriver, a hammer, a 13 and 17 wrench, a barb, a torque wrench, a mandrel for pressing in an oil seal, Litol-24, kerosene and a container for flushing the elements.

Dismantle the steering knuckle and pull out the hub, spacer ring, oil seal and inner rings with a bearing, and then rinse everything thoroughly with kerosene. Inspect the treadmills on the inner and outer rings of the bearings and check the condition of the running surfaces of the rollers.

Noticeable wear of separators, rings, rollers, all kinds of chips and cavities - all this is unacceptable. If all these flaws are found during the repair of the Chevrolet Niva suspension, the bearings must be replaced.

Using a barb and hammer, start pounding lightly around the perimeter of the outer ring and press the ring out of your fist. Then, with weak blows with a hammer along the perimeter of the ring through a drift made of soft metal, you need to press the outer ring of the new outer bearing until it stops against the shoulder of the socket in the steering knuckle. Fill the inner cavity with grease and apply it to the outer rings of the bearings.

Install all dismantled elements in the steering knuckle. It is necessary to install the steering knuckle when repairing the Niva suspension in the reverse order to disassembly. Then adjust the wheel bearing clearance.

Repairing the front suspension of a Chevrolet Niva sometimes involves replacing the hinge. To dismantle and install it, you need keys for 13 and 22, a wheel wrench for removing wheels, a support in the form of a jack, a mounting blade, a metal brush and a hammer.

First, you need to remove the wheel and support the lower arm, and then lower the car. This will load the suspension and the position of the levers will match their position under load. Clean the dirt from the ball joint, remove the brake hose retainer from the bracket

Loosen the pivot pin nut and unscrew it completely. When turning the finger due to wear or loose fit of the cone, the lever should be pressed down with a pry bar, resting on the last coil of the spring.

Remove the brake hose bracket and install the ball joint puller, then press the pin out of the steering knuckle boss.

Remove the three nuts that secure the pivot to the arm and detach the pivot from it. Installation of the upper ball is carried out in the reverse order of disassembly.

If, when diagnosing the chassis of the Chevrolet Niva with your own hands, you determined the need to replace the ball joint, you will need a small set of tools:

• keys for 13, 22 and 27;
• wheel nut wrench;
• metal brush;
• mount;
• jack;
• hammer.

Dismantle the wheel and support the lower arm, thereby loading the suspension and aligning the position of the arms. Remove the hub cap and unscrew the nut. It is always very tight, so use a head with a secure knob.

Unscrew the nut that is wrapped around the ball joint pin, and then press the pin out of the steering knuckle boss. Unscrew the nuts of the bolts that hold the lever on the support, and remove the bolts by moving the steering knuckle.Remove the wheel hub from the outer drive pivot shank splines. Dismantle the ball joint, and then install in the reverse order of assembly.

It is not so difficult to change shock absorbers on a Chevrolet Niva with your own hands. This has to be done in the event of a leak; deterioration in vibration damping when driving over bumps. Worn out shock absorbers are always replaced in pairs or all four at once. To remove and install the shock absorber, you need keys 17 and 6.

Using a 17 key, secure the shock absorber rod from turning, and with the same one unscrew the nut and remove the thrust washer with a rubber pad. Unscrew the bolt nut on the lower hinge and pull out the bolt, after which the shock absorber can be removed. Remove the lower cushion from the shock absorber rod and inspect the condition of the rubber cushions and shock absorber.

Dismantle the lower hinge, and, if necessary, replace the pad and bush of the lower hinge. Install Chevrolet Niva shock absorbers when repairing the suspension in the reverse order. Before installation, the stem must be pulled out full stroke. When working on a lift, you need to lower the car before assembling the upper mount so that the suspension is loaded under the weight of the car.

Replacing the Chevrolet Niva springs may be required in case of mechanical damage or strong sitting. Signs of precipitation include:

• violation of the smoothness of the course;
• suspension breakdowns on irregularities;
• noticeable skew of the front of the car;
• the difference in the height of the front and rear parts of the car;
• traces of collision of the coils of the spring.

To dismantle and install the front springs, you need two keys for 13, two for 17 and one for 24, as well as a jack and a wrench for unscrewing the wheel nuts. First remove the wheel and loosen the lower arm axle nut with a wrench.

Unscrew the nut of the bolt that secures the shock absorber from below and pull out the bolt. Next, unscrew two more nuts of the stabilizer cushion bracket and dismantle the bracket. Jack up the front suspension to release the compression stop. Next, unscrew the three nuts of the bolts securing the ball joint and pull out the bolts.

Slowly lowering the lever, it is necessary to release the spring and remove it. Next, remove the lower and upper spring gaskets. If necessary, remove the compression travel stop. Install the springs when repairing the Chevrolet Niva suspension in the reverse order.

It is necessary to remove the lower arm when repairing the Niva chassis if there is mechanical damage on it or in order to replace the silent blocks. To work you will need:

• two keys for 13;
• two keys for 17;
• key for 22;
• two keys for 24;
• jack;
• hammer with a barb.

First you need to dismantle the spring and unscrew the lower arm axle nut. Knock out the axle with a beard, paying attention to the location of the shims. Pull out the axle, but hold the lever. If necessary, you will have to unscrew the nuts that hold the spring support cup.

Before installation, the axle and bushings must be lubricated in the front suspension cross member using grease. Next, the removed lower arm is installed in place in the reverse order.

If, when diagnosing the front suspension of the Chevrolet Niva, you find mechanical damage or decide to replace the worn out silent blocks, you will have to remove the upper arm. To work you need two keys for 13, one for 22, a jack and a wheel wrench. Jack up the car and remove the wheel, and then support the lower arm and load the suspension by lowering the car.

Unscrew the three nuts that hold the ball joint to the upper arm. Then unscrew a pair of upper arm axle bolts. When turning the bolts, they must be held in place with a wrench.

Remove the upper arm, paying attention to the number and location of the adjusting washers that are located on the axle bolts. Installation of the upper arm in the silent blocks is carried out in the reverse order.

Replacing the Chevrolet Niva silent blocks in the lower arm is required if they are worn out or damaged. To do this, use a 22 key and a special puller. First you need to remove the lower arm along with all the silent blocks.

Using a special puller, press out the silent blocks from the lugs of the lever and press in new ones. After that, install the lever in place and go to the workshop to adjust the camber-toe.

Upper arm bushing

In the upper lever, the silent blocks are changed for the same reasons as in the lower one. To work, you need a 22 key and a puller. First dismantle the upper arm with all bushings and the machine axle. Unscrew the upper arm nuts and remove the washers and nuts from the axle.

With the help of a puller, you need to press out the silent blocks from the eyes, and press new ones here. Then put everything back together and adjust the camber. You cannot do this on your own, since you probably do not have special equipment.

When repairing the front suspension of a Chevrolet Niva, sometimes it is necessary to change the stabilizer. It must be removed from the bar using keys 13 and 17. With their help, unscrew the four nuts of the brackets securing the stabilizer to the front axle gearbox and dismantle the brackets.

Remove the Chevrolet Niva stabilizer and inspect the condition of the part. There should be no signs of rubber aging, damage, wear on the inner surfaces that come into contact with the stabilizer on the pillows. Replace damaged pillows. The stabilizer is installed in the reverse order.

Repair and maintenance of Chevrolet Niva. The Chevrolet-Niva is the base model of a new family of off-road vehicles and the first fruit of the General Motors-AvtoVAZ joint venture.

By car Chevrolet-Niva, it is comfortable and convenient to move around the city streets, and on weekends go to the country house. A family of three can easily go on vacation: there is enough space for things. All-wheel drive cheviniva is especially needed where roads end and directions begin. Here the car feels at ease.

Compared to its predecessor Vaz-2123, significant changes have been made to the design of the Chevrolet-Niva SUV. So, keeping all the best properties of the Vaz-21213, the Chevrolet-Niva car has a new load-bearing body of a modern shape, a permanent drive of all wheels, as well as a number of innovations: the front axle gearbox is “untied” from the engine; the design of the gearbox drive has been changed; extended intermediate shaft; front and rear propeller shafts are unified. The brake system has been seriously modernized in the car, including the design of the master cylinder and the brake booster. The chassis and transmission of the old "Niva" have not changed structurally - they used modernized, life-tested units.

The Chevy-Niva in the basic configuration is equipped with an adjustable steering column, immobilizer and central locking, power windows for the front doors, headlight range control and radio preparation. The car is equipped with a 1.7 liter 80 hp injection engine. with., a system of electronic distributed fuel injection and an exhaust system with a catalytic converter, which meets the requirements of toxicity standards "Euro-2" and "Euro-3".

For an additional fee, you can get alloy wheels instead of steel, tinted glass, front fog lights, velor interior with heated front seats, two speakers and an antenna, rear seat head restraints and a lockable plastic spare wheel cover.

The elegance of the urban SUV Chevy-Niva is emphasized by the metallic paintwork, the painted Chevrolet Niva body color photo. The color scheme of the car is presented in seven colors. The body of the Chevrolet Niva is a five-door with glued-in glass, a tailgate (with a spare wheel located on it), opening to the side.The car's interior is quite spacious and can easily accommodate five people, has a rear seat folding in parts.

Most often, the owners of domestic SUVs, such as Niva Chevrolet, prefer to carry out repairs on their own. Of course, if you arm yourself with well-written instructions, you can handle the repair work. However, it is worth remembering that some manipulations in the condition of the garage cannot be performed. For example, engine repairs should be trusted only by professional workers. And probably any driver will be able to overpower the repair of the muffler without masters. The main thing is to choose the right components.

You need to understand that repairs can be done well only if you have both the desire and the time to analyze the technical subtleties.

You will need anyway instruction - repair manual (see below), which describes in detail the device of assemblies, assemblies and possible causes of breakdowns. Using competent instructions, you yourself will be able to diagnose the car at the earliest stage, when you can still do without serious financial investments. Just for the sake of economy, regular maintenance of the car is performed.