How to independently replace the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

You can guess that the driveshaft crosspiece needs to be replaced by the characteristic knocking and vibration coming from outside when the car is moving at a certain speed. The cause of problems that arise is most often an increase in play in the connection of the gear flange with the main gear. Its appearance can be caused by heavy loads when driving over rough terrain or excessive axle loads.

If the backlash is not eliminated initially, over time it can turn into severe runout.

It should also be noted that the driveshaft crosspiece is subject to constant exposure to dust, dirt, and water, since it is located close to the road surface.

Diagnostics of faults does not require serious knowledge or professional equipment. In addition, based on its results, it will become clear whether the driveshaft crosspiece needs to be replaced or can be dispensed with.

Diagnostics of malfunctions of the VAZ 2101 driveshaft

First of all, you need to install the car on a viewing hole or lift. Hold the shaft with one hand and fix the drive gear flange with the other. Holding the connection with both hands, try to turn it (as if twisting them in opposite directions). If you succeed, or if play becomes obvious, you can conclude that the crosspiece is badly worn and needs to be replaced. Delayed repairs in this case will only worsen the situation (the outboard bearing will perform its functions worse, and this will lead to even more serious breakdowns and greater financial costs).

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the replacement of the crosspiece to a service station specialist or do it yourself at home. Next, we will consider the actions of the car owner who chooses the 2nd option.

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1. Unscrew the fastening nuts where the rear axle shank connects to the cardan. It is better to immediately put marks in order to avoid possible future beating or vibration of an inaccurately installed cardan.

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

1. Using pliers, dismantle the cardan shaft crosspiece and remove the retaining ring.

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

1. Unfold the cardan so that the cross hangs. Use a hammer and a mandrel to knock out her cup.

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

1. Clean the eyes from dirt and corrosion, and take care of the grooves for the locking wheels. Only after this can you proceed to replacing the cross.

Information on how to replace the silent blocks of the VAZ front suspension can be found here

Replacing the crosspiece, outboard bearing of the propeller shaft on a VAZ Classic

Almost every car owner who has some problems during the operation of his car, throughout the entire time, independently eliminates minor breakdowns, or makes the necessary replacements of any parts. But, unfortunately, sometimes the help of a specialist from a car service is necessary, since car enthusiasts do not have enough skills, experience or knowledge in any of the areas regarding the repair of their vehicle. But don’t worry, because our instructions will help you figure it out and do everything yourself!

In this article we will pay attention to the procedure for changing the crosspiece, after which we will demonstrate changing the outboard bearing located on the driveshaft using the example of a classic VAZ 2101 car.

It is worth preparing the crosspiece in advance, as well as the retaining rings; it is better to select them from the VAZ model, because the rings will require replacement as a result of the expiration of their useful life.

To begin with, it’s worth inspecting the parts so that you don’t spend extra money on their purchase. When purchasing a suspension bearing, you should determine whether it has an elastic band, as well as a smooth ride, because if you place a tight enough rubber band on the cardan, we will get vibration transmitted to the car body . At the same time, the wear of the rubber will accelerate; the bearing must be screwed in without clutches.

What should you prepare for the next procedure? We will need a bearing; we need to take care of the cross and retaining rings.

Among the tools, there should also be keys in sizes 13 and 12. You can also prepare socket wrenches in sizes 13, 27, prepare pliers, they will be needed to remove the retaining rings, a puller, you must have a flange with you to change the outboard bearing, Also, it is better to prepare in advance a hammer and an adapter made of aluminum, or copper.

The next step is to remove the driveshaft from the car. We remove the nuts that hold the shaft mount itself, which is attached to the rear tail of the bridge.

Armed with a 13mm wrench, unscrew the fastening bolts securing the outboard bearing attached to the base located transversely.

After removing the cardan, it is worth making marks on all parts so that in the future it can be easily and correctly reassembled. This way you will protect yourself from unnecessary vibrations.

Next we move on to changing the cross. Armed with pliers, remove the attached retaining rings.

The shaft is installed so that the cross is suspended, now we take a hammer and a mandrel to knock out the cup located under the cross.

Now we direct the cardan in the opposite direction and remove the cup.

The same should be done with the other cups, then you need to clean the shaft eyes from dust and dirt, now you should also clean the grooves for the retaining rings.

We remove the cups located at different ends of the cross, after which we install the cross in the same eyes. Now you need to move it and put the cup on top, keep in mind that the needles should not spill out.

Now, armed with a tool made of soft metal, we push it until a groove appears to install the retaining ring. After installation, you must turn the cardan over. After this, we move the cross towards the cup and install it on top. Then you need to install it in the same way until you see a groove. We install the retaining ring, the second half will be more problematic. That's all, we changed the cross.

Next, we proceed to changing the suspension bearing on the propeller shaft; after removing the crosspiece, we place the splined end of the cardan directly into the flange located on the elastic coupling.

On the other hand, armed with a 27mm wrench, remove the nut holding the fork fastening between the cardan joint and the front shaft.

Using a puller, remove the hinge fork.

Next, we remove the outboard bearing from the shaft, this can be done with a puller, but first you should cut off the outside ring located on the outboard bearing. You can also just remove it from the shaft, that's all. You can put everything back together.

Installation of a new driveshaft crosspiece VAZ 2101

1. Remove both cups from the cross.
2. Install the cross into the eyes.
3. Slowly put on the cup (while making sure that the needles from the cup do not fall apart).

Replacing the driveshaft crosspiece on a VAZ 2101 with your own hands

1. Squeeze the cup until a groove is formed for the retaining ring (a soft metal socket is useful here).
2. Install the locking ring, rotate the cardan, moving the cross towards the cup, and put it on.
3. Compress the cup and install the retaining ring.

At this point, the replacement of the VAZ 2101 crosspiece can be considered successfully completed.

Choosing a universal joint for VAZ 2105

I once had an argument with a mechanic. He argued that crosspieces should not have an oil nipple, since it provides an extra hole for dirt to enter. The hinge quickly becomes clogged and fails. I insisted that without a grease can there would be no way to lubricate the crosspiece - it was somewhat offensive, since before that I had found an almost new screw syringe for lubrication in my grandfather’s garage. “Why, if each part has its own resource,” my opponent answered, “if the lubricant runs out, change the part, especially since it is inexpensive. It is better to pay attention to the seals (O-rings). If they dry out, new lubricant will not save.” Indeed, it is so.

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When purchasing new crosspieces for the VAZ 2105, you should be guided by the following points.

1. CCs should not be too expensive, since they have to be changed quite often.
2. Spare retaining rings must be included with the CC. On sale you can find kits without rings, consisting only of the cross itself and a rubber seal.
3. For the VAZ 2105, old and new crosspieces are available. It is not recommended to install new reinforced crosspieces on old-style cardan forks - this will reduce the rigidity of the joints. “Sevens” produced after 1990 are equipped with modern driveshaft forks. On such cars you can safely install reinforced joints with additional stiffening ribs on the cups, an increased number of bearing needles (one more than in a conventional joint) and improved characteristics of the seals.

Reinforced crosspieces can be installed on VAZ 2105 produced after 1990.
Among the manufacturers of crosspieces, the following companies have proven themselves to be the best:

• GKN (Germany);

  
  GKN crosspieces are considered the most reliable

• VolgaAvtoProm LLC;

  
  Crosspieces produced by VolgaAvtoProm LLC are of good quality at a low price

• JSC AVTOVAZ.

  
  AVTOVAZ installs crosspieces of its own production on its cars

The price of the crosspiece and the cost of replacing it at the service

The estimated cost of replacing one crosspiece at a service is about 500-600 rubles. Replacing two crosspieces with removing the driveshaft costs about 1,500 rubles.

The cost of one cross is about 250-300 rubles . There are both domestically produced and imported crosspieces on sale (China, Germany, the Netherlands).

When purchasing a crosspiece, you should inspect it for manufacturing defects. All working surfaces must be perfect, without any chips or nicks; all 4 plugs of the cross must have seals.

The seals must also be perfect. If all these requirements are met, the crosspiece will last a very long time.