How is the running GAZelle diagnosed?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Perhaps the most famous and popular small class commercial vehicle in Russia is the GAZelle. The car has been produced since the 94th year. During this time, the car has gone through many changes. The engine and cab have been upgraded. But what remains intact is the suspension. In today's article, we will look at how the running GAZelle is diagnosed and how it works.

Design features

Creating the GAZelle, Gorky's engineers did not reinvent the wheel - the design was unified with the Volga. But the suspension has become more cargo. So, if springs were already used in the new Volga of that time, then there was a beam in front and a dependent bridge in the back. A similar design was observed in the GAZ-33073.

Diagnosis of the chassis of these cars has many similarities. However, unlike the GAZons, the GAZelles began to use more “light”, telescopic shock absorbers. Note that they did not appear immediately. On models prior to 1997, shock absorbers wereunified with GAZ-53 and 3307 models.

Despite its archaism, this suspension scheme turned out to be one of the most reliable. Therefore, the repair of the chassis "GAZelle" was required infrequently. Her suspension is practically indestructible. Indeed, in fact, there is nothing to break here - only springs and shock absorbers are present in the design. No ball bearings and levers - instead of them, a rotary sleeve (pin) and a beam are installed here.

Front

How to diagnose running "GAZelle"? All operations are reduced to inspecting the condition of rubber buffers and steering rods. And if the first ones are practically eternal, then the traction for 10 years of operation may already wear out. To diagnose the chassis of the GAZelle, you need an assistant. At your command, he will turn the steering wheel from side to side. At this time, the movement of the rods should be observed. It is unacceptable that they play. If so, then the silent block has worn out in them. The element needs to be replaced. The whole steering rod is being changed, as an assembly.

Another problem that drivers face is tight handling. As you know, before the generation of "Businesses", almost all "GAZelles" went without a hydraulic booster. But over time, the steering becomes more and more tight. What is the reason if there are no complex structures and hydraulic booster? And the reason lies in the pivot mechanism.

The fact is that grease is used to rotate the mechanisms inside. This is what makes it easy to manage. And if the diagnostics of the running GAZelle showed thatthe steering wheel has become heavier than usual, it's time to re-lubricate. This process is called pin injection. Produced with this pistol:

Special grease is stuffed inside (it is important that it is waterproof). Next, one of the wheels is unscrewed to the stop (for ease of maintenance) and the lower ball screw is unscrewed (sometimes it is on top). It can be unscrewed by hand or with a “10” open-end wrench. Next, the hose from the syringe is screwed into the hole on the thread. Try to screw it all the way down. Otherwise, the grease will not get into the kingpin. Next, by pressing the lever, we press the composition into the mechanism. We carry out the procedure until the old grease comes out of the upper part. This suggests that the new composition completely filled the inside of the node. Typically, old grease is dark coffee in color and feels very dry to the touch.

How often do you spray the kingpins?

The frequency of the procedure does not depend on the mileage. As a rule, pins are injected 1-2 times a year. You can determine the need for a lubricant change by the characteristic, tight control.

Rear suspension

It is no less archaic than the front one. It uses a dependent axle on semi-elliptical springs. But unlike the front, the back is designed for a greater load. Therefore, in addition to the main sheets, there are springs here. How is the running GAZelle diagnosed? It is worth paying attention to the condition of the rubber buffer sprung.

If it is in the same condition as in the photo above, this indicates a malfunction. The part costs a penny, and you can replace it right on the spot without jacking up the car.

Earring

Another important detail is the silent blocks of the spring earrings. Remarkably, the sheets themselves wear out faster than these rubber-metal elements break. But when diagnosing the running GAZ-3302, you should not deprive them of attention.

If the silent blocks of the earring are worn out, the element will play and strong impacts will occur. As a rule, the element wears out at the top. If delamination is visible, then the part is out of order. How is the GAZelle undercarriage repaired in this case?

You can replace the part on the spot. However, the frame will need to be jacked up. Next, the old silent block is knocked out with a hammer. To press in a new one, use the muffler clamp. Tighten the rubber-metal element until it stops and install it in the earring, additionally making gentle blows with a hammer.

Diagnostics of running GAZ-3110 "Volga"

Volga suspension unified with GAZelle. However, the 3110 has independent suspension instead of a front beam. Therefore, the diagnosis comes down to checking the silent blocks of the levers that come from the subframe.

Additionally, check the integrity of the rubber anthers of the upper and lower ball joints. A stabilizer bar is also installed in front. It is attached to the "knuckles", which can make play. If so, the elements must be replaced. ATotherwise, the diagnostics are no different from the GAZelle.

So, we found out how the suspension on the GAZelle is arranged and what elements you should pay attention to when diagnosing it.