Tuning cars of cheap brands is simply epidemic. The roots of this phenomenon, oddly enough, have nothing to do with the world traditions of tuning, which we can talk about endlessly, but we don’t have such a task now. Soviet tuning began with a beautiful blue tape on the steering wheels of cars. Then came red duct tape, and it was considered cooler than blue. And so on, ending with antistatic tails and collective-farm "wide" disks, but this was already aerobatics. Today the situation has not gone far - the same ponytails and the same collective farm. The possibilities just got bigger.
Still, among all this garbage, sometimes worthy developments and solutions appear. They are quite technically justified and motivated, and the aesthetic component remains on the conscience of the tuners - to whom the mare is the bride. However, one of the most striking attempts to get away from the standards and boring appearance of stock cars is the installation of air suspension.
Air suspension - outside view
Low-rider is how it sounds in English. That is, going low. The low landing of the car is provided by air suspension, which replaces the stock one and gives additional options in height and stiffness settings. Such a suspension is normally used on some Citroen models. Here is a model from the 70s of the DS series.
The history of lowriding is rich and interesting, but we will not talk about it today. See how it looks in the classic American version.
This is the 1964 Chevrolet Impala - the most popular car in the world for such bullying. How such a refinement of the suspension can be applied to other cars, we will understand further.
Practical view from the inside
What is the practical meaning of this and how can it be used in our conditions by installing pneumatics on our most common cars? This will look best on the example of how the air suspension on the VAZ 2114 price, its installation and assembly fit into the reality of today.
Air suspension can attract a number of practical advantages over the classical one. Basically, these benefits include:
Now, without delay, we will begin to consider the possibility of installing pneumatics on the VAZ 2114, having estimated what is needed for this and what the installation price will be.
The price of air suspension on the VAZ 2114 - components and parts
Let's look at the general set of additional equipment that will be needed to transfer the VAZ 2114 to air. Mandatory air suspension elements will be those elements that we have tried to put in a table with approximate prices for each of them.
Therefore, for such an amount we can get a full-fledged air suspension. Now let's touch on the most important nodes used in the design.
Versatility
Thus, installing a pneumatic suspension does not require a crazy amount of money, and its versatility and flexibility in use will definitely pay off.
The air suspension of a car is one of the types of suspension, thanks to which you can adjust the height of the body relative to the road. The famous concern Citroen was the first to actively introduce such a suspension. French engineers were able to appreciate all the benefits that compressed air provides when running a car.
Now manufacturers most often equip semi-trailers and trucks with air suspension. But the owners of the VAZ 2114 seek to use it to slightly change the usual standards and appearance of their "iron horse". In addition to aesthetic qualities, air suspension has a number of advantages.
The main advantages of air suspension
If we compare pneumatic with the classics, then the first one has several undeniable advantages:
- Maximum comfort. Air suspension on the VAZ 2114 is a guarantee of a pleasant ride on the road of any quality, thanks to instant stiffness adjustment.
- Smooth running of the car without any extraneous noise.
- Possibility of automatic clearance adjustment. The driver can change the height of the car directly in the cabin using the buttons on the panel or the joystick.
- Overload resistance.
There is a whole list of additional benefits, they are no longer so important and, in principle, each driver determines them for himself.
Installing air suspension on a vaz 2114
It would be untrue to call the design of this type of suspension a very common tuning of a VAZ passenger car, since the design is not highly reliable, and the installation process itself is described in theory rather difficult. But in practice, it is quite possible for almost every car owner to assemble and install an air suspension with their own hands.
To install, you first need to purchase a special kit for work or assemble it in parts.
You will need:
- compressor. The main requirements for this unit are high performance and durability. These qualities are fully met by the Berkut P17 or P20 compressor. It is not at all necessary to chase expensive American ones;
- relay with wires and terminals;
- plastic tubes, 6 mm in diameter (in the amount of 12 pieces);
- manometers (2 pieces). Necessary to control the pressure in each of the circuits;
- fittings (13 pieces);
- buttons (2 pieces);
- pneumatic pillows (4 pieces). The market offers pillow models that are perfect for VAZ 2114 racks, but if you want to save money, you can get by with pillows from the MAZ cab;
- rubber hoses with M10 thread (2 pieces);
- flexible hoses with metallized winding (2 pieces). Such a winding will reliably protect the hose from chafing;
- solenoid valves (in the amount of 4 pieces).
Useful advice! Choose an air suspension kit that includes a compressor.
Before installation, it is necessary to remove the carrying handle from the compressor (it is completely unnecessary for a stationary compressor) and the lower part. Then install the plastic air fitting into the compressor.
Installation of the suspension begins with the dismantling of a conventional rack.
It should be disassembled in the following order:
- hang the wheel;
- unscrew the nut from the tie rod end;
- remove the steering rod;
- disconnect the rack from the steering knuckle;
- remove the brake hose so that it does not interfere with getting to the right parts.
After all the bolts and nuts are loosened, the rack can be easily removed.
The installation of pneuma on the VAZ 2114 occurs in the reverse order of its removal: attach the upper support to the steering knuckle and fasten the steering tip with nuts. Be sure to replace the brake hose.
Pneumatic racks work with the help of air, which is supplied through special hoses with a metal sheath. Due to this improvement, camber adjustment will be required. To do it yourself, you need to remember the location of the adjusting bolt before the spring racks are removed. You can take a picture with your phone or try to fix this bolt in some way.
When all the main elements are in place and the wheel alignment is completed, you can start connecting the compressor.
To adjust the racks, it is best to turn to professionals at the service station. If it is done incorrectly, then after a short time the entire structure of the new rack may collapse.
At the prices of 2018, the purchase of the entire kit together with the compressor will cost 35-40 thousand rubles. Installation of the suspension at the station will cost at least 2 times more. The benefit is obvious.
Safety first
During the operation of the structure assembled by us, it is necessary to pay special attention to its technical condition. To do this, first of all, it is necessary to observe the connection points of the parts (nipple, valve, adapter). These areas may leak air over time. If the air comes out with great force, then you will hear it. Another test can be carried out using a soap solution.
Constantly monitor the readings of pressure gauges and the rate of pressure reduction in the air bags. Once a month, it is advisable to check the compressor for operability.
Pneumatic pressure measurement
It is not difficult to meet VAZs on air suspension in Russia and Ukraine. Moscow alone or the glorious city of Yekaterinburg is filled with owners of classics from AvtoVAZ and something newer like the Lada Priora, whose cars are equipped with pneumatics.
To begin with, it is worth understanding not how this is done, but why. Someone will say that there are only minuses in the air suspension. Let me disagree. Installing such a solution has impressive advantages. Let's talk about everything in more detail.
Key Benefits
At first I myself was surprised why so many owners of domestic cars that fall into the classic category are looking for an air suspension kit.
But when I began to delve into this issue, I found serious arguments in favor of such a change in suspension design. If I had an old VAZ, maybe I myself would have decided to put pneumatics on it.
Historically, the authors of this idea when organizing the suspension are the French. And to be even more precise, the representatives of the Citroen car company. It was they who first began to use air suspension on cars. And for good reason, because it provides a number of advantages.
- Comfort. Pneumatics can significantly affect the level of comfort in the car, and in a good way. Such solutions contribute to the achievement of an optimal ratio between rigidity and comfort. Classic shock absorbers are not capable of this;
- Ground clearance. Exhibition cars only compete in what will fall lower and rise higher. But let's talk about real operating conditions. Pneumatics allows you to change the current clearance of the car at your discretion. So you can associate the clearance with the degree of workload of the machine. The more cargo, the higher the car rises. But it is also useful to lower the car when leaving the track. This reduces the center of gravity, the car keeps better on the road;
- Overload resistance. By adjusting the suspension, the driver, if necessary, can load the car as much as possible, but at the same time not be afraid of possible damage to the chassis, or any significant changes in the behavior of the car on the road.
These are just a few of the benefits. They can be distinguished much more. But we will not focus too much on this.
How much and where
If you are thinking about buying a kit and upgrading the suspension, making it your own pneumatic, it is worth considering the components of the kit.
Ready-made kits are now available for sale. Their price ranges from 20 thousand rubles and above. If you want to install pneumatics on both axles, giving the car to specialists, you will have to pay at least 40 thousand rubles. This applies to AvtoVAZ products, such as:
- VAZ 2101;
- 2106;
- 2107;
- VAZ 2109;
- 2110;
- 2114;
- VAZ 2115;
- Priora;
- Kalina, etc.
Both domestic classics and more modern models of the Russian automobile industry will do to create a miracle on wheels with air suspension.
Do you think it is possible to install such a system with your own hands? I'm sure you can. It is not for nothing that even ordinary motorists everywhere offer their services for installing a pneumatic kit. They do not work at service stations, but simply mount equipment in their garage. And if they can do it, then you can too.
There are even special videos where drivers show how and in what sequence the pneumatic kit is mounted. The question is different. Do you need it?! This is worth considering carefully.
Necessary equipment
Well, you are on fire with the idea of installing a pneumatic suspension on your VAZ. You can understand, because the solution is really good.
Therefore, I propose to understand the components of the standard kit. I will not talk about the need for a jack or a set of tools. Kit components only. It consists of:
- compressor;
- pneumatic pillows;
- air cylinder;
- electromagnetic valves;
- connecting tubes;
- pressure gauge;
- control unit;
- wires, terminals, hoses, etc.
I don't think I've named anything complicated or unusual here. Standard kit for equipping any car, including VAZ, with air suspension.
It's all about the components themselves. It is necessary to clarify some points that relate to the quality, quantity and manufacturers of certain items.
I will say right away that with the use of the voiced components, the total cost of the set will be from 30 thousand rubles. But more likely to have to approach 40 thousand.
Now briefly about each of the voiced components.
- Compressors. One unit per vehicle is used. You should choose durable and productive systems. Worthy options, especially for VAZs, are compressors from Falcon and Berkut;
- Pneumopillows. Since the suspension is placed on 2 or all 4 wheels, an appropriate number of pillows is required. Focus on pillows for a specific model. There will be no problem finding them;
- Cylinders. They contain compressed air. Choose the volume that is enough to meet your needs in terms of pneumatic efficiency. I do not recommend saving here;
- Valves. More specifically electromagnetic. You will need 4 pieces. These will be locking and throughput elements. For high-quality suspension work, valves should be taken that can operate at pressures up to 25 atm;
- Connecting tubes. Here you can get by with tubes that are used in the brake system of trucks. Made of PVC;
- Pressure gauges. In total, 2 pressure gauges are mounted in the cabin;
- Control block. Collect it with your own hands or buy to order, it's up to you. Additionally, you will need a toggle switch that will control the operation of the compressor.
All this can be found by purchasing each component separately. But it is much more profitable and easier to purchase a ready-made kit. These are actively sold online. You just need to specify your requirements and budget.
Regarding the installation, we will talk somehow separately. If you are interested in this topic, and you want to know some of the nuances of installing an air suspension on a car, write in the comments. Then I will try to collect a separate material devoted to this issue.
