How to determine if a strut support bearing is faulty

Signs of wear on shock absorbers and upper mounts: identify and eliminate!

Any motorist will confirm: our roads are impossible without good shock absorbers! And it’s not even about the quality of the first ones - or rather, not only about it.

Alas, Russian climatic conditions with nine months of winter are by no means conducive to a comfortable and trouble-free ride: sometimes ocean-deep puddles, sometimes shoulder-deep snowdrifts, sometimes a mess of salt, sand and reagents, sometimes bare ice...

So shock absorbers and upper supports have to take the lion's share of responsibility - which means premature wear is inevitable. Read this article on how to promptly diagnose faulty shock-absorbing elements and avoid expenses associated with subsequent repairs.

What are the functions of shock absorbers and upper mounts?

All tasks assigned to the main parts of a car’s suspension can be divided into two categories: those responsible for the safety of the driver and passengers and those providing comfort while driving.

So, when talking about safety, we first of all mean reliable contact of the wheels with the road: minimizing vertical swaying, “jumping” on holes and potholes, and dangerous deviations of the trajectory when turning.

Thus, shock absorbers and upper supports create reliable grip on the road surface and allow the wheel to go around the obstacle as efficiently as possible, and then quickly and quietly return to its original position.

At the same time, they help to increase comfort while driving: it is thanks to their “softening” effect that we do not feel all the unevenness of the road, and are also spared the constant shaking and annoying rattling of car parts.

Why is shock absorber wear dangerous?

First of all, faulty shock absorbers are always a risk of losing control of the car. Skidding, rolls, unexpected bouncing, increased braking distance, general decrease in control of the road situation - this is not a complete list of troubles that can arise when these suspension elements malfunction.

In addition, a rationalistic aspect is added to the safety issue: improper functioning of shock absorbers and upper supports inevitably leads to wear of other parts - most often, brakes and tires.

Finally, we must not forget about the general condition of the car and the driver: due to the less obedient and predictable response of the car, the driver is forced to constantly be on alert, and therefore experience double fatigue and stress. What a pleasure it is to drive!

Causes of shock absorber and bearing wear

Unexpected failure of shock absorber struts is almost always associated with wear of the main elements: the valve system and the oil seal.

Among the main reasons for the premature aging of parts are such “trivial” misfortunes as the accumulation of dust and dirt particles, corrosion, damage to the boot, deformation, scratches and scuffs, leaks and breakdowns, as well as initially low quality of products, which coupled with unfavorable conditions ( roads, traffic jams, temperature changes) leads to a reduction in the service life of elements.

The upper supports are responsible for connecting the shock absorbers to the car body, and they bear the main load, which is why the supports fail more often than other components.

There are several reasons for wear: bearing deformation, damage to the rubber element, loose fastenings, general malfunctions of the suspension system... All this leads to a decrease in the elasticity of the shock-absorbing supports and premature aging.

As a result, road surface unevenness and accompanying vibration are absorbed by other suspension elements that are not intended for such tests.

The result, as you understand, is very deplorable - up to serious repairs and significant expenses.

The main signs of wear on shock absorbers and upper supports

Wear or failure of shock absorbers and supports is a definitely unpleasant and dangerous situation. However, there is a plus: you can almost always diagnose the problem yourself and fix it in a timely manner, avoiding more serious consequences.

So, pay attention to the condition of the elements if you notice:

body swaying and poor vehicle controllability;
skidding and low cornering stability;
obvious “sagging” during acceleration and braking;
increased sensitivity of holes and potholes;
unusual shaking and vibration;
Excessive tire wear.

If during diagnostics you find wear on at least one shock absorber, feel free to change the second one too - they work in pairs. We also recommend purchasing upper mounts along with the struts to increase reliability, extend the life of shock absorbers and improve comfort and safety.

Which shock absorbers and supports should I choose?

Read more about how to select shock absorbers and related elements here. In this case, the main criteria that should be relied on are the operating conditions and design features of the machine.

Choose proven and high-quality brands - your safety directly depends on the proper operation of the suspension system.

We recommend the clear leaders in the field of shock absorbers and other suspension elements - companies KYB (KAYABA) and BORT.

KYB shock absorbers and upper supports are impeccable quality, top production technologies, innovative developments and strict control at every stage of production. Reliability and excellent performance are confirmed by numerous tests, tests and certificates. That is why most auto giants equip their cars with KYB shock absorbers on production lines.

BORT shock absorbers and upper mounts come in over 3,000 types and specifications and are sold in more than 80 countries.

Automatic regulation and adjustment to driving conditions, resistance to temperature changes, an ideal combination of comfort and safety, as well as compatibility with the model range of all leading manufacturers provide BORT with recognition from both automakers and ordinary motorists around the globe.

ManufacturerArticleNameApplicability*

* Please check the applicability of parts specifically for your car with our managers by phone: 8 800 555-43-85 (calls within Russia are free).

KAYABA	333419	Rear right shock absorber	DAEWOO CHEVROLET LACETTI – RR
KAYABA	333420	Rear left shock absorber	DAEWOO CHEVROLET LACETTI – RL
KAYABA	443123	Rear shock absorber	FIAT 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 – R LADA NIVA – R LADA VAZ, NOVA, TOSCANA – R SEAT 1
KAYABA	339030	Front left shock absorber	DAEWOO CHEVROLET LACETTI – FL
KAYABA	339029	Front right shock absorber	DAEWOO CHEVROLET LACETTI – FR
KAYABA	343459	Rear shock absorber	10.05/06 – FIAT GRANDE PUNTO – R
KAYABA	341824	Rear shock absorber	LADA 110 / 112 – R LADA SAMARA, RIVA, DIVA, FORMA, SAGONA – R
KAYABA	333417	Front right shock absorber	DAEWOO KALOS – F(R)
KAYABA	334840	Shock absorber	FORD FOCUS C – MAX – F(R) FORD FOCUS II TOURINER – F(R) FORD FOCUS II – F(R)
KAYABA	334839	Shock absorber	FORD FOCUS C – MAX – F(L) FORD FOCUS II TOURINER – F(L) FORD FOCUS II – F(L)
KAYABA	343098	Rear shock absorber	FIAT 124, 125, 126, 127, 128 – R LADA NIVA – R LADA VAZ, NOVA, TOSCANA – R SEAT 1
BORT	G22250119	Shock absorber (replacement of old number B334420)	MITSUBISHI LANCER 00-08 F GAS
BORT	G22045110	Shock absorber (replacement of old number B333741)	RENAULT LOGAN -5 F
BORT	G41238056	Shock absorber	logan, sandero/ rear (Replacement B343418)
BORT	11238131H	Rear shock absorber strut oil	CHEVROLET LANOS/SENS 97- CHEVROLET NEXIA 95-97 OPEL ASTRA 9
BORT	G41245033	Shock absorber (replacement of old number B341281)	HYUNDAI SONATA IV 98-01, XG
BORT	G22050001	Shock absorber (replacing old number B333712)	VW GOLF II, JETTA II,
BORT	32245001	Front shock absorber strut oil	DAEWOO NEXIA, LANOS 97-,ESPERO 91-99, OPEL ASTRA F 91-98, VEC
BORT	G22250094R	Shock absorber (replacing old number B333419R)	CHEVROLET LACETTI -4 R GAS
BORT	G11238064	Shock absorber (replacing old number B343304)	DAEWOO MATIZ
BORT	G21848001R	Shock absorber (replacement of old number B332108R)	HUNDAI ACCENT 00-05

In IXORA stores you can always buy shock absorbers and upper supports of all the most popular types and brands. And our qualified specialists will help you with your choice!

Helpful information:

Source: https://ixora-auto.ru/Info/priznaki_iznosa_amortizatorov_i_verni_opor_vyyavit_i_ustranit_.html

Replacing the support bearing and its features

As the name suggests, this part serves as a support. The bearing serves as a “mediator” for connecting the suspension to the body and dampens vibrations of the front strut when driving.

Another task of this element is the primary isolation of the interior from vibrations and noise. The service life of the part when driving on normal roads is at least 100 thousand km.

But given the harsh Russian realities, replacing the support bearing may be required much earlier.

Design

The main components of the part are steel rollers or balls located in a cage and separated by a separator. That is, structurally, it is an ordinary rolling bearing placed in a housing, which can be solid or dismountable. This element of the front pillar is:

with detachable or built-in inner ring;
single-divided;
with removable outer ring.

The first type has special holes for fastening (pressing flanges are not used). These journal bearings may have a built-in ring with spacers to ensure the highest possible rotational accuracy. Products of the latter type are considered the most reliable, where the outer ring is divided at a specific point: due to this, the structure is more rigid.

Where are the support bearings located?

Opening the hood, you will see “glasses” on the sides, to which the racks are attached and on which the car body number is sometimes stamped. The described spare parts are located under the plastic cover of the “cups” and are fastened with 3 nuts, which can be immediately seen.

How to determine whether support bearings are faulty

The first characteristic sign is a knocking sound in the area of the front pillar of the car (left or right). Other suspension parts may also be the source of extraneous sounds, but the check should begin with the support.

The knocking is especially noticeable when overcoming bumps and driving over rough terrain during sharp turns.

Another symptom is a slight decrease in controllability: the steering wheel responds sluggishly to the driver’s actions - the car seems to “chatter” slightly on the road.

It is possible to determine that the front strut support bearing is faulty under stationary conditions. You will need an assistant. Point-by-point diagnostics:

Park the car on a level surface and apply the handbrake.
Open the hood and remove the left or right “glass” cover.
Lightly touch the top of it and ask an assistant to press on the fender to make the strut work on the side on which the spare part is being checked. If it malfunctions, a slight vibration will be felt and a knock will be heard.
Test the second rack in the same way.
Ask an assistant to turn the steering wheel to the right or left so that the spring is clearly visible. Place your palm on it: when you turn the steering wheel from side to side, you will feel the impact and hear the sound of metal.

Causes of support bearing defects

The main culprits of failure are moisture and dirt penetrating inside and lack of lubrication. Often the cause is a blow to the rack assembly: for example, due to an accident or collision with an obstacle. The causes of support bearing failure are worth considering in more detail:

Natural wear and tear. As noted above, this happens no later than 100 thousand kilometers.
Dirt getting inside the part. Here the design is “to blame”, in which there is no protection from external harmful factors.
Driving style. The habit of “rushing” from a stop, ignoring the speed limit when driving on a bad road – all this “helps” parts to fail prematurely.
Low quality product. It is most typical for Russian cars - the same VAZ, for example. If a “original” part installed at the factory lasts a long time, then a newly supplied one may not last even a couple of tens of thousands of km.

Risk of failing to replace the support bearing in a timely manner

Many people underestimate this seemingly unimportant detail. But in vain! The now popular MacPherson suspension has a good quality: a broken support bearing does not collapse instantly, but periodically signals the driver about its incipient “disease”.

Ignoring the symptoms leads to part failure, as a result of which the strut pierces the hood. It’s good if this happens at low speed when the wheel hits a hole or hits a bump. At high speed the consequences can be much worse.

Part selection features

The market offers a fairly wide range. However, it is clear that preference should be given to original products. But there are options: there are manufacturers that produce parts that are not inferior in quality to “conveyor” ones, while their price is slightly lower compared to the original. Below are the most popular companies offering this suspension component:

SNR: a French company that produces its products in Europe and China;
SKF: international company headquartered in Sweden;
FAG: produces bearings for the engineering industry and concerns such as Mercedes-Benz;
INA (Germany): the company bought FAG and today is in second place in terms of the volume of bearings produced;
Koyo: A leading Japanese manufacturer that produces products of high quality, but at a high cost.

How to replace support bearings

There are a couple of options here: you can remove the rack assembly together with the brake disc or dismantle the part separately by disconnecting the ball joint pin. The first option involves adjusting the wheel alignment after completion of the repair.

In the second case, you won't have to do this. However, it is still more convenient to replace the support bearing on a separately dismantled unit: in addition, you will have the opportunity to check its other components.

It is possible that a complete replacement of the shock absorber strut support will be required. Let's consider both options.

Replacing the support bearing with dismantling the rack unit

Place the car on a level surface, tighten the handbrake and place chocks under the rear wheels. Further:

put the car on a jack and remove the wheel from the side where you will pull out the rack;
remove the steering rod (its tip) by pulling out the pin and unscrewing the nut: it is better to use a puller;
disconnect the hub;
pull out the brake hose from the special clamp;
in the engine compartment, unscrew the 3 nuts in the “glass”;
pull out the assembly;
compress the spring on both sides with a special device;
use a special star wrench to hold the internal fastener, unscrew the nut from the rod and remove the support bearing;
reassemble in reverse order;
After installing the wheels and tightening the bolts on them, do not forget to adjust the wheel alignment.

Replacing a part without dismantling

The first steps are the same as in the previous version: put the car on the handbrake and remove the wheel from the desired side. Also remove the tie rod end. After:

take a flat pry bar and spread the brake pads without pressing too hard into the fragile disc;
unscrew the fasteners;
disconnect the ball joint pin using a puller;
compress the coils of the spring with a device: to prevent them from slipping, place sandpaper under the hooks;
under the hood, unscrew the rod nut in the “glass” using a rack wrench: a pair of tubes inserted into each other;
remove the old part and install a new one;
reassemble the assembly in reverse order;
During installation, before installing the wheel, sharply press the brake pedal several times so that the pads adhere well to the disc.

How to extend the service life of support bearings

The first rule is to avoid driving on broken roads, and if this cannot be avoided, reduce your speed to the minimum possible. Also, do not “break away” by turning the steering wheel.

If characteristic signs of a support bearing malfunction appear, replace it immediately without waiting for the part to be completely destroyed.

And the last point: buy quality products from reputable manufacturers.

Source: https://djago.ru/podveska/zamena-opornogo-podshipnika/

How to check the support bearing on a VAZ yourself?

The suspension of a modern car is a complex structure that includes a lot of different parts, which, in turn, form the chassis components. The main parts of the suspension are: shock absorbers, springs, brackets, silent blocks, levers, as well as bearings and much more.

Each part has its own function, its own purpose; a malfunction of one of the suspension parts can cause a chain reaction, as a result of which the entire suspension will fail. Malfunctions in the suspension can lead to an accident, so to ensure safe driving, you must constantly monitor the condition of the vehicle's chassis.

Suspension malfunctions most often manifest themselves in the form of extraneous knocks, creaks, friction, as well as disturbances in the ride quality and handling of the vehicle. So, for example, a support bearing can cause poor steering, maneuverability, etc.

What is a support bearing and what is it for?

To understand what a journal bearing is and what role it plays in a suspension, you need to understand how the suspension itself, in this case the front suspension, works. For example, the well-known “ten”, that is, the VAZ 2110, uses an independent front suspension, which includes hydraulic struts and springs.

The front struts, as you know, are necessary to dampen the vibrations that occur in the springs while the car is moving. The lower part of the rack is attached to the steering knuckle, and the upper part is attached to the car body.

The support bearing is considered to be part of the shock absorber; it is necessary for the movable connection of the shock absorber strut with the car body.

The very name of this part - support bearing - already speaks of its intended purpose, that is, it is a kind of support for the front shock absorber strut. The “support” is located at the point where the pillar connects to the car body.

In this location, the journal bearing is subjected to high axial loads, but thereby prevents failure of other more important and expensive parts, such as shock absorber struts.

How to check VAZ support bearings?

To check, you need to do a number of simple manipulations. It all starts with the fact that you need to open the hood.
Next you need to remove the cup cover, which is located on the wheel bearing.
Place your hand on the support, and meanwhile the assistant should swing the car to the sides, but in such a way that the stand does not play.

During the swing, you will feel how the support bearings work; if you feel knocking or hear squeaks, the support bearings are most likely faulty and require replacement.

The assumption of a malfunction can be confirmed only after removing and disassembling the support bearings. As a rule, VAZ support bearings fail after 40 thousand kilometers.

how to replace support bearings here.

Source: VAZ DIY repairs.

Source: http://vaz-remont.ru/kak-proverit-opornyj-podshipnik-na-vaz-samostoyatelno/

How to determine if a strut support bearing is faulty

If parts in the front suspension of a car malfunction, various squeaks, knocks, clicks and rattles occur while driving. It is clear that this is not just like that. The suspension desperately signals that a diagnosis needs to be carried out, and the sooner the better.

There are not so many parts in the front suspension that even a simple external inspection cannot detect a malfunction. To do this, it is not necessary to have extensive experience in suspension repair. It is important to be careful here, and most importantly, you need to know the structure of the car well and understand what functions the components and parts of the car perform.

Front suspension

Consider the front suspension of a passenger car. Despite the design features of different types of models, all front suspensions are fundamentally the same. True, not all parts can be part of the suspension.

Since the car has two front wheels, many parts can be paired. Here is an approximate list of what is included in the front suspension:

Steering knuckles (or axles), right and left;
Front shock absorbers, right and left (can be symmetrical);
Front springs (mostly symmetrical, but available right and left on some models);
Front stabilizer, there is only one;
Stabilizer struts, there are two of them, are rarely asymmetrical;
The front suspension arms are almost never symmetrical, but they can be upper and lower, and there is also a multi-link suspension;
Support bearings are always symmetrical, two bearings, but not available on all models;
Support cups, boots, spacers, etc.

Support bearing

So, support bearings are not available on all models. Their presence is required where the shock absorber itself or the shock absorber strut rotates together with the steering knuckle. The bearing allows the shock absorber to rotate freely in its upper support, without resistance or unnecessary friction.

The support bearing (OP) is located above the front spring, and the shock absorber rod passes through it. Depending on the design features, it can be prefabricated or a single part, but one way or another, the shock absorber is attached to the front side member of the body.

At its core, the part is a rolling bearing; it has a wide cage. The OP must be durable, as it experiences heavy loads when the front spring operates, especially on rough roads.

Support bearing faults

What are the signs of a faulty support bearing:

when the car is moving, a knocking sound is heard in the area of the right or left front side member of the body, it is especially noticeable when turning and on uneven roads;
The car has become less controllable and does not immediately respond to turning the steering wheel.

For what reasons can the front bearing fail:

Poor road conditions;
Very harsh driving style;
Factory defects, low quality parts;
Natural wear of bearings during long-term operation.

It should be noted that support bearings cannot be repaired; a faulty bearing must only be replaced. There can be no talk of any repairs. But the details can be prevented. You can remove the protective cover from the bearing race and treat the inside of the race with lithium grease. Of course, such an operation must be carried out on a working OP.

How to determine if a support bearing is faulty

It is very simple to determine the malfunction of the OP. You need to open the hood, grab the shock absorber strut with your hand where it is attached to the body and swing it sharply from side to side.

If there is play in the bearing or it has crumbled, the strut will move with characteristic clicks. You can do the opposite - grab the wing and rock the car sideways.

Then, if the OP is faulty, the body will move, but the stand will remain almost motionless. All movements must be accompanied by knocking in the area of the defect.

Replacing the support bearing

To replace the OP you will need a jack, automotive tools and spring ties. Disassembly order:

Loosen the wheel nuts.
We put a jack and lift the car with a jack (you need to be on the safe side - put jack stands under the rear wheel)
We remove the wheel.
We disconnect the brake caliper and move it to the side; there is no need to disconnect the brake hose.
We release the steering knuckle from the bottom from the lever and stabilizer bar.
We unscrew the fastening of the shock absorber strut to the side member from above and remove the shock absorber with the spring and steering knuckle - the entire structure is assembled.
We tighten the springs with zip ties and disassemble the shock absorber strut.
We change the support bearing and reassemble everything in the reverse order.

There is one clever way in which zip ties are not required to replace the OP. While the wheel is not removed, you must first disconnect the nut securing the shock absorber rod. But to replace with a similar method, it would not hurt to have a little experience in repairing the chassis of cars.

In general, the job of replacing a thrust bearing is not very difficult; only normal hands and tools are required.

Source: http://car-hz.ru/ustrojstvo-avto/remont-i-zamena/659-kak-opredelit-neispravnost-opornogo-podshipnika-stojki

How to properly check the support bearing in a car

If any malfunction appears in the front suspension of a car, the first thing any motorist must check is the support bearing. It is located between the upper spring cup and the support itself. To do this, just grab the “cup” of the rack with your hand and shake the car a little.

Constantly sharply changing loads, as well as shock loads and abrasive dust particles, contribute to bearing wear. Ultimately, all this can cause complete failure.

As a result, the shock absorber rod begins to deviate from its axis, and the bearing will creak, knock, play and squeak. Wear of the support bearing leads to a violation of the wheel alignment angles.

As a result, vehicle controllability decreases and tire wear accelerates.

Signs of a support bearing failure

The first warning sign that something is wrong with the support bearing is most often a knocking sound coming from the area of the front right and left side members. Many suspension parts can creak and knock, but it is best to start checking with the support bearing.

The most unpleasant sounds will appear when driving on uneven surfaces, when the car is heavily loaded, and also when making sharp turns. Also, the driver will probably notice a general drop in the car’s handling. Inertia occurs in the steering.

The car may begin to “scour” along the road.

It is worth adding that most often manufacturers determine the service life of support bearings at 100 thousand kilometers. However, if the machine is operated in difficult conditions, parts may need to be replaced after 50 thousand. There are cases when the support bearing “flies” even after 10 thousand km.

Causes of bearing failure

The main cause of support bearing failure is dust and water, which inevitably penetrate inside. The lack of lubrication does not have the best effect. Sharp blows to the rack will not add to the service life.

It is worth taking into account the quality of roads, because they have a direct impact on the natural wear of the support bearing. That is why, with us, a part can wear out faster than its manufacturer claims.

Dirt and sand are some of the hardest impacts on a bearing. We remember that a journal bearing is a type of rolling bearing, and it does not have any protection mechanisms against harmful factors.

Driving at high speeds and harsh brakes, especially on bad roads, also do not add to the service life of the part in question.

However, not only the bearing itself suffers from this, but also all other suspension elements as a whole will soon require repair.

How to check a support bearing

There are three methods for checking the support bearing at home:
Remove the protective caps and press the upper element of the front strut rod with your fingers. Now we begin to rock the car from side to side by the wing.

We do this both longitudinally and transversely. If the bearing fails, you will hear the same knocking noise as when driving.

At the same time, the car body will swing, but the pillars will either stand still or swing with less amplitude.

You can place your hand on the front shock absorber spring coil. Then you need to turn the steering wheel in different directions. For this you will need an assistant. If your hand feels a recoil and a metallic knock sounds, things are bad with the bearing.

You can also drive first on a flat road, and then on a rough one, and listen to what sounds the car makes. If you hear metal knocking from the front arches under extreme loads, then the problem is most likely in the support bearing.

Bottom line

It is worth understanding that partial or even complete failure of the support bearing is not a critical failure for the car. However, this does not mean that you can safely drive such a car. In addition, in domestic realities it is better to carry out diagnostics every 10-20 thousand kilometers.

It doesn't matter whether there are signs of a malfunction or not. This approach will first of all allow you to save on repairing other elements of the car’s suspension. This applies to shock absorbers, springs, protectors, tie rod ends and the rods themselves.

In order to slow down wear, you need to remember to change the oil on time.

You need to maintain your car regularly, otherwise you can become an example of careless and dangerous “care” for your car. And that's not very fun.

Source: https://2drive.ru/proverka-opornogo-podshipnika/