How to replace silent blocks

How to check and change silent blocks on a car

The content of the article

1 Diagnostics
2 Replacement
3 Video “Replacing silent blocks”

The main signs that indicate an obvious malfunction are: spontaneous pulling of the car to the side, as well as uneven wear of the tires.

And if you start to notice such abnormal behavior of the car, do not panic and prepare money for a service station. Since replacing silent blocks on your own is within the power of every car enthusiast.

But this part does not always need to be replaced, since it has a long service life.

Sometimes you can get by with regular diagnostics and, if necessary, make minor changes to the operation of this element.
It is advisable to prepare a kit for replacing silent blocks before carrying out an inspection, since it is quite possible that it will have to be changed. Diagnostics is very simple and its sequence looks something like this:

The first step is to lift the car with a jack or, if possible, drive into the inspection hole.
When the car is suspended, you need to remove the ball joints to get to the silent blocks.
Now you need to check the condition of the parts whose operation is affected by the silent block. Make sure that the suspension arm does not “fall”; to check this, you need to swing it to the sides. If the position is correct, it will spring back and return to its original state (position). Next, you need to check the bushing (it should not rotate relative to the lugs). After these operations, all that remains is to check the silent block itself, or rather, to make sure that there is no/presence of knocking inside it.
Diagnostics also includes checking for the presence of play. And if such a problem is present, it means that this suspension element urgently needs to be replaced.
It is also necessary to inspect the silent blocks for mechanical damage. They should not be present not only on the metal parts of the element, but also on the filler - rubber. If you notice small cracks, this element also needs to be replaced.

Even taking into account the fact that these parts of the vehicle’s chassis system have a long service life. If the diagnosis is unsuccessful, then a replacement should be made.

Replacement

Before replacing silent blocks, the first step is to determine exactly which connections need to be replaced. Therefore, as you understand, there is no way to do this without diagnostics.

After diagnosis, you can safely replace it if necessary.

Before replacement, you need to properly prepare, namely, prepare a device for replacing silent blocks (that is, a special tool for pressing out this element), and you also need to prepare a kit for replacing silent blocks (this could be your personal set of tools). You also need to have a jack on hand, but it is better to use a hole.

So, the replacement is performed according to the following algorithm:

Place the car on an overpass or inspection hole. If your vehicle has a crankcase protection installed, it must be removed.
Next, unscrew the nuts securing the front arms. To do this, you can use key number “17” from the prepared set. Using a wrench, unscrew the nut that secures the stabilizer to the lever. After this, all that remains is to remove the bolt. It is quite difficult to remove by hand, so use a hammer to tap it a little.
Break off the front wheel mounting bolts, then lift the desired side with a jack, remove the wheel thoroughly and move it to the side out of the way.
Next you need to start unscrewing the nuts on the guy wires. This task will be one of the most difficult, since to unscrew them you cannot do without a key with a shoulder. In addition, before unscrewing, you need to treat them with a special substance - VD-40.
Once the nut has been safely removed, work on the ball joint. It needs to be moved away from the steering cam. In addition, there is another pair of bolts, after you unscrew them, you can dismantle the lever.
Remove silent blocks using a silent block replacement tool. And after this, the eyes must be thoroughly cleaned of dirt deposits.
After this, you can press in new silent blocks. By the way, if you do not have a special kit for replacing silent blocks, you can use a chisel, hammer and cleats to press out or press in. During the process, you need to carefully monitor the edges of the part; if they begin to tuck, carefully bend them back with a screwdriver.
After this, the new silent block should be well lubricated with soapy water. Kitchen dishwashing liquid is perfect for this. Next, you need to install it in place.
Reinstall according to the previous steps (in reverse order).

This way the front silent blocks are replaced correctly. If you need to replace floating silent blocks, then it is slightly different from that described above. To make sure it is done correctly, use the manual for your car.

Do not forget to perform wheel alignment after this procedure. Since you dismantled them during the work, something may have been broken. It is necessary to remember to perform diagnostics and timely repairs. For the reason that late replacement of parts can have a bad effect on the performance of your car. Good luck to you.

Video “Replacing silent blocks”

After watching the recording, you will know how to replace the silent blocks of the lower arms on a VAZ car without the help of a puller.

Source: http://MineAvto.ru/remont/hodovaya/kak-pomenyat-sajlentbloki-2657.html

What is a silent block, and how to replace the silent blocks of the front control arms?

All car owners have heard about such a part as a silent block, but many have never seen it or held it in their hands. When a car is undergoing diagnostics, you can often hear that the silent blocks need to be replaced. Below you will find out what this part is, why it is needed, and how to replace it yourself.

What's happened?

The silent block is a rubber-metal bushing, which is designed to connect two parts. An internal polyurethane insert connects two separate metal bushings and the whole thing is inserted into a metal cage.

This part dampens or reduces the force of impacts coming from the wheels onto car parts, thereby protecting them from premature failure. You can imagine the force of impact on the block when driving on uneven road surfaces. The silent block (“quiet block”) is used in the rear and front suspension, for mounting the engine, gearbox and other parts of the car.

Silent blocks service life

Silent blocks on smooth roads can last about 100,000 km. However, on a road surface with a large number of holes and potholes, the durability of the part is reduced by about half. As a rule, a visual inspection of the product must be carried out after 50 thousand km. The block is checked for cracks and peeling in the rubber seal, as well as for the presence of play.

To most clearly determine the block defect, it is necessary to remove the wheels so that the arms hang to the side under the load of the shock absorber. As a rule, all problems with tires will be immediately visible. In the same position, the lever should be moved from side to side; if it is movable, then, therefore, an unacceptable backlash has formed. If these defects are found, the part should be replaced.

Problems associated with failure of silent blocks

If you delay replacing a worn-out “quiet block”, you can get a number of more serious problems:

repair of fastening levers, since the resulting large play in the seat of the block will constantly increase, and along with it the seat size of the hole in the main part will increase;
the car will pull to the side at high speed;
increased and uneven tire wear will appear;
the car will have poor steering response when turning;
You will feel discomfort when driving, since the softening effect of silent blocks is reduced, and even the slightest obstacle or hole will be felt.

What are silent blocks made of?

Modern silent blocks are produced from two materials: rubber and polyurethane. Rubber silent blocks are standard. However, if polyurethane products are also made for the machine, then preference should be given to them.

A serious advantage of polyurethane parts over rubber ones is their service life, which is five times longer, but at the same time their price is also approximately five times higher. However, if the driver lacks controllability of the car with rubber products, then polyurethane silent blocks will improve this indicator.

They also dampen vibrations better and are not subject to being squeezed out of their seats.

Tools for replacing silent blocks

Let's look at how to replace the silent blocks of the front control arms. The best tool option for replacing blocks are special pullers.

They can be purchased at almost any auto store, since this procedure is common. A specialized tool allows you to quickly press out an old worn part, as well as press in a new one.

In addition, you will need a standard set of tools in the form of keys, a hammer and a pry bar.

If it is not possible to buy pullers, then you can use a specially selected mandrel to knock out the old part. As a rule, the mandrel can be a 27 mm head. You can also use a jack or pussies for replacement. The jack can be attached without removing the levers, but in the case of a vice, you will have to remove the part completely.

In addition to working with the silent blocks of the front levers, you will have to remove the steering tips, since the steering rods will not allow you to replace all the vibration-isolating parts. You can also use a jack instead of a puller to remove the tips.

Self-replacement of front control arm silent blocks

With pullers, replacement is quite simple and quick. There are quite a lot of videos on the Internet about this. In this regard, we will consider the option of replacing silent blocks without special tools.

The car must be placed on a pit, overpass or jack. If the engine has a crankcase protection, it must be removed.
Next, unscrew the bolts that secure the levers.
Unscrew the nut securing the stabilizer to the lever.
Now we knock out the bolt from the stabilizer (we knock it out because it’s unlikely to be possible to get it out manually).
Jack up the desired side and remove the wheel.

On some car models, special stretchers are attached to the levers. If there are such parts, then they also need to be unscrewed and removed. In addition, they are fixed through their own silent blocks, the replacement of which may also be necessary.

We dismantle the steering rod. To do this, knock the tip out of the steering knuckle.
Remove the hub from the ball joint.
Under the ball joint, as a rule, there are several bolts for securing the lever.
After completing all the operations, the front linkage should be completely removed from the machine.
With the lever removed, we move on to the vice.

If the silent blocks are severely cracked, this will greatly simplify their removal from the mounting sockets. To press it out, we use an attachment of the required diameter and place the lever so that the worn part can come out freely from the reverse side. A few precise blows on the attachment and the old part should come out.

Before pressing, lubricate the edges of the seat with soapy water. Then we position the new part on the lever in the desired direction. We insert the prepared parts into a vice and begin to compress them. You will see how the new silent block falls into place.

You can carry out the procedure without a vice. Having placed the block, we begin to strike the guide, making sure that the edges of the rubber do not curl up (we correct them with a screwdriver). The second pressing option is worse, since there is a possibility of damage to the main part.

After replacing all the worn silent blocks on the parts of the lever and adjacent to it, we put it in place.

Video: how to change silent blocks

Bottom line

As you can see, replacing silent blocks is not a difficult job, so it can be done on your own. The entire replacement procedure can take only half an hour and saves money.

Source: http://ProCrossover.ru/avtolyubitelyu/remont/sajjlentblok.html

How to change silent blocks in a car with your own hands? The solution has been found!

Suspension is one of the components of a car that operates in fairly harsh conditions.

This leads to relatively rapid wear of the so-called consumables - non-separable components of the suspension, which in case of wear or damage are simply replaced, since they are not repairable. Such materials include all rubber elements, including silent blocks.

Silent blocks - what are they and what are they for?

Silent blocks are rubber-metal products through which the suspension is attached to the body. Additionally, their task is to dampen vibrations.

silent blocks what are they?

During the operation of the car, these elements wear out (the rubber “ages” and flakes), so quite serious plays appear in the suspension, which manifest themselves in the form of squeaks and impacts when driving over uneven surfaces, deterioration of the car’s handling, and increased tire wear. Such symptoms indicate that the rubber element has failed and needs to be pressed out and a new element installed. But not everyone knows how to remove the silent block from the lever in which it is located.

how to remove the silent block from the lever

Structurally, the silent block consists of two elements - a metal bushing and a rubber damper, which is placed on top of the bushing. This consumable is installed on the transverse suspension arm (in a specially shaped eye, which ensures rigid fixation of the silent block). The existing bushing is intended for the bolt that secures the lever to the bracket on the body.

how silent block works

The operating principle of the silent block is very simple. All vibrations from the suspension strut are transferred to the levers. The existing rubber layer at the place where the lever is attached to the body largely extinguishes them, and they are not transmitted to the body. But if the rubber is worn out and delaminated, then strong backlashes appear in the connection.

It is impossible to say exactly when to change silent blocks, since their service life depends on the quality of the manufacturing material and the characteristics of operation. Therefore, you should be guided by the signs that appear when a rubber element wears out - knocking, decreased controllability, etc.

But it’s one thing to discover that a consumable has worn out, and quite another to restore the suspension’s functionality. After all, you need to know how to change silent blocks on a car yourself and what you need for this.

The whole difficulty of replacement lies in the fact that the rubber element fits very tightly in its seat. Also, gradually during operation, the rubber “sticks” to the metal, which complicates removal. Therefore, for dismantling you will need a silent block remover - a special device that is used to press out and press the element into the seat.

Replacement Tools

A tool for replacing silent blocks can be purchased on the market or made from scrap materials. Each option has its own advantages. A commercial puller for silent blocks is universal and often suitable for most cars. But a self-made puller for silent blocks will cost you free or at minimal cost.

puller for silent blocks

It is noteworthy that to remove the rubber element it is not necessary to have a special tool on hand, since you can get by with improvised means. To press out a silent block without any equipment, it is enough to cut off the protruding rubber part of the element on one side of the eye, and then simply knock it out using a hammer with a metal attachment.

Some silent blocks are burned out over an open fire. This method is not recommended, since prolonged exposure to high temperatures affects the structure of the metal. Therefore, it is better to remove rubber elements mechanically.

But installing a consumable without a device for replacing silent blocks will not work. This is because this element sits in its seat very tightly and it is simply impossible to hammer it in (the rubber will dampen impacts). Therefore, let's look at how to make a puller for silent blocks. To do this you will need:

Long M20 bolt with full-length thread and nut;
Metal washers of different diameters;
A section of thick-walled pipe 10 cm long (the diameter is selected based on the size of the lever eye);

pressing out the silent block

It is not possible to change the silent block without removing the lever from the car. Therefore, it will have to be removed from the car. after that you can start replacing.

Read Silent blocks on the Chevrolet Aveo - we understand the suspension parts

How to remove a silent block without tools was mentioned above, but you can also use a homemade tool.

To press it out, take the bolt and put a washer on it with a diameter smaller than the eye of the lever. After this, insert the bolt into the bushing of the silent block. On the other side, we put on a piece of pipe and a washer (its diameter should correspond to the diameter of the pipe), and then screw on the nut.

Next, hold the bolt with one wrench and turn the nut with the other. As it twists, it will begin to push the silent block out of the eyelet. A piece of pipe is needed so that when exiting the consumable does not rest anywhere. Pressing the silent block with the device is done in exactly the same way.

Source: https://auto24tuning.ru/tyuning-pod-kapotom/tyuning-hodovoj-chasti/kak-pomenyat-sajlentbloki-v-mashine-svoimi-rukami-reshenie-najdeno/

How to change silent blocks on your car? - There is a solution!

The need to change silent blocks is indicated by characteristic creaking and noise in the suspension, which is especially noticeable when driving on uneven roads.

Another sign of a faulty silent block is poor controllability and maneuverability of the car when entering a turn. Rubber wear can also be the first sign that silent blocks need to be replaced urgently.

To change silent blocks, you need to purchase new parts and press out the old ones. For pressing out, a special tool called a puller is used.

Special tool for pressing out worn parts

They will protect the chassis and save you money, increasing ground clearance by 3 cm.

A puller is most often a hydraulic device with which you can change a part by disconnecting the rubber-metal hinge without mechanical damage.

Such devices are used in all services where the chassis of a car is repaired. Using a puller, a special mechanism with a certain type of thread is screwed in or out, which raises or lowers the inside of the part.

In this case, the joint is uniformly pressed out or pressed into the lever or beam.

Professional removable kits are quite expensive, and changing silent blocks at a car service center is not always cheap. Therefore, many car owners prefer to change the front and rear chassis silent blocks themselves, for which they use various methods of pressing and pressing parts. You can make the puller yourself; this will require additional parts and equipment.

The easiest way is to use a set of keys of different diameters, an M20 construction bolt or a metal rod with a thread, two tightening cups with washers, or a piece of metal pipe whose diameter is larger than the diameter of the silent block itself.

The operating principle of such a device is simple. The bushing is installed on the side of the silent block into which it will be pressed. A bolt is inserted into the hole of the part, and the nuts are gradually tightened.

Thus, the washers are brought together, one of them rests, the other, by mechanical force, squeezes the silent block out of its seat in the lever.

The difference between homemade pullers and professional equipment is versatility and ease of use.

Squeezing the silent block out of its seat in the lever

Professional kits include several washers and bushings of various diameters, including cone-shaped ones; some of them can be used to press out silent parts without removing suspension components.

This most often applies to truck parts. If there is no time or effort to make a puller, you can resort to other methods of pressing out and replacing silent blocks.

Before replacing silent blocks, it is necessary to raise the car (any model) on jacks or a lift and remove some suspension elements.

The features of dismantling these elements on each car are different, however, if we are talking about replacing the silent blocks of the front lever, then on almost all passenger cars it is necessary to remove the front wheels, disconnect the fastenings of the ball joint and strut (sometimes the brake mechanism must be removed) and disconnect the lever.

When replacing the silent blocks of the rear beam, the main thing is not to pinch or damage the brake hoses, otherwise they will have to be replaced. When the lever or other part is removed, you can begin pressing out the hinge.

The most effective ways:

cut the metal part of the silent block with a hacksaw (carefully so as not to touch the part in which the silent block is located) and squeeze the part out of the eye,
carefully knock out with a sledgehammer and chisel,
use a vice and bushing according to the principle of a conventional puller,
burn off the rubber or polyurethane part with a blowtorch or torch.

To install (press in) a new silent block, you should use the same puller or try to install the part by holding the lever in a vice and driving it in with a hammer.

Before pressing, the hole must be cleaned of dirt and rust and lubricated with a soap solution, otherwise it will be almost impossible to install a new silent without damage. If a puller is used for pressing, the bushing must be of a special cone shape, in which case you do not risk damaging the part.

It is important to remember that after installing new parts, tighten the bolts only after the wheels are installed and the car is lowered to the ground.

Source: http://tuningkod.ru/tyuning-avtomobilej/tyuning-xodovoj-chasti/pomenjat-snjat-sajlentbloki-semnika-samostojatelno.html

What are silent blocks in a car? Why are silent blocks needed and how to change them? | AML

Many motorists have no idea what a silent block is in a car, although they have repeatedly heard that such a term exists.

Even the smallest part of the car is responsible for performing the most important functions, which is why it is necessary to monitor the serviceability of each element. Below we will tell you what silent blocks are responsible for and what are the reasons for their failure.

We will also provide practical recommendations on how to change silent blocks.

What is a silent block in a car?

Silent block (rubber-metal hinge) is a device responsible for reducing the transmission of vibration and noise from the suspension to the car body. It consists of a pair of metal bushings, between which there is an elastic insert made, as a rule, of rubber or polyurethane.

This is a kind of intermediary that is inserted between the rigid body and the suspension part (shock absorber, subframe, spring, lever). To fully understand why silent blocks are needed, try attaching a metal element to the body.

In this case, all the noise and vibrations caused by the vibration of the suspension will be perfectly audible, which will cause a decrease in the comfort of the entire car and its passengers.

The shape, weight and dimensions of silent blocks differ depending on their location in the car.

Many manufacturers claim that the silent block is designed for 100,000 km. But the condition of our roads leaves much to be desired, and climatic conditions also have a significant impact. In connection with the described harmful factors, the service life can be divided into two, or even three.

Untimely replacement of a part provokes a number of problems:

Reduced comfort while driving. Among the most visible signs are loss of vehicle stability, a feeling of roll, and the appearance of play. All this is caused by the fact that the car misses all the bumps - both large and small.
Uneven tire wear. That is why you need to monitor the condition of the parts, because replacing tires is a very expensive pleasure.
Damage to the lever mounts.

An image that clearly shows the location of a silent block that is already in use.

Which silent blocks are better, polyurethane or regular ones?

If you are thinking about how to replace silent blocks, then you need to make an important choice about what material they will be better from. There are several options available on the domestic market.

Rubber Rubber-based parts are inexpensive, but have many disadvantages:
- have a low resource;
- cause squeaking, even if they are new;
- quickly become unusable under the influence of harmful environmental factors.
Polyurethane elements significantly improve the performance of the suspension and the entire vehicle. Their advantages are as follows:
- long service life (five times longer than rubber).
- improving the behavior of the car on the road, eliminating the “squeezing” effect that appears when using rubber, as well as reducing deformation in the suspension elements, therefore, the part functions in the mode in which it should;
- absorption of vibration, shock, noise reduction;
- improved handling.

The only drawback of polyurethane silent blocks is their high cost. But the miser pays twice, so it is better to initially use a more durable and effective material.

The main installation locations for pairs of silent blocks.

Reasons for failure and what breaks in the silent block

The metal part of the part breaks extremely rarely. If you have a question about why silent blocks creak, then most likely the reason is a rubber part. Wear can be caused by:

Incorrect bolt tightening. The bolts are not tightened when the car is in a suspended state, but only when the car is securely on its wheels. Unfortunately, most car service centers do not attach importance to this nuance, so a suspended wheel, when placed on the ground, provokes twisting of the rubber, which will certainly tear later.
Incorrect installation of the part in the seat. When working with such parts, you must adhere to strict rules.
The service life has been exceeded. Over time, rubber loses its elasticity, dries out, cracks and eventually breaks.
Chemical exposure. For example, even oil can begin to corrode the rubber part.

In order to know how to change silent blocks, you must have basic knowledge of the design features of the car.

How to change silent blocks correctly

You can carry out the procedure either in a car service center or in your own garage. However, self-installation can provoke a number of difficulties. Motorists often complain about faulty rubber mounted on the levers. Therefore, the question arises about how to change the front silent blocks:

We decide on the tools for the job. You will need a set of wrenches and a jack. If you don’t have any, then borrow one from your neighbor in the garage. You need to buy a special device on the market with which you can easily press in the silent block. You also need to purchase a steering end and a ball joint remover. The cost of these tools is quite low.
Lift one of the front wheels and remove it.
Unscrew and remove the ball joint nut, which is located on top.
We unscrew the lever, remove the part and press in a new one.
Reinstall the lever and lubricate the element.
We do the same with the lower arm.
Tighten the axle nut only when the car is lowered from the jack.

Source: https://automotolife.com/services/kak-pomenyat-sajlentbloki/

Replacing silent blocks of front control arms - is it worth saving on service?

Good afternoon, dear readers. How often have you heard about such a detail as a silent block? Perhaps at the service station you were told that you need to replace them, but not everyone knows about their purpose and does not see the point of replacing them. Our article will help you understand what a silent block is and why it is so important to replace it on time.

1. Why do you need a silent block for the suspension arm?

A silent block, or as it is also called a rubber-metal hinge, is a part that consists of two metal tubes, and between them a rubber bushing or polyurethane, which is why they are sometimes called a polyurethane silent block. Translating the name will help you understand why you need a silent block.

"Silent" translated from English means "quiet". This means that the part is designed to soften noise and vibration. A silent block is used to connect the suspension parts, and a rubber insert softens impacts on the suspension components.

It is found on the front suspension; they secure the anti-roll bars and control arms.

The silent block is also used when connecting the rear suspension. They are widely used not only for attaching suspensions, but also when attaching the gearbox and even the engine. These parts bear an incredible load, so they break down faster and need to be replaced frequently.

Their role in a car is difficult to underestimate, so it is necessary to monitor the condition of the silent blocks. Manufacturers of parts usually provide a warranty of one hundred thousand kilometers. But given the state of the road surface in our country, there is no need to take risks. It is better to conduct a visual inspection after fifty thousand kilometers.

Moreover, it is not so difficult to do this, even at home.

2. Checking the silent blocks of the front levers

How do you understand that it’s time to change the silent block? As mentioned above, it is worth checking its condition after traveling 50 thousand kilometers. The first signs that the silent block has failed are poor vehicle handling.

The steering wheel does not “listen” well and reacts to turns with a delay. A more dangerous sign may be the car “swaying” along the road, and this is fraught with consequences for both you and other road users.

To be more sure, you need to contact technical support. Visually you can notice a faulty part. The elastic should not come off or swell, it should be smooth and without cracks. There should also be no backlash.

Large play can lead to failure of the suspension, namely the joint seats, and then the entire suspension arm will need to be replaced.

The process of replacing a silent block requires some skills in this area. But the replacement can be done independently at home. You need to start the work with diagnostics. First, remove the wheels. A sure sign of a problem is uneven wear of the tire rubber.

3. How to replace the front arm silent block?

So, now, in order, how to replace the silent block. First you need to remove the tire. To do this, jack up the car and remove the wheel. Next we remove the silent block itself.

To do this, find the mounting bolt and unscrew it. We also remove the fastening nut. The next step is dismantling the fastening lever. It is necessary to pull the rack towards you and unscrew the bolts that secure the lever.

A small sledgehammer will help you remove the rear silent block.

Now the most difficult moment, pressing. At the service station, a special tool is used for this. But this does not mean at all that you need to run to the store and buy this tool. Thousands of car enthusiasts use a method that has been proven over the years, or better yet, a tool, a hammer.

Now we assemble the lever in reverse order. We return all dismantled parts to their place. It should be remembered that we tighten the front silent block already on the car, and it should already be removed from the jack.

And the final stage will be the restoration of the alignment; this procedure must be carried out with any intervention in the operation of the suspension.

Car enthusiasts often wonder which silent block is better, rubber or polyurethane. The answer is clear - polyurethane. With such a silent block you will only improve the quality of the suspension. Another nice thing is that such a silent block will last 5 times longer than a regular one. But its cost is 5 times more, but the choice is yours.

Polyurethane silent blocks improve the performance of the car and its behavior on the road. The main thing is to select and install them correctly and then noise, shock and vibration will be much better absorbed. So if you like to drive fast and want to improve your car's handling, you need polyurethane silent blocks.

And if you prefer to calmly move from point A to point B, then you can choose rubber ones.

We strongly recommend that all operations be performed at a service station, where you are guaranteed the safety and reliability of the work performed.

Source: https://auto.today/bok/2633-zamena-saylentblokov-perednih-rychagov.html

Why are silent blocks needed in a car?

The task of a car suspension is to dampen vibrations that the car's wheels receive from the road surface. Structurally, the suspension consists of a number of components, each of which performs its own functions.

Levers provide movable fastening of the wheel to the body, which makes it possible to move one element relative to another.

The shock absorber and spring absorb most of the vibrations, and the anti-roll bar eliminates lateral rocking of the car body.

Purpose and design features of the silent block

There are one more element in the design - silent blocks. These small-sized parts with a simple design play a fairly important role.

Their task is to dampen vibrations and prevent their transmission between the components of the suspension. They are connecting elements of the structure; connections of a number of parts are made only through silent blocks.

That is, these parts are directly involved in the main task of the suspension.

Silent block refers to rubber products used in the construction of a car. At the same time, it is a consumable material, which, as a result of wear and tear, is simply replaced, since it cannot be repaired.

The design of this part is very simple and includes only two main components:

metal clips;
and a rubber spacer between them.

Thanks to the use of rubber, it is possible to dampen vibrations and vibrations received from one component of the suspension, and not transfer them to another.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vsxhnX6lR8

Outwardly, it looks like a massive bushing that fits into a special seat in the suspension element, but in essence it is just an elastic hinge that connects the parts into one unit. Thanks to the hole in the inner frame, the element in which it is installed to another component of the suspension or body is fastened.

There are also silent blocks, in which only the internal clip is used in the design, and the role of the external one is played by the seat itself in the suspension element.

Where are the silent blocks located?

Front arm silent blocks

In the front suspension, silent blocks are used in the levers; through them, a movable and elastic connection of the levers with the wheel hub and with the car body is carried out.

Silent blocks are often used at the junction of the anti-roll bar with the lever, if this is structurally provided for.

It can also be used at the bottom of the shock absorber strut, where it is attached to the hub.

In the rear suspension, silent blocks can be installed on levers (longitudinal and transverse), at the point where the torsion beam is attached to the car body, and in shock absorbers.

In general, the number and location of installation of these rubber elements depends on the design of the car's chassis. For example, consider the location of silent blocks on a VAZ-2110 car. And let's start with the front suspension where these joints are used:

in the transverse arms (at the place of their attachment to the body);
at the ends of the anti-roll bar (its attachment to the wishbone);
in the shock absorber struts at the bottom (the place where they are attached to the wishbone);
in the extension of the transverse lever (at both ends - at the point of its connection with the lever and with the cross member);

In total, there are 5 silent blocks installed in the front suspension on one side only, and the same number in the other part of the suspension.

Video: How to replace the silent blocks of the lower arms of a VAZ without a puller

At the rear of this car, a torsion beam is used, so the number of rubber-metal hinges in its design is much smaller - there are only 4 of them. Two of them are used at the point where the beam is attached to the eyes of the body, and two more are used at the bottom of the shock absorbers.

Due to the fact that the design of a car suspension has different features, the number of hinges may differ.

Another place where silent blocks can be installed in the chassis is not in the suspension, but in the steering. On a number of cars, silent blocks are used for elastic connection of the steering mechanism with rods.

Polyurethane silent blocks

In general, the resource of the silent block is approximately 100 thousand kilometers. But the service life of the part is largely influenced by the operating conditions of the car. Since our roads leave much to be desired, the service life of these elements is noticeably reduced. The average mileage that the joint can withstand on bad roads is 50-60 thousand km, after which it must be replaced.

Video: Polyurethane silent block 2141

A number of other factors can affect the service life. The rubber used in the construction of the element is exposed to the negative effects of petroleum products or chemical reagents that are used to treat the roads in winter.

Exposure to high and low temperatures first affects the properties of rubber (in summer it is too soft, and in winter it “freezes”).

At the same time, the constant loads that the silent block experiences under different temperature conditions lead to “aging” of the rubber, loss of elasticity, delamination, and separation from the metal elements of the structure.

Silent blocks, in which the elastic element is not rubber, but is made of polyurethane, perform somewhat better in terms of operation.

Polyurethane silent blocks have significantly better performance properties. They are less susceptible to chemical influences, do not lose elasticity when exposed to different temperatures, both high and low, and are not affected by petroleum products.

Therefore, the polyurethane silent block can last longer before being replaced. But over time, such a hinge requires replacement due to aging and delamination.

Checking status

Video: Replacing VAZ silent blocks. Do it yourself!

The main sign that a rubber element is worn out and requires replacement is a decrease in vehicle controllability, the appearance of vibration on the steering wheel, and the sound of impacts while driving over potholes and uneven surfaces.

You can visually determine the degree of wear of the hinge by driving the car onto an inspection hole or overpass. If upon inspection it is noticed that there are any cracks on the visible rubber part of the hinge, then it requires replacement.

Additionally, a regular mount will help check the condition. With its help, it is necessary to forcefully rock the components of the suspension where the hinges are installed.

If, for example, the lever has a significant oscillatory amplitude under such influence, or knocking noises are heard, then the hinges should be replaced.

Note that they are changed in pairs, even if the elements are worn out on only one half of the suspension.

Nuances when replacing

Replacing the front suspension silent block

The replacement operation is not particularly difficult, but it will require special pullers, since the silent block fits into its seat with tension and is not so easy to remove or install.

An important condition for successful replacement is the correct selection of hinges. Before you go after them, you need to find out the serial number of the product; knowing the dimensional parameters will not hurt.

The fact is that the hinge sits very tightly in its seat. A discrepancy in the outer diameter of a couple of millimeters can lead to such a problem that the new element simply will not press in.

Puller for silent blocks

Pressing out the silent block

For replacement, special pullers are used to press out the worn hinge and install a new one in its place. If, to carry out the replacement, you have to completely remove the suspension element, for example, the same lever, then you can get by with a regular bench vise.

The main difficulty in this case will lie in removing the silent block. Often it is simply burned out, that is, the rubber component is burned, and then the metal elements are removed. You can try and knock it out with a sledgehammer and a pointer.

Before pressing in a new element, it must be lubricated with a soap solution. This will make it easier to install the element in place. It is not advisable to use petroleum products (oil, grease, etc.) for this, especially if a product with a rubber vibration layer is installed.

For easier installation, you can make a chamfer on the rubber surface at the end of the silent block by cutting off a small layer. The main thing is not to cut too much, the chamfer should not be large.

Source: http://AvtoMotoProf.ru/v-pomoshh-avtomobilistu/dlya-chego-nuzhnyi-v-avtomobile-saylentbloki/