Lada Niva Manual - Maintenance
Page 17
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Mount the steering knuckle on the propeller shaft drive end, connect the ball support to
the lower wishbone, secure the shock absorber, and connect the side steering rod to the
steering knuckle arm;
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Install the hub complete with the brake disc on the propeller shaft drive end, and install
tapered bushing 6; screw on new hub nut 7 and adjust bearing clearances, as described
above;
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Fit the hub cap, remove the support, install and secure the brake calliper, and reinstall the
wheel.
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If the car is frequently driven on bad roads (deep mud), change grease every 10,000 Km.
Examining the Front Suspension Ball Supports and Steering Rod joints
If tyre inflation pressure and clearance in the front wheel hub bearings correspond to the
rated values, the joints of the front wheel suspension wishbones are in good condition, the
pitman arm, steering gear case, idler arm brackets and steering shaft are fastened securely, but
adjustment of the steering gear fails to ensure normal play of the steering wheel, check the
following:
1. Clearances in the ball supports. Check the clearances by rocking the hub with the front
wheel suspension jacked up and wheels braked (to exclude the effect of clearances in the hub
bearings). If the steering knuckle displacement at the level of the ball pin sphere relative to the
wishbones exceeds 0.8 mm, replace the ball support.
2. Clearances in the steering rod joints. Determine the clearances by the method of mutual
displacement of the steering rods when turning the steering wheel.
Premature wear of the ball joints is generally caused by damaged protective rubber boots
which allow ingress of water and dust into the joints. If the boot is in good condition, the
service life of the joints is practically unlimited. Therefore, check the protective rubber boots
for condition at regular intervals, and replace them with new ones even if the slightest damage
is detected, after making sure that the ball joints are serviceable and that there is enough grease
U1P6-4in
Tyres
Every 100 Km use a tyre pressure gauge to check tyre inflation pressure, including the spare
wheel. It is advisable to have the pressure gauge periodically checked at a service station.
Whenever tyre inflation pressure is checked, check the tube valve for air leaks (best of all it
may be done by applying soap suds to the valve inlet hole). In case of air leak- age (indicates
by air bubbles) tighten the tube valve core with the valve cap, or replace it with a new one. If
the valve core is in good condition, but-the tyre gets constantly deflated, demount the tyre,
check and repair the tube, or replace it with a new one.
Prior to demounting the tyre, use a piece of chalk to make a mark on the tyre casing opposite
the tube valve with a view to mount the tyre in compliance with this mark. This is necessary
to preserve wheel balance. Demount the tyre from the wheel disc with the tyre tube deflated
completely; see to it that the part of the casing opposite to the zone being demounted is in the
