Front bumper for VAZ 2114 - replacement and repair

Most owners of passenger cars of the Lada Samara 2 family are wondering how to remove the front bumper on a VAZ 2114/2113/2115 on their own. For drivers who are well versed in technology, removing and replacing the part is not difficult. If the bumper is damaged, they do not go to specialized auto repair shops or service stations; such repair work is performed with their own hands.

This review is intended for new car enthusiasts who want to understand the mechanics of a car, save money and carry out minor repairs on their car themselves.

How to replace a VAZ 2114 bumper

The VAZ bumper is an energy-absorbing device in the form of a bar, located in the front and rear parts of the Lada Samara 2 car. This important safety element is a mandatory part of the body and gives the car a beautiful appearance.

Body kits have 2 functions:

Decorative. The car looks more improved. The manufacturer developed inflated body elements as styling for the VAZ 2114. They look aesthetically pleasing and at the same time increase downforce when driving at high speeds, which improves safety.
Protective. The bumper protects the car from light impacts and damage, protects the reinforcing beam, body and other parts.

VAZ 2113/2114/2115 models are equipped with 2 bumpers:

in front of him;
rear

Body kits are made from 2 types of plastic material:

thermoplastic;
thermosetting.

Thermoplastic plastic can be easily softened and is combined into a homogeneous structure during repairs. Thermosets cannot be repaired by welding.

The material marking is located on the inside of the body element.

As the vehicle is used, various collisions and obstacles may occur, followed by deformation of the body kit. Replacing the front bumper of the VAZ 2115 in this case is mandatory.

If you leave the damaged part, then with a possible next impact, all the energy will be directed to the car body, as a result of which many mechanisms will fail:

radiator, its grille;
fan;
wheel arch liners

In case of minor damage, such as scratches, small cracks, the body kits can be glued, puttied and painted. The reasons for removing this part are as follows:

deformation of an element as a result of a collision or impact;
engine repair, reinforcement beam, radiator replacement;
installation of a protective mesh, decorative lining;
replacement of headlights, installation of optics.

The rear body kit of the VAZ 2114 differs from the front one in the absence of holes for the vehicle registration number.

The reasons for repairing and replacing the rear bumper of a VAZ 2114 are the same as for the front element:

integrity violation;
body deformation;
chips, cracks.

When choosing a body part, the car owner must adhere to the following recommendations and rules:

Thickness. Thicker material increases quality and protection.
Color. A painted body kit is selected to match the color of the car, while an unpainted body kit is used for major body repairs with full individual car painting.
Compatibility. All elements must fit in size. It is better to choose ones with holes for fog lights, especially for the VAZ 2114.
Manufacturer. There are brands from different manufacturers on the market, but for VAZ 2113-2115 it is recommended to buy a new domestic bumper.
Price. The cost of Russian bumpers is lower, and the quality is higher than that of foreign ones.

By applying these recommendations in practice, the car owner will be able to choose an excellent option according to his preferences and budget.

Tools

To solder a bumper with your own hands, you will need equipment and consumables. The main ones are epoxy glue and fiberglass, instead of which a metal mesh with 1 mm cells can be used. In this case, the strength of the seam will be significantly higher than when using fiberglass.

Plastic electrodes are also required for soldering. They can be purchased as a set, which includes several options that differ in thickness and material composition.

It must be taken into account that the required thickness of the electrode is determined by the location of the seam. Thus, thicker elements of the “B” and “C” series are suitable for filling deep cavities, and flat gaskets of the “A” series are used to secure the reinforced mesh and for welding the stitch on the outer part of the bumper.

Heating equipment for soldering a bumper can be represented by a soldering iron. Instead, you can use a tool such as a technical hair dryer. It should be noted that for professional repairs in service centers and workshops they use other equipment, namely a thermal gun.

Do-it-yourself bumper repair also requires abrasive materials. For rough grinding, 80-grit sandpaper is used, and finishing is carried out with 180-200-grit material. Staples for strengthening seams are used from a construction stapler. However, it is first necessary to shorten the “legs”.

Front bumper

Replacing the front bumper of a VAZ 2114 with your own hands takes a little time. If it is necessary to replace the radiator or grille, the procedure takes longer. Removing the body kit for all VAZ 2113-2115 models is carried out in the same way.

Tool

To replace the body kit you will need the following tools:

Screwdriver Set;
open-end wrenches 8 and 10 mm;
13 mm ratchet head with crank.

Step-by-step removal

To remove the front bumper of a VAZ 2114, place the car on a viewing hole or a lift. The algorithm for dismantling the body kit is as follows:

The electrical connections to the license plate and fog lights must be turned off before any work can be done.
The fastening bolts and nuts are treated against rust, as well as for better loosening, with VD-40 aerosol.
Unfasten the front wheel fenders.
Unscrew the fender liner mounting plate with a 10 mm wrench.

Remove the 3 screws that are attached to the body kit.
Using a 8 key, remove the 6 screws securing the fender liner to the front fender.

Pull back the fender liner.
Remove the radiator and headlight trims.

Using a 10 mm wrench, unscrew the 2 nuts securing the left side of the bumper.
Pull it a little to the side so that the studs come out of the body bracket.

In a similar way, you need to unscrew the right side of the bumper.
Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the mounting screws under the license plate and unscrew the 2 screws located below. Disconnect the license plate.

Remove the bumper.

If the amplifier is damaged, replace it. Using a 13 mm socket, unscrew 2 nuts on each side. The amplifier is adjusted during installation using shims.

Installation

Before installing a damaged body kit, it is necessary to repair it and paint it. Installation of the front bumper on a VAZ 2114 is carried out in the reverse order of dismantling. Remember this rule: when we install the bumper in place, it is necessary to check all the gaps between the amplifier, fender, body, headlights, grilles and only then attach it.

What is needed for soldering a bumper

Basic materials needed to solder a car bumper:

Soldering iron. This is a universal device that every man should have in his home. Remember that to repair a car with your own hands, you need to use only a powerful soldering iron - if you take a device with a power of 50 W, the work will not bring the expected result. Regarding the type of soldering irons, experts leave you freedom of action - you can take an electric, gas, hot-air, or infrared device. Here you make a choice depending on your own preferences and personal experience.
Net. It is with its help that you will solder the bumper.

Tools and materials

Scissors. The most ordinary scissors will suit you. Of course, you should not take scissors that are too old or dull - in this case, the work will not bring any results.
Flathead screwdriver. This is what you often use to tighten screws and screws with your own hands.
Hot air gun. You will only need this device if the bumper has not only cracks, but also deformations. Using a heat gun, you will straighten the bumper and return it to its original appearance. Remember that for soldering you need to install a round nozzle on the device.

Rear bumper

In the VAZ 2114, as in other models 2113 and 2115, it is not difficult to remove the rear bumper, but outside help will be useful. The amplifier is removed along with the body kit to check the condition.

Dismantling

The rear bumper on VAZ 2115, 2114 and 2113 is mounted on the rear beam using brackets. To remove the rear bumper of a VAZ 2114, you must perform the following steps:

Remove the rear wheel fenders.
Use a metal brush to clean off dirt, grease, and oil, and inject VD-40 aerosol while working.

Using a 10 mm socket with a wrench, unscrew the 4 bolts on which the bumper should be attached, 2 bolts on each side.
Unscrew the 3 nuts of the bracket for fastening the reinforcement beam using a 13 mm wrench.

The beam with the bumper must be dismantled.
Unscrew the screws and disconnect the beam.

The damaged bumper is ready for repair or replacement.

We install it in place

After the rear body kit has been repaired or replaced, it must be put back in place. All procedures for installing the rear bumper on a VAZ are performed in the reverse order of removal.

The bumper is attached carefully so as not to damage it. Structural elements must be installed correctly, without changes in the gaps between parts. When performing work, be careful, follow the recommendations and you will be able to complete the procedure without special skills and knowledge.

How to remove and replace the front and rear bumpers on a VAZ 2114

In accordance with the general trend, on Russian-made VAZ 2113–2115 cars, bumpers made of plastic and painted in the color of the car are installed. These are the most vulnerable body elements, located low above the road surface and taking on all kinds of mechanical loads. The front body kit suffers especially, where stones often fly from under the wheels of oncoming traffic, which is why parts have to be removed for repair or replacement. But thanks to the simplicity of the design, any motorist with the time and desire can handle the removal. Let's consider the task of removing the front and rear bumpers using the example of the VAZ 2114 and analogues.

Why remove bumpers on VAZ 2113-2115

What kind of “blows of fate” do the front and rear body kits experience during operation? Either a stone will fly, then someone in the parking lot will catch it and scratch it, or even the driver himself will drive into a snowdrift where an iron pipe is hiding. Not to mention such little things as traces of insects crashing on the front. Some of the listed defects can be eliminated without removing parts from the car, but in case of serious damage, dismantling is inevitable.

Such damage cannot be repaired, the body kit is easier to change

A separate story is a collision during an accident, as a result of which the bumper often turns into outright trash, unsuitable for repair. Fortunately, spare parts for Russian cars are freely available and their prices are quite affordable.

Reference. The cost of the front and rear body kits is almost the same and starts from 2,600 rubles. for an unpainted part. Prices for products with color coating start from 3,250 rubles.

The main reasons why owners of the “thirteenth” and “fifteenth” VAZ models have to dismantle the bumpers are as follows:

It is necessary to completely repaint the car and perform body repairs.
To repair or replace a broken body kit.
It is easier to install fog lights on the removed front element.
You need to get to other body parts located under the bumper.
It was decided to throw away the stock factory body kits and install beautiful elements of the original shape, that is, to do partial styling of the car.

This is what the VAZ 2114 styling front body kit looks like

Note. To this day you can find budget black bumpers on VAZ 13-15 series cars. The owners of these cars, as soon as possible, remove unsightly parts in order to paint them in the desired color or replace them with painted ones.

The first 2114 models came with black body kits

What is important to know when purchasing new products for VAZ 2113, 2114 and 2115

Unlike foreign-made cars, it is easy to buy the necessary spare parts for the VAZ 2113, including new bumpers.

In the retail chain, these parts are found in two forms:

black, without painting;
painted in any color of your choice.

Body kits of different colors and shapes

Advice . If you decide to change body kits because of their unpresentable appearance, then it is easier and cheaper to buy ready-made products painted in the color of the car. The difference in price is 700-900 rubles. will not allow you to save a significant amount on painting a black bumper.

Unpainted parts are usually taken during a major body repair with full painting or in the case of repainting the car in some individual color. It is also appropriate here to remember those owners whose cars were equipped from the factory with unpainted elements, which, if they break down, are easily replaced with similar ones.

Standard front bumper VAZ 2113—2115

When choosing a new bumper for VAZ 2113 (2114, 2115), consider several recommendations:

There are several manufacturers on the market that use various raw materials, including recycled ones, to produce plastic body parts. Therefore, when purchasing, pay attention to the elasticity of the plastic. If it is initially rigid, then at negative temperatures it will become very brittle.
Before purchasing a new product, remove the old body kit to check the condition of the amplifier underneath. If the disassembly was caused by the plastic breaking due to an impact, then the amplifier could also be damaged. In addition, it will be possible to compare the factory bumper with the part offered in the store.
Check the element for minor paint defects. It happens that plastic parts are damaged during transportation.
If you notice that the design of the new bumper is additionally reinforced from the inside, then buy it with confidence, since such products are more reliable in operation.
Please note that there are openings for installing fog lights. There are products on sale for the VAZ 2114 that are not equipped with holes.
When purchasing, make sure that the items fit your car in size. You should not purchase bumpers for a VAZ 2115 from a VAZ 2114 and vice versa, since they differ in dimensions, although they are mounted in the same way.

Factory bumper VAZ 2113—2115

Wanting to give their cars individuality, their owners often do partial styling, replacing the stock (factory) body kits with more original and attractive ones that differ in shape. As a rule, such elements can be easily installed on standard mounts and do not require modifications.

Reference . The prices of serial styling bumpers are not much higher than stock ones and start from 3,500 rubles. (for an unpainted product). Original works can cost significantly more.

The rear styling kit looks impressive

Types of bumpers and materials from which they are made

Modern car bumpers can be made of metal and plastic

In turn, plastic ones can be made from 2 types of material:

thermoactive;
thermoset.

What is the difference between thermosetting plastic for car bumpers and thermosetting plastic?

The main difference between a thermoactive material is that it can be subjected to secondary heat treatment. Under the influence of high temperature, the material easily melts, becomes elastic, soft and can take any shape.

Thermosetting plastic, on the contrary, is very durable, resistant to high temperatures and mechanical damage.

Car bumpers made of thermosetting plastics, as a rule, are rarely subject to cracks due to the strength and reliability of the material.

The following types of thermoactive materials are distinguished:

Polyethylene - used in the production of food containers, bags, etc.;
Polystyrene - various insulation materials are made from them in construction, etc.;
Polypropylene - used in the production of auto parts, including car bumpers, food industry, etc.;
Polyvinyl chloride - production of insulating coatings for cables, window technologies, etc.

Thermosetting materials are divided into:

Polyurethane - most plastic auto parts, both small and large, are made from this type;
Epoxy resins - used for joining and gluing different parts;
Fiberglass - used in the production of heavy-duty auto parts, including bumpers;
Phenol resins - needed in the manufacture of small auto parts, computers. boards, etc.

Design Features

The design and method of attaching body kits on Lada 13-15 series cars differs from other models of the “tenth” VAZ family.

Design features are as follows:

Additional metal brackets for fastening to the body are installed inside the plastic elements;
the brackets are held on by threaded connections and screwed to the bumper with self-tapping screws;
plastic latches appeared on the central part of the front bumper;
the edges of the rear body kit are pulled to the body by nuts hidden behind the wheel arches;
It is easier to remove the front and rear parts together with the amplifier, and then unscrew it if necessary.

Front bumper design

The listed features make it somewhat difficult to dismantle elements from the machine, since the threads located next to the wheels become covered with dirt and rust during operation. Over the years, corrosion also eats away at bare metal brackets that are not protected by any coating.

The rusted bracket needs to be replaced

Hence the advice : when disassembling, take your time and do not apply much force, otherwise you will break the bolts. It is better to replace rusty brackets with new ones, but they must first be coated with a primer and painted in any color.

How to solder a bumper

Due to the fact that the final result of DIY car repair depends on soldering, this process must be treated very carefully. If you do not solder correctly, the putty, primer and paint will apply unevenly.

Try to follow all instructions as carefully as possible:

First of all, correctly and evenly connect the broken parts of the bumper together and solder them on the front side.
Now you will need scissors and a mesh. The size of the mesh depends on what kind of crack you need to repair.
Now you need to carefully solder the bumper from the inside. To do this, the mesh must be applied to the plastic and heated with a soldering iron. After this, carefully place the mesh into the soft plastic using a screwdriver.
If the car bumper is very damaged, then you need to solder not only the inside, but also the front part using a mesh. Thanks to this, you will strengthen the seam as much as possible with your own hands and prevent the possibility of repeated breakage.
Take a blade and cut off the excess plastic

Instructions for dismantling the front body kit with your own hands

To disassemble the bumper mounts you will need the following tool:

Phillips screwdriver;
8 mm socket wrench;
the same, size 10 mm.

Disassembly tool

Advice. Instead of separate keys during disassembly, it is more convenient to use heads with an extension and a wrench equipped with a ratchet.

It is more convenient to work with sockets and a ratchet wrench

Since most threaded joints are likely to be rusty, you will need to use WD-40 spray lubricant to rotate them. Apply it to all bolts and nuts before unscrewing.

It is more convenient to work with the lower mounts of the front body kit from the inspection ditch, from where they are clearly visible, although if necessary, you can dismantle the bumper without a pit. At the final stage, when the element is removed from the machine, it is worth having an assistant support the part by the second edge.

If the car is equipped with fog lights, the process begins by disconnecting the battery from the on-board network.

Further work is performed in the following sequence:

Open the hood and use a screwdriver to unscrew the 4 screws holding the upper part of the radiator grille. Remove it from the car.
The lower part of the radiator grille is held in place by 4 self-tapping screws - a pair from the outside and two more from the engine compartment. Unscrew them and remove the grille part.
Unscrew the 6 screws of the lower body kit mounting. They are located on the rounded parts of the element, 3 on each side.
Remove the plastic protection installed under the wheel arches by unscrewing the bolts and nuts with a 10 mm wrench. For greater convenience, you can remove the wheel. Unscrew the front part of the fender liner.
Now you have access to the bracket, where you need to loosen and unscrew 2 10 mm nuts. Don't forget to treat the joints with WD-40.
Remove the license plate, underneath it you will find 2 more front mounting bolts. Unscrew them, as well as the 2 screws located near the air intake opening.

After disassembly, you will see plastic latches on the horizontal plane of the body kit. Unlock them and, together with an assistant, remove the bumper from the car, pushing it forward and holding it on both sides. Before doing this, disconnect the power wires for the fog lights so that you don’t have to do it while hanging.

Note : After dismantling the element, access to the plastic amplifier mount will open. If it is damaged and needs to be replaced, you need to unscrew the 4 nuts with a 13 mm socket and remove the part from the studs.

If you need to install a new body kit instead of a broken one, then you need to twist the metal brackets from the latter. To do this, just unscrew the 3 fastening screws. The brackets themselves should be cleaned of rust and painted so that they do not rot prematurely. The bumper is installed in the same way, only in reverse order.

The order of work in the photo

3 screws for bottom fastening

This is what the side bracket looks like

The top panel above the radiator is held on by two screws

Features of contraction

First, repairs, including preparation and soldering, are carried out from the inside of the bumper, and then from the outside. Pulling is the first stage of work. It is especially relevant in the case of a serious violation of the structure, since it is very difficult to solder such damage yourself.

First of all, you need to cut the metal fasteners with construction scissors or a metal blade, depending on the nature of the damage. Then you need to use a drill to make holes for the bolts. Screws are inserted into them and secured with nuts on the back side of the bumper. If you are doing the repair yourself for the first time, you should install the fasteners from the inside. It is advisable to do the tightening from the back side in order to preserve the aesthetic properties and shape of the part. The plate is installed and secured outside the gap. The screws should be kept as far away from it as possible along the path of the bolt in the fastener. The drill is installed in the far part of the plate. If you install the bolts correctly, the unevenness will be restored without disturbing the geometry of the bumper.

Next you need to recess the top of the bolt into the bumper. To do this, you need to make a hole around its head with a drill of a smaller diameter, observing the angle of the head. In this case, it is necessary to create a rim that is not too shallow, but also not to drill through the bumper, as this will cause the bolt to fly out. It must enter the recess with some force, otherwise the crack will open again.

The bolts are installed from the outside, and the fastening material is installed from the inside, and the nuts are tightened. Remember that if you tighten them too much, the bumper may crack, and if you tighten them too loosely, the connection will come apart over time.

If the crack is located in the curved part of the bumper, you need to give the plate the appropriate shape. There are various methods, but in any case, the plate should be held on the back side of the bumper under the defect. In this case, when the bolts are tightened, the crack will close.

How to remove the rear bumper

To replace the rear body kit, an inspection ditch is not needed, since there is fairly easy access to the lower nuts and screws.

But the set of necessary tools will have to be supplemented:

13 mm head;
jack;
wheel wrench;
wooden stands for the rear wheel hubs.

Advice . It doesn’t hurt to stock up on a brush with metal bristles to clean the fasteners from dirt or anti-corrosion coating.

The problem is that with the wheels installed, it is difficult to get to the threaded connections located on the back side of the wheel arch. Therefore, before carrying out work, you need to secure the car at the front with wheel chocks and remove both rear wheels, resting the hubs on stands.

The next procedure is as follows:

Remove the plastic wheel arch protection by unscrewing the screws holding it. Perform the operation on both sides.
Looking under the back of the arch, you will find 2 studs with tightened nuts. Treat them with a brush and WD-40, and then unscrew the socket 10 mm. Remove the plastic trim. Repeat on the other side.
Loosen and unscrew the 4 13mm socket nuts that secure the bumper reinforcement to the steel body parts. They are located under the body kit in pairs.
Together with an assistant, grasp the edges of the bumper, remove the side mounting studs from the holes and remove it by pushing it backwards.

Note : In this way, the part is removed along with the amplifier. If you want to dismantle only the body kit, you will have to lie under the car to unscrew the 4 mounting screws, which is inconvenient.

When the element is removed from the car, it is easy to dismantle the amplifier and brackets and move them to a new bumper. There are no electrical wiring or lampshades here, so you don’t have to disconnect the battery or disconnect the connectors.

With the rear body kit removed, the condition of the steel body elements is clearly visible. If you find traces of corrosion, then there is no better time to remove it and touch up the paint. Pay attention to the condition of the side bumper mounting brackets; replace them if necessary. The element is placed back together with an assistant, the task is to simultaneously insert the studs into the holes of the arches. You can tighten the nuts and screws in any order; at the end, put the protection and wheels in place.

Photo instructions for dismantling

It's difficult to get to the mounts without removing the wheel.

Amplifier mounting screws, 4 in total

The attachment of the body kit is hidden behind a plastic protection.
Replacing bumpers on VAZ 2113–2115 cars will take a maximum of an hour for car service specialists. The owner of the car will need twice as much time to disassemble it independently, but will be able to save at least 2,000 rubles on the cost of work. Hence the conclusion: it is not advisable to contact a car service center with such questions, unless you do not have the required amount of time.

Repair plastic with your own hands using a soldering iron

Let's consider the option of how to restore the bumper frame and its attachment to the wing using a minimum number of tools. Prepare a millimeter mesh, a soldering iron, scissors, a screwdriver, and a sharp blade. To make soldering the structure with your own hands convenient, as well as to obtain a high-quality result, it must be removed from the car and then proceed step by step .

Place the part on a flat surface;
Plug in the 100-watt soldering iron and wait until it reaches maximum temperature;
Connect the damaged parts evenly to solder them from the front side;
Cut the mesh into pieces, apply it to the inside of the structure and heat it with a soldering iron. If you have a plastic welding hair dryer, use it;
Quickly, without allowing it to cool, use a screwdriver to carefully press the mesh into the plastic;
In case of serious damage, repeat the previous procedure for the front side of the structure;
Cut off excess plastic with a sharp blade;
Level the seam with a rubber spatula using plastic putty;
To improve adhesion, apply a primer, then you can begin painting.

By performing these simple steps with a minimal set of tools, you can solder any plastic car structures with your own hands. The main thing is to take the work seriously, take your time and carefully solder the gaps.
If you can carefully perform this sealing procedure only from the inside of the part, then You can do plastic repairs without painting the bumper!

Expert opinion

Ilya Vyacheslavovich

Consultant for body repair at krasymavto.ru

Ask a Question

Please note that only specialized putty and plastic primer should be used. And if the bumper is painted in the color of the body, the enamel is additionally coated with varnish in 1-2 layers. Afterwards, the bumper is installed in place, and the use of high-pressure washers is avoided for 2-3 weeks. In this case, the cost of repairing and painting the bumper yourself will be worth it many times over!