What to do to prevent the box from buzzing on the Lada Granta

Lada Granta Liftback Vulkan › Logbook › Gearbox howl

The gearbox is cable, the mileage is 950 km, but this howl is already quite annoying, I can hardly hear the engine, but the gearbox stands out well, of course I’ll try to change the oil, but I’m afraid it won’t help much.
In the video I only checked 2nd and 3rd gears. Upd1: (07/23/2014)

The mileage is now 1800, the howling does not change, is clearly audible in 1-2-3-4 gears, I went to the dealer and gave them a ride to their employee, who at first wanted to leave the topic, saying that this is how it should be, to which he received a negative answer, in short, they did it application for AvtoVAZ, now I’m waiting for a response (two or three weeks).

Upd2: (07/29/2014)

Yesterday they called from the salon, asked to come, AvtoVAZ called them back, they want video confirmation with sound. I arrived, gave a short interview on a soap box and went to listen to the noise (on the same soap box), speed and so on. Looking forward to the continuation.

Upd3: (07.08.2014)

Today I received a call from the dealer, the box arrived, I made an appointment for the 16th.

Upd4: (08/16/2014)

They changed it for 8 hours, the old-style box arrived (manufactured in March 2014), the hum remained the same, plus the first one started to crash sometimes at startup, this has never happened before. I will try to contact another service center.

Upd5: (08/25/2014)

I contacted another dealer, they refused because the new box was under warranty from another service center, and they told them to worry about it. I just wrote a letter to AvtoVAZ asking about replacing the box with an updated one, I’m waiting for an answer.

Upd6: (01.09.2014)

We called back from AvtoVAZ, approved it, sent it to a dealer in my city, warned the service engineer there that I would come, drove it after work and placed an order for a new box, assured over the phone that an updated box would arrive with a release date of August, now I’m waiting again ...

Upd7: (15.09.2014)

We changed the box with the assembly date of June 23, 2014 :(( and immediately new oil Rosneft Kinetic 75w90 was filled in, the howling became less noticeable, mainly in the second when accelerating and braking and in the 3rd when braking. At first the gears stuck tightly, after a week of running in it became softer , as on previous boxes. I contacted a person from AvtoVAZ, asked the differences between the June box and the previous ones, they explained that the boxes underwent modernization from May to July, that is, during this time various improvements were introduced and at the same time put into circulation, so I came across this one this time, there are changes, but not complete, which of course saddened me. Then they called from AvtoVAZ, asking how and what, whether there were changes, they decided that for now I’ll go for a ride, break it in, if anything happens, I’ll write to them.

Upd8: (02/05/2015)

The story with the gearbox continued, I contacted the service again under warranty, because it began to howl with renewed vigor + strong rustling noises appeared in XX and when driving in first gear, we drove with an engineer, sent a request to AvtoVAZ, in general, everything was as always. Initially, the answer came from AvtoVAZ - to replace it with a new one (they even brought it), but at the last moment they changed their minds and told me to disassemble mine into gears, take a bunch of photos, send it to them and look for the cause of the howling and rustling ourselves, in the end they found some kind of abrasions on the xs how. Based on the results: the release bearing, Valeo driven disk, Valeo clutch pressure plate, 5th gear of the input shaft, 5th gear of the secondary shaft need to be replaced. What does it have to do with the 5th gear, the devil knows, maybe they found a defect on it, they didn’t tell me, and there was no one there when I picked up the car at 18.00, there was one and a half diggers left in the service))) I feel like: I’m writing this review a month later, all the rustling noises have disappeared and howl, at first it was in 2nd, but now it’s almost gone! If everything stays like this, then I’ll be glad, I’ll change the oil in the spring and relax, because I’m tired of fighting with VAZ developments))

Upd9: (12/15/2015)

Result: everything is back to normal, the howling again, rustling again at XX, the rear one switches the first time only on holidays. I'm out of warranty, I'm driving like this, apparently this is the absolute norm for this 2181 box, damn it. Don't waste your time and money getting rid of these defects. The curvature of the shafts and gears, as well as all the bearings, cannot be corrected by anything, they are almost all like this and they are all stamped with the words - “and so it will do...”

About the updated box (my opinion is nonsense, they haven’t fixed anything):

Why does the box howl and make noise?

The main source of noise of varying tones in the VAZ 2109 gearbox is worn out or unadjusted components. Typically, such malfunctions occur on cars with high mileage.

Based on additional signs, you can roughly understand which nodes have failed. If the owner is unable to accurately identify the cause of the hum, it is better for him to contact a specialized car service center.

The main reasons why the gearbox on a VAZ 2109 rattles or makes noise are:

Reduced lubrication level. If the amount of oil is insufficient or its condition is unsatisfactory, the gears and bearings begin to work without a lubricating film, which causes a high-frequency whine of the gearbox. A pair of gears and the fifth gear shaft, located at the maximum height from the lubricant level in the manual transmission housing, are especially susceptible to this phenomenon. When the amount of oil drops significantly, all speeds begin to howl. Sometimes the sound is present only when the box is cold and disappears as it warms up. This is a sign that the liquid is too thick and hardens at low temperatures. Very thin oil, on the other hand, will cause a loud whine as it warms up.
Worn drive shaft bearings. This is one of the most common causes of rustling noise when the gearbox is operating. The gearbox makes noise when coasting or when the car is stationary and idling.
Wear of gears in the box. If the gearbox hums in certain gears, then the cause should be sought in wear or chipping of the gear teeth.
Faulty locking rings. These parts are installed on the lateral conical surfaces of the secondary shaft gears of the box. They have gaps and can rotate freely along with the breadcrumbs. When the ring wears out, cracks and deformations may appear on it, which is why gears begin to shift with a bang.
Worn synchronizer clutch. If the synchronizer itself fails, a cracking sound appears when gears are engaged and spontaneous speed loss occurs. To eliminate this defect, it is necessary to replace parts.
Incorrect clutch adjustment. If the setting of the mechanism does not correspond to the norm, then the disks do not turn off completely when the pedal is pressed to the bottom position. In this case, a crunching sound is observed during switching and a characteristic foreign smell is felt due to the burning of the disks.
Worn release bearing. There is a rustling noise or rumble, but it disappears when the driver depresses the clutch pedal.

Changing the oil in a Lada Granta gearbox with a cable drive with your own hands

Since 2013, almost all front-wheel drive VAZ cars are equipped with a “cable” gearbox. In Grant sedans, it replaced a less reliable unit designated as “2190”. In addition to the fact that the drive became a cable drive, other changes appeared. The new box is called “VAZ-2181”, and the volume of its crankcase has been reduced from 3.3 to 2.3 liters. Here we discuss how to change the oil in a Lada Granta gearbox with a cable drive.

Oil additives: is it possible to do without repairs?

If changing the oil does not help, the gearbox howls, then it is necessary to repair the unit. Many people can talk about adding additives, but this does not help in 80 percent of cases. According to reviews from many motorists, adding additives can only temporarily or not completely muffle the sound, but will not completely solve the problem.

Chemically active substances contained in revitalizant additives form a cermet layer on the surface of worn gears and bearings, which, according to the manufacturer, restores the geometry of the parts and compensates for wear. Of course, if the howl of the gearbox is barely noticeable, it has just begun, then adding, for example, Hado, may well delay the problem with repairing the gearbox. But it may not help if the problem is already old and the wear on the unit components is significant. Then repairs are definitely needed.

Regulations for changing gearbox oil from AvtoVAZ

It is necessary to change the oil in the gearbox-2181 in one case - if the mileage exceeds 200,000 km. In theory, the entire service life of the car is indicated here, and the numbers are taken from the regulations.

It seems like everything is there for adding oil.

The regulations do not yet say how often to check the oil level. Such checks are not necessary, and therefore there is no diagnostic dipstick in the crankcase design. Three details will be important to us:

Drain plug (key “17”);
Filling plug and hole for level control;
Reverse switch.

Be aware that the “Standard” package always includes the “2190” box. The rule is also met for new cars produced after 2013.

What kind of oil was poured into the gearbox from the factory?

From the factory, the oil in the Lada Granta gearbox may be as follows:

TATNEFT TRANSLUX 75W85;
ROSNEFT KINETIC SERVICE 75W85.

Each of the materials is classified as GL-4. Let us remember that we were talking about the “2181” box, the crankcase volume of which is 2.3 liters.

The filling volume can be 2.1 or 2.2 liters.

What to do if there is a hum?

In any case, from the listed reasons it is clear that the problems can be quite serious and will lead to expensive repairs, so this “signal” should not be neglected.
You will need the help of a specialist, there is no way around this, because as a person unfamiliar with the mechanism, it is difficult to independently determine the problem with one hundred percent accuracy. I would like to give some important tips when diagnosing a transmission:

1. Find out what exactly caused the howling. If it is the main pair shaft, then keep in mind that it has already had its effect on other parts of the mechanism. Therefore, it is likely that replacing only this will not be enough.

2. Think about the feasibility of repairs; perhaps the costs of purchasing new or used parts will be high. Then it’s easier to find a contract transmission or a used one, but in good condition, than to repair a “dead man”.

3. Stopped for repairs, buy only high-quality and original parts, this will extend the life of your car.

Preparing for replacement

First the box needs to be warmed up. Then they place the car on the pit, stop it and try to remove one plug. We are talking about the control plug (key “17”).

View from under the crankcase protection

If nothing happens with the plug, you will have to change the oil without supervision. This is no longer good. Try unscrewing the switch located on the top of the crankcase.

The oil volume in the Lada Granta gearbox is known to everyone - it is 2.3 liters. But it is still better to perform the replacement with control. Filling is done either through the control hole or through the switch hole. Access to the latter is blocked by a filter.

Filter housing operation

First, disconnect the “negative” terminal (key “10”). Then you can use a regular Phillips screwdriver to unscrew the mounting screws.

The first two dismantling steps

The thin clamp that secures the expansion tank hose is also removed (see photo).

Disconnect a couple of connectors: the mass air flow sensor and the adsorber valve connector. The first of them is oval (photo below). And the second one is turned off like this: tighten the tongue, remove the terminal block.

Down with all terminal blocks!

The filter housing can be moved to the side in the final step. There is no need to disconnect it from the corrugation.

Rubber fasteners can be defeated this way: the rubber band is held with pliers, and the body is pulled back (to the left, forward). Start with the right front support.

Reconnaissance in force

We are trying to remove the reverse switch. We look for a plastic connector on the crankcase (see photo) and immediately disconnect it.

View of the gearbox housing from under the hood

Using a 22mm round wrench, try to unscrew the switch housing. Cancel the replacement if nothing can be done - neither unscrew the “top” plug, nor remove the switch.

When the switch is returned to its place, the threads are treated with sealant. The tightening torque should be 28-45 N*m.

Detailed algorithm for changing the oil in a CABLE gearbox

The oil from the Lada Granta gearbox is drained through the “bottom” plug. It is unscrewed with a 17 key.

The simplest thing is to drain the oil

You need to unscrew the cap like this: make 1-2 turns with the key, then substitute the container. And then unscrew the plug by hand.

When the liquid flows out, wipe the surface of the crankcase. We tighten the plug back (torque – 29-46 N*m). Getting ready to refuel.

Hose and funnel are ready for use

Let's say refueling goes through the switch hole. Place a hose in the hole and install a funnel. And we begin to fill in new oil.

The oil volume in the Lada Granta gearbox is 2.2 liters (maximum). That's what those who unscrewed the control plug say.

Access to the control plug is blocked by the crankcase protection. If the plug was not unscrewed during preparation, measure exactly 2.2 liters. And if the control is carried out “according to regulations”, let the body be tilted to the right: place a suitable load in the passenger compartment or trunk. Tilt angle – 2-3 degrees (no longer needed).

At the final step, the crankcase is cleaned of any remaining oil. All threaded elements are tightened to the recommended torques: plug - 29-46 N*m, switch - 28-45 N*m.

Fill oil through the inspection hole

The photo shows how everything looks if you follow the regulations. The bottom plug is twisted, the top one is the opposite. And refilling is done using a syringe.

This is what it looks like on an authorized service

Oil enters the Lada Granta gearbox through the hole in the “upper” plug.

Instead of a syringe, you can also use a hose with a funnel.

The crankcase guard is missing in the photo. It had to be removed.

Diagnostics and repair

As for transmission repair, it is very important to first carry out a correct diagnosis of a possible malfunction of the unit, try to determine why the gearbox makes a howling noise without removing the unit. Usually the box does not howl in all modes, but at some speeds. If a howl accompanies movement in 1st, 2nd, 3rd gears, then this usually indicates problems with the bearing connecting the primary and secondary shafts, or more precisely, its wear. The only solution is to replace it. But there is a small nuance - if the bearing is a needle bearing without a cage, then simply replacing the needles may not help. This will require replacement of the shafts. And this is already a serious repair.

It is also possible that there may be a howling noise when the working pair of gears located on the primary and secondary shafts of these gears wear out. Or due to poor quality factory processing and installation after repair. One of the characteristic features of gear wear is howling under load and its reduction in the absence of traction. A worn bearing will make noise regardless of whether there is a load or not. But you can determine the exact reasons only by disassembling the gearbox and showing it to a specialist if the repair is done by yourself.

If there is a whine in 5th gear, the first thing that needs to be done is to check and add oil to the unit if necessary, as discussed earlier. But if this does not help, then most likely the fifth gear gear needs to be replaced. This is determined by opening the box. Preliminarily, by the sound at high speed, you can determine the cause - if there is an outright whine, the gear is worn out; if there is a squeaking sound over 100 km/h, it is most likely the bearing.

If the gearbox of front-wheel drive cars howls in all gears, then there is a high probability of wear on the input shaft bearing. But replacing it often does not lead to a positive result, so changing it in the presence of minor howling is not recommended.

Or maybe it's not a box at all?

When diagnosing a gearbox, be sure to carefully consider the fact that if there is a constantly increasing howl in all gears, it may not be only the gearbox that is to blame for the origin of the sounds. On models with a classic drive, the source of the howl may be the rear axle gearbox, which has a bevel hypoid gear. If the gear teeth are worn out or there is significant play in the bearings, a howl will accompany all driving modes. Similar symptoms also accompany an all-wheel drive vehicle when the front axle malfunctions. The sound will come from the center of the cabin and be observed under load.

Which oil is best to fill according to the regulations?

The standard manual does not say what kind of oil to fill in a Granta box with a cable drive. The answer is in the instructions included with other cars also equipped with the “2181” box. Here is the list:

G-BOX EXPERT – 80W85, 75W90
Gazpromneft – 80W90, 80W85
TNK TRANS KP – 80W85
TNK TRANS KP SUPER – 75W90
LUKOIL TM-4 – 75W85, 75W80, 80W85, 75W90, 80W90
ROSNEFT KINETIC (Angarsk) – 80W85
ROSNEFT KINETIC (Novokuibyshevsk) – 80W85 (GL-4), 75W90 (GL-4/GL-5)
TATNEFT TRANSLUX TM-4-12 – 75W85
SHELL: SPIRAX S5 ATE or TRANSAXLE OIL – 75W90 (GL-4/GL-5)

Gearbox oil for Lada Granta with manual transmission and AMT

TOTAL TRANSMISSION GEAR 8 75W80 transmission oil is intended for manual transmissions of passenger cars and complies with the API GL4+ standard. TOTAL specialists recommend pouring this oil into the Granta gearbox when replacing it during service (for cars with manual or robotic transmission). It has excellent protective properties and protects transmission parts from premature wear and corrosion in any operating conditions, increasing the service life of the unit. The stability of the characteristics of TOTAL TRANSMISSION GEAR 8 75W80 allows the use of this oil in Lada Granta gearboxes with the maximum permissible service intervals.

The budget car Lada Granta has been produced since 2011. The model is equipped with 8- and 16-valve 1.6-liter engines with a power of 82 - 118 hp. and three types of transmission: a 5-speed manual gearbox VAZ 2181, a 5-speed robotic gearbox AMT 2182 and a 4-speed hydromechanical automatic transmission Jatco JF414E.

What kind of oil to pour into the Granta box depends on the type of transmission.

What noise additives are best to use?

There are many additives to eliminate noise. Manufacturers promise that their use will increase the service life of the mechanism and ensure smoother operation of the automatic transmission. Let's highlight the following additives:

ATF Additive. Slows down oil oxidation and restores the performance of rubber seals. At the same time, it cleans the valve body channels and forms a protective film on the parts. This leads to a reduction or complete elimination of extraneous noise. According to the manufacturer, the additive increases the service life of the automatic transmission. The product consists of the same components as the oil, only their concentration is increased several times.
EX120. This additive prevents early wear of the automatic transmission and protects rubbing parts. Its use helps eliminate extraneous noise. In addition, the geometric parameters of worn parts are partially restored due to the formation of a special metal-ceramic film on the metal surface. The product can be used in all types of transmissions and mixed with any oil. This revitalizant does not enter into a chemical reaction, which means it does not cause changes in the viscosity and other parameters of the working mixture.

The appearance of extraneous noise in the automatic transmission area is a reason to diagnose and repair the mechanism. A normally operating automatic transmission never hums or makes a grinding noise; it emits only a uniform, monotonous sound. The presence of noise is a sign of a malfunction that can occur both in the selector and in the working part of the mechanism.

Any gear transmission makes noise during operation. Under normal conditions, its level is low and is almost completely absorbed by the walls of the gearbox housing. If the VAZ 2109 gearbox howls, then this indicates problems in its functioning.

Why does the box howl and make noise?

Gearbox oil for Lada Granta with manual transmission and AMT

When changing the oil in a Granta gearbox, you can also use TOTAL TRANSMISSION DUAL 9 FE 75W90 - this gear oil is 100% synthetic and has a level of properties that meets API GL-4, GL-5 and MT-1 standards. Thanks to FUEL ECONOMY (FE) technology, the use of this oil in the Lada Granta gearbox reduces fuel consumption compared to conventional lubricants. Its high extreme pressure properties guarantee reliable protection of transmission elements from wear and corrosion. TOTAL TRANSMISSION DUAL 9 FE 75W90 has high oxidation resistance, which allows it to be used in Granta gearboxes with extended replacement intervals (as prescribed by the car manufacturer).

Service life - from the factory and actual

The manufacturer in the operating instructions indicates an average interval of 180,000 km before major repairs. In fact, the mechanics last up to 200,000 km, provided that the manufacturer’s recommendations for care and maintenance are followed.

At the stage of using mechanics, breakdowns associated with depressurization of the system, oil leakage, and wear of the pressure bearing are most often recorded. Malfunctions are insignificant, not critical, and can be eliminated in a few hours of work by technicians at a service station.

Conclusion

The manual transmission under the factory code 21087 is a real technological breakthrough of domestic engineers. The transmission turned out to be not only more powerful, but also faster. At the same time, fuel consumption increased by 0.5 liters.

“Mechanics” has its advantages and disadvantages compared to the robotic version. Therefore, before purchasing, carefully analyze the technical characteristics of each type of gearbox.

From personal experience I will say the following:

The mechanics are most adapted for active use on rough terrain.
The robotic version, “automatic”, is mainly used for high-speed modes.

Automatic transmission oil Lada Granta

For models with automatic transmission, TOTAL FLUIDMATIC MV LV transmission fluid is suitable - improved friction characteristics allow this oil to be used in a Lada Granta automatic transmission when the Dexron VI level of properties is required. It guarantees smooth operation of the transmission and maximum transmission of torque from the engine to the wheels. The excellent lubricating properties of TOTAL FLUIDMATIC MV LV protect the gearbox from wear and corrosion under severe operating conditions, and therefore extend its service life when this gear oil is used in Granta gearboxes.

TOTAL FLUIDMATIC MV LV

You can select oil for your Lada Granta box using a special service on our website.

Typical problems of Lada Granta

Answers (4)

Follow the answers to this question

Like many other cars, the Lada Granta has its weaknesses, which are commonly called “diseases”. Some “diseases” will not keep you waiting long and will manifest themselves already during the first time of operation, while others will make themselves felt only after a more or less high mileage. Some of the problems were recognized by the manufacturer and can be fixed in the showrooms of official dealers, while the other part will have to be resolved independently.

Approximately half of the cars sold after a short mileage upset their owners with a generator breakdown. Repairing the original part will solve the problem only temporarily, so it’s worth installing a generator from Kalina.

The second problem #8212 is a broken thermostat. As a result, in winter the engine does not warm up above 70 degrees, or at a temperature of even 100 degrees the fan does not work. The solution is to replace the thermostat with an analogue from the VAZ 21082 or from Kalina.

At idle speed, engine vibration is felt in the cabin. This problem is not officially recognized, and therefore the solution is to stretch the mounting pads.

Strongly overtightened pipes under the hood begin to crack after a while where the clamp is tightened. You can save the situation by loosening the clamps.

The howling in the gearbox, the tight movement of the handle and its freezing in cold weather are one of the unpleasant surprises that Granta presents to its owners. By filling the box with synthetic oil 75w90, you will only get rid of the howling a little, but will solve the problem of freezing of the handle

Hard plastic in the cabin is far from the best design solution for a modern car, but at least you can put up with it due to the lack of squeaking. Another annoying problem here is #8212, the creaking of the ceiling cladding, which most often manifests itself at negative air temperatures. Also, owners of Lada Granta complain about cracking at the top of the windshield or rear window, interior light and poor sound insulation. There is no official solution to the problem yet, so you will have to either change the casing and improve sound insulation, or turn on the music louder. The on-board computer does not always display data on instantaneous fuel consumption, which is one of its main tasks. The glove box lid sometimes opens if you close it before the first louder click. Therefore, it must be closed until the second quiet click. Another annoyance is the very weak round knobs for adjusting the angle of the backrest of the front seats. If possible, they should be touched less or done more carefully.