Comments: 1-15, 16-19
My back seat retaining clip broke.
My ignition had to be replaced.
The left rear axle bearing needed replacement.
The steering box needed replacement.
The rear lights need constant attention.
Lots of other miscellaneous repairs.
I love my Lada Niva! I call it my Russian Hummer because it will go anywhere on any terrain. People like to laugh at the looks of it, but they don't laugh for long when you crawl through the trail their brand new F350 got stuck in!
It's got it's problems, I'll admit. The electrical is a real pain, and the steering box is a problem. But I really don't mind these things because you can fix almost anything on the Niva with a peice of string or some duct tape. I have never been stuck, nor have I ever broke down and not been able to get it home in an hour.
The one thing I do complain about is the fact that here in Canada it is hard to find parts for it. So if there is something that you can't fix with a weld (which is rare), the parts can be expensive. I get to be good friends with auto-wreckers then.
All in all though, the Niva is the best vehicle I have ever had, and no one can pay me enough to get rid of it.
Completely agree with Steven.
Despite on having now a Plymouth Sundance (Duster 3.0L 1992 bought in 1997 with 40000 miles) I plan to buy NIVA. Plymouth Sundance is OK, fast and very reliable, but it cannot stand against Moscow salty winters infinitely. That's why it's time to change a car. Looking thru the cars I can allow myself it seems that I will chose Niva. List of cars was: New Hyndai accent/Kia Rio/Mitsubishi Lancer/Shevi Niva, used Neon/Stratus (I Love Chrysler).
My brother has about 50 used foreign cars. Some newer (2 years old) some older, but he stopped at NIVA after all of them (Despite on complete absence of comfort). New Shevi Niva is good, but looks like girl with an old temper inside. An old NIVA as a second car for the winters is OK especially in cases when you don't need to care about scratches and troubles after night spent outside: spare part costs nothing in comparison with others.
I see in Moscow more and more women start to drive old Niva.
It has now an option of electro steering power and can be 5 doors like new shevi niva (hydro steering) but costs 2000$ less.
Just going to say, the steering boxes are only a problem when people fit non genuine wheels.
A lot of people say to fit suzuki wheels etc.,BIG mistake.
Offsets are miles out, go through more wheel bearings, ball joints, tierod ends, and even smashing steering boxes, also makes the lada heavier to steer etc.
Only time they give problems is when people muck around by lifting them, or fitting gas shocks etc.
Parts are easily available www.ladaparts.com or if in new zealand cherie@ladaparts.co.nz
hope this helps.
I am having trouble finding secondhand tyres for my Lada. I have the original 16" rims and am wondering what size tyres I can use other than the 175/75. Can any one help?
As you know, the correct tyre for the 16 inch wheel is 175/80R 16. You can also use a 175/82 16 tyre. If you want to use a wider tyre-e.g. 185 or 195 on the 16 inch wheel, you should check with your tyre retailer. The Niva`s wheel arches will clear it, but you must make sure it is safe to fit a wider tyre onto the standard 16 inch Niva rim. However, I would shop around for an inexpensive set of 15 inch Lada alloys- with the right off-set of-course- and then fit a set of 195/80R 15 off-road tyres e.g. Goodyear Wranglers RT/S. They are quiet on road, and very capable off road. No need to go for an even wider tyre size- as the steering will start to get heavy- and without power steering, the Niva will become a bit of a handful. Hope this is of some help.
I am very interested in finding where to purchase replacement points for the electrical distributor of a 1987 Lada Niva.
If anyone knows and would like to share the information I can never thank you enough for your help.
Please reply to TSolernou@aol.com.
Try www.ladaparts.ru They are in St.Petersburg, Russia. Their phone/fax is 7-921-3749444. Hope this helps.
I`m interested how much oil it's supposed to have in the gearbox, and the front, rear and middle differential. Please write me at dzish@hotmail.com. Thanks.
Filling capacities: Gearbox 1.35L (1.6 - 1.8L, for 5 speed transmission). Transfer case 0.75L. Front axle (diff.) 1.15L. Rear axle (diff.) 1.3L. Cheers.
Nivas are the best vehicle ever invented!!
I just bought one with a broken steering box for $50, its got a nice 1600 diesel engine in it.
Does anyone know a site on the net with a guide on how to get the old box out?
Look up Lada Niva Online and refer to technical support. Look up the factory technical manual - there is a detailed chapter on the steering box, diagrams etc. Hope this helps. From a keen 1997 Niva enthusiast. Cheers.
Error! Two liters is required in the gearbox.
When you say 'Error', which model Niva are you referring to? The factory operating manual for the Lada Niva indicates the filling capacity for the gearbox to be 1.35 Litres. This is for ALL models up to and including 1998. Check your manual. I have no knowledge as to whether Lada has revised this capacity to 2 Litres - for the later and current Nivas. If this is the case, I think it`s good - as one of the problems with Niva gearboxes in the past, was insufficient lubrication of the 5th gear. I have been using between 1.6 - 1.8 Litres in my 1997 Niva - but I`ll certainly top it up to 2 Litres at the next service - the extra lubrication will be beneficial, and the Niva gearbox can accomodate this extra capacity without problems.
Having recently bought one of these rugged, retro little 4wd's, I am interested in protecting it with the most suitable oils etc.
Penrite oils in Australia give the following recommendations for Niva '83 - '99:
Engine: HPR 30. Capacity: 3.8L
Transmission: Syn Gear 75/90. Capacity: 1.5L
Transfer Case: Syn Gear 75/90. Cap:0.8L
Front Differential: Syn Gear 75/90. Cap: 0.9L
Rear Diff: Syn Gear 75/90. Cap: 1.3L.
I hope this is of interest. Happy motoring to all, Bazza.
I have an 86 Niva with a 2 litre diesel Toyota transplant, but I am having trouble with it constantly overheating. There does not appear to be any water in the oil, so I am assuming the head is not cracked. There also appears to be good water flow through the system. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Also, I'm running 31 inch tyres, which make it unstoppable off road, but I'm worried that I may be damaging other areas?
Thanks, Bazza - much appreciated. The 5-speed box can take a little extra. 1.6-1.8 Litres is O.K. Insufficient lubrication of the 5th. gear has been a problem with Nivas in the past.