Lada fully floating rear axle

The stock Lada rear axle is rather weak when you start using for more than commutiong around. Some people make reinforcement sheet metal pieces and weld them to the axle in attempt to make it last longer and be a bit rigid. I didn’t like this approach, so I decided to make my own rear axle from scratch. I knew that drag racers were building axles like this, but the were not exactly suitable for what I need. After some more research, I came across the Atlas axle for Ford Escort MK1. Combining features from the drag style and Atlas axle I was able to create a fully floating axle for classic Lada(VAZ) models. It is direct replacement for the stock one. You can see pictures of the first prototype here: Fully floating axle Lada

The floating rear axle is using the stock Lada differential and housing. It directly bolts to the thick face plate. The axle tube are made from thick wall tube, this in combination with the folded sheet metal structure, greatly improve the rigidity and strength of the floating axle. Additional links in horizontal and vertical planes are added. The horizontal links extend and connect the a special brace on the front of the differential housing.All this links help to keep the geometry and rigidity of the axle. also in some small amount can help with rear wheel alignment.

The fully floating rear axle for Lada is equipped with rigid mount two piston calipers. The brake rotor for now is only solid. It is in floating configuration.

All the links locating the rear axle related to the car chassis are made from seamless tubing with thick wall. The threaded ends are welded, left and right for ease of adjustment. Rod end used and motorsport grade, size 16 mm.