12th Feb 2006, 01:03
At the base of the side door windows are two rubber weather strips - one on the inside, one on the outside. The outside one (as well as the inside one) has a long thin flat metal plate attached to it. The metal plate, on the outside strip, may rust over time, making window winding, up and down, stiff and difficult. It may also cause scratching of the glass - if you see some vertical scratches on the glass, it`s probably caused by this metal plate which has rusted. Solution? Take out the outer rubber strip with the offending metal plate attached. Now, remove the plate (which is probably rusted) completely off the rubber strip. Replace the rubber weather strip, after cleaning it on the inside. The glass window pane will now travel up and down, much easier and far more smoothly. The metal plate doesn`t really do anything, and doesn`t appear to be necessary. I did this procedure on both side doors several years ago, and the window winding on both doors has been smooth and efficient, ever since. Cheers, again, to all Niva enthusiasts.
17th Feb 2006, 05:11
Re- my comment (10th Feb.) - I inadvertently got the horizontal and vertical headlight adjustment technique, the wrong way around. The correct technique is therefore:
1. Horizontal adjustment: turn the two screws in opposite directions, i.e. one clockwise, the other counterclockwise - at the same time - to move the beam from side to side.
2. Vertical adjustment: turn the two adjusting screws in the same direction simultaneously - either clockwise or counterclockwise, to raise or to lower the beam.
This technique is correct for all 1.7L 2121 Nivas.
11th Oct 2006, 11:00
When it works, it works very well. My Niva would go through thick and thin. With tall and skinny snow tires, and of course, full time four wheel drive, the traction was nothing short of amazing. Took it off road a few times. A Niva will get you there, but things tend to break more often than in other vehicles. Then again, you'll usually pay much more a 4x4, so if you can put up with a higher maintenance vehicle, and want something really funky looking, a Niva is the way to go.
In Canada Niva parts are getting more scarce. A dealer in Montreal, Quebec and an import repair place in Richmond Hill, Ontario seem to be the best for knowledge and appreciation of Nivas, and for parts. I drove my Niva from Toronto to Quebec City as the longest single trip (about 800 kms or 500 miles) but it's not meant to be long distance cruiser. Very loud, and yes, 5th gear is prone to premature failure.
22nd Jan 2008, 21:28
I'm looking for parts for a Niva in Canada and I've heard mention of a garage in Richmond Hill, ON and a dealer in Montreal, PQ. I have been searching for more detailed information on both of these businesses, but cannot find a name or address for either of them.
Would anyone be able to give me some more information about these or any other dealers in Canada?
28th Mar 2008, 12:19
To the person looking for service, I think this is the one in Toronto.
http://www.importautocentre.ca/
I have yet to go there myself, but will be taking my Lada there when I have some time to invest.
9th Nov 2008, 00:08
Being of Russian descent, I just have to get one and let my friends laugh at me. So I'll be buying a '97 Niva 1.7. Living in the Montreal (Quebec) region I have found after doing much research there is a dealer in the Thunder Bay (Ont) area who has parts. If I can help you out and you me for certain parts/mods etc contact me at nickreus@hotmail.com
10th Feb 2006, 22:41
The headlight adjustment on post 1995 1.7 L Nivas, is different to early model Nivas - where there was one screw for vertical adjustment, and one for horizontal.
On the newer Nivas, there are two adjusting screws that must be turned simultaneously- as follows:
1. For horizontal adjustment: turn both screws together at the same time (obviously using two Philips screwdrivers) - either clockwise - to turn to one side - or counterclockwise - to turn the beam to the other side.
2. For vertical adjustment: turn both screws together again at the same time - but this time, turn one screw clockwise, whilst turning the other screw counterclockwise. This way you can either elevate or lower the beam.
I own a 1997 Niva, which I maintain in immaculate condition, and initially I wasn`t sure how to adjust the headlight beams- as it doesn`t indicate it in the Niva manual. I sourced the technique from another enthusiast. In your case, the adjusting mechanism may very well be faulty - but I thought I`d share my information with you just the same. Hope it`s been of some assistance. Cheers.