Aftermarket November 2022

malfunction or failure. Then there is the steering pump; Weight can have a bearing on the lifetime of a steering pump. For instance, those fitted to certain vans commonly suffer from blown back plates caused by the extra pressure of being heavily laden, having low tyre pressures and the stress of continual full steering lock manoeuvres.” He continued: “For a multitude of reasons, low fluid levels make steering difficult, and parts can become damaged or could signal a leak and thus a bigger problem. Pumps and racks will live longer if the system is flushed regularly. Systems deteriorate over time. As the system ages, small particles start to break off and contamination can speed up wear of other parts, and of course any part replacement should be preceded by a full flush and change of fluid. Shaftec offers a full range of remanufactured steering racks, steering pumps, and new steering gaiters. The offer is heavily focused on electric because at OE level electric power steering (EPS) systems are fast replacing conventional hydraulic steering systems because they are lighter in weight, there is less maintenance, they offer better response at different speeds, offer better durability, and use less fuel.” Adrian added: “When it comes to electric power steering racks, Shaftec offers more than 800-part numbers. For electric power steering columns there are over 100 references, and more than 1,400 for electric power steering pumps.” For more information, visit: www.shaftec.com Best practice Dayco National Sales Manager Steve Carolan said: “The independent workshop has no shortage of options when it comes to replacement steering and suspension components, as the market is awash with them, but recognising the importance of fitting parts that are of OE quality, for what is a fundamentally safety critical component, should be their priority. Components of OE quality, such as those supplied by Dayco, an OE supply partner to many of the world’s vehicle manufacturers will be equivalent in appearance, material composition, weight and construction, and possess the same handling and performance characteristics as the OE component, which ensures the safety and security of the vehicle’s occupants.” On working with steering and suspension systems, Steve said: “It has long been a Dayco priority to raise awareness of best practice methods when replacing components, so after the new steering and suspension parts have been 42 AFTERMARKET NOVEMBER 2022 STEERING & SUSPENSION www.aftermarketonline.net fitted, but before the vehicle is passed back to the owner, it’s important that a wheel alignment and tracking check is carried out, as the vehicle’s steering geometry, handling characteristics, as well as the correct functioning of its ADAS systems, rely on these being set to the VM’s specific tolerances. For vehicles being repaired following a collision, Dayco also offers bodyshops complete kits that include the replacement components for both sides of the vehicle to ensure that it is returned to its best possible, pre-accident condition. Naturally, as would be expected of a company that consistently demonstrates such high levels of technical competence, a supporting catalogue, with comprehensive cross-reference data and imagery, is instantly accessible through the Dayco website and app, as well as via TecDoc.” For more information regarding Dayco’s OEM quality products, please visit: www.dayco.com Ideal opportunity Schaeffler’s Technical Manager Alistair Mason observed: “The first question that technicians working on a vehicle’s steering and suspension components should ask, is whether the replacement parts they’re going to fit are of original equipment quality. Let’s be frank, these are safety critical components and if something fails the consequences can be horrendous. So, why compromise and just fit the cheapest in order to price match another garage, when it could be someone’s wife or child that’s put at such an unnecessary risk? “Although the parts might cost a little more, we always recommend workshops choose and fit an OE quality replacement on whatever area of the car they’re working on, but steering and suspension components in particular provide them with the ideal opportunity to speak to their customers and point out the safety benefits offered by the FAG range. Cheap parts are cheap for a reason, and it won’t just be their quality that will be compromised, it will be how they fit and what ancillary parts come, or most likely do not come, with them. This just adds to the risk factor from the workshops’ perspective, as they could potentially take longer to fit and need additional parts not supplied, which means they also won’t be as cheap as they thought. Alistair added: “By opting for FAG these risks are averted and both customer and workshop can be confident of the repair. The assurance of an all-inclusive solution including all ancillary parts, along with the additional technical benefits provided by REPXPERT and Schaeffler’s unrivalled level of customer service and support, makes FAG the ‘go- Above: Steering and suspension components from First Line Technicians must ensure they have the necessary training and equipment to fit an ever-expanding range of bespoke parts ”