aluminium control arms to save on weight, an increasing trend seen on all cars, and are less prone to corrosion compared with steel. Aluminium will often fracture or snap as opposed to steel that has more tendency to bend being 250% more dense. EV batteries are located low down in the base of the car helping stability in bends. However, additional weight combined with large alloys and low profile tyres will inevitably put strain on the suspension components. Stiffer springs and wider anti-roll bars limit roll for those higher powered EVs or those that are high riding. For example, compare the Mustang Mach-e, which weighs 2,200 kilograms with the Ford Kuga at 1,573 kilograms.” On what’s new from FAI, Mayur added: “Our latest newto-range highlights include Audi e-Tron Control arms to fit front lower and rear. Demand has seen the development of EV-specific components entering the market, at FAI we stock hundreds of components for EV and hybrid vehicles.” New challenges Colin Cottrell, Marketing Director at LKQ Euro Car Parts observed: “The fundamentals of steering and suspension have remained consistent for many years, but the increased adoption of EVs and hybrids mean technicians are facing new challenges that are unique to these types of vehicles. A key point of difference is the increased weight of EVs. The heavy batteries required to power the vehicle put much more of a strain on suspension systems than traditional engines. Not only can this cause chassis components to wear out more quickly; it also means that EVs are more susceptible to damage from potholes or road irregularities. “EVs can present more unique challenges. For example, the nuts holding the CV joints to the rear suspension can become loose due to the high torque reversals happening when going from throttle-on to throttle-off. This happens with much greater frequency in EVs compared to traditional ICE vehicles, since they use regeneration to recharge the battery during braking and deceleration. Technicians must be aware that ADAS systems are at risk of being disturbed by even the slightest of adjustments to steering and suspension. “For this reason, we recommend that technicians brush up on their diagnostics and servicing skills. The LKQ Academy has recently added to its wide range of EV and hybrid courses to help the independent aftermarket get hybrid and EV-ready.” Colin added: “We have recently introduced an unlimited mileage warranty across our whole steering and suspension range. The guarantee sits alongside the existing manufacturer warranty, removing mileage restrictions that are typically considered an industry standard. We’ve also launched a complete and ready-to-fit coil suspension strut assembly through our in-house Starline brand.” For more information, visit: https://omnipart.eurocarparts.com/omnihub/steerin g-and-suspension Smooth running As the car parc changes, steering and suspension issues may become more apparent, as Andrew McCluskey, Head of Sales at First Line, observed: “With the lack of engine noise on EVs, customers are noticing more noise from the steering and suspension system. It is even more important that technicians check all the steering parts regularly to ensure smooth running of all components.” This advice applies to all vehicle types though, as Andrew pointed out: “Whenever a vehicle enters the workshop, it is always best practice and typically part of every service, to carry out a visual inspection of the vehicle, which includes underneath checks of the steering and suspension, as wear and tear from poor road conditions can affect many related parts. “Checking and replacing, if necessary, components, such as suspension arms and Ball Joints, can not only restore the vehicle’s handling and comfort, but also reduce stress on other parts of the system. “Likewise, ensuring that the steering alignment is checked and adjusted if required, after tyre changes, is recommended, especially if the old tyres showed uneven wear. During this process, the rack ends and tie rod ends should be inspected for wear and replaced as required, as this may be the initial cause of the uneven tyre wear in the first place.” On what’s new from First Line in this area, Andrew added: “We have had over 180 NTR references added to our range in 2023, including FCA7964/65, which are Suspension Arms for the Jaguar I-Pace, and FCA7934/35, Suspension Arms for the BMW IX3.” Long-term benefit Looking at the direction of travel around steering and suspension systems in relation to EVs, Stefan Bachmann, Head of Steering and Suspension at MEYLE said: “What we see in the market, to save production cost and accelerate development, OEs tend to use conventional steering and suspension components like rubber or hydraulic bushings on their first electric vehicles that are made for combustion engine vehicles. Due to the higher weight of the E-cars, these bushings – or suspension components in general – tend to fail quickly, for example through braking and accelerating. We are now addressing this critical need for our customers around the world analysing exactly which parts for Tesla and other EVs will be most needed in the coming years, and where we can add the most value for independent workshops and vehicle owners. Our goal is to consistently expand our eSolutions offering, especially for new EV brands such as Tesla, Polestar and others. Not only during wintertime, it is important to be prepared and updated on product groups that include parts, which suffer the most from dirt, water and salt. These are the key-kill factors for steering and suspension parts. Our Tesla Model 3 Control Arm is a good example where an OE failed to make a robust product that withstands winter conditions – which is a long-term benefit, not a seasonal opportunity.” Stefan added: “No matter what the engine - our teams are constantly identifying weaknesses and areas for improvement in OEM parts. For Tesla, we have already developed more than 50 parts, in the area of steering and suspension. In total, we have built up a portfolio of more than 1,500 parts for electric vehicles, which we market under the eSolutions label. eSolutions is our growing parts portfolio for e-vehicles with its own label that sits beside the Original, PD andHD product lines and alongside MEYLE KITS in the MEYLE brand architecture. We expect the repair market for Tesla and other e-vehicles to develop decisively over the next two to three years.” NOVEMBER 2023 AFTERMARKET 41 www.aftermarketonline.net
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