44 AFTERMARKET APRIL 2024 STEERING AND SUSPENSION www.aftermarketonline.net vehicle requires not only special training, but also special workshop tools and equipment. A challenge that may still leave some mechanics wondering; ’Is this for me?’ After all, the order books are still full, in some cases for years - which brings us back to the lack of quality control in the first place.” Support is key according to Stefan: “Nevertheless, it is essential to assist and support workshops during this period of change and provide them with the knowledge they need about these new products and solutions and the challenges that accompany them.” Stefan added: “Only time will tell how well the industry managed to adapt to this – but one thing is already certain; Quality is and always will be king. Even the biggest pothole won't change that.” Prime examples According to Matt Cleevely, Managing Director at Cleevely EV, the increased weight of EVs due to the mass of the battery has put more strain on steering and suspension parts, as has the much higher level of torque from the electric motor. All this means steering and suspension parts are wearing faster than on internal combustion engine vehicles, leading to these jobs occurring more frequently. Matt observed: “The Tesla Model S and Model X are prime examples. These are big, heavy cars and we’re regularly replacing camber arms, anti-roll bar links and suspension bushes.” The amount of throughput experienced by Cleevely EV also made the team realise how hard it could be to obtain specialist EV parts. By 2020 the independent EV specialist was regularly attracting custom from across the UK, but the supply issue was holding them back, as Matt noted: “I was fed-up with the supply issues. We had customers coming to us in big numbers, many hanging around for the day having travelled a long way. If their car failed an MOT or we found ball joint play during a service, they’d be stuck because we couldn’t get the parts.” This led to Cleevely EV launching its own EV parts department. “We haven’t looked back since,” said Matt. “We’re now supporting other garages with the supply of EV parts too. The steering and suspension range includes high quality suspension arms, ball joints and bushes for the UK’s most popular EVs.” For more information, visit: www.cleevelyev.co.uk/evparts-shop/ Demand While EVs are changing the market, and they are changing the design of components and the materials used Dayco National Sales Manager Steve Carolan said the fundamentals of steering and suspension will remain: “In common with many other parts, the requirement for replacement steering and suspension components occurs automatically due to wear generated by using the vehicle. However, what distinguishes this product group is that the demand is further stimulated by the generally poor state of the roads.” Steve added: “After new steering and suspension parts have been 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 more information, visit: www.dayco.com Robust Kelvin Olds, Product Director at First Line said: “As EVs continue to grow in popularity, so too must the components that support their unique demands. The shift towards EVs brings new challenges for steering and suspension systems. The added weight of batteries necessitates components that can handle increased loads without compromising performance or safety..” Addressing the cold-weather challenge in relation to steering and suspension systems, Kelvin said: “Lower temperatures result in more challenging road conditions, and therefore the importance of robust steering and suspension components becomes even more apparent. Hard frost and rough road surfaces can wreak havoc on rubber boots and bushes, leading to potential failures that compromise vehicle stability and safety.” Then there are potholes. Kelvin commented: “When a vehicle hits a pothole, the impact can cause sudden jolts and stresses on the suspension system. This can lead to damage or wear to components such as shock absorbers, struts, springs, and control arms. Over time, this damage can affect the overall stability and handling of the vehicle.” There are wider issues though: “Potholes can also knock the wheels out of alignment, causing the vehicle to pull to one side or experience uneven tyre wear. Misalignment can also put additional strain on steering components such as tie rod ends and rack ends. Kelvin added: “As a form of preventative maintenance, technicians should perform thorough visual inspections of steering and suspension components during routine maintenance services, looking for signs of damage, wear, or misalignment, and addressing any issues promptly. For more information, visit: https://webcat.firstline.co.uk/Home Above: Steering and suspension parts from First Line Below: Selection of Tesla steering and suspension parts available from Cleevely EV
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