Steering & suspension 30 Even for experienced mechanics, the differences between the various shock absorber programs aren’t always immediately obvious. To overcome this, BILSTEIN has clustered its shock absorber portfolio according to drivers’ preferences: Do they want to replace worn-out or defective shock absorbers with ones that exactly match the OEM’s requirements, do they want an upgrade of the OEM-intended driving behaviour, or do they intend to lower their car? BILSTEIN supplies many (premium) vehicle manufacturers with the highest quality shock absorbers and suspension systems as original equipment and therefore knows exactly what the OEMs require. Its BILSTEIN B4 OE replacement shock absorbers are manufactured on the same production lines as OE products and meet original equipment quality standards. BILSTEIN has also developed vehicle-specific damper tuning for its yellow BILSTEIN B6 shock absorbers, resulting in higher performance than regular OE shock absorbers – even under heavy loads. Since they don’t compromise ride comfort while significantly improving driving safety, they are an upgrade for drivers who frequently push their vehicles to their limits. The BILSTEIN B8 series, the sports shock absorber, combines the performance of the B6 highperformance shock absorber with a specially shortened design for lowering and for use with sport springs. The result: optimal and consistent damping force with improved handling, even under heavy loads and stress. Other B8 applications are designed for raised and off-road vehicles, or for challenging use in poor road conditions. Discussing a driver’s preferences is an opportunity for a workshop to deepen customer relationships and generate additional business. By recommending corresponding products and offering choices, the workshop can demonstrate know-how while improving customer satisfaction. bilstein.com/en/ EV steering and suspension components likely to generate more business for the independent aftermarket Aftermarket component supplier, Comline, believes the independent aftermarket will see a rise in electric vehicles (EVs) entering the workshop for steering and suspension work, not just because the UK EV car parc continues to grow at record rates, but because EVs place more demand on components. The rise in vehicle weight, primarily due to the substantial battery packs in EVs, is a significant contributing factor. These battery packs exert a constant load on steering and suspension components, especially during cornering, braking, or driving on uneven road surfaces. Consequently, there’s increased stress on joints, leading to accelerated wear and tear if the components aren’t adequately designed to withstand the load. The way an EV is driven can also affect steering components; for instance, electric motors deliver instant torque, which can generate sudden and repeated forces during acceleration. In another example, regenerative braking, which is used more frequently in an EV than a conventional braking system, creates repeated deceleration forces. These are transferred through the chassis and steering system. Over time, these load patterns can accelerate wear on tie rod ends, ball joints, and related components, highlighting the importance of highstrength materials, tight tolerances, and robust manufacturing and testing. Comline understands that reliable, easy-to-fit parts are important to both motor factors and workshops. By technicians fitting dependable steering and suspension components, motorists can expect their vehicle to maintain correct steering geometry and enjoy smooth handling behind the wheel. Meanwhile, independent garages should be confident of fewer returns, reducing customer call backs and improving loyalty. www.comline.uk.com Turn suspension choice into sales
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