ZF Aftermarket is urging garages to ensure they carry out and inspection of safety critical suspension and steering components during all upcoming winter checks. To meet growing demand in this sector it has also expanded its Lemförder spare parts portfolio in the area of suspension and steering for a wide range of popular vehicles, with new parts including engine mounts, tie rods and control arms.

ZF Aftermarket recommends every car is placed onto a lift and a close inspection of the chassis and steering system is performed. If a defect is found in the parts, for example in the ball joints or rubber bearings, these must be completely replaced with new ones. Damage can occur within days if the sealing protection on a component is inadequate. Salt, moisture and dirt accelerate the process once again, which is why everything in the chassis should be in perfect condition, especially before winter.

Once dirt or water has penetrated the suspension and steering parts, this is often only manifested by a rattling noise in the chassis, for example in the case of wheel-guiding ball joints. However this can quickly affect driving safety. Leaky steering boots have a similarly critical affect, leading to the gear rack corroding, irreparably damaging the hydraulic sealing components in the steering gear. This is a great potential danger, because the steering support can then fail completely while driving.

When replacing defective steering collars in good time, ZF says cable ties or universal hose clamps which do not comply with OE specifications should not be used to fix them as these do not provide sufficient or permanent sealing. They also stress the importance of OE quality such as the steering parts and steering collars from the portfolio of Lemförder.

Under its Lemförder brand, ZF Aftermarket sells a broad product portfolio that is proven in testing. For example, in a so-called salt spray test, it was proven that the ball pivot of a Lemförder ball joint shows no corrosion whatsoever even more than 30 days after direct contact with the salt solution, thanks to the special surface protection.

If it is necessary to replace a component in the chassis and steering system, ZF experts recommend the installation of parts in OEM quality. Under its Lemförder brand, ZF Aftermarket sells a broad product portfolio which is regularly tested in various practical and laboratory tests to ensure the highest quality standards are maintained for all parts. For example, in a so-called salt spray test, it was proven that the ball pivot of a Lemförder ball joint shows no corrosion whatsoever, even more than 30 days after direct contact with the salt solution, thanks to the special surface protection.

ZF Aftermarket has comprehensively expanded its Lemförder range of spare parts in the suspension and steering area, including a wide variety of rubber-to-metal parts. New additions include;

Audi A6 Avant (4G5, 4GD, C7) - Ball joint

Mercedes-Benz GLC (X253) - Engine mount

Skoda Kamiq (NW4) - Axial tie rod

Toyota Prius PHV (_W52_)  - Stabiliser link

Volkswagen Golf VII Variant (BA5, BV5) - Track control arm

Volvo XC60 II (246) - Axle mount