Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG has added to its MEYLE-HD control arm bushings range with the addition of products for Ford and Volvo models.

Designed to outlast OE equivalents, MEYLE-HD full-rubber bushings are fully compliant with all safety and comfort requirements. The new products cover models including the Ford C-Max I, Focus C-Max, Focus II, Ford Kuga, and the Volvo C70 II and S40 II / V50. These durable full-rubber versions replace the original hydro bushing.

With the latest additions independent workshops are able to offer value-added repair services for an ever wider range of vehicle makes. Sven Nielsen, Technical Director at Wulf Gaertner Autoparts says, "Unlike their OE counterparts, the MEYLE bushings are made from steel and high-grade natural rubber, dispensing with any fluid. Because of the bushings' major influence on driving comfort, many OE parts feature a relatively flexible hydro bushing  at the expense of durability, as heavy load resulting from hitting a pothole or emergency braking, for example, can pre-damage the bushings, eventually causing them to spring a leak." Nielsen points out that the loss of fluid will affect the part's stiffness characteristics with a detrimental effect on steering precision. This can result in unresponsive steering, brake judder and reduced driving comfort.

As the new MEYLE-HD bushing does not require any fluid there is no risk of premature failure due to leaks. Nielsen says these bushings should be installed in a pre-loaded condition and all bushings per axle should be replaced at once to prevent adverse effects on driving dynamics.

With the MEYLE-HD replacements the control arm bushing can also be replaced individually making it possible to change only the bushing rather than the entire control arm assembly. The new MEYLE-HD bushing is the latest addition to Wulf Gaertner Autoparts's range of individual parts, which in the OE version are not available separately, thereby enabling independent workshops to offer their customers cost and time-effective repairs.

MEYLE-HD products are distributed in Ireland by Strongline Autoparts. For more information call (01)-462-4631.