The need to lower vehicle weight in the quest for reduced emissions has meant numerous automotive components have been downsized. When it comes to this challenge in joint technology GKN Automotive pioneered an inventive and highly effective solution that has been adopted by an increasing number of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers.

GKN’s patented Face Spline technology delivers hub connections with lower weight but higher performance. It connects the wheel hub and the fixed driveshaft joint via a spline on the joint’s face. This highly efficient design is considerably less complex compared with existing shaft connections and offers considerable weight savings. Joints toothed on the front are lighter and more powerful than the usual joints with longitudinal splines and their reduced unsprung mass delivers noticeable improvements in ride and handling. The front toothing provides a wider transmission surface meaning up to 50% more torque. It also offers additional benefit from reduced internal friction in the joint and front fixation facilitates easier maintenance.

The clear benefits of the technology means it has become original equipment in many high-performance rear-wheel drive trains and 4x4 vehicles. For example it is the preferred original equipment choice of BMW for its X-Drive system. The hub connection is also ideally suited to the high-torque turbo and electric drives of the future.

This favoured OE technology is also available to the aftermarket through GKN Automotive. Using like-for-like technology means that replacement can be made without any design or quality compromises, allowing the workshop to maintain the very latest vehicles, while benefitting from easier and more reliable installation.