Drive specialists GKN Automotive are stressing the importance of using high quality original parts when it comes to the replacement of sideshafts, propshafts and constant velocity joints. This they say is vital not only in terms of durability, but also It driving behaviour and safety.

GKN point out that drive and chassis technology has improved markedly over the last few years and is particularly sensitive to repairs and replacement of parts. This is an important issue for workshops because the market share of vehicles with complex four-wheel drives, multilink axles and high-torque engines is constantly rising, not least due to the boom in SUV popularity.

Frank Hürter, Commercial Director, GKN Automotive Aftermarket says, “Many of our developments have been instrumental in enabling the currently accepted active and passive safety standards to be fulfilled. If a repair is necessary, it is vital to use components that comply with OE requirements in order to preserve the vehicle’s performance.” To illustrate this Frank give a number of examples.  

High steering angles

The front-axle driveshafts of four-wheel-drive or front-wheel-drive vehicles restrict their manoeuvrability, as their joints limit the potentially possible steering angle. GKN Automotive’s SX joints increase the steering angle by up to 10% and can even transmit more torque at the same time. This is due to patented counter-running ball tracks with an S-shaped track profile technology. If these are replaced by components made by other suppliers that do not have the same features, it will no longer be possible for the vehicle to drive in tight curves and the driver will have to re-familiarise themselves with their vehicle.

Long spring travel for safe and comfortable driving

The good road holding and driving comfort of the latest SUVs is facilitated by complex axles that allow for long spring travel and that guide the wheels with consistent toe and camber alignment. The driveshaft must support length compensation to allow the wheel movements to be followed. GKN Automotive has developed a highly innovative solution to this problem: an axial ball bearing that achieves longitudinal shaft displacements of over 70 mm. This progressive design requires high-precision manufacturing technology and has given the GKN shaft its name: ballspline. The unprecedented longitudinal displacement values and the precise, lossless and smooth response result in comfortable and safe road performance. This has impressed numerous vehicle manufacturers so much that they employ GKN ballspline technology in a wide range of high-power, four-wheel-drive vehicles.

Propshafts for improved passive safety

The design of a propshaft contributes to the safety of a vehicle, even in cases where an accident is unavoidable. If the body is badly deformed, there is a latent risk of components entering the vehicle interior. For this reason, manufacturers demand high levels of propshaft crash safety from their suppliers, particularly for vehicles with long wheelbases. GKN Automotive has defined various predetermined breaking points on the propshaft that reliably prevent the component from penetrating the vehicle interior. At the same time, the entire component is engineered to prevent any impairment of force transmission or smooth running characteristics.

The GKN ballspline technology described above is also suitable for use on propshafts and uses compression to provide a greater safety margin. These OE-compliant spare parts provide additional safety in crash scenarios.

GKN says, when repairing vehicles, the only way to fully retain safety, comfort and driving characteristics is through the consistent use of the same technologies employed in series production.