German components manufacturer Wulf Gaertner Autoparts has introduced the third generation of its MEYLE-HD bushing featuring a brand new material which it says makes the bushing last significantly longer than its OE equivalent while also enhancing tracking stability.

Rubber mounts, such as bushings, rank among the most vulnerable automotive components. They are designed to absorb the high loads occurring during acceleration and braking and to stabilise the control arm meaning they are subject to critical levels of strain. Under the loads acting on the bushing the rubber will crack and this can cause the rubber strip to break and the part to fail prematurely. As this can adversely affect the vehicle's tracking stability, the condition of the rubber bushings is checked as an integral part of every NCT and is a common source of failure.

Wulf Gaertner Autopart’s earlier bushing generations already featured four strips instead of the usual two to increase damping performance. Additionally, the company's engineers have redesigned material dimensions to reinforce the part's strip geometries and part diameters compared with the OE solution.

The latest generation MEYLE-HD bushing has been designed using advanced mathematical models and dynamic component tests. This resulted in an entirely new part being modelled using a design and materials ideally geared to the loads it has to bear. The newly developed solid HD rubber bushing features a rubber compound designed to reduce tensile loads while maximising part life and increasing road holding characteristics. The new part comes with a four-year warranty to reflect its high quality.

Wulf Gaertner Autoparts' cooperation partner and tooling specialist SAUER Spezialwerkzeuge offers a professional silent bushing removal/installation tool to ensure correct fitting of the MEYLE-HD bushing.

The new MEYLE-HD bushing fits a variety of applications including VAG models such as the VW Polo, Skoda Fabia, Seat Ibiza, Skoda Roomster, Seat Cordoba and VW Fox.

For more information contact Strongline Autoparts Limited on (01) 462 4631.