Service Maintenance and Repair_June 2021

AROUND THE WHEEL

THE IMPORTANCE OF REPLACING SHOCKS AND SPRINGS IN PAIRS

DON’T COMPROMISE ON QUALITY WHEN IT COMES TO DRIVESHAFTS, JOINT KITS AND BOOT KITS

Brake pads and discs are always replaced in pairs to make sure the brake system can work properly. The same approach must be used for suspension components as they can’t function correctly if replaced in singles. Additional your revenue can increase when replacing in pairs.

GKN Driveline is by far the world’s largest automotive driveline technology and systems engineer; designing, developing, manufacturing and integrating the most extensive range of driveline technologies. 90% of global vehicle manufacturers choose GKN, with almost 50% of new cars worldwide featuring GKN automotive systems and solutions. The brand supplies the automotive aftermarket with leading OE manufacturing and use the most modern OE joint technology in the independent replacement market. GKNs range includes driveshafts, joint and boot kits for European, Japanese and (most) Korean car models. Q-Drive is LKQ Euro Car Parts own aftermarket brand, sourced from global manufacturers known for quality component production to internationally recognised standards TS16949, ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001. A great value option in the aftermarket with Q-Drive products coming with a minimum 12-month (or 12,000 mile) warranty. What can we offer? ■ Driveshafts – large range and ready to fit ■ CV joint kits – great product range which comes with everything you need to complete the repair in one go ■ Boot kits – complete range of OE application specific parts.

The risks Replacing springs in pairs is not only best practice but also puts the customers safety first. By replacing singularly you run the risk of the following issues: ■ Less responsive steering ■ Increased braking distances ■ Reduced levels of comfort when driving ■ Increased tyre wear ■ Increased levels of cost in the long run, having to replace further down the line could then cost more with further damage and issues ■ Vehicle imbalance as one side of the vehicle is higher than the other

This will in turn give your customers confidence in knowing you are providing a quality service for them. As well as this, the customer is also seeing a cost saving by buying in pairs, a cheaper labour rate as they’ve had both replaced simultaneously and ultimately their vehicle will spend less time off the road. Increasing your revenue ■ Carry out visual inspections when singular parts are requested to identify any imperfections ■ Encourage customers to replace springs in pairs, just as they would with brake pads or discs ■ Advise customers of any spring issues, even if they may not yet be at the point where MOT failure would be likely. ■ It is recommended to replace the top strut mount when changing shocks and springs

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Always available:

CORTECO ARE HERE FOR ALL OF YOUR STRUT MOUNT NEEDS

GARAGE SERVICES – WHEEL ALIGNMENT

Why do you need wheel alignment? Most sources recommend an alignment service every 10,000 miles; one to three years; with each new set of tyres; or when replacing steering and suspension components. It only takes ten minutes to perform a wheel alignment check and It is estimated that one in five cars coming into a workshop will have an alignment issue. On average every fourteenth check will highlight vehicle issues which will require additional parts and labour work to be carried out.

Leading suppliers of components for the independent automotive aftermarket, Corteco supply over 26,000 OEM quality products. Under the Freudenberg Group, the brand benefits from extensive OE manufacturing for more than 27,000 types of vehicles. All products are manufactured using the latest production methods and designed to meet the highest quality standards.

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Choose Corteco suspension strut mounts which are available in kits including axle bearing. Comprising on quality could mean reduced driving comfort and a strain on the whole suspension system. Suspension strut mounts are designed to ensure vehicle occupants are protected from any impact caused by speed bumps and potholes. The mounts act as a damper and isolate excess noise and vibrations making them essential to vehicle stability and road safety.

WHEEL ALIGNMENT

What are the symptoms of a damaged strut mount?

■ Regular wheel alignment checks are recommended ■ If you replace steering or suspension components ■ If you replace tyres ■ One in five vehicles will require alignment.

■ Replacement indicators ■ Loose, stiff, or noisy steering ■ Vibrations

■ Poor steering return ■ Roll, sway, slide, or bounce while cornering or driving on winding roads ■ Increased stopping distance.

GARAGE SERVICES

Regularalignmentchecksareanessentialpartofavehicle’sservicemaintenance schedule.Everydaydrivingaffectswheelalignmentandover time,wheelscan becomemisaligned.Poor roadconditions,potholes,kerbingavehicleandworn suspensioncomponentswillalso impactonavehicleswheelalignment. WHEELALIGNMENT

Ifyou’recurrently turningawayorsendingwork toanothergaragebecauseyoudon’thave the rightequipment atyourgarage todo the job,youshouldconsideraddingwheelalignmentasaservice. BENEFITS ■ Additional revenuestreams foryourworkshop ■ Avoid losingacustomerorwork toanothergarage ■ Increasedcustomersatisfactionand retention ■ Minimal time required Mostsources recommendanalignmentserviceevery 10,000miles, 1 to3years,witheachnewsetof tyresorwhen replacingsteeringand suspensioncomponents. Itonly takes 10mins toperformawheelalignmentcheckand It’sestimated that 1 in5carscoming intoaworkshop willhaveanalignment issueandonaverageevery fourteenthcheckwillhighlightvehicle issues thatwill requireadditionalpartsand labour work tobecarriedout. WHYALIGNMENT ■ Regularwheelalignmentchecksare recommended ■ Ifyou replacesteeringorsuspensioncomponents ■ Ifyou replace tyres ■ One in5vehicleswill requirealignment

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