Thursday, 9th
August 2018 Motoring
GKN has launched the new ballspline sideshaft, which pairs excellent off-road characteristics with safe handling on the road. GKN say that most
sport utility vehicles
(SUVs) are almost never used off-road. What SUV drivers expect is the same level of dynamic on-road handling and comfort as a saloon car. Because these weighty vehicles have an inherently
large ground
clearance and thus a high- er centre of gravity, they present major challenges when it comes to designing their running gear and are dependent upon long sus- pension travel.
SUV development engi-
neers were previously often forced to accept compro- mises in order to combine good off-road characteris- tics with car-like handling
as the sideshafts available permitted
wheel movement, now delivers
only limited often
at the cost of ride com- fort. The GKN ballspline driveshaft
outstanding plunge length of up to 70 mm. This substantial movement is facilitated by linear bearings with the
ball balls
running in multiple deeply cut profiles thus enabling axial displacement of the sideshaft.
The new ballspline has
major benefits, especially for use in SUVs: The high ground clearance often re- quires installation angles of ten degrees and more, a configuration factor that restricts the scope for long
suspension travel even fur- ther. The new ballspline sideshafts solve this prob- lem for SUV suspension engineers as they can now combine wide installation angles with long suspen- sion travel.
Ballspline sideshafts are easy to recognise from their characteristic shape as the displacement mech- anism requires
diameters along the shaft. A prerequisite for contin- ued reliable function of this complex design is an exceptionally high level of manufacturing
precision
as it is vital for safe driving that there is absolutely no play in the axial displace- ment, otherwise suspen-
sion response will not be good enough, which will, in turn, compromise road holding. For this reason,
only top-quality materi- als are considered for the manufacturing ballsplines. They facilitate quiet run-
spline
ning and high torque transfer.
GKN developed its ball- sideshafts for OE
SUV applications and is now also offering them to exactly the same qual- ity in its aftermarket pro- gramme.
different
info@eastcorkjournal.ie
23
Schaeffler confirms new Brand Ambassador
“The Garage Inspec- tor”, Andy Savva, has become Schaeffler’s first Brand Ambassador for the UK and Ireland.
Andy has been support-
ing Schaeffler’s REPX- PERT team by presenting at various trade fairs and training events over recent months, sharing his exper- tise on building up a work- shop brand and profile, while also offering tips and best practice
techniques
on how to make a business profitable. Following a pos- itive and successful start to their working relationship, Andy has now accepted an invitation to become an of- ficial ‘Brand Ambassador’.
Andy said, “To be asso-
ciated with a leading glob- al brand, like Schaeffler, a company that I trusted for its quality of components during my years owning
and running workshops, the opportunity was one that I simply couldn’t turn down. I have always en- dorsed the use of original equipment parts, so I am a perfect match for Schaef- fler. I have a passion for helping the independent sector, and this new role will only help my ambition of achieving that.”
Because of his familiari- ty with the workshop busi- ness, Andy will be mainly focused on supporting the REPXPERT team, as well as conducting various me- dia duties. REPXPERT users will also be able to redeem bonus points to enrol on one of his one- day business courses held at various UK locations throughout the year.
Schaeffler Managing
Director, Nigel Morgan, said, “Andy is a familiar
@eastcorkjournal / #eastcorkjournal eastcorkjournal Tel: 021 463 8000 • Email:
info@eastcorkjournal.ie • Web:
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face to most vehicle tech- nicians, who appreciate
the fact that he has been there, done that and got
the T-shirt to prove it. He knows how to run a suc- cessful workshop and rec- ommends fitting genuine quality
parts, like because they protect
ours, his
and the workshop’s repu- tation.” Nigel added, “Tapping into his busi- ness skills will allow us to
increase the type and lev- el of support we can offer to workshops, via REPX- PERT online or at live training events.”
The Garage
To learn more about Inspector
and the workshop busi- ness courses available visit
www.thegarageinspec-
tor.com. REPXPERT members can sign-up to attend
these courses us-
ing their bonus points, by logging in to REPXPERT and heading to the ‘events’ page.
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