GKN Automotive: Four Tips for Choosing the Right Quality Aftermarket Propshaft

ROESRATH, Germany, July 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- GKN Automotive, the world's leading Original Equipment (OE) propshaft supplier, makes business decisions easier for dealer service departments and independent garages by offering only OE-quality propshafts through GKN Driveline Service, its aftermarket company.

When car or light-commercial-vehicle propshafts are damaged or fail, technicians often turn to expensive replacement parts from the vehicle manufacturer. That's because it's difficult for them to determine various propshaft replacement requirements.

To assist professionals, GKN Driveline Service offered four tips for identifying the key factors involved in the propshaft selection process:

    1. Conduct a sound assessment of the quality of the replacement propshaft.
       Rotational forces are just one part of the dynamic forces exerted on a
       propshaft. The transmission and the differential casing on the drive axle
       are in constant motion while the vehicle is traveling, which means the
       longitudinal spacing and diffraction angle are constantly changing. This
       is especially the case for unsprung differentials, which are frequently
       used on the beam axles of light vans and all-terrain vehicles. The latter
       also may be exposed to high-impact loads, such that these types of
       vehicles are more likely to suffer propshaft damage. The shaft joints and
       couplings also must be carefully configured for the vehicle's intended
       use to ensure reliable and long-term functionality.
    2. Choose the right weight propshaft. In addition to inspecting joints and
       couplings during replacement, attention also must be paid to the shaft
       itself. The weight of many propshafts do not meet technical
       specifications. Replacement shafts heavier than the original bring
       several disadvantages. Higher weight subjects the bearings fastened to
       the vehicle underbody, and which guide the propshaft, to excessive loads.
       This not only can lead to premature bearing damage, it also can change
       vibration characteristics and generate noise.
    3. Smooth running is critical. Thanks to advanced production processes, GKN
       Automotive not only exactly fulfills weight requirements, it also ensures
       exceptionally smooth running characteristics. Over the last decade,
       thanks to GKN's high-precision process, 78 percent of balancing weights
       have been eliminated. The general need for vehicle weight reduction also
       has led to propshafts becoming considerably lighter. Designing
       weight-optimized shafts to run quietly and reliably places even higher
       demands on engineering and materials. In modern vehicles, compliance with
       the aforementioned quality features is the main prerequisite for being
       able to carry out a repair in the first place.
    4. Verify crashworthiness by evaluating specifications. Crash
       characteristics are another important consideration in the propshaft
       selection process. For example, a higher weight resulting from larger
       wall thicknesses on shaft tubes can alter the stability of the propshaft
       so that higher accelerating masses are transferred undamped during a
       crash. This may compromise the shaft's compression and pre-set breaking
       characteristics. As a result, in an accident, the propshaft may be
       subjected to far higher forces, including, in a worst-case scenario,
       possible penetration into the vehicle interior, where it could
       potentially injure passengers. Existing safety measures can further be
       supported and passive safety enhanced by GKN Automotive's ballspline
       technology. A characteristic of the ballspline is a longitudinal
       ball-bearing arrangement (see cross-section in image 1), which enables
       long, fast-responding plunge travel for shortening the shaft.

About GKN Driveline Service

GKN Driveline Service is the world's leading supplier of original GKN driveline components and systems, covering demand for premium spare parts in the independent aftermarket. We offer the most comprehensive range of drive products through wholesalers and local parts dealers. Our product range includes side shafts, joint kits, boot kits and longitudinal shafts. In addition, we offer a wide range of suspension springs and steering components under the SPIDAN brand. More information can be found at: www.gkndriveline.com/aftermarket.

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SOURCE GKN