Opportunity Knocks Following Increase In Steering & Suspension Failures

According to recent statistics released by the RAC motoring organisation, there has been a huge increase in the number of suspension and spring related breakdowns, as identified by its 2015 call-out data. With the poor condition of the UK’s roads cited as the primary cause of these breakdowns, the consequences are revealed by a shocking 33% year-on-year increase in these types of failures.

Although these failures cause inconvenience and expense to motorists, they provide opportunities for the independent sector, particularly for those fitting First Line Steering & Suspension components, the UK’s leading replacement parts supplier for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles for this product group.

As a result of its market position, new-to-range (NTR) additions are constantly being introduced and naturally these will also reflect developments made by the vehicle manufacturers (VMs) when they change the design of a particular component. A current example is the latest Stabiliser Link Bar used on several VAG models, including the Golf and A3.

This Link Bar utilises hybrid technology and has a fairly radical appearance, as it combines a hollow twisted bar with a plastic ball joint body, which returns weight-saving benefits over the part it supersedes.

Although both versions are completely interchangeable, in order to provide the independent with the specific solution for each vehicle application, First Line offers both the original design (First Line part number FDL6732) and the new version (FDL7441). However, First Line advises that the versions are not mixed on the same vehicle and best practice recommends that they are replaced in pairs.

Other notable NTR additions include the front left and right hand Stabiliser Link (FDL7445) for the Hyundai i30, Veloster, KIA Rio III 2011 onwards, the left hand upper rear Suspension Arm (FCA7077) and right hand upper rear Suspension Arm (FCA7078) for the Land Rover Discovery III, IV 2004 onwards, the front left hand Suspension Arm (FCA7306) and front right hand Suspension Arm (FCA7307) for the Vauxhall / Opel Zafira III 2011 and the front left and right hand Anti Roll Bar Bush Kit (FSK7890K) for the Ford Focus III, C-Max 2010 onwards and the Volvo V40 2012 onwards.

With these additions, the company’s Steering & Suspension range now includes more than 8,000 individual part numbers and in keeping with its policy, all these components are manufactured to match the standard of the original equipment component, with each product being rigorously tested and audited by First Line before being introduced into the range. To underpin this level of quality, First Line Steering & Suspension components come with a 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty for total peace of mind.

For more information about the premium quality products available from the First Line Group, please call the sales team on: 01869 248484 or visit: www.firstlineltd.com