Rating of steering rod manufacturers

Any vehicle needs not only a working engine, brake system and fuel supply system, but also a steering system. It consists of several components, each of which is worth knowing about for a responsible car enthusiast. We will talk about the tie rod end - that same element of the steering mechanism that, regardless of its design, is always present. Let’s figure out how the steering tip is designed, how to choose it correctly, which companies offer the best spare parts in the “Steering” category, and also what you need to consider when choosing so as not to buy a fake.

How to choose a steering rack

Varieties

. Modern cars use several types of steering racks, which differ in design.

Mechanical components are simple and reliable. They are equipped with budget cars, among which domestic brands predominate. The mechanics have the most affordable price, and the main disadvantage is the tight rotation of the steering wheel.
A hydraulic rack is installed on most passenger cars. It is equipped with a power steering pump, which pumps a special fluid into the rack. Thanks to this amplifier, you can rotate the steering wheel with one finger, provided that the engine is running. But there is no force adjustment taking into account the angle of rotation and speed of movement in this scheme.
The electric rack is equipped with an electric amplifier, sensors and a control unit. Sensors record crankshaft revolutions, driving speed and steering angle. The information is processed in the ECU, after which a command is given to the electric amplifier. The system can be configured and adjusted, but its power is not enough to turn the steering wheel of a crossover or SUV.
The electrohydraulic rack is a hybrid of power steering and power steering. This scheme is considered the most advanced; it does not have many of the disadvantages of earlier designs. It is essentially an adjustable hydraulic system. But the cost of such a rail is very high.

Features of choice.

To replace the existing steering rack, the car owner can resort to one of the proposed options.

The VIN code allows you to find out the designation of the original part that should have been equipped with the car. Knowing the marking of the unit, you can choose not only the original, but also more affordable analogues.
The code for the old rack can be easily found on the body and photographed. He will help you select an exact copy of the part installed on the machine.
If you don’t have the VIN code or rack designation with you, you can select the unit according to the technical characteristics of the car. To do this, you need to know the overall dimensions, location of the steering wheel, type of amplifier and some other parameters of the car.

New or refurbished rack

. Since the steering rack is an expensive device, in some cases you can resort to restoring it. To do this, you should contact a specialized center, where experts will determine the cause of the malfunction, the possibility of eliminating it and estimate the cost of the work. When done correctly, a reconditioned rack can last almost as long as a new one. But if only garage technicians undertake the work and do not provide any guarantee, then it is preferable to purchase a new part.

Equipment

. The steering rack can be sold with tie rods, boots, tips, or without these parts. Buying an assembled unit seems preferable, although more expensive. This is explained by the fact that after installing the “without body kit” unit, you will have to go to adjust the wheel toe angle. And this will require additional payment.

We have selected 12 of the best steering rack manufacturers for review. The competition has determined the most reliable foreign and domestic brands. When allocating seats, the opinions of experts and reviews of Russian motorists were taken into account.

Functions and device

The automotive steering tip is designed to properly transfer force from one control mechanism to another. Since the force is determined by a translational movement, and the angle between each part should not change too much, the tip is made in the form of several hinges . Usually there are 4 of them, however, in some designs there may be 6 of them. The tip includes the following elements:

The housing containing the axle;
A pin (in the driver's environment - a finger) with a thread;
Teflon gasket along which the pin will move;
Carter, which protects the part from strong impacts and provides serious protection against deformation;
An additional plastic cover, which is located to the side of the pin. It is necessary to protect the tip and body of the part;
Fixing silicone ring;
Nut that holds the finger;
A spring that secures the cover.

Please note that the entire structure is extremely durable and resistant to mechanical stress. If you remove the tip from an old car, it will not have any play - the Teflon liner on it fixes the ball pin very tightly. If the tip becomes unusable due to abrasion of the liner. The finger moves more freely, which affects the entire operation of the steering mechanism.

Rating of the best steering rack manufacturers

Nomination	place	manufacturer	rating
12 best steering rack manufacturers	1	Mando	5.0
2	TRW	4.9
3	GELZER	4.8
4	MOOG	4.7
5	HDE	4.6
6	ZF	4.5
7	SS20	4.4
8	GENERAL RICAMBI	4.3
9	HANS PRIES	4.2
10	FENOX	4.1
11	B.M.	4.0
12	AvtoVAZ	3.9

Mando

A subsidiary of the famous Korean automaker Hyundai is Mando Corporation. The workshops of this manufacturer produce a wide range of auto parts for Hyundai and Kia. Initially (since 1962) the company was called Hyundai International, and after 18 years it was renamed. The brand specializes in the production of parts for the steering mechanism, brake system and shock absorbers. Experts pay attention to one fact: products are supplied to assembly lines of car factories under the Mando brand, and to retail chains under the Mando+ brand. The manufacturer becomes the winner of our rating.

Domestic motorists unanimously declare that a steering rack under the Mando brand is worth taking. The South Korean hub has the best price-quality ratio.

Advantages

high level of automation;
strict quality control;
a wide range of steering racks;
reasonable prices.

Flaws

not detected.

The German company TRW is considered a serious player in the auto parts market. It produces a wide range of auto parts, including steering racks. The abbreviation TRW is an abbreviation of the names of the two companies Thompson and Ramo-Wooldridge, it appeared in 1958. The brand has earned praise from experts for its constant research and development work. This approach allows the manufacturer to be a pioneer in the field of automotive safety. For high-quality manufacturing and reliability of products, the brand becomes a silver medalist in our rating.

Russian motorists trust products under the TRW brand. Steering racks are distinguished by high performance characteristics and durable operation. Among the disadvantages, the risk of acquiring counterfeit goods should be noted.

Advantages

research work;
modern production;
reliability and durability;
a wide range of.

Flaws

There are counterfeits on the market.

GELZER

The young German company GELZER is actively promoting its products on the Russian market. In the brand's catalog you can find such complex components as a steering rack, power steering pump, as well as steering gear parts. The German manufacturer took an active part in the opening of the Center for the restoration of steering racks and power steering pumps in Russia. Experts appreciated the high quality of products, the use of advanced technologies in production, and the introduction of innovative developments. The brand is in third position in our ranking.

Car owners of different brands of cars have managed to install the GELZER steering rack on their vehicles. No problems were found during installation or during operation. The only downside is the high price.

Is it possible to replace the tip yourself?

The procedure for replacing individual steering elements is not complicated and takes an average of 20 minutes. The same work can be entrusted to a master, who will probably do it even faster. However, if you decide to replace the tip yourself , then follow the following algorithm:

Raise the car or leave it above the inspection hole;
Unscrew the bolts connecting the wheels to the car suspension;
Loosen the pin (pin) nut, leaving it on the thread;
Put on a puller that will make it easier to squeeze out your finger;
Get rid of the nut and take out the pin;
Remove the locknut located on the steering rod of the car;
Remove the tip;
It remains to mark the location of the existing tie rod and count the number of revolutions that the body of the old tip makes.

Now you need to install a new steering tip. After installing a new spare part, driving your car will become more reliable, easier and much safer. After replacement, it is strongly recommended to undergo a wheel alignment at the nearest station - experts unanimously agreed that this procedure is mandatory after replacement.

Restoration of steering gear elements is not recommended. The fact is that it will be difficult for a car enthusiast to monitor compliance with factory parameters and soberly assess the cost of restoration. It’s easier to buy new parts and install them yourself. It is also easy to replace the anthers yourself without the help of a specialist.

Basic faults

As a rule, the tie rod end does not fail quickly. The car enthusiast will begin to notice a change in the nature of the steering mechanisms even before the need to replace the tip becomes obvious. The first sign that it is time to change the tip is the appearance of play. Completely new and even seriously worn, but while the spare part is working there is no play - the ball pin is fixed as tightly as possible by the liner. To determine whether you need to replace your tie rod end, pay attention to the following:

The nature of the gas pedal operation has changed;
During disassembly, it became clear that there was play in the steering rod;
The steering wheel turns too easily;
When driving on bad roads, accelerating or braking, the steering mechanism knocks or creaks;
When turning the steering wheel, a dull tapping sound is heard;
During the wheel alignment procedure, failures occur.

According to experts, the service life of different tips is different. On average, a part needs to be changed every 40-50 thousand kilometers. Over time, the hinge joint wears out due to the ingress of dirt particles. If the boot was not damaged, then the tip can travel over 50 thousand kilometers.

Often the elements of the steering mechanism fail due to the car hitting an obstacle at high speeds. If the driver inadvertently drove onto a high curb or even got into an emergency situation, then in the near future it is worth checking the condition of the steering mechanism.

Longitudinal steering rod - Great Encyclopedia of Oil and Gas, article, page 3

Longitudinal steering rod

When adjusting the ball joints of the longitudinal steering rod (see Fig. 116), screw the plug all the way, then unscrew it 1/4 - 1/8 of a turn (to the first position at which cotter pins are possible) and secure with a cotter pin. After adjustment, the cutouts in the ball pin nuts should line up and be concentric with the ball pin neck.

If the clearance in the tie rod joints is increased, the ball pin tightening should be adjusted. To do this, you need to unscrew the plug I (Fig. 94), screw it in completely with a special screwdriver, available in the driver's tool kit.

On the ZIL-130 car, the steering rod joints have threaded plugs that compress the springs of the crackers. By screwing in these plugs, play is eliminated when parts wear out. To lubricate the hinges, there are oil nipples in the rod heads.

On ZIL vehicles, the steering rod joints have threaded plugs that compress the springs of the crackers. By screwing in these plugs, play is eliminated when parts wear out. To lubricate the hinges, there are oil nipples in the rod heads. During assembly, the hinges of the ZIL-4331 vehicle are supplied with a supply of Litol-24 lubricant, which does not require replenishment during operation.

When adjusting the ball joints of the longitudinal steering rod, screw the plug as far as it will go, then unscrew it 1/4 - 1/2 of a turn (from the first position at which cotter pinning is possible) and secure with a cotter pin. After adjustment, the cutouts in the ball pin nuts should line up and be concentric with the ball pin neck.

The steering mechanism adjustment is checked with the longitudinal steering rod disconnected. The oil from the system must be drained. Using a spring dynamometer attached to the steering wheel rim, measure the force in the following three positions.

The steering drive includes a steering arm, a longitudinal steering rod, swing arms, and a transverse steering rod with ends.

When the steering wheel is turned, the bipod moves the longitudinal steering rod, simultaneously causing angular movement of the steering arm, and consequently, rotation of the steered wheels.

Lever 3 of the steering linkage with the front end of the longitudinal steering rod is fixed to the front axle. The frame and front axle are connected by a front spring. When driving on an uneven road, relative vibrations of the frame and axle always occur.

The steering control drive consists of a bipod, a longitudinal steering rod and a transverse rod attached to the steering axle arms. The ball joints of the transverse link and the front end of the longitudinal link are self-adjusting. The tightening of the ball joint of the rear end of the longitudinal rod is adjusted by screwing in the rod plug.

In the same sequence, adjust the rear joint of the longitudinal steering rod and check the clearance in the rod joints again.

The second longitudinal steering rod joint is adjusted in the same order. When assembling, the steering rod joints must be generously lubricated.

The front wheel control drive includes a bipod, a longitudinal steering rod, a transverse steering rod and steering axle arms. The rods are connected using self-adjusting ball joints, which do not require special adjustment in operation.

To obtain the required clearance in the ball joints, the tie rod plugs must be screwed in all the way and then unscrewed to the first position at which it is possible to pin the plug, but not less than Vs turn.

The movement of the bipod is transmitted to the steering axles of the front wheels by a longitudinal steering rod. Since this rod is connected at one end to the unsprung front axle, and at the other end to the sprung frame, there are hinges at both ends of the rod that allow free movement of the rod in the vertical direction.

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General ricambi

Description. The Italian company GENERAL RICAMBI is focused on supplying steering racks to European markets, which means that they have the appropriate quality certificates.

Including international standards ISO 9000, ISO 9001:2000.

The difference between racks with power steering and the Italian manufacturer is considered to be the possibility of restoration and maintainability. All materials used in the production process are considered high-tech, which prolongs the service life and leads to good reliability of the elements.

Equipment. The kit includes boots, clamps and all the necessary fastening elements, as well as rods. It is important to take into account that refurbished racks from the secondary market often do not have a complete set.

Life time. The guaranteed service life is set at 2 years. In the case of restored slats, the period is reduced to 1 year. The actual operation of the device is designed for at least 3 years.

Pros of GENERAL RICAMBI

Good quality combined with a low price.
Products are certified.
Maintainability and possibility of complete restoration.
High-tech materials and modern production processes, which reduces the number of defects.

Cons of GENERAL RICAMBI

There are a lot of remanufactured racks on the parts market that are sold as new.
Counterfeits are common, so you need to check the numbers and series, as well as barcodes.
Brand products from Turkey are characterized by reduced reliability due to differences in the production process.

Conclusion

Selecting a new tie rod end is not particularly difficult. You just need to check the compatibility of the part with your car and choose a spare part from the most trusted manufacturer. Today, the best analogues are offered by Lemforder, although under the name of this company the car enthusiast will find the same original. The tips do not cost a lot of money, as well as the boots - replacing this element of the steering system is affordable for all car enthusiasts. We strongly recommend buying new tips and, if necessary, boots, before carefully inspecting both elements and deciding whether a planned replacement is required. With careful driving on good roads, the tips and boots will travel well over 50 thousand kilometers.

List of good and bad auto parts manufacturers. Dedicated to all motorists.

There are companies whose spare parts can be said with a fairly high degree of probability that they are of good quality.
These are Lmi, Boge, Behr, Ate, Lucas, Remsa, Jurid, Hella, Sachs, Bilstein (with reservations), K+F, Kilen, TRW, Pagid, Brembo, AKG, Gates, Contitech, Knecht, Mann, INA, SKF , (VDO Siemens), Pierburg, Kolbenschmidt, SM, SWF ZF, Valeo, LUK, Votex, LESJOFORS, Dayco, Beru, Eyquem. Liquids - Phoebe, Pentosin. Hepu

There are companies whose spare parts can be said with a fairly high degree of probability that they are of poor or disgusting quality. These are Febi, Meyle, HP (partly), Gabriel, Alko, Optimal, Bosal Ruville, Filtron, ATS, SFEC.

As far as we know, FEBI and RUVILLE are packers whose boxes can contain anything.

Body Tin and Plastic Good: Van Wezel, Schlieckmann. Not bad: Johns, Klokkerholm Not good: Signeda, Bodyparts, Api, TYC (All CHINA).

Hood shock absorbers Good: Stabilus (most often in the original) Not good: Dello, Meyle

Windshield Good: Asashi, Nordglass, EUROCODE, Pilkington, Securit (in the original most often), Splintex Not good: Sigma, Tyg

Main bearings, connecting rod Good: Kolbenschmidt

Connecting rods Good: Original, Autowelt

Hydraulic valve compensators Good: INA (most often in the original) Not good: Ajusa

Valves Good: Kolbenschmidt, TRW

Probe holder good: Original Not good: Topran, Hansprise, Jp group

Piston rings Good: Kolbenschmidt, Goetze, Mahle Not good: Autowelt

Engine mounts: Good: Boge, Lemforder (most often in the original), Corteco. Not good: Meyle, FEBI, Topran, Hansprise

Pistons Good: Kolbenschmidt, Mahle, Nural

Gaskets Good: Glaser, Victor Reinz Elring (If France) So-so: Glaser (Spain) Not good: Topran AJUSA and everything else

Timing belt Good: Contitech, Dayco (most often in the original), Gates Not good: Febi/Bilschtein, Ruville and everything else

Timing belt rollers Good: Lemforder, SKF, INA (in the original most often) Not good: Meyle, In the febi and ruville box there is always the same INA

Seals and Caps Good: Victor Reinz, Glaser, Elring (French), Goetze Not good: Elring (Germany)

Oil pump Good: original Not good: Dello; Meyle

Oil filter Good: Knecht (Mahle), Mann, Champion, Clean, BOSCH, Kolbenschmidt Not good: Filtron, ALCO, FRAM, Meyle, Hansprice, Sfec, Filtron and others

Cooling and ventilation system

Branch pipes, barrels. flanges, tees for sensors The best is the Original

Fan sensor Good: Hella/Behr, Lucas/TRW, Wahler Not good: Meyle

Water pump Good: KolbenShmidt, HEPU (Metal impeller) Valeo, Quinton Hazell, SKF, GRAF (Metal impeller), Not good: Dolz, FEBI, RUVILLE, Airtex, Pex

Cooling radiator Good: AVA, Behr, Valeo, HELLA Not good FEBI

Heater radiator good: Hella, behr, valeo Not very AVA

Expansion tank Good: Meyle Not good: Topran

Thermostat Good: Behr Wahler (in the original most often) Not good: Sfec febi

Engine air filter Good: Knecht (Mahle), Mann, Champion, Bosch H&K Not good: Delphi, alco, fram, meyle, SCT,

Cabin filter Good: Clean, knecht, bosch Not good: SCT, fram, alco, filtron

Power supply and exhaust systems

Fuel filter Good: Knect mahle The original does not differ much in price Not good: Filtron, Meyle, Fram, SCT

Gearbox filter Original only Not good: FEBI, HansPrice, Meyle

Muffler Good: Walker (Fonos), Ernst (in the original most often) Not good: Ferroz, Bosal, Arvintesh.

Muffler suspension cushion Good: Walker Not good: JP Group, Hanse Prize

Brand tour

As practice shows, original steering ends may be head and shoulders above their analogues, or they may not differ significantly from them. The fact is that European automakers order steering parts from manufacturers who produce products under their own name. For example, if you have a Volvo, Audi, Volkswagen or BMW, then it has Lemforder steering ends.

Lemforder (Germany) – as already mentioned, original quality at a low price;
TRW (Germany) - the company is known for selling fairly high-quality spare parts at very affordable prices. They are inferior in quality to the originals;
MOOG (USA) is a renowned manufacturer of suspension parts. Spare parts from the American manufacturer cost a lot, but they are head and shoulders above many other analogues. Beware of fakes!
Mapco (Germany) is a manufacturer that has been undeservedly ignored by almost all car enthusiasts. In terms of price-quality ratio, its spare parts are among the best on the market. The steering parts perform well on Russian and Ukrainian roads;
Nakamoto (Taiwan) - offers excellent tips for Asian-made cars. Today, the Thai company's products are exported to 50 countries, which is a good indicator;
Febi (Germany) is a manufacturer that collects not the most flattering reviews. However, in general, the average quality of spare parts and consumables is compensated by incredibly low prices. If you are looking for a budget tip and boot, then you should pay attention to the products under the name Febi;
CTR (South Korea) is another manufacturer offering inexpensive steering gear parts. At the same time, the quality of all parts is very high. The situation is overshadowed by the huge number of fakes that have flooded the secondary market for auto parts.

Good tips are also offered by Delphi (USA), Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG (Germany), GTR (Taiwan), SWAG (Germany). The latter company offers the most budget analogues, the quality of which clearly does not break records.