How to recognize worn parts?

What does a failing track control arm look like?

A bad track control arm often means that the ball joint and the silent block are worn out or broken. A car’s steering and suspension parts should be checked at least once a year. This way you will avoid that the car gets rejected at the car inspection and that your customer is unhappy.

How do you know whether a track control arm or a ball joint needs to be replaced? You might notice while driving that the car deviates from the straight line or that it becomes difficult to steer when turning or when coming across a hump on the road.

How to inspect the car for worn parts like the tie rod ends?

First, check the condition of the dust cover of the tie rod ends. If the rubber material of the dust cover shows wear or cracks, the part needs to be replaced. You can grasp the part and try to move it up and down. If the housing moves up while there is no movement in the pin stuck in the wheel bearing housing, this indicates play.

If there is no play on the tie rod end, you should check whether this is also the case for the axial joint. To do this, move the tie rod end in the same way as before. If there is no play on the tie rod end, there will be play on the axial joint. Finally, you can also check the steering rack gaiter. Check its condition and check if there are any cracks or grease loss. The steering rack gaiter must be in good condition to protect the axial joint.

Why choose Sidem?

Part of being an expert is knowing which steering and suspension brands to trust and choose from. Sidem is a 100% European and leading manufacturer with headquarters in Belgium and has its own production facility in Romania. Over 3 million parts are continuously available from stock in Sidem’s warehouse and our global activities mean that we are always nearby. By investing heavily in our fully automated distribution centre, products are shipped very quickly to more than 90 countries worldwide. Sidem is Europe’s longest-existing supplier of chassis parts founded more than 85 years ago, in the year 1933. Thanks to our strong teams and our year-long experience the family business can pride itself on family values and in-depth know-how when it comes to steering and suspension parts. As a result, OE brands also appreciate our approach.  That is why brands such as Porsche and Ford rely on Sidem for steering and suspension parts. We are proud to say that Sidem covers the most complete range of car brands and models in the aftermarket with no less than 9 000 unique references.