� READERLINK 021PMM MARCH 2015 51

SHOW PREVIEWEXHIBITOR FOCUS

■ COMPANY: OESAA ■ STAND NUMBER: F2

To further illustrate the differencesbetween genuine OE-standardproducts and those of a lesserquality, OESAA has used its

presence at trade shows – such asMECHANEX – to give technicians theopportunity to see things with their own eyes.

On show from Corteco were two enginemounts. They both fitted the same vehicle, butfrom the inside they looked very different.

Early vehicles were launched with enginemounts that were little more complex than ablock of rubber, with a bolt sticking out ofeither side. Technology has marched on. Theengine mounts on today's models are,therefore, far more complex.

“What you have now are very complexcomponents that ensure that the vibrations

from both the suspension and the engine areabsorbed,” says Corteco’s BusinessDevelopment Manager, Carey Owen.

Additional controlsA cross section of the OE engine mountshowed just how complex the technologyinside has become. Inside is a series ofchambers. An alcohol-based substancemoves between these chambersaccording to the speed andmovement of the suspensionand the engine under load.

If the driver happens tobe behind the wheel of asport model, the mountingmay also be equippedwith an electronic switch. Press

this and it changes the way the mountingperforms in preparation for a change inhandling conditions associated with theanticipated changes in speed and roadsurface conditions.

“While a lot of mechanics will appreciatethe need for greater vibration control on thesuspension, not all expect to find that thereare additional controls that are also applied tothe engine,” he adds.

In fact, every component that's equippedwith some form of vibration control –whether it's the suspension, the engine or thegearbox – needs to be able to betightened/stiffened if the driving conditionsare set to become much more demanding.

That’s why Corteco – the distribution armof the Freudenberg group, which is one of theworld’s largest OE manufacturers – isadvocating OE quality part replacement everytime. That’s when the issues of price andavailability are usually raised.

One workshop was surprised to learn that,rather than sourcing them from a dealer, theseparts are also available through their localmotor factor. Another pointed out that therewere certain aftermarket brands that werealways much cheaper: “You can get them forup to half the price,” he claimed.

“I'm not surprised,” said Carey,holding up the lower quality

engine mount. “If on theinside they are anythinglike this, they have half theparts missing and cannot

possibly do the job. In thiscase, you’re not paying for

OE quality, you’re paying for40-year-old quality.”

YOU CAN TALK DIRECTLY TO THE EXPERTS AND SEE MORE DEMONSTRATIONS BY

VISITING THE OESAA STAND AT MECHANEX

Two mounts, different accountsPrice, availability and OE quality were just a few of the issues debated at a recent Original

Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) demonstration, hosted by Corteco.

047_PMM_MAR15NEW_Layout 1 06/02/2015 17:32 Page 51