Built on OE experience
KYB has spent more than 60 years designing and manufacturing steering components for original equipment customers, and that OE pedigree carries directly across into its aftermarket range. Steering and suspension have always been closely linked product groups, with both required to work cohesively for a vehicle to handle, steer, and ride the way its designers intended. KYB’s long-standing position in both categories means its steering components are developed alongside its suspension parts, rather than as an afterthought bolted onto a separate product line.
Tested to OE standards and beyond
Every KYB steering component is developed and tested to OE specification as a minimum, so that any part purchased matches or exceeds factory quality. Before any part reaches production, it undergoes advanced quality testing: hardness control, material load testing, ball pin strength testing, rotational torque testing, and link rod pull testing. Components are also manufactured to meet TS16949, ISO9001, and ISO14001 certification, as well as TÜV standards. On the parts themselves, that translates into features such as a phosphate protective coating to guard against corrosion, low-temperature-adapted ball joint grease, and reinforced dust boots, wear-resistant hinges, and reliable anchors to extend service life. It’s this combination of OE-level design and layered testing and certification that underpins KYB’s reliability claims in the aftermarket.
Five categories, one standard
KYB’s Australian aftermarket steering range now spans five categories: Ball Joints (KBJ1000 series), Tie Rod Ends (KTR1000), Steering Rack Ends (KRE1000), Stabilizer Links (KSLF1000 front, KSLR1000 rear), and, as of April 2024, Control Arms (KSC1000). Each part plays a distinct role in the steering and suspension system. Ball joints sit within the control arm and act as the pivot point that lets the wheels turn left and right while the control arm moves vertically. Tie rod ends connect the steering rack to the steering knuckle, translating driver input into wheel movement, while rack ends, also known as inner tie rods, connect the steering rack to the outer tie rod ends to do the same job further up the chain. Stabiliser links connect the anti-roll bar to the suspension, with the connection point varying by suspension design, and control arms, or wishbones, guide the wheel and allow the vertical movement the suspension needs to absorb the road.
Knowing when to replace
Worn steering components tend to announce themselves in similar ways: clunking, rattling, or knocking noises over bumps or while turning, play or vibration through the steering wheel, the vehicle pulling to one side, or uneven tyre wear. Any of these are worth a closer look underneath the vehicle, since a worn ball joint, tie rod end, rack end, or stabilizer link left in service can affect both handling and steering precision.
A new addition: control arms
In April 2024, KYB extended its Australian aftermarket offering with a range of Control Arms, built to restore original suspension performance and put through a three-axis wishbone endurance test as part of KYB’s durability testing. “Designed to withstand substantial stress and impact, KYB Control Arms are meticulously manufactured to ensure unparalleled quality and longevity. KYB has perfected the art of suspension technology, with each control arm undergoing rigorous durability testing to meet exacting standards. That means reliability you can trust,” says Larry Coulthard, KYB’s Group Product Manager. “Each KYB Control Arm is laser-etched branding for easy traceability, features electrophoretic deposition plating for corrosion prevention, and includes natural rubber bushings to ensure supreme control and comfort.”
Backed by a market-leading warranty
KYB’s Control Arms range is backed by a warranty of six years or 150,000 km, which applies across all KYB steering and suspension automotive products, excluding heavy commercial shock absorbers. It’s a warranty position KYB describes as market-leading, and one that gives workshops and their customers confidence in the parts going back on the car. “Just as it is with our suspension components, our process rings true with KYB Steering Components. Perfect fit first time, every time. KYB has been steering you in the right direction for over 60 years! Elevate your driving experience with KYB, where precision meets excellence,” Coulthard says.
