Automotive Solutions

Complying to the most stringent market demands

Automakers and their suppliers expect items like boots to be more flexible, robust and hard-wearing, while becoming more lightweight and cost efficient. Using finite element analysis and hard-wearing, yet flexible polymers, we can offer products that fulfil the most stringent requirements in a very short time.

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Transmission

Manufacturers of transmission systems are striving to offer cost efficient solutions without compromising on vehicle performance. Trelleborg’s inboard, outboard and trilobe boots deliver a better seal at a lower cost by using a unique thermoplastic elastomer that is lightweight, compact, and recyclable.

"New technologies" such as DCT and CVT are gaining preference over conventional manual and automatic transmissions, offering greater fuel efficiency, increased power requirements, increasing comfort levels, and lesser CO2 emissions.” According to a study by marketsandmarkets.com*, “(…) manufacturers of transmission systems are striving to offer cost efficient solutions without compromising on the performance of the vehicle through their product offerings. Similarly, suppliers are concentrating on globalization and developing products to comply with the emission norms in the market. For this purpose, suppliers are closely working with local partners and OEMs are partnering to develop new technologies to save development costs and still offer efficient technologies in the transmission market.”Trelleborg leads the way in developing inboard, outboard and trilobe boots that deliver a better seal at a lower cost. Using a unique thermoplastic elastomer our boots are more lightweight, compact, and recyclable. All boots handle high temperatures: 165°C pick and 130°C constant, generated by proximity to the engine and exhaust line.

Outboard boots

Trelleborg outboard boots are highly flexible, so that they can withstand the dynamic movements, acute angles of up to 50 degrees, and rotation created by tight turns and high speeds on the road.

Inboard boots

Trelleborg inboard boots are built to handle the high temperatures generated by proximity to the engine and exhaust line can be compressed and extended by up to 50% each side to adapt to variant wheel movements and steering-shaft changes caused by poor roads.

Trilobe boots

A unique all-in-one design and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material makes Trelleborg trilobe TPE boots more reliable, compact, easy to assemble, and recyclable.

Steering gear

As the market shifts to electrically assisted power steering (EPS) automakers look for protective boots that are easy to install, offer less chance of leakage and less service stops. Trelleborg Boots create a perfect seal that protects steering joint from dirt and debris, as well as extension, compression and bending stresses. Our boots also protect from water avoiding severe breakdown of the R&P system and even loss of steering, through rust of metal components or short circuit of electric ones.

There is a shift in the market from hydraulic power steering (HPS) towards electrically assisted power steering (EPS).
Computer controlled, motor driven steering, will be the future as automakers look for greater fuel-efficiency, easy instalment during assembly; less chance of leakage and less service stops and warranty claims.

Today, our boots fit any type of steering system (HPS or EPS). Trelleborg’s range of standard, anti-snaking, with aspirator and breathing boots can be customised to fit any type of steering assembly and provide the best performance in any environment.
Built to withstand the high pressures that come from sealed systems such as electric steering, our anti-snaking solutions offer complete protection for the whole steering system, even at temperatures of 150 degrees.

Trelleborg rack and pinion standard boots

Standard rack & pinion boot

Trelleborg’s standard rack and pinion boots create a perfect seal for rack and pinion steering mechanisms. Design to your exact requirements, our boots protect the steering gear from dirt and debris, extension, compression and bending pressures.

Breathing rack & pinion boot

Trelleborg’s innovative self-breathing boots let air in but keep dust and dirt out. Built using an innovative process that fuses an inside membrane to a thermoplastic boot, the boot filters out any particles of dust or water in rack and pinion steering systems.

Trelleborg rack and pinion boot with aspirator

Boots with aspirator

Trelleborg’s innovative self-breathing boots with aspirator are built using an innovative robotic process that exactly fits the filter inside the boot. The filters are made of welded pipettes during molding that allow the passage of air from the outside.

Shock absorbers

Trelleborg’s jounce bumpers are made from a single piece of copolyester-ether material that offers automakers a product that ensures a better fit, enhanced wear-resistance, and consistently high performance. They match market needs for simple, flexible, fast solutions that can be dimensioned and mass produced in a short time.

Trelleborg’s jounce bumpers deliver the most comfortable ride all year round, with unparalled strenght, flexibility and shock absorption even in extreme weather conditions.
In collaboration with one of the major material producer Celanese and together with leading carmakers and tier 1 suppliers we are testing jounce bumper made from copolyester-ether instead of polyurethane.
The current jounced bumper composed of 3 parts (PU jounced bumper, acetal ring and dust cover) is replaced by a single part made of copolyester-ether, reducing material and production costs.
Thanks to Finite Element Analysis, bench and off bench testing we can quickly analyze the stresses and strains on a single piece and bring bumpers to market faster, cheaper, and with a better environmental profile.

Jounce bumpers

Trelleborg jounce bumpers bring unparalleled shock absorption and comfort to car passengers all year round. Using a flexible design and manufacturing process that can integrate two parts into one single part, we can adapt jounced bumpers to be the perfect fit for your shock absorption needs.