To be prepared for the coming winter, it's time to take a look at the steering and check for wear - before the commercial vehicle breaks down. "Safety-relevant parts don't have to be expensive," says Auger's corporate headquarters.

As a manufacturer, Auger Autoteile GmbH from Cologne offers a wide range of steering parts, both for older and new commercial vehicles: for example, for the new 2016 S and R series models from Scania, via the Mercedes Actros II (MP4), Atego III, Arocs and Antos, the DAF LF6/XF6, the Iveco Stralis Euro 6, the TGS and TGX series from MAN, plus the T, C, K and D series from Renault and the Volvo FH4/FM4 models. Auger says it can supply all types of vans, from the Mercedes Sprinter to the Renault Mascott and Iveco Daily. Steering parts for buses are also part of the product range. Here the spare part specialists from Cologne call as examples the B-series of Volvo, the Citaro, Neoplan and the O-series.

Among other things, the portfolio includes wishbones, control arms, push rods, tie rods, tie rod ends, support joints, bushings, bearings, servo pumps, steering cylinders, cardan shafts and many other parts. Much of it is available as a complete repair kit, according to Auger, with all the individual parts needed for quick assembly. To ensure that the time advantage is not cancelled out by long distances, Auger delivers overnight from its central warehouse in Cologne.

Almost 500 wheel hub variants covering the top 7 vehicle manufacturers and the most common trailer manufacturers - this is the still growing portfolio of Auger Autotechnik GmbH in this field.

Depending on the application, Auger offers wheel hubs in various designs: only as a casting, optionally with bearings from Auger or FAG, with ABS ring and bolt, with bearing and ABS ring, complete or complete with hub cap. In addition, the parts manufacturer has expanded its entire range of spare parts for wheel hubs to nearly 400 different items, such as repair kits, bearings, sealing rings, O-rings, ABS rings, oil catch plates, shaft seals, wheel flanges and other items.

The wheel hubs are manufactured, tested and certified under strict controls and quality requirements. Auger operates its own in-house research and development department, which is always looking for better solutions. For example, the wheel hubs have various anti-corrosion treatments and a strong cast body for a long service life, and the surfaces are precisely finished to ensure minimal heat conduction. To protect the rubber seals from heat, Auger has developed a sealing ring that is positioned between the wheel bearing and the seals. The resulting gap prevents heat from developing from the wheel bearing to the seals, wear on the seals is reduced and they can remain in use for longer.

Complete air-spring bellows, individual bellows, with or without pistons, a total of more than 1300 references – that is the Auger Autotechnik GmbH product range. Rolling, double and triple bellows are also available for a wide range of applications.

Quite often, air-spring bellows are not given enough attention – and suddenly they no longer function or no longer function to their full extent. The trailer is difficult to unhitch and hitch up, and even the load can become damaged, because the air suspension no longer absorbs heavy shocks: the first case is just annoying and costs time, the second case costs money. And if the air suspension fails completely, the truck has to pay an unscheduled visit to the workshop, which means further unnecessary costs.

That is why it is advisable to take a regular look at the air suspension bellows. If the rubber is porous or, for example, trapped stones have damaged the bellows, then it is time to arrange for their replacement: this is a fairly small investment that bears no relation to the potential damage. To ensure full functionality, the mechanic should also take a look at the compressed air system.

Safety should be the be-all and end-all on our roads. Auger Autotechnik GmbH has two small products in its range that provide considerably more safety for little money: Wheel nut indicators and wheel locks.

Wheel nut indicators that show at a glance when a wheel nut has twisted are no longer a new invention. Auger also offers them in a wide variety of designs. A new development, however, are the company's so-called dust cap indicators. Their advantage: they are very easy to fit. The dust cap indicator consists of the dust cap for the wheel nut and a ring with a pointer that is attached at the top and can be rotated with fine locking points. With the pointer turned towards the wheel hub or arrow to arrow, it is thus possible to see when the wheel nut has come loose. The dust cap itself covers the wheel nut. Filled with a little grease, it prevents unnecessary corrosion.

Those who do not like bright colours on the wheels of their commercial vehicle can also get the dust cap indicators in more discreet colours. Auger lists a total of 147 references for the various wheel nut indicators. The usual spanner sizes for Germany are 32 or 33, but all spanner sizes between 17 and 43 are available.

Just like the dust cap indicators, the self-developed escapement shoes also come from Auger's own production. The brake pads are made of highly durable plastic that neither fades nor hardens when exposed to UV light. Both the normal version and the heavy-duty version are additionally equipped with a metal anti-slip device on the underside to prevent slipping. Auger supplies metal brackets for secure attachment to the vehicle.

It can hardly be prevented in daily use: the mudguard is quickly damaged, the bumper is permanently damaged, the front panel is full of dents and scratches. This can go so far that functionality and safety are no longer guaranteed. In such cases, repairs must be carried out quickly to avoid downtime.

The body parts are available from Auger either primed white or grey in the raw state. The central warehouse in Neukirchen-Vluyn supplies parts wholesalers in Germany and Austria overnight by parcel service. Auger has more than 1,200 body parts for the most common models in its range. The driver's cab alone accounts for a further 2,100 items: From the cap on the bumper to the front panel, everything is in the range. Materials, material thickness and dimensions are identical to the original manufacturer's products so that there are no nasty surprises or delays when fitting.