Tenneco Automotive Announce New Monroe Kinetic Suspension System
Hella Expands Range of Air Conditioning Parts in New Catalogue
New Gaskets Catalogue from First Line

Tenneco Automotive Announce New Monroe Kinetic Suspension System

Tenneco is now offering OE vehicle manufacturers an alternative to electronic suspension in an attempt to bridge the gap between off-road ability, on-road performance and comfort. The Monroe Kinetic system features proprietary and patented mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic interconnections between vehicle springs, combined with actuators integrated into the stabiliser bars. Two hydraulic lines connect front and rear actuators at points both above and below pistons. Fluid for the hydraulic system is transferred to and from a total of two, inter-linked, double acting hydraulic cylinders at the front and rear of the vehicle via wheel motion.

When the vehicle corners, the Monroe Kinetic system is designed to passively sense the roll motion using hydraulic pressure, while the stabiliser bars minimise the roll angle of the vehicle. If the vehicle also encounters a bump during cornering the Monroe Kinetic system should simultaneously allow enough fluid flow to compensate for the bump without reducing the roll forces. Tenneco claim that the system allows the vehicle to maintain almost the same load pressure at full wheel movement - up or down - as it does on flat ground.

Fluid flows between the hydraulic connections allow wheel movement to be spread evenly between all wheels, while also freeing -up a single wheel to move more independently than with conventional suspension systems. The patented Monroe Kinetic components operate automatically, without the need for input from sensors, electronics or the driver and can be supplied as original equipment or added to an existing conventional suspension system.

Hella Expands Range of Air Conditioning Parts in New Catalogue

Hella has announced it is to introduce a new catalogue with 500 additions to its range of air conditioning and ventilation products. Hella will be offering factors, bodyshops and workshops the main spare and replacement parts needed for all aspects of servicing air conditioning systems. These include condensers and fans, compressors, dryers, vaporisers and blowers, expansion valves, hoses, connectors (fittings), O-rings (for sealing), switches, filters, oil, tools and small parts.

This new product range is supplemented by Hella's range of services, which includes the supply of detailed data on products and applications, commercial and technical documentation, sales and marketing support, a technical hot-line and professional training for sales and workshop staff. Part of Hella's decision to expand its air conditioning parts range is the company's belief that the potential for repair and service work on vehicle air conditioning systems to increase by 500% by 2003.

New Gaskets Catalogue from First Line

The new First Line Gasket programme includes over 1000 new references, bringing the total number of part numbers to over 5000. The new range covers an array of parts including Seals, Head Gaskets, Head Sets and Manifolds and contains multi-lingual pages, offering translations into 5 languages - French, German, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.

Diesel references are shaded in grey to facilitate part number selection and Head Gasket illustrations are located at the bottom of the page for easy reference. There is also a 'catalogue guide' page designed for first-time users. The catalogue also offers technical advice with an illustrated 'fault finder' guide and a Cross-Reference and Buyers Guide.