123 Products
LEMFÖRDER Car Parts
LEMFÖRDER is a ZF Aftermarket brand focused on steering and chassis components. Its official history begins in Lemförde, Germany, and the range has long included tie rods, joints, wishbones, stabilisers and rubber-to-metal parts. The selection on this page is especially strong in heavy steering-linkage components: track-rod ends, centre rods and tie rods lead the list, followed by stabiliser links and suspension arms.
A steering part must be selected as a complete engineering interface, not just by a familiar shape or vehicle name. The current AutoMotoPart selection contains 123 LEMFÖRDER items, led by 34 tie rod end entries, 33 centre rod assembly entries, 22 tie rod entries, 13 link/coupling rod, stabiliser bar entries. These LEMFÖRDER figures describe the range on this page rather than every product the brand may make elsewhere.
Record the full LEMFÖRDER reference and confirm vehicle model, axle, steering arrangement, production date and any left/right or front/rear designation. Compare rod length, pipe diameter, cone size, thread diameter, pitch and thread direction where those values are supplied. Several entries appear as left- and right-hand threaded counterparts, while adjustable centre rods can differ substantially in length and end geometry. Supplied nuts, split pins or other fastening pieces should be checked against the exact listing rather than assumed.
Steering and suspension joints are safety-critical. Diagnose free play before ordering, inspect neighbouring joints and mountings, and follow vehicle repair information for support points, tightening values and alignment. Do not heat, bend or re-thread a mismatched rod to make it fit. After replacement, confirm that boots are undamaged, fasteners are secured by the specified method and steering moves freely, then arrange the alignment checks required by the repair. Keep the removed reference and note the new part number until the post-repair inspection and geometry work are finished, so any discrepancy can be traced accurately. Use the products below as a reference-led route to the correct part, with final compatibility confirmed against current application data.
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LEMFÖRDER: understand the range before choosing
LEMFÖRDER is ZF Aftermarket's steering and chassis brand. ZF's official brand history traces it to Lemförde, Germany, in 1947 and describes current work across passenger-car, commercial-vehicle and off-road chassis technology. That background is relevant here because this particular selection is concentrated in steering linkage and wheel-control parts, not in unrelated service items.
AutoMotoPart currently lists 123 LEMFÖRDER items. The largest LEMFÖRDER groups are 34 tie rod end entries, 33 centre rod assembly entries, 22 tie rod entries, 13 link/coupling rod, stabiliser bar entries. LEMFÖRDER totals can change, so a category count is orientation rather than proof that a particular reference suits a vehicle, workplace or job. The exact LEMFÖRDER listing, its current technical information and the item in front of you must agree.
What the LEMFÖRDER page actually covers
| Product group in this range | Current entries | Selection focus |
|---|---|---|
| Tie Rod End | 34 | Check fitting position, cone dimensions, external or internal thread, pitch and left- or right-hand direction. |
| Centre Rod Assembly | 33 | Confirm overall length, tube diameter, adjustability, end arrangement and supplied securing hardware. |
| Tie Rod | 22 | Match rod length, joint ends, steering layout and adjustment method; do not identify by appearance alone. |
| Link/Coupling Rod, stabiliser bar | 13 | Verify stabiliser-bar position, link length, ball-pin orientation and axle notes. |
| Control/Trailing Arm, wheel suspension | 10 | Confirm axle side, arm geometry, bushing arrangement, ball-joint inclusion and build-date split. |
| Angled Ball Joint | 2 | Use the exact joint role, taper and mounting arrangement stated for the vehicle. |
| Ball Head, gearshift linkage | 2 | Use the exact joint role, taper and mounting arrangement stated for the vehicle. |
| Ball Joint, axle strut | 2 | Use the exact joint role, taper and mounting arrangement stated for the vehicle. |
The balance of this page points towards commercial-vehicle and substantial linkage applications as well as lighter vehicle suspension parts. Centre rods and long tie rods can carry multiple dimensional qualifiers, and the evidence includes examples with different cone sizes, pipe diameters and fastening arrangements. A LEMFÖRDER number is therefore more dependable than a broad phrase such as ‘steering rod’, provided that the number is checked in current application information.
Build a reliable shortlist
Begin with the vehicle identity, but do not stop at registration. Steering layouts can change within one model series, and an axle may use several joints that look related while serving different positions. A useful shortlist combines application data with measurements from a known-correct removed part and the vehicle manufacturer's repair drawing.
| Check | Why it matters | Useful evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle and build data | Date breaks, axle variants and steering layouts can change the linkage | VIN-derived build information, exact model designation and current application record |
| Fitting position | Left, right, front axle and centre positions are not interchangeable labels | Repair diagram and the full position statement on the LEMFÖRDER entry |
| Threads | Diameter, pitch and handedness control adjustment and retention | Male/female thread data plus left- or right-hand notation |
| Tapered pin | An incorrect cone can seat falsely or damage the mating arm | Specified cone size and an undamaged matching component |
| Rod dimensions | Length and tube diameter separate visually similar centre and tie rods | Published dimensions checked without loading or bending the old component |
| Included hardware | A crown nut, split pin or self-locking nut may be reference-specific | Package contents and the repair instruction for single-use fasteners |
Cross-references are useful search aids, not permission to ignore detail. If the LEMFÖRDER record and the measured interface disagree, pause and resolve the cause. The removed part may have been wrong, the vehicle may have a modified axle, or a supersession may require additional pieces; none of those questions should be settled by forcing a connection.
Tie-rod ends and steering movement
A tie-rod end transfers steering input through a ball-and-socket joint while allowing suspension movement. LEMFÖRDER examples on this page include materially different lengths, thread sizes, cone sizes and handed threads. The dust boot is part of the joint's protection: tearing it during installation can admit water and abrasive contamination even when the joint initially feels tight.
Assess play with the vehicle supported in the manner specified for its suspension. Movement at a wheel can originate in an inner tie rod, centre link, wheel bearing or suspension joint, so watch and feel each connection rather than ordering the nearest visible part. Heavy steering, poor self-centring or an off-centre wheel can also have alignment, tyre, hydraulic or electric-assist causes.
Centre rods, adjustment and paired threads
A centre rod assembly can connect steering arms across a wide chassis and may include an adjustable end. The current LEMFÖRDER evidence contains assemblies whose published lengths differ by hundreds of millimetres. Pipe diameter, cone size and the presence of a crown nut and split pin further separate references that a small product photograph might make look alike.
Mark the original adjustment only as a workshop aid; it is not a substitute for geometry measurement after assembly. Counted turns can preserve an approximate setting where the procedure allows, but thread engagement must remain within the specified range. Opposite-handed threads should turn through their normal range without cross-threading, galling or improvised lubrication that conflicts with the instructions.
Suspension arms, stabiliser links and bushes
LEMFÖRDER suspension arms and stabiliser links control wheel path or transfer anti-roll-bar movement. Their joints can be loaded in several directions, and bonded bushes may be designed to sit at a particular angle when the vehicle is at normal ride height. Tightening a bonded bushing while the suspension hangs can preload the rubber and shorten its useful movement.
Inspect the opposite side and connected mountings, but replace parts according to diagnosis and the vehicle procedure rather than a blanket rule. A loose stabiliser link can knock on rough roads without producing the same steering symptoms as a worn ball joint. Cracked surface rubber alone also needs interpretation: separation, excessive displacement or contact marks provide stronger evidence than age colouring by itself.
Removal, installation and alignment
Use the specified lifting points and support the vehicle securely before applying force. Protect brake hoses, wiring and steering gaiters from separators and heat. A proper joint separator should act on the intended faces; striking a threaded pin, spreading a clamp beyond its limit or heating a steering arm can create damage outside the original repair.
Clean tapered seats and threads as directed, renew single-use fasteners and use current torque plus angle data where applicable. Never substitute a general torque taken from a similar joint. After assembly, check boot seating and free steering movement before road use. Any repair that alters a track rod, tie rod or control-arm position normally requires the relevant wheel-alignment check, followed by investigation if adjustment cannot be brought within specification.
Symptoms that deserve prompt investigation
Knocking, steering wander, uneven tyre wear, a changing steering-wheel position or detectable joint play all justify inspection. These symptoms do not name one LEMFÖRDER component on their own, and a vehicle with severe play, binding or unstable steering should not continue in normal use until assessed. Tyre pressure and damage should be checked alongside the linkage because they can alter steering feel and wear patterns.
The UK MOT examines steering and suspension condition, security and excessive play, but an MOT result is not a complete diagnostic report for every developing fault. A recently passed vehicle can still acquire damage, and a part can be noisy before it reaches a statutory rejection threshold. Repair decisions should follow the observed condition and technical limits rather than waiting for a test failure.
From identification to a checked result
| Stage | Good practice for this range | Mistake to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis | Locate the exact joint producing play or binding while checking connected components | Ordering from noise location alone |
| Identification | Record the full reference, position, dimensions, threads and taper | Assuming that a similar rod for the same model will interchange |
| Preparation | Obtain support, separation and torque information before dismantling | Using heat or uncontrolled hammering on safety-critical arms |
| Assembly | Use specified new fasteners and protect boots, threads and tapered seats | Reusing a single-use nut or trapping a dust boot |
| Completion | Check movement, security and wheel geometry appropriate to the repair | Returning the vehicle to service with the steering wheel displaced |
Keep the removed reference and note the installed LEMFÖRDER number until alignment and the post-repair inspection are complete. Traceability makes it easier to resolve an unexpected geometry reading and prevents the left/right counterpart being confused during a multi-part job.
Reading real LEMFÖRDER references
The LEMFÖRDER names below are examples from the current range and show why the complete description matters. They are not universal LEMFÖRDER recommendations and should not be treated as a fitment list. Within LEMFÖRDER, a shared family word can conceal a different dimension, connector, material, pack format, operating condition or installation side.
| Example listing | What to verify beyond the name |
|---|---|
| Lemforder 1194602 Tie Rod End | Position, rod length, cone and thread data |
| Lemforder 1194702 Tie Rod End | Adjustment method, pipe diameter and included hardware |
| Lemforder 1228004 Tie Rod End | Left/right handed thread and mating arm |
| Lemforder 1482402 Centre Rod Assembly | Axle, joint orientation and paired reference |
| Lemforder 1933901 Centre Rod Assembly | Position, rod length, cone and thread data |
| Lemforder 1956701 Tie Rod End | Adjustment method, pipe diameter and included hardware |
| Lemforder 1956801 Tie Rod End | Left/right handed thread and mating arm |
| Lemforder 1960701 Centre Rod Assembly | Axle, joint orientation and paired reference |
The repeated use of ‘centre rod assembly’ in these examples demonstrates why search-result wording is too broad for final selection. Read the full LEMFÖRDER specification, then compare it with the vehicle construction and repair information.
Common errors around LEMFÖRDER products
- Choosing a LEMFÖRDER steering joint from model name and a small image without checking the axle layout.
- Missing a left-hand thread or pairing a rod end with the wrong taper.
- Using old adjustment marks as a substitute for wheel alignment.
- Damaging a dust boot with a separator or allowing it to twist during tightening.
- Applying heat to a steering component when the approved removal method does not permit it.
- Tightening a bonded suspension bush with the wheel hanging when the procedure calls for normal ride position.
- Reusing single-use nuts, split pins or other locking devices.
- Treating an MOT pass as proof that every steering joint has no developing wear.
LEMFÖRDER questions and answers
Q: What does the LEMFÖRDER range on this page mainly contain?
A: It is led by tie-rod ends, centre rod assemblies and tie rods, with stabiliser links, suspension arms and several smaller joint or bush groups.
Q: Is a LEMFÖRDER part number enough to order by?
A: Use the complete current number as a strong identifier, then confirm its vehicle, axle, position and dimensional record.
Q: Why do left- and right-hand threads matter?
A: Handed threads control how paired adjustments work and cannot be substituted merely because diameter and pitch look similar.
Q: Can I compare a new tie-rod end with the old one?
A: Yes as a secondary check, provided the removed part is known to be correct and is not bent or badly worn.
Q: Should a split pin be reused?
A: No; where the design uses a new split pin or another single-use locking device, follow the repair information and renew it.
Q: Does replacing a tie rod require alignment?
A: A change to steering-linkage length or position normally calls for the wheel-geometry checks specified by the vehicle manufacturer.
Q: Can a worn stabiliser link cause steering play?
A: It commonly causes knocks, but measured steering play should be traced through the steering joints rather than inferred from noise.
Q: Should control-arm bushes be tightened at ride height?
A: Many bonded bushes require final tightening at a defined normal position, but use the exact procedure for the vehicle.
Q: What if the taper will not seat?
A: Stop and verify the joint and mating arm; do not pull an incorrect taper into place with excess tightening force.
Q: Can a centre rod be shortened or bent to match?
A: No; alteration would undermine geometry and strength, so the correct reference and dimensions must be obtained.
Q: Are all included nuts reusable for future removal?
A: No. Treat self-locking and other specified single-use fasteners according to current repair instructions.
Q: Is a wheel-alignment reading also a joint inspection?
A: No; alignment measures geometry, while looseness, binding, boot condition and security require physical inspection.