How do I find a V-stay by OE number?

Enter the OE number from the vehicle's parts catalogue or from the old part into the site search; the matching EGEROT code and its dimensions appear on the product page. If one OE number is linked to several codes, compare tube diameter, length and connection type.

What is the difference between a V-stay and a torque rod?

A V-stay locates the axle both longitudinally and laterally and carries drive and braking reactions, while a straight torque rod mainly handles longitudinal forces. For this reason, vehicles with a V-stay usually need no separate transverse rod.

What happens if the V-stay centre joint wears?

Play in the centre joint disturbs the lateral and longitudinal position of the axle, causing knocking, unstable handling and irregular wear on the drive axle tyres. A V-stay with a worn centre joint should be replaced without delay.

What should be done after replacing a V-stay?

Tighten the joints to the torque and procedure in the manufacturer's service manual, with the rubber bushes tightened at normal ride height. Then have the axle position and alignment checked.

Which vehicles do EGEROT V-stays fit?

Most codes are for Mercedes-Benz, MAN and Volvo, and Iveco, Renault Trucks, DAF, Ford and Scania vehicles are also covered. Exact fitment is confirmed by the OE number and dimensions.

V-stay guide: selection, failure signs and replacement

A V-stay is a V-shaped (triangular) suspension link that connects the drive axle of a heavy vehicle to the chassis; it is also known as a V-rod. It locates the axle both longitudinally and laterally and carries the reaction forces created by driving and braking. Under its EGEROT brand, Özteknik manufactures a V-stay range of 73 codes for Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Volvo, Iveco, Renault Trucks, DAF and other makes.

What is a V-stay and what does it do?

V-stays are mostly found on the rear drive axle of tractor units and trucks with air suspension. The apex is attached via a centre joint to a mounting on top of the axle housing, while the ends of the two arms are fixed to the chassis with rubber-to-metal bushes. Thanks to this triangular geometry, the V-stay:

holds the axle longitudinally and transfers the reaction of drive and braking torque into the chassis,
centres the axle laterally, so in most applications no separate Panhard rod is needed,
works with the lower longitudinal links and air springs to keep the axle correctly positioned as the suspension moves,
helps keep the rear of the vehicle stable when cornering and changing lanes.

A typical V-stay consists of two tubular arms, the centre joint housing that connects them and the bushes at the arm ends. Depending on the vehicle, the centre joint is a ball joint or a rubber-to-metal joint. On vehicles with two drive axles, each drive axle may have its own V-stay.

How to select a V-stay

The most reliable starting point is the OE number. Enter the number from the old part or the vehicle's parts catalogue in the OE number search and the matching EGEROT code is listed. Sample OE numbers in the range: Mercedes-Benz A 375 350 02 05, A 944 350 03 05, A 942 350 10 05 and A 942 350 15 05.

Other details that narrow the choice:

Vehicle make, model and chassis type: tractor unit or rigid truck, axle configuration and suspension type.
Axle: on vehicles with two drive axles, which axle the part is fitted to.
Dimensions: tube diameter and length; bush and bore dimensions at the arm ends.
Connection type: the type of centre joint (tapered-pin ball joint or bolted rubber-to-metal joint) and how the arm ends attach to the chassis.

Most EGEROT V-stay codes fall within this range:

Dimension	Typical range
Tube diameter	46–60 mm
Length	621.5–677 mm

Because the range is narrow, more than one code may share the same tube diameter and length. Do not rely on these two dimensions alone: compare the OE number, connection type and product photo as well, and always confirm the dimensions and connections.

Failure symptoms

Wear on a V-stay usually starts at the centre joint and the arm-end bushes:

Knocking or clunking from the rear when pulling away, braking or driving over rough roads
The vehicle wanders or pulls to one side on a straight road; the rear axle starts to steer
Noticeable delay or instability at the rear when cornering or changing lanes
Irregular or one-sided wear on the drive axle tyres
Play at the centre joint detectable with a pry bar; torn dust boot, grease loss or ingress of water and dirt
Cracked, torn or displaced bushes at the arm ends
The axle offset sideways relative to the chassis; bent arms or cracks around the welds

Inspection and replacement

Check the V-stay at scheduled services and whenever one of the symptoms above appears:

Inspect the vehicle on level ground, chocked and secured on stands, with the air suspension at normal ride height.
Check the centre joint dust boot for tears, cracks and grease leakage.
Place a pry bar between the axle and the V-stay and watch for play at the centre joint.
Inspect the arm-end bushes, chassis and axle brackets, bolts and weld areas for cracks and looseness.

Points to observe during replacement:

If the centre joint has play or the body is damaged, replacing the complete V-stay is the safest solution.
Check the lower longitudinal links, shock absorbers, air springs and axle brackets at the same time; a worn neighbouring part also shortens the life of the new V-stay.
Follow the tightening torque and procedure in the vehicle manufacturer's service manual. Final tightening of rubber-bushed joints is normally done with the vehicle on its wheels and the suspension at normal ride height.
On tapered-pin joints, keep the taper surfaces clean and dry unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise, and renew self-locking nuts.
Have the axle position and alignment checked after fitting.

Safety: the V-stay is a suspension part that directly affects road holding and must be fitted by qualified personnel. The chassis can move when air springs are inflated or deflated; never work underneath without first securing the vehicle on stands.

Production and testing at Özteknik

EGEROT V-stays are made in-house at the plant in Kemalpaşa, İzmir, where Özteknik has been manufacturing since 1971. Tube forming, machining of the centre joint housing and fittings, welding, heat treatment, surface preparation, joint and bush assembly, painting and testing all take place under one roof; details are on the production and R&D page. Tests applied across the EGEROT product line include:

Torque rod and ball joint fatigue test
Fatigue - life cycle test
Wear - endurance test
Rotation torque test
Axial movement test
Dust boot leakage test

Production runs under a quality management system certified to IATF 16949:2016 and ISO 9001:2015; the certificates are on the quality and certificates page. EGEROT V-stays are manufactured to OE quality.

Vehicles covered

Mercedes-Benz has the most codes in the range (Actros, Atego, Axor, Econic), followed by MAN (TGM, F90 / F2000, TGA / TGS / TGX) and Volvo (FH12, FM12, FM7). Iveco, Renault Trucks, DAF, Ford and Scania are also covered, along with codes for BMC, Mitsubishi, EvoBus and Irisbus.

Sample products: ER1035 for Mercedes-Benz, ER0460 for MAN, ER0728 for DAF and ER6006 for Volvo. All steering and suspension parts of the brand are on the EGEROT page, and every V-stay is listed in the V-stay catalogue.

You can add the codes you need to the quote list or send us your OE numbers via the contact page. OE numbers and brand names are given for comparison purposes only.