TRW is often perceived as a reputable brand in the automotive parts industry, known for supplying Original Equipment (OE) parts for various car manufacturers. Based on this reputation, many car owners, including myself at one point, turn to TRW for replacement parts, expecting quality and reliability. However, my personal experiences with Trw Car Parts have been far from satisfactory, leading me to question whether the brand lives up to its perceived image.
My initial encounter with TRW was with rear brake pads for my old BMW E46 320d. Seeking a trusted brand, TRW seemed like a logical choice. While the brake pads did function to slow the car down, they were noticeably squeaky, which was already a minor annoyance. This was just the beginning of a series of disappointments.
Later, after purchasing a BMW 320i with 200,000 kilometers on the clock, I decided to overhaul the front suspension. The front control arm bushings (FCABs) were worn, prompting me to replace the entire front end, including both front control arms (FCAs) and FCABs, opting for TRW components. Shortly after this replacement, I began to notice play in my steering rack. Again, trusting the TRW brand, I ordered a new (or rebuilt) TRW steering rack. This decision marked a significant downturn in my car’s handling.
Eversince installing the TRW steering rack, my BMW 320i’s handling deteriorated significantly. Initially, I suspected a wheel alignment issue and had it adjusted multiple times by different specialists, using various specifications. Each time, the result was the same: the car handled poorly. Frustrated and determined to resolve the issue, I proceeded to replace virtually every component in the suspension system. Despite these extensive replacements, the poor handling persisted. Finally, on a hunch, I replaced the TRW steering rack with a ZF unit, a known OE supplier. Immediately, a significant improvement was evident, resolving most, but not all, of the handling problems. The conclusion was undeniable: the TRW steering rack was the primary culprit, exhibiting subpar quality and performance.
Adding to the list of TRW related issues, a mere 5,000 kilometers after replacing the front end components, one of the TRW FCABs failed. The damage was apparent, showing significant wear and tear, as depicted in the image below.
I replaced the failed FCAB with another TRW part, hoping it was an isolated incident. However, within weeks, the same issue recurred. It became unclear whether the newly replaced FCAB or the original, less than three-month-old TRW FCAB, had failed again. Seeking a more permanent solution, I switched to Powerflex polyurethane bushings. However, even with Powerflex, I encountered problems. The inner part of the Powerflex bushing kept popping out, suggesting that the TRW control arms themselves might not have been manufactured to exact OEM specifications. I had successfully used Powerflex bushings on other E46s with OEM control arms without this issue, further pointing to inconsistencies with the TRW parts.
Approximately 50,000 kilometers later, a TRW control arm itself failed. The outer ball joint exhibited complete looseness, indicating significant wear and potential safety concerns. Just 15,000 kilometers after that, during a routine annual inspection, the other TRW control arm was found to be failing in the same manner, with play in the outer ball joint. Upon replacing the TRW FCAs with genuine OEM control arms, a subsequent wheel alignment revealed that the camber was significantly off. This confirmed that the TRW control arms were not dimensionally identical to their OEM counterparts, impacting vehicle alignment and potentially handling.
My negative experiences extend beyond FCABs and control arms. I also replaced a sway bar end link with a TRW part, which also failed after a mere 20,000 kilometers. Reflecting on my history with TRW, with the minor exception of the squeaky brake pads which at least functioned, I struggle to recall a single TRW product that hasn’t caused problems or failed prematurely.
Based on my repeated negative experiences with various TRW car parts, including steering racks, control arms, FCABs, and sway bar end links, I would strongly advise caution when considering this brand. While TRW may have a reputation for OE supply, my personal experience suggests a significant gap between reputation and real-world reliability. For those seeking dependable and long-lasting automotive components, especially for critical suspension and steering parts, exploring alternative brands known for consistent quality and durability might be a more prudent choice. My experience suggests that when it comes to “trw car parts”, it might be wise to steer clear to avoid potential headaches and premature failures.
