United States. Litens Aftermarket, an aftermarket belt drive products company, announces the addition of eight new Free Alternator Decoupler (OAD) SKUs and one Alternator Freewheel Pulley (OAP) to its product lineup.
In this way, it offers coverage for more than 1,000,000 vehicles in operation (VIO). The new SKUs include late-model coverage for popular Ford, Hyundai, Buick, Nissan and Honda models.
The decision to expand the OAD product line is a direct response to growing demand in the market, with approximately half of registered vehicles now equipped with an OAD.
As these vehicles reach the "sweet spot" of the aftermarket for replacement parts, Litens is committed to ensuring that technicians and consumers have access to the right replacement parts.
OE belt drive systems in vehicles built with an OAD are specifically designed to fit the functionality of an OAD and should never be replaced with a solid pulley or one-way clutch. Ensuring technicians and customers have access to the right replacement parts is crucial to maintaining the longevity of a vehicle's belt drive system components.
"As the inventors of the OAD, Litens has played a pivotal role in enabling contemporary alternators to meet the increased performance and efficiency requirements that underpin the modern driving experience we all enjoy today," said Scott Howat, national sales manager for Litens.
"We believe it is our responsibility to provide technicians and consumers with the essential parts needed to maintain the vehicle throughout its lifetime," he said.
Litens developed the OAD to meet the demands for improved performance and efficiency in alternators, particularly in late-model vehicles. It achieves this through two design elements that mechanically distinguish it from traditional solid pulleys: an internal torsion spring and a one-way clutch mechanism.
The OAD contributes to the optimal performance of the alternator system by providing essential features such as vibration damping, stable belt tension, and protection against reverse rotation.
Replacing an OAD with any other pulley compromises these critical functions and can lead to adverse effects, including increased friction, potential belt slippage, and elevated risk of component failure, ultimately undermining the reliability and performance of the entire belt drive system.
