Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85616
Remanufacturing Update By Denise L. Rondini, Executive Editor drondini@randallreilly.com A Look At Transmissions Remanufactured transmissions can reduce downtime while helping the environment. R emanufacturing is a vital part of the truck parts aſt ermarket. Truck Parts & Service has launched a year-long series on the subject of remanufacturing. Th is issue's installment contains excerpts from interviews with Matt Col- well, global product strategy manager for Eaton Corporation's Vehicle Group, and Larry Higashi, vice president of remanu- facturing at Th e Power Train Companies. TPS: Are there any new develop- ments in transmission remanufacturing? Higashi: As far as general building techniques or parts sourcing, I would say no. User demands have changed little. You're always going to have strug- gling fl eets that will opt to have their transmissions repaired as inexpensively as possible. But true cost conscious fl eets are looking for things like mini- mum downtime, quality remanufactur- ing and longer warranty periods. TPS: Are there diff erences in the way manual, automated and automatic transmission are remanufactured? Colwell: Th e process for trans- mission remanufacturing of manual, automated and automatic transmissions is very similar. Each process begins with receiving the core for disassembly and component salvage. Th e reusable mate- rial is assembled into a kit to preserve gear alignment and ensure optimum shiſt profi les with reduced noise, vibra- tion and harshness shiſt characteristics. Then the transmission is assembled and tested on a dynamometer. Higashi: Caring for and processing the hard parts (gears, shafts, cases, etc.) are all handled in similar ways. 18 Proper cleaning, drying and protect- ing pre-assembled parts are both critical and challenging. Th en there is the area of reusing cer- tain components. Th is highly subjective area can make or break a remanufactur- ing operation. Th e use of equipment that can identify stress fractures and defects can help eliminate premature failures. Th e introduction of electronics to the typical "box of gears" has created its own set of rules for remanufacturing. Critical decisions need to be made when evaluat- ing electrical components. A remanufac- turer has to research and understand the operation and anticipated life expectancy of electronic components. TPS: How do remanufactured transmissions fi t into a distributor's parts strategy? Colwell: Transmissions are a high- dollar replacement item that distributors avoid carrying to reduce inventory carry- ing costs and to free up working capital. However, in the past decade more fl eets and independent operators are TRUCK PARTS & SERVICE | April 2012 turning to replacing transmissions to minimize downtime. A distributor who ignores stocking fi nished transmission assemblies can miss out on a market segment that pre- fers a reduced downtime over a higher replacement cost transmission. Some customers are willing to pay more if you have the unit available. TPS: Does the aging truck popula- tion present opportunities for remanu- factured transmissions? Colwell: As trade cycles have lengthened and fl eets and owner-oper- ators squeeze every mile out of trucks, remanufactured transmissions off er a tremendous value. TPS: What are some of the big pic- ture benefits of remanufacturing? Higashi: Remanufacturing is the ultimate green. Green saves fleets money. A remanufactured part reuses the core components and saves in the manufacturing of a new one. Remanu-