industry news
Remanufactured clutches:
Know what you’re buying
ZF Sachs has been remanufacturing clutches to OE manufacturing quality, worldwide since 1962. In South Africa, this job
is ably performed by ZF Sachs South Africa at its plant in Alrode, Alberton, one of only four specialised ZF Sachs clutch
remanufacturing factories in the world.
Confusion
Reconditioned clutches are sold as
used equipment and are generally
considered inferior because they
are not returned to their original
condition. Reconditioned clutches
can obviously be sold at a lower
price than a remanufactured
clutch and the warranty period
offered is usually less than that
associated with the original.
T
o this day there exists
much confusion in the
automotive trade about
the technical differences
between a remanufactured
heavy duty clutch and a
reconditioned heavy duty clutch.
By definition, remanufacturing
(often shortened in the trade to reman)
is the process of total disassembly and recovery at
the module level and, eventually, at the individual component level.
It requires the repair to OE specification or total replacement of
worn out or obsolete components and parts.
Both remanufacturing and reconditioning
represent ways manufacturers and consumers can recycle and
conserve resources. However, remanufactured products are of
higher quality and represent better value.
ZF Sachs Remanufacturing Process
As a product recovery process, remanufacturing differs from other
recovery processes - such as reconditioning - in its completeness.
In the case of ZF Sachs heavy duty clutches, the remanufactured
clutch meets the original’s OE specification and provides the same
customer expectations as a brand new ZF Sachs heavy duty clutch
would - in every respect.
ZF Sachs SA purchases used heavy duty clutches, which
are referred to as core units, before returning them to original
specification and working condition.
This is done through a stringent remanufacturing process. Firstly,
the returned clutches are sorted to determine their part numbers.
The clutches are then totally disassembled. Used parts that are
not recycled are disposed of in accordance with environmental
standards. Where possible, individual parts are then mechanically
processed until the parts are as good as new. After the individual
parts of the clutches have been processed, each part is individually
tested in accordance with ZF Sachs requirements. Remanufactured
clutches are assembled in accordance with ZF Sachs’ OEM
manufacturing procedures. Components that can no longer be used
are replaced by new components. After assembly, the p rocessed
clutches are tested in accordance with ZF Sachs functional test
specifications.
ZF Sachs heavy duty clutches are remanufactured by ZF
Sachs South Africa without identity loss. This means that the
remanufactured clutch is derived from an original ZF Sachs core,
receiving all of the enhancements, expected life and warranty
of a new ZF Sachs clutch. The physical structure of the clutch
is properly inspected for basic soundness, before the whole
product is remanufactured by ZF Sachs South Africa. Defective
components are replaced with new ones and any defects in the
supplied core are eliminated.
Unlike in the case of reconditioning, remanufactured ZF Sachs
heavy duty clutches are completely taken apart, cleaned
and rebuilt to the strict specifications set by German parent
company ZF Sachs AG as an OE heavy duty clutch supplier.
The remanufactured clutch is labelled by ZF Sachs SA as
remanufactured, but is considered new and is treated as such
- with a matching warranty to the original - yet is sold at a
significantly reduced price.
Remanufactured Heavy Duty ZF Sachs clutches are:
•
The only alternative to an original Heavy Duty ZF Sachs clutch
•
Of the highest quality, meeting those set by ZF Sachs AG as
an OE Heavy Duty clutch supplier
•
Reliable products supplied at a significant reduction of the
cost of the original
•
Returned to the exact replacement specification of the original
•
Tested to ensure correct functionality
•
Able to provide shorter down times for businesses as parts
are readily available from ZF Sachs South Africa
•
Beneficial to the environment as environmental impact is
lessened
Reconditioned
Reconditioned clutches on the other hand are merely cleaned,
inspected and only the most obvious wear items are replaced yet
they are not returned to new condition or reverted back to OE
specification.
| logistics in action
90
may 2014