B2K is committed to being part of the solution to the climate crisis. Remanufacturing of bearings is a key initiative for our customers to reduce their environmental waste and carbon footprint. 

In addition, customers will also gain significant cost savings and continuous availability of bearings with no compromise on the lifespan and performance.  

To further increase awareness, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help customers understand the process and benefits of remanufacturing.

Six frequently asked questions (FAQs) about remanufacturing bearings:

1. What is the cost saving of remanufactured bearings?  

• On average, the cost of a remanufactured bearing is +- 40% of the purchase price of a new unit. 

2. What amount of CO2 emissions are avoided by remanufacturing bearings? 

• Refurbishing 1 ton of bearings annually helps avoid nearly 4 tons of CO2 emissions. 
• As a crucial part of the circular economy, remanufacturing keeps products in circulation rather than discarding them, thereby reducing waste.

3. What is the performance of a remanufactured bearing when compared to a new unit? 

• There is no compromise on the performance of a remanufactured bearing when compared to a new bearing. 

• SKF does extensive testing and measuring to ensure that the unit falls within the ISO grade clearance and tolerance factor. Stress and fatigue tests are also conducted to ensure there is no subsurface damage or cracks. 
• The remanufacturing process includes marking the old and new loaded zones of the bearing, ensuring it is running on a new loaded zone.

4. How long does it take to remanufacture a bearing? 

• The total remanufacture turnaround time is 10 to 12 working days.  
• Once delivered to the SKF remanufacturing center, the cleaning and inspection process takes around 5 days .A report on the suitability of the bearing for remanufacturing will then be submitted. 
• From there, it takes 5 to 7 days to remanufacture. 

5. What types of bearings are eligible for remanufacturing?

• Large-size bearings that have not failed or are not worn beyond the point of remanufacturing can be refurbished through the remanufacturing process. 
• In the case that the lead-time of a new bearing is too long, a shorter lead-time is required.  Remanufacture of the existing unit will have a 10–12-day lead-time and provide a significant cost saving. 

6. What does the remanufacturing process entail?

• Pre-inspection: On receipt of the used bearing, our specialists disassemble the bearing so to conduct a pre-inspection and external check.  
• Cleaning and inspection: The bearing is then cleaned of contaminants. A detailed inspection determines the level of damage and wear. 
• Documentation: An extensive report is compiled from the inspections to determine a way forward. 
• Remanufacturing recommendation: Our experts will assess the financial viability of remanufacturing the bearing and make recommendations accordingly.
• Watch the below video to find out more about the remanufacturing process.

Contact our sales team for more information and inquiries: www.bearings2000.co.za