Transmission & Differential Conditions, Choices and Warranty

At Garabedian Equipment we believe in giving our customers choices.  Since different customers have different needs at different times, we offer SEVEN different ways to buy a transmission or differential.  To be honest, we have taken a lot of heat from some of our competitors who think this is CRAZY but we have always believed one basic thing……our CUSTOMERS are more important in determining what they want to buy then WE are in determining what we want to sell!   With that concept in mind, since the 1970’s we have offered different categories of transmissions and differentials along with different warranties and different prices.  Here is a summary of what we do:

  • Rebuilt units will have an 18-month warranty.  A rebuilt will be completely disassembled and have all new bearings, seals, air lines and new synchro’s (assuming it is a transmission).  It will have any other gear or part as necessary. If the gears are in good condition, then they will be used but the standards for using a “used” gear are very high.  Anything in question is replaced.
  • Recon units  will  have a 12-month warranty.  A recon will be completely disassembled and all parts will be replaced as necessary. All recons will have new seals, air lines and synchro’s.  (assuming it’s a transmission)  They may or may not have new bearings and new gears but any parts reused will be in very good condition.
  • Refurbished units will have a 6-month warranty.   A refurbished unit will be partially disassembled and thoroughly inspected. It will have a new seal and any other parts as necessary
  • Pullout/Grade A will have a 90-day warranty.  A Pullout Grade A will be inspected and will be in good condition but nothing extra will be done in the way of repairs.  A Pullout Grade A is basically a good used unit that has been thoroughly inspected by trained mechanics in our gear department.
  • Pullout/Grade B will be as is and sold outright.  Grade B units have some wear and are not suitable for use the way they are.  They will need some repairs.  The warranty on these is that they are guaranteed to be rebuildable.
  • Pullout/Grade C will be as is and sold outright. Grade C units should NEVER be sold to customers as they have significant wear.  Gears may be worn beyond use and have damage. They are primary for rebuilders who plan to rebuild them
  • Pullout/Grade D will be as is and sold outright.  Grade C units should NEVER be sold to customers as they have major wear and damage.  Gears will be worn beyond use and have damage. They are primary for rebuilders who plan to rebuild them

Like I said….at Garabedian Equipment we believe in choices.  For example if you have a truck going coast to coast then you would probably want a REBUILT or possibly a RECON.  If you only use the truck occasionally then perhaps a REFURBISHED or PULLOUT GRADE A would fit the bill.  For our “do-it-yourselfer” customers or for our wholesale customers, you can choose a Grade B, C or D and fix it

HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT AXLE HOUSING YOU HAVE?

Axle housings break all the time for one reason or another.  Either they are overloaded on a regular basis, the suspension seats wear into the housing walls or a lack of lubricant can destroy the wheel ends.  When that happens, if the break is small enough then it can be welded but as soon as the crack starts to go vertical then it’s time to replace it.

Determining which axle housing you need can be easy or difficult depending on a few things.

  • If your old housing has a metal tag riveted to either the front or back of the housings then it will have a part number on it.  That’s the easy part!  Let us know the part number and we can take it from there.
  • If the tag has fallen off then its more difficult but not impossible and more information will be needed
    • Determine which make differential you have. (Meritor, Eaton, Dana, etc.)
    • Determine which model differential you have.  If you are unsure, you can either call the manufacturer with the VIN and ask them or send us a picture of the differential and we will identity it for you.
    • Determine what suspension you have. (Freightliner Air, KW AG400, Pete Air Trac, etc.  Again, if you are unsure, you can call the manufacturer or send us a picture and we will identity it for you.
    • Once we know the make and model, we need to know the trac width and the brake spider bolt circle.  To get the trac width simply take a tape measure and measure from the inside of the driver side brake spider flange to the passenger side.  It will usually be around 54” wide but we need to be exact so this measurement is important
    • Count the number of holes that attach the brake spider to the axle housing flange.  Sometime the flange may have more holes than the brake spider and that is ok.  We just need to know how many
    • Look at the top of the axle housing and let us know if there are any “weld on” brackets that a torque arm would attach to.  There are many configurations here so its helpful if you can send us a picture of yours.

Once we have all of that we can determine which axle housing you have so that when it arrives it will bolt right in and the suspension brackets will be in the correct location.

At Garabedian Equipment, we offer axle housings two different ways:

  • Used and complete with hubs, drums, brakes & axle shafts. (less the differential)
  • Recondition and stripped bare.  All housings will be hot tanked so they can be thoroughly inspected for cracks.  Wheel ends will be checked to make sure they are not worn. Axle housings will be cleaned and painted before they ship.

That’s it!  Hope this helps and feel free to call for more information.

Larry Garabedian

HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT MAKE DIFFERENTIAL YOU HAVE?

Ever wonder how to tell which brand of differential you have?  If it’s still in the truck it easy and you can do it in less time than it takes to read this!  All you have to do is look at the end of the axle shaft and see the marking.  Its as simple as that!

This is the Rockwell/Meritor type.  You can tell by looking at the two “half moon” markings on the center of the axle head.

This is the Alliance type,  You can tell by looking at the “off center” half moon markings on the center of the axle head

This is the Eaton type.  You can tell by the round indent on the center of the axle head

This is the Dana, Spicer or International type.  You can tell by the diamond shape on the center of the axle head

This is the Detroit DART type.  You can tell by the large dimple in the center of the axle head

We TOLD you it was easy!  At GECO we know gears so feel free to call and we can help you solve all of your drivetrain problems.

Larry Garabedian