Remanufactured vehicle components are increasingly in the spotlight as they provide an opportunity to save money, resources and the environment without compromising on component quality and performance. GKN has become an acknowledged leader in this field and today offers a vital service to both the aftermarket and vehicle manufacturers.

GKN have been remanufacturing drive shafts and making them available to the aftermarket under the SPIDAN brand name for many years. The process draws on the companies OEM know how to produce reconditioned parts of exceptional quality. This is something that is especially useful when it comes to older vehicles, where fitting brand new parts can sometimes prove uneconomical.

GKN remanufactures shafts for car manufacturers and the aftermarket at locations in France and Spain using highly advanced technological processes. Remanufacturing in these certified plants is performed using the same machines and to the same standards as in OE production. Remanufactured shafts are also subject to the same warranty conditions as new parts and the safety standards also meet OE requirements.

The whole process involves, initial identification, dismantling, and cleaning.  All collars, clamps, securing rings and balls are always replaced by new parts, ensuring their exact compliance with OE specifications. Metal parts are jet blasted and special grinding robots then recondition the ball bearing surfaces in the joint heads to the desired dimensions, always in keeping with the lowest possible tolerances. The remanufacturing process also includes the turning to size of all contact surfaces. This makes certain that all remanufactured components have the same quality as new parts. 

The assembly is performed using the same tools and methods as in OE production, right through to using the same high-quality lubricant. After completion, every product batch is extensively checked. Once they have been painted, the remanufactured cardan shafts are finally packed in individual boxes that are labelled with unique product identifiers.

As well as cost savings and the ability to remanufacture parts no longer made, GKN has also calculated some of the environmental benefits of the process. For example energy consumption is reduced by 34% in comparison with the production of a new shaft. The plants also save 3,800 tons of steel per year and reduce manufacturing emissions by 50%.

GKN believes that remanufacturing makes sense on many levels and says that customers in the aftermarket agree as demand for these components continues to grow.