We have noticed over the last 2 years an increase in the amount of aftermarket final drives being imported and sold into NZ that are low quality, cheap and either not lasting or not performing as they are supposed to. These types of final drives are coming to our attention as inspections through our workshop from disgruntled and disappointed buyers who turn to us when the people selling these types of finaldrives in NZ refuse to refund or remedy an incorrectly supplied finaldrive that is not fit for purpose.

Because we've started collecting them we decided to find out why they are so cheap.

We were able to acquire a very low hour 5 ton finaldrive  from a customer whom was so fed up, he purchased the correct OEM finaldrive from us (for an extra $300 over the aftermarket price) and told us to scrap the old one. We employed the services of a reputable Metal Testing company  and instructed them to undertake; Chemical analysis, Metallurgical examination for core hardness, case depth and steel condition, Vickers Hardness, Microphotograph tests were undertaken on the gearbox samples.

A copy of the report is available for download - Case study 1.

The finaldrive in case study 1 was removed from the machine because the owner was experiencing speed issues against the original OEM finaldrive and was concerned why such a low hour gearbox was generating so much metal paste in the oil. 

As we can not be 100% sure how many hours this final drive had done prior to be dismantled, we can only estimate based on duocone wear that it was very low as detailed in the photos below.

Anyone who understands how duocone seals work will agree, Duocones of this size usually need replacing around 4~5000 hours of total machine hours from new. This duocone looked brand new, enough to say you would use it again reinforcing the lack of turning this final drive actually did before getting pulled apart. It would be accurate to say no more than 250 machine hours before finding the metal in the oil on its first oil change.

Travel Motors Direct Ltd has been selling/rebuilding  finaldrives in NZ now for 24 years. 

Questions around the quality of our product, warranties and fit for purpose suitability are encouraged. Feel free to call us  why we still have the best finaldrive warranty in NZ 

All text in case study number 1 has been directly copied and not edited in anyway including the cover email.