What is the difference between rebuilt and reconditioned? I thought they were the same. Thank you Joe
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
Or vice versa. Neither term has any set definition- buyer beware.Comment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
Both terms are vague. I once bought a "rebuilt" starter motor that didn't last much beyond the warranty. It was a Vega starter that I installed in my Cosworth Vega. I saved the CV starter as I knew it had some unique features (and visible part numbers) with a plan to rebuild it, which I did when the "rebuilt" starter began to misbehave.
When I disassembed the "rebuilt starter", I wondered what parts they had actually replaced. It was obvious that the brushes and shift lever were worn out when they were installed - wear parts that should have been replaced with new when it was "rebuilt".
Caveat emptor!
The CV starter had a good armature, field coils, and solenoid coil, so I reassembled using GM 1960954 starter motor and distributor grease with new bushings, shift lever, brushes, bendix drive, and contact kit for the unique part number solenoid that has a welded on external brace that bolts to the starter housing. The starter also has a "center bearing" - a plate with a bushing that limits the bending reaction of the armature shaft to the intense second order vertical shaking force, which peaks at about 15g/233 Hz at 7000 revs.
In most cases with vintage cars we are better off rebuilding the various components ourselves or sending them to a specialty shop that will rebuild your component to as new condition and return the same to you.
DukeComment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
That's the reason for the post. I was wondering who else was confused as to a definite meaning. I would call a place and they would say it was rebuilt and I would ask the difference and they were very vague about it and THEY are the ones doing the work. Buyer beware is my motto; but with electrical parts you get it and it doesn't work or look like it was worked on and there is a no return policy. Thank guys JoeComment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
Joe-----
As Mike Ward mentions, there is no precise definition of either term as it applies to automotive components. However, for the most part, the term "reconditioned" applies to cosmetic restoration of a part. It's used for things that cannot be functionally improved in any way. For example, certain chassis components, interior components, etc.
The term "rebuilt" generally applies to things that can be functionally improved and/or need repair. In this case, there are really two terms that may be used to describe. The first is "rebuilt" and the second is "re-manufactured". There may even be some sort of industry standards for these terms. Generally, a part described as "rebuilt" is disassembled, cleaned, has parts needing replacement replaced, and re-assembled. The component is then fully functional but not necessarily in as-new condition. A "re-manufactured" component generally has more parts replaced and is brought back to as-new condition. For example, a starter that re-uses only the original frame and has all other parts replaced could be described as "re-manufactured". A starter that only has brushes and bearings replaced might be described as "rebuilt". Unfortunately, the terms "rebuilt" and "re-manufactured" are often used interchangeably so it's hard to tell what one is really getting.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
About ten years ago I bought a wiper motor for my 58 up at the Expo in Knox from a vendor with a table full of wiper motors for all different years , all bagged up shiny and pretty , after installing it , it wouldn't work , opened it up to find that the inside looked like it had been sitting at the bottom of a lake for years . I guess they figured Vette owners don't drive them in the rain so they just need to look good . Bottom line buy from a reputable vendor even if you pay a little more .
StanComment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
It's just human nature not to be precise in communication. You might remember the grade school exercise of the teacher telling one student a rumor and when it is passed to the last student it is totally different. People just don't care. Hence you have to ask more questions to get the right answer. Reconditioned, rebuilt, and remanufactured don't bother me as much as misleading terms like "frame up" restoration. This means that the frame wasn't touched (sic), but people use it to imply or indicate that a full or frame off restoration was done. Having a standardized dialog would help a lot, but it will never happen.Comment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
Thank you all for your insight. These along with other terms in this hobby are sometimes perplexing to a beginner. I do appreciate the sharing of thoughts from all of the members. I can't imagine the guys who did this before forums and the internet. My hat goes off to them. JoeComment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
Joe-----
If you buy a reciprocating aircraft engine, there exist relatively precise definitions for "field rebuilt", "factory rebuilt", "factory remanufactured" and "factory new". In the automotive world definitions are not nearly as precise.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
AMEN!!!! TO THAT. You would think that the hobby would demand it based on the great judging and the people with superior knowledge. JoeComment
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Re: rebuilt or reconditioned ?
One of the caveats of using standardized terminology similar to that mentioned by Joe would be the need to track a component throughout it's service life (operating hours and cycles, as well as calender dates) to know which workscope to use on the component, not to mention the shop needing to have a precise series of well defined set of processes to follow with a quality system to monitor.
Today's $500 component restoration would become $5000.Comment
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