Questions & Answers

How long does it last?
We have had these joints, especially ball joints, go over 100 000kms, here in South Africa.

Is there any guarantee, after repair?
This varies from agent to agent, depending on the area in which they work, but typically from 3 months to
100 000kms.

How much does the repair cost?
There is a suggested list of repair charges (in SA Rand) in the instruction manual, as a guide. However, you need to examine the local prices of spares and repair charges, before setting your prices. We try to save the vehicle owner at least 50% of what it would have cost by replacement, at the same time intending to make 80 to 120% gross for the agent. A “win-win” situation.

How long does the repair take?
The system is designed to be used on the vehicle. However, we find that agents get many joints for repair on the bench. On the car, the job should not take more than about 12 to 15 minutes minutes per joint (maximum), and less than 10 to 12 minutes on the bench. Of course, trucks will take longer, but then you also earn much more for this work.

Can CV joints be repaired by this method?
No. These joints are complex multi-axis joints, not for this method of repair.

Is this repair safe and acceptable by traffic authorities?
Yes. We have a number of agents who are also roadworthy garages. Remember, provided that the repair is done to MARGINALLY worn joints (ie. not about to come apart), there should be no problem. After repair, the vehicle is (in this area), much more roadworthy than before.

Is there any exclusivity for the agent?
We operate our system like a franchise, but not formally. We will not sell to your next-door neighbour unless we find that the system is not being used, and our polymer raw material is not being utilized.

Have you had any failures?
As far as we know, only one. The repair was done to the lower ball joint of a 27 year old Peugeot 404, used on bad roads for most of its life. A new joint was available but at a very high price, so the owner opted for the repair.

Are there any joints that cannot be repaired?
Almost all commonly used joints can be repaired. However, I understand that there is an American joint that has rubber inside it when made. The rubber must be taken out first before repair with Re-New-It, making it difficult, but not impossible. There are also a few joints around where the bottom plate is very close to the ball. It may be necessary with these to drill and tap on one side of that bottom plate, or into the cast iron side, but only as a last resort. I do not actually know of a specific joint that cannot be repaired using this method.

What main airline pressure is required?
Since only pressure is needed, rather than volume, only 8 to 10 bar is needed (124 – 150 psi).

Is it necessary to do the wheel alignment after repair?
Not strictly necessary, but we advise to do so, since this makes the most of the repair.

Can the Re-New-It method be used to repair tractors, industrial joints, heavy trucks, etc. ?
Most certainly yes. For the agent, this is the best and most profitable area of business. It does take longer of course. One of my agents in the country tells the following ; a logging truck needing a roadworthy had its king pins repaired and got the roadworthy, 6 months later was checked, OK, then another 6 months and was still OK. Probably low distance covered, but heavy loads and on bad roads, gave good savings for the owner.

Why should one not use currently available cheap joints from the Far East?
The metallurgy and case-hardening of these joints is often very second rate. Thus they wear out quickly it is therefore a good idea to repair original equipment joints to give them the best chance of lasting. I know of a set of VW Passat ball joints that lasted all of 3 months after installation (Original equipment parts were too expensive)!

What part of the joint goes first?
The ball of the joint is supported by a spring or sprung plate or moulded plastic. This keeps the ball into its locating ‘socket’. This item loses its tension, allowing the ball to fall out of the socket momentarily, this is the knocking often heard from the front end. Injecting the polymer and supporting the ball prevents this. After repair, it is left as a greasable joint too, thus substantially lowering the rate of wear from that point on.

Can this repair be carried out more than once?
Yes, provided that the joint is still considered to be only marginally worn.

How strong is the material used for the repair?
The RNT124 polymer has a compression strength of up to 18000 psi (124 mpa), and 12000 psi torsional strength. It also has a dry lubricant inserted in manufacture. This material was originally developed for industrial bushes and bearing applications.

Can I not use my own oxy-acetylene equipment for heating?
For most of the heating requirements of this system, propane gas must be used. This gas burns a much lower temperature than oxy-acetylene, thus the rate of heating and eventual temperature is more easily controlled. The polymer must not be over-heated, and 170 degrees C is not a high temperature. Only when heating a large lump of steel or cast iron, such as in king pins, can oxy-acetylene be used.