How to Tell If Your Excavator Part Can Be Repaired or Needs Replacing

Stop Wasting Time, Money, and Sweat on Half-Assed Repairs

Let’s get straight to the point:

Most contractors are terrible at this.They stand over a busted final drive, hydraulic pump, or swing motor and say, “I think we can fix it.”

And then three days later, the machine is still broken, your operator is pissed, the client is furious, and your wallet is getting fleeced faster than diesel prices.

Here’s the brutal truth: some parts are worth repairing. Most aren’t.

If you don’t know which is which, you’re gambling. And in SA construction, gambling kills profits.

Let’s break down exactly how to tell when a part can be repaired… and when it’s time to cut your losses and go OEM used.

SECTION 1: Stop Pretending You Can Guess

This isn’t a game of darts.

The wrong decision here costs:

• Labour: R3,000–R10,000/day

• Machine hire loss: R8,000–R25,000/day

• Project delays: R5,000–R50,000 per incident

• Client trust: priceless

If your “repair guy” is eyeballing the damage and saying, “Yeah, we can fix this,” without:

• Inspecting the internals

• Checking tolerances

• Pressure testing (hydraulics)

• Measuring bearing wear

• Assessing gear tooth integrity

…you are being set up for disaster.

SECTION 2: The Components You Can Usually Repair (If Done Properly)

Some parts can be saved — but only if done professionally.

1. Cylinders

• Leaking seals? Repairable.

• Bent rods? Usually a write-off.

• Scored bores? Only repairable if sleeving is feasible and done professionally.

2. Hydraulic Motors (Swing/Travel)

• Minor seal leaks or bush wear? Repairable.

• Internal scoring, bent shafts, or worn gears? Replace.

3. Hoses and Fittings

• Frayed or cracked? Replace.

• Loose clamps? Tighten.

• Old but intact? Test and clean.

4. Pumps

• Seal replacement and flush? Maybe.

• Cavitation, metal in the oil, or worn pistons? Replace.

5. Electrical Components

• Sensors can sometimes be repaired or replaced.

• ECUs or motor controllers? Replacement is safer — cheap repairs are almost always temporary.

SECTION 3: The Components You Should Almost Always Replace

Here’s the reality:

• Final drives: Bearings, gears, and motors are expensive to repair. The risk of repeated failure is high. Replace with OEM used.

• Swing motors: Same story. Cheap repairs fail fast.

• Travel motors: Replace if any internal wear; downtime cost is higher than the part.

• Engine components: Pistons, injectors, turbochargers — if badly worn, replacement is cheaper in the long run.

• Hydraulic pumps: If there’s metal in the oil, cavitation, or scoring — replace.

• Boom/arm cylinders: Rods bent? Replace. Sleeving costs almost as much as a used OEM.

Rule of thumb:If the component is critical to your machine’s function and failure leads to downtime of more than 1 day, replace it instead of gambling on repairs.

SECTION 4: How to Assess Damage Professionally (Without Losing Your Mind)

A proper assessment requires more than eyeballing.

• Visual inspection: Cracks, leaks, scoring, bent components

• Metal shavings: Any in oil? Replace immediately

• Pressure test: For hydraulic pumps and motors

• Torque and rotation checks: For final drives and swing motors

• Wear measurements: Bearings, bushings, shafts

• Contamination checks: Water in hydraulic oil, rust, or sludge

• Cycle test: Run the component under load if possible

If your supplier or “mechanic” can’t do all of this, they’re guessing.And in SA construction, guessing = losing money.

SECTION 5: Don’t Waste Time on Cheap Fixes

Here’s the brutal math:

• Repair cost: R10,000–R40,000

• Downtime: 1–3 days = R20,000–R150,000 lost

• Risk of repeat failure within 1 month: High

Compare that to buying a tested OEM used part:

• Part cost: R15,000–R60,000

• Downtime: Same day replacement = minimal lost income

• Risk of repeat failure: Very low

The difference isn’t just cost — it’s sanity.

SECTION 6: Why Used OEM Parts Are the Smarter Choice

If you want your excavator back online fast, without gambling:

• OEM quality: Fits perfectly, works reliably

• Tested: We pressure-test hydraulics, rotate final drives, inspect bearings

• Cost-effective: 40–70% cheaper than new

• Available immediately: No waiting weeks for stock

In South Africa, where downtime is money, used OEM parts from a trusted supplier save more than just your wallet — they save your timeline, your reputation, and your stress.

SECTION 7: The Cost of Ignoring This Advice

Here’s the ugly truth:

Contractors who gamble on repairs without proper assessment:

• Spend more money

• Suffer longer downtime

• Destroy client relationships

• Stress operators and staff

• Waste fuel and hire costs

All because they wanted to “save” a few Rands on a repair.

SECTION 8: How Vikfin Helps Contractors Make the Right Decision

This is where Vikfin comes in:

• We inspect every component

• We advise: repair or replace based on experience and OEM specs

• We sell tested OEM used parts for minimal downtime

• We deliver quickly across South Africa

• We help you avoid stupid repair mistakes that cost tens of thousands

Stop gambling. Stop guessing. Stop losing money.

Vikfin keeps your excavator alive and your projects on schedule.

SECTION 9: Quick Contractor Rules of Thumb

• Metal in oil? Replace.

• Bent or scored parts? Replace.

• Critical hydraulic component failure? Replace.

• Minor leaks/seals? Repair if professionally done.

• Downtime cost > repair cost? Replace.

Simple. Hard. Effective.

SECTION 10: Final Word

In South African construction, downtime kills faster than inflation.

Don’t waste time and money on parts that aren’t worth fixing.

• Know when to repair

• Know when to replace

• Trust OEM quality used parts

• Work with a supplier who knows what they’re doing (hint: Vikfin)

Stop guessing. Start saving.Stop losing money. Start running your projects like a professional contractor.

#ExcavatorParts #UsedOEMParts #VikfinSA #ExcavatorRepairs #ContractorLifeSA #ExcavatorMaintenance #EarthmovingSA #HeavyEquipmentSA #PlantHireSA #HydraulicPartsSA #FinalDriveReplacement #SwingMotorReplacement #ExcavatorDowntime #ConstructionSouthAfrica #OEMPartsSA #MachineMaintenanceSA #ExcavatorHydraulics #SouthAfricanContractors #ExcavatorDiagnostics #VikfinQuality