Babbitt bearing repair vs. buying new

When a bearing can be repaired

What decides is the condition of the steel or cast-iron shell, not the babbitt — the babbitt is fully removed and re-poured anyway.

Repair is possible if

• the babbitt is worn, wiped, scored or has come away from the shell;
• the shell has cracks that can be repaired before re-pouring — as in the example below;
• the shell geometry and fit surfaces are within the drawing.

A new bearing is needed if

• the shell is deformed or the cracks cannot be repaired;
• there is no old bearing and the equipment is no longer made.

In the second case we manufacture a new bearing to drawing or by measuring a worn sample. The incoming inspection gives the final answer, but photos are often enough for a first assessment.

How the repair works

The repair runs in five steps, and every bearing ships with an inspection report.

1. 01
   Incoming inspection. We measure the shell, map defects and check the backing before any work starts.
2. 02
   Removal and tinning. The old layer is melted out, the base is cleaned and tinned. The bond between babbitt and steel depends on this step.
3. 03
   Casting. The new layer is cast from our own alloy — static or centrifugal, depending on size and geometry.
4. 04
   Machining. The bearing surface is bored, and oil grooves and joint faces are machined to your drawing or to the original dimensions.
5. 05
   Final inspection. Ultrasonic bond test, dye penetrant inspection, alloy analysis and a dimensional report. The report ships with the bearing.

Cost and lead time

A repair typically costs 20–30% of a new bearing: you do not pay for the shell or for making it.

Lead time depends on size and quantity. We handle bearings with bores from 100 to 3,000 mm and weights up to 5 t.

Babbitt alloys

We pour the grade your equipment manufacturer specifies. We produce the babbitt ourselves.

Tin-based alloys (B83, SnSb12Cu6Pb, SnSb8Cu4) are used for the most heavily loaded and high-speed bearings, including turbines. Lead-based alloys (B16, PbSb15Sn10) for less critical positions.

Example: a 2,000 mm, 4.5 t bearing

In 2021 we received a bearing with a 2,000 mm bore and a weight of 4.5 t that was due to be scrapped. The babbitt was worn and damaged, and the shell had cracks.

We removed the old babbitt, repaired the cracks, poured a new layer and machined it on a vertical lathe. The bearing is back in service, and the customer avoided buying a new one.

Case study with photos of every step →

What to send for a quote

You receive a quote within 48 hours. We need:

• a drawing (PDF or DWG) or clear photos of the bearing
• main dimensions: bore, length, outside diameter
• the babbitt grade, if known
• quantity and required delivery date

Frequently asked questions