GUIDELINES FOR REUSABLE PARTS AND

SALVAGE OPERATIONS OF CAMSHAFTS

Visual Inspection of Timing Gear

Introduction :
This Reuse and Salvage Guideline contains the necessary information in order to allow a dealer to establish a parts
reusability program. Reuse and salvage information enables Caterpillar dealers and customers to benefit from cost
reductions.
The illustrations in this guideline show specific examples of reusability for timing gears for engines. Normally, the
reusability of the gears is determined from the condition of the gear teeth. Damage in other areas on the gear is not
common and easily identified.
If a timing gear is within the specifications in this guideline, the gear can be expected to give normal performance until
the next overhaul when the gear is used again in the same application. Correct all conditions that caused the damage
to the gear. Be sure to check the specifications for backlash after the gears are installed in the engine. Refer to the
correct Service Manual for these specifications.

Nomenclatures :

(1) End
(2) Tip
(3) Edge
(4) Face of the tooth
(5) Pitch line
(6) Radius
(7) Profile

Effect of Wear

Use again. The gears that are shown above show

Use again. The polished areas are examples of some loss of material from the teeth in addition to
normal wear areas that are polished

Use again. The areas indicate a typical area of

normal wear. Do not use the timing gear again if Use again. The areas of wear show some light
either side of the worn area can be felt with a corrosion
fingernail
Use again. The areas indicate a typical area of
normal wear. Do not use the timing gear again if Use again. The areas of wear show some light
either side of the worn area can be felt with a corrosion
fingernail

Use again. Oil can cause discoloration on Do Not Use again. The amount of wear is
sections of some teeth different on each tooth

Do Not Use again. The surfaces and the faces of the gear teeth are not polished. This is an indication of
excessive wear

Do Not Use again. Excessive wear has

completely destroyed the profiles of the teeth

Effect of Pitting
 Use again. Pitting on the ends of the teeth Do Not Use again. Pitting at the pitch line of each
tooth

Do Not Use again. Pitting in the radius of each Do Not Use again. Heavy pitting
gear tooth

Do Not Use again. Heavy pitting

Do Not Use again. Heavy pitting and excessive wear

Use again. Light pitting that has been polished

Effect of Machining

Use again. The gear teeth contain marks from machining and some light pitting

Use again. Machining can sometimes cause lips Use again. Typical marks from machining
on both edges of the gear tooth

Use again. Typical horizontal and vertical machining marks

Nicks, Cracks, and Other Damage to the Surface

 Small nicks on one edge and the tip of a tooth A small nick on the face of the tooth
Use again. Use the timing gear again after the sharp edges of the nick are smoothed with a 6V-2010 Polishing
Stone

A nick on the end of a tooth. Use the timing gear

again after the sharp edges in the immediate area
of the face of the tooth are smoothed with a 6V-
2010 Polishing Stone . Do Not Use again. A crack in the end of a tooth

Do Not Use again. deep gouge across the center Do Not Use again. Raised ridges along the faces
of the tooth face of the teeth

Severe Plastic Yielding

Do Not Use again. This gear is a typical example Do Not Use again. This gear contains severe
of severe plastic yielding. The lips are not of even plastic yielding. The lips are not of even height
height
Notes :
Severe plastic yielding is caused by a heavy flow of surface material. Severe plastic yielding results in the
development of lips on the ends, edges, and/or tips of the gear teeth. Severe plastic yielding causes uneven lips,
whereas lips from machining are even.

Scoring
Use again. Vertical lines on the face of the tooth
are indications of scoring. Scoring is not a common
problem in timing gears