Restore Your Air Compressor with Professional Airend Rebuilding
Replacing an air compressor in it’s entirety isn’t always an option. Most companies suggest that you replace the whole unit when the airend starts to make a noise. The associated costs of replacing the whole air compressor can add up quick, not to mention the labor to remove the old unit and install the new unit. Just because you hear a “growl” or suspect that a bearing is going out in the airend, doesn’t mean that it’s time to replace the whole air compressor. Consider rebuilding the airend. At Harris, we rebuild the airend and send it back to you with an assurance that you will be up and running with minimal costs.
Airend Rebuilding Capabilities
Harris Equipment rebuilds airends for rotary screw air compressors across a wide range of equipment sizes and brands.
Our capabilities include:
- 5 Year Warranty on all Rebuilds
- Remanufactured to Exacting Specifications
- Free Oil Analysis Included
- Full-Service, In-House Machine Shop
- Oil-Free Airend Rebuilds Available
Every rebuild is handled with a documented process designed to help improve reliability, restore performance, and give you confidence in the equipment going back into service.
Complete Warranty Coverage
All rebuilt air compressors come with a 5 year airend warranty. A custom maintenance kit is required to be purchased annually which includes all filters, oil and oil analysis kits for quarterly analysis.
Signs Your Airend May Need Rebuilding
Airend issues often start small, but they can become serious if ignored. Having the airend inspected early can help prevent additional internal damage and give you more repair options.
Common signs your airend may need attention include:
- Growling, grinding, or unusual noise
- Suspected bearing failure
- Increased vibration
- Rising operating temperatures
- Reduced air output
- Oil contamination
- Metal particles found during oil analysis
- Frequent shutdowns or alarms
- Declining compressor efficiency
If you are seeing these warning signs, Harris Equipment can help evaluate the condition of your airend and determine whether a rebuild is possible.
Our Airend Rebuilding Process
Once your airend is received, it is assigned a work order number and moved into our disassembly area. A documentation folder is created to track teardown notes, measurements, specifications, and inspection findings throughout the rebuild.
After disassembly, all major components are checked for wear. Measurements are recorded, and photos are taken to identify problem areas.
The disassembled airend is thoroughly cleaned and degreased before repair work begins. This allows our team to properly inspect components and prepare worn parts for reconditioning.
Depending on the condition of the airend, Harris Equipment may repair or recondition key components using in-house machining and metalizing capabilities.
Repair work may include:
- Metalizing and machining front and rear covers
- Turning rotors on a lathe
- Metalizing and grinding bearing journals to specification
- Plating and boring the main bore area
- Building up and re-cutting seal strips
- Reconditioning worn internal components
The amount of repair work depends on the condition of the airend and the damage found during inspection.
After repair work is complete, components are rewashed and moved to assembly. New bearings, seals, gaskets, and related materials are pulled from inventory for reassembly.
These replacement components are critical to restoring performance and helping the rebuilt airend operate reliably once it is returned to service.
Before final assembly, bearing pockets, bores, alignments, and rotor condition are checked again. New bearings are measured for proper fit before installation, and the rotors are inspected for balance and alignment.
These quality checks help ensure the rebuilt airend meets required specifications.
The airend is fully reassembled and spun unloaded for a final check. Throughout the process, the unit is measured and rechecked to confirm proper fit, alignment, and operating accuracy.
Once the rebuild is complete, open ports are plugged, the inlet is sealed, and the airend is prepared for painting and shipping. Startup procedures and shipping documents are attached before the unit is returned.
Typical Airend Rebuild Timeline
Most airend rebuilds take approximately 5 to 7 working days, depending on the size of the airend and the extent of the damage.
Our shop is organized to move each airend through disassembly, cleaning, repair, assembly, quality control, finishing, and shipping in a controlled workflow. This helps reduce delays while maintaining proper inspection and rebuild standards.
Get Help Deciding Whether to Rebuild or Replace
You do not have to guess whether your compressor needs a full replacement. Harris Equipment can help you evaluate the condition of your airend, understand your repair options, and determine whether rebuilding makes sense for your operation.
If your rotary screw compressor airend is making noise, showing signs of wear, or no longer performing reliably, contact Harris Equipment to request an airend rebuild evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Airend Rebuilding
The airend is the main compression component inside a rotary screw air compressor. It contains the rotors and internal components that compress air before it moves through the rest of the system.
Yes. Many rotary screw compressor airends can be rebuilt if the damage is not too severe. Rebuilding may include replacing bearings, seals, and gaskets, repairing worn components, reconditioning rotors, and restoring internal clearances.
It depends on the condition of the compressor, the extent of airend damage, the cost of replacement, and your facility’s downtime concerns. If the rest of the compressor is still in good condition, rebuilding the airend may be a more cost-effective option.
Most airend rebuilds take approximately 5 to 7 working days, depending on the size of the airend and the amount of repair work required.
Common signs of airend failure include growling noises, vibration, overheating, reduced performance, bearing wear, oil contamination, and metal particles found during oil analysis.