Not sure whether to rebuild your gearbox or replace it? Enter a few numbers and this tool estimates your rebuild cost, replacement cost, and which way the math points — plus what your old unit is worth as a cash sale. Free, instant, no email required.
Ranges are indicative and based on typical industrial gearbox pricing. Real quotes depend on inspection. Prices move — get a confirmed number.
The industry rule of thumb: repair when a rebuild lands under about 60% of a new unit — especially if the box is large, obsolete, or long-lead. Replace when the rebuild creeps toward 70–80% of a readily-available new unit, or when the gears simply aren't available. In the gray zone between, downtime cost usually breaks the tie: if every day down costs you thousands, the faster option wins even if it's slightly more expensive.
The number most shops skip is the third bar: a surplus or remanufactured unit often beats both a rebuild and a new unit on price and lead time. And whichever way you go, your failed box still has value — we'll pay cash for it rather than letting it become scrap-corner clutter. That's the point of running the two numbers together instead of just calling a repair-only shop.
Ballpark rebuild costs by gearbox class (US, 2026). Use these to sanity-check a quote — your actual number depends on damage, brand, and gear availability.
| Gearbox class | Typical new | Typical rebuild | Rebuild as % of new |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small worm / helical reducer | $400–$2,500 | $300–$1,500 | ~55–70% |
| Mid parallel-shaft (e.g. Falk 2000) | $3,000–$12,000 | $1,800–$7,000 | ~50–65% |
| Large planetary / shaft-mount | $12,000–$60,000 | $6,000–$32,000 | ~45–60% |
| Mill / kiln / cooling-tower drive | $40,000–$250,000+ | $18,000–$120,000 | ~40–55% |
| Wind-turbine gearbox | $150,000–$450,000 | $60,000–$220,000 | ~40–50% |
Indicative only. Contact us with your nameplate for a confirmed rebuild cost, replacement cost, and cash offer.