Method of remanufacturing a rocker arm

Abstract

A method of remanufacturing a rocker arm is provided. The rocker arm includes a body defining a center hole for receipt of a shaft, a first arm extending radially away from the center hole, and a second arm extending radially away from the center hole in a direction opposite the first arm. The second arm is configured to be operatively engaged with a valve mechanism and includes a contact surface configured to engage with a braking member. The contact surface includes a worn upper hardened surface. The method includes machining the contact surface to a depth less than a predefined tolerance limit to remove the worn upper hardened surface and create a generally planar unhardened contact surface. The method further includes hardening the unhardened contact surface using a laser to create a repaired contact surface with a surface hardness of greater than at least Rockwell C 50.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ) A method of remanufacturing a rocker arm, the rocker arm including a body defining a center hole for receipt of a shaft, a first arm extending radially away from the center hole for engaging a camshaft, and a second arm extending radially away from the center hole in a direction opposite the first arm, the second arm configured to be operatively engaged with a valve mechanism and having a contact surface configured to engage with a braking member, the contact surface having a worn upper hardened surface, the method comprising:
 machining the contact surface to a depth less than a predefined tolerance limit to remove the worn upper hardened surface and create a generally planar unhardened contact surface; and   hardening the unhardened contact surface using a laser to create a repaired contact surface with a surface hardness of greater than at least Rockwell C 50.