Common Repairs That Are Performed On Automotive Transmissions
Common Repairs That Are Performed On Automotive Transmissions
Your vehicle’s engine receives a lot of attention. Everybody from muscle car enthusiasts to salespeople on the dealership lot recites horsepower numbers like baseball statistics. But, the transmission is a far more complex piece of machinery. It’s more than just a gearbox. There are an assortment of components and systems within the housing that perform their respective jobs outside the limelight.
Eventually, the parts wear down and your tranny will begin to fail. At some point, you’ll need to replace them. However, there are many problems that can be resolved by making a few adjustments or repairs without removing the assembly from your vehicle. Here are two of the most common:
#1 – Resealing Work
Over time, leaks can occur. You might have noticed a small patch of reddish oil on the ground when moving your car. That implies that a seal or gasket has developed a leak. When you take your vehicle to a mechanic, he’ll probably put it on lifts to identify the source. If it truly is a leaking seal or gasket, he can reseal them and eliminate the leak without lifting your transmission. That said, if the leak is coming from the front seal, your mechanic will be unable to reach it without lifting the entire assembly. That becomes expensive.
#2 – Replacing Components
As noted, there are several parts and systems within your transmission; some of them will eventually need to be replaced. The good news is that a technician can reach many of these components by first taking out the oil pan. There is one small caveat, though. Every tranny is a little different. The components that are accessible on one assembly may be inaccessible on another (without removing it from your vehicle). Plus, because the mechanic can only inspect a limited range of parts while the assembly is still in your car, he’ll be unwilling to offer warranty coverage.
When An Overhaul Is Necessary
Sometimes, replacing a few internal parts or resealing areas that have developed leaks won’t fix a persistent problem. If that’s the case, your mechanic will likely recommend an overhaul. He’ll remove the transmission from its cavity and dismantle the entire assembly. Then, he’ll take a look at each component to check whether it has sustained a high level of wear and tear. If it has, that component is replaced. If not, it’s cleaned. Most of the parts that deteriorate naturally (for example, the clutch, gaskets, etc.) are replaced.
Next, the mechanic will check to see whether any changes are recommended by the manufacturer. If so, he’ll make those changes. Finally, he’ll reassemble the transmission and place it back into its cavity. Because he has been able to inspect every part, he’ll usually offer a warranty on the work he has performed.
When your transmission misbehaves, don’t immediately think it needs to be replaced. Take your car to a trusted technician and let him take a look. There’s a good chance he won’t need to remove the assembly in order to fix the problem.
