Have Questions About Transmission Repair? You're Not Alone

The automatic transmission is the most complex piece of machinery in your vehicle. This precision instrument relies on numerous clutches, bands, servos, valves, and hydraulic fluid to power it. This delicate balance can be interrupted by the loss of fluid, volatility of fluid, stickiness of fluid, excessive heat, computer glitches, and normal wear and tear. Your manual transmission is typically easier to repair when there is a problem. This is because the flexplate, clutch, linkage, gear oil, and other major wear parts are easier to access and replace without specialized equipment.

Nevertheless, whenever you find yourself in need of transmission repair, you may be weighing whether to junk the vehicle if you don't know where to find affordable transmission services. Searching Google for "transmission repair shops near me" is usually the first step. But if you don't know what questions to ask, it may be difficult to choose the right shop. A brand-new transmission can cost upwards of $4,000 from the dealership plus installation. And because transmissions are one of the hardest parts to service on your vehicle, the need for any repair can make you cringe.

The stress of being without a vehicle and wondering why your transmission failed prematurely complicates things. Vehicles that need transmission repairs are often down for several days or weeks waiting for the parts to come in and for all the work to be completed. Below, we have published some of the common questions that car owners ask when they need transmission repairs.

The 5 Important Questions

1. How Do Mechanics Diagnose Transmission Problems?

A: The first step to diagnosing any transmission problem is to take the vehicle for a test drive. A test drive can reveal subtle shifting problems, stuck linkage, slipping, a sticky torque converter circuit, a worn clutch, a bad cylinder, and other performance problems. The second step is to check the transmission computer for any fault codes. Finally, the mechanic can then remove the pan to check for metal shavings and burnt fluid. Using all of these methods, they can narrow down the specific problems and perform further tests if necessary.

2. Is it Better to Install a Used Transmission or Remanufactured One?

A: This all depends on the quality of used transmissions available and how long you plan on keeping the vehicle. In many cases, a used transmission from an auto recycler can be found for much less than a remanufactured transmission with very low mileage. While it may be a gamble of whether the transmission is in good shape, a pre installation inspection of the fluid quality is a good indication. A remanufactured transmission backs the repair with a warranty and is a safer bet for keeping a vehicle for a long time.

3. Will a Leaky Transmission Need Replacement?

A: In most cases, a leaky transmission can be fixed without having to remove and replace the transmission entirely. This depends on where the leak is located. A leaky rear main seal can usually be accessed without removing the transmission. A leaky pan gasket is also very common and can be replaced without removing the transmission. If there is a leak in the torque converter seal or somewhere else, you may decide to just replace the transmission with a newer one since you are already paying for all the labor.

4. Why is Transmission Replacement Expensive?

A: It is difficult to remove a transmission. The way that they are positioned in the vehicle makes them difficult to access. Special shop tools and lots of manual labor and strength is needed to access key bolts. Also, because the transmission is so heavy, it is dangerous and awkward to handle it. The transmissions themselves are also very expensive because they must be repaired in a sterile environment using precise tools and special equipment.

5. Can I Replace or Repair a Transmission Myself?

A: Yes. But because the project is so involved, very few car owners want to do all the bear work required. You need an engine hoist, a large automotive floor jack, a transmission jack, an oil pan to drain out the fluid, pressure gauges to check it, and lots of pry bars to break it away from the engine. This doesn't include the special wrenches and techniques that you need to use and the extensive knowledge that experienced repair shops possess.

Hopefully, we have answered some of the key questions that car owners wonder about when their vehicles break down. You can always search Google for "transmission repair shops near me" if you need more answers. Most shops are happy to answer any of your questions and provide a free estimate on potential repairs before getting started on anything.