Discover what happens during a professional transmission rebuild and why it might be your best option for restoring your vehicle's performance.
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A transmission rebuild is perfect for vehicle owners who want to extend their transmission’s life without the high cost of replacement, especially when experiencing issues like slipping gears, strange noises, or transmission fluid leaks. Think of it as giving your transmission a complete overhaul rather than just patching up problems.
While a new transmission replacement can cost $2,900 to $7,100, a rebuild typically runs about half that price at $2,000 to $3,500. This specialized service requires meticulous attention to detail and extensive knowledge, involving dismantling, inspecting, and rebuilding your transmission with worn or damaged components replaced, everything cleaned and reassembled, then thoroughly tested.
One of the first signs your vehicle needs transmission work is unusual noises, particularly whining, buzzing, or humming sounds when in neutral, which can indicate your transmission needs a check-up or possibly a rebuild. But noise isn’t the only warning sign you should watch for.
Whether you drive automatic or manual, difficulties in shifting gears can signal serious transmission problems, including hesitancy, rough shifts, or if the vehicle unexpectedly slips into another gear. Transmission fluid leaks are another red flag – if you spot red, sweet-smelling fluid under your car, regular checks and maintenance can prevent these leaks from leading to major repair needs.
A burning smell coming from your vehicle is a major red flag that should never be ignored, as this unusual odor may indicate your transmission fluid has overheated, which can damage internal components and necessitate replacement. The transmission warning light on your dashboard is an obvious signal something might be wrong, and while it could be minor, it’s best not to gamble with your vehicle’s health.
Your transmission doesn’t fail overnight. Transmission problems don’t always start with loud sounds or sudden breakdowns – from worn clutch plates in manuals to slipping gears in automatics, transmission issues often creep up over time, making it important to know what symptoms to look for.
Many car owners jump to replacement transmissions at the first sign of trouble, but some transmission problems are easily addressed with straightforward repair, as skilled technicians can diagnose and repair issues like worn clutches, faulty solenoids, or minor fluid leaks at a fraction of replacement cost. Repairing your existing transmission not only saves money but means quicker turnaround time, getting you back behind the wheel sooner, especially if your vehicle is relatively new with low mileage and this is the first transmission issue.
However, sometimes transmission replacement is unavoidable, particularly when your transmission experiences catastrophic damage, multiple component failures, or suffers from irreversible wear and tear due to years of use, as vehicles with high mileage often require replacement since the cost of continuously repairing a worn-down transmission can quickly surpass the vehicle’s value.
In 9 out of 10 instances, it’s less expensive to repair your vehicle than replace it altogether, as significant repairs involving transmission work are often in the few thousand dollar range, still lower than most deposits on a new car, with high vehicle prices, hefty deposits, ongoing monthly payments, and higher insurance rates making repairing and maintaining your vehicle cheaper.
The decision comes down to your specific situation. A well-maintained, newer model experiencing its first transmission issue might only require simple repair, while an older vehicle with high mileage that’s had its share of transmission problems likely necessitates replacement – think of it as an investment in your vehicle’s longevity.
The transmission rebuild process is a complex and detailed specialty service that requires skilled transmission experts. At our shop, the process begins with thorough diagnostic to identify all issues, and once problem areas are pinpointed, we meticulously dismantle the transmission, inspecting each part for wear and damage.
The first step involves removing the transmission from the vehicle and completely disassembling it, letting our technicians check every part of every component to ensure they’re all in good condition, with any parts not up to standards replaced with new ones. This isn’t a quick fix – it’s a comprehensive restoration of your transmission’s functionality.
First, the transmission needs to be removed from the vehicle, which is actually a pretty complicated process, as many other vehicle components may also need to be removed before you can reach the transmission. The first step in the transmission rebuild process is removing the system from your vehicle, and while transmission removal may seem simple enough, it is actually a highly complicated process.
Next, we drain any transmission fluid and disassemble the transmission, making sure parts are labeled properly, and while some disassembled parts will be discarded, it’s important to clean the parts planned for reuse using a part washer or pressure washer. The transmission rebuild process typically includes chemically cleaning the transmission by running it through a parts washer, with any faulty transmission parts, plus all seals and gaskets, replaced with new ones.
The transmission is removed from the vehicle and disassembled, with each component meticulously inspected for wear and damage, as common parts that might need replacing include the clutch, gears, bearings, and seals, followed by thorough cleaning to remove any debris or old fluid. The transmission is completely disassembled with each component carefully inspected for damage and wear.
This inspection phase is critical because it determines exactly what needs replacement and what can be reused. The labor to rebuild a transmission should include complete teardown with all soft parts discarded. Every component gets scrutinized to ensure the rebuilt transmission will perform like new.
We reassemble the transmission piece by piece, with all damaged components replaced with new or refurbished ones, while all healthy parts are reinstalled after being cleaned up and relubricated in a very thorough and detail-oriented process to ensure each component is put back exactly where it belongs. All worn or damaged parts get replaced with new ones from the rebuild kit, which is crucial for renewing the transmission’s performance and longevity, followed by careful reassembly ensuring each component is correctly installed and aligned to prevent future mechanical issues.
The rebuild process involves getting a rebuild kit to help guide the work, following instructions carefully and working slowly to avoid mistakes, and when the rebuild is complete, it’s time to reinstall the transmission and any other parts or components that had to be removed to access it. The final step of a transmission rebuild is reassembling and reinstalling the transmission in the vehicle body, and due to the substantial number of components that make up a transmission, this process takes considerable time and requires a highly experienced professional.
Once the transmission has been completely rebuilt, it’s carefully reinstalled back into the vehicle, with our technician taking the vehicle out for final road testing to confirm the transmission is working properly, resetting any diagnostic fault codes and taking extra precautions to ensure the rebuilt transmission runs like new again. The transmission gets reinstalled into the vehicle with caution to ensure correct positioning and securing, followed by thorough testing to confirm the transmission operates correctly under various conditions and is free from leaks or other issues.
The testing phase isn’t just a quick drive around the block. We put rebuilt transmissions through comprehensive testing to ensure everything operates smoothly under real-world conditions. This final quality check gives you confidence that your investment will pay off with reliable performance.
The transmission rebuild process may sound simple when explained, but there’s a reason many auto shops won’t perform this service in-house or back it with strong warranties – it takes skilled transmission experts. Understanding this process helps you make informed decisions about your vehicle’s future and choose the right shop for the job.
The transmission rebuild is a significant undertaking that takes hours of labor to complete, but it’s a holistic approach where any problems your transmission has been experiencing are bound to be addressed through this process, and the rebuild should add a number of years to your transmission’s life. When you’re facing transmission problems in Athens, GA, we at Pro Transmissions & Automotive of Clarke County have the expertise and equipment to handle your rebuild professionally and efficiently.
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