If you have a particularly large problem with your transmission your technician may recommend a transmission rebuild. Rebuilds are sometimes required when there has been a catastrophic failure of your transmission, when there is extensive damage across multiple parts of your transmission, or when there is a problem that cannot be located. There is never a convenient time for a rebuild. They are on the costlier end of all transmission services but if you arm yourself with the right knowledge, you can minimize the damage, both to the transmission itself and to your pocketbook. Here are six facts about transmission rebuilds.
Another term for a transmission rebuild is a “transmission overhaul”. During a rebuild, the entire transmission is disassembled and inspected. Those that are still in working order are put in a special cleaning solution and the rest are replaced. Mister Transmission replaces all parts that have friction surfaces (bands and clutches) as well as gaskets and seals. We also replace the torque converter, usually with a remanufactured one.
While a transmission rebuild is always a hassle, there is a silver lining. Not only do you get a working transmission back, you could get an upgraded one as well. When performing a transmission rebuild, Mister Transmission checks technical service bulletins to see if the auto manufacturer recommends any modifications to correct design defects that were discovered subsequent to the vehicle’s initial sale.
The transmission rebuilds we have discussed so far come in the form of transmission overhauls. That is where each part is removed, inspected, and cleaned or replaced. But there is another option: a transmission replacement. This sees the technicians replace your entire transmission with a different transmission, usually one that has previously been rebuilt or remanufactured.
However, at Mister Transmission, we often advise our clients against choosing this option. Used transmissions often have questionable histories that can create a whole new set of problems. “New transmissions”, meanwhile, are mostly aftermarket transmissions billed as new but are in fact rebuilt transmissions with new parts.
Transmission rebuilds aren’t cheap. There’s no way of getting around that. However, they themselves can range in price dramatically. Imagine a transmission rebuild where nearly every part needs to be replaced; that’s going to be costly. But you might get lucky. Maybe the technician finds the problem relatively quickly and only a few parts need replacing.
We often find that many of our customers who think they have a serious transmission problem actually require a relatively minor repair (such as a fluid leak or solenoid replacement) at a much lower cost than a rebuild. This is why we always start by completing a FREE 21-point multi-check and road test to identify what is wrong with your vehicle, and then we can provide you with the best options for your repair. .
It is difficult to discuss the possible causes of problems that can lead to a transmission rebuild being necessary because it could be just about anything, and often the technicians themselves don’t know until they start taking the transmission apart. Obviously, a major collision could be one cause. Beyond that, transmission fluid can always plays a part. Burnt, damaged, or low levels of transmission fluid might not always be the cause of transmission problems, but they can make any problem worse.
You can trust the technicians at Mister Transmission to rebuild your transmission as quickly and completely as possible. To learn a bit more about how we conduct our transmission rebuilds, please contact us here.
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