Years of engineering and mechanical innovation have led to the cars that we drive today. What was once a simple chassis and engine is now a hub of practicality and comfort, where modern vehicles are built to carry our shopping, play our music and help us to navigate. All of these features have made driving a fun pastime and an essential way to get around.
Cars of all kinds depend on numerous specially designed parts in order to function in a safe and reliable manner. This includes the gearbox, which works alongside the engine and clutch to make driving possible. But as with any car part, gearboxes can fall into disrepair, where they would then be in need of repair at the hands of a qualified mechanic.
Read on to find out more about the world of gearbox repairs, with a look at some of the key processes and methods involved.
What Is A Gearbox?
A gearbox is an essential vehicle component that works in tandem with several parts to keep a car moving. More specifically, it is a mechanical device which consists of a gear set, which works to change the speed or direction of rotation within a vehicle. Gearboxes are usually bolted to the rear of the engine inside a car, with the clutch situated between these two parts.
The main types of gearboxes are manual and automatic, where these carry out the same general functions in all vehicles. Today, manual vehicles are declining in popularity. Although around 70% of UK drivers still operate a manual vehicle, there has been an increase in drivers taking their tests in automatic vehicles, where lots of manufacturers are also shifting their focus to automatics.
Automatic and manual gearboxes offer slightly different user experiences, where some drivers prefer the ease of an automatic vehicle over the more traditional manual style. In a manual vehicle, the driver must engage their gears using a gear shifter and clutch pedal in tandem. In contrast, an automatic vehicle will change gears according to the vehicle’s speed, engine load and a variety of other factors. These cars don’t have a clutch pedal, where gear shifts are controlled by a hydraulic or electric system.
Common Gearbox Malfunctions
Like all car parts, gearboxes are prone to a range of mechanical, electrical and technical issues that can impact your vehicle to varying degrees of severity. Some common issues include:
Gear Slipping
Gear slipping is a common problem that can arise with your vehicle, where this means that your transmission has slipped out of gear while you’re driving. As a result your engine speed may be affected without the acceleration to match. This issue is typically caused by clutch issues, worn gears or damaged synchros equipment.
Torque Converter Problems
You may also be experiencing issues with your torque converter, an essential component of the gearbox. If internal components are worn, you may feel your vehicle shuddering excessively due to converter problems. Otherwise torque converter issues can be caused by fluid contamination or lock up clutch malfunctions.
Overheated Transmissions
Your gearbox may also fall into disrepair if transmissions begin to overheat. This can be caused by driving in high temperatures or if prolonged stress is wrought on your transmission. Internal issues such as wear and tear as well as fluid breakdown can make this kind of problem more likely.
Fluid Leaks
A more evident sign that something is amiss with your gearbox is if you start to observe fluid leaks. These may occur if your gearbox seals aren’t working properly or if your transmission fluid lines are damaged. If your fluid levels run low due to a leak then this in turn can cause overheating issues whilst damaging internal components. Leaks can also be caused by problems with your engine or with your air conditioning system, so it is always recommended to get a professional inspection as soon as possible.
Delayed Engagement
An additional issue that can occur with your gearbox involves delayed engagements, where this means that your vehicle is slow to shift into gear. This can be disruptive and potentially dangerous while driving, where slow engagements can be caused by low transmission fluid levels or problems with your hydraulics.
Gearbox Repairs
Fortunately, all of these gearbox issues can be addressed by a professional mechanic in order to get the vehicle in question back out on the road. This may require targeted repairs or a complete overhaul, where safety is always paramount when it comes to restoring a car or van to its former condition.
The Repair Process
There are numerous steps involved in the gearbox repair process, from initial investigations to final checks. Some of these include:
Initial Survey - Before any repair work can be undertaken, your mechanic must thoroughly investigate your equipment in order to find out what needs their attention. This will include an evaluation of specific parts as well as the overall working condition of your gearbox.
Cost Estimates - For the customer, a major concern will be how much are the repairs going to cost, where this can impact whether the mechanic proceeds with repairs or if the vehicle is scrapped. In most cases, we can diagnose issues at the initial testing stage and provide a quote prior to carrying out any repairs.
Disassembling - Once specific issues have been identified and you’re happy with the quote provided (if applicable), your mechanic will then carefully take apart the gearbox. This will be undertaken with precision to avoid damaging each component, where disassembly can be done in a manner that makes it easier to put the gearbox back together again after repairs are complete.
Failure Analysis - After your professional team has taken apart the gearbox, they will then analyse and inspect the pieces to find out what’s wrong. This analysis will help the mechanic to understand if the gearbox is worth repairing or if it should be replaced in its entirety.
Targeted Repairs - This is an essential part of the mechanical process, where the professional team will work closely on faulty elements of the gearbox in order to restore it to a good condition. The timeline for these repairs will vary depending on the severity of the problem at hand, where the car owner may be expected to wait anywhere between a few days to more than a week for repairs to be completed.
Reassembling - Once all key repairs have been completed, the mechanic will then work to reassemble the gearbox so it can be fitted back into the vehicle. At each stage of reassembly, parts will be tested to ensure that they are working properly and to check that repairs have been successful.
Final Tests - An essential part of the gearbox repair process is the final testing and inspection stage. This is important for the mechanic to be able to attribute a parts warranty to the repaired gearbox, where they will need to assert their confidence that any issues have been fully resolved.
Gearbox Specialists: Manual & Automatic Gearbox Repairs
We’re here to handle all your gearbox servicing and repair needs, whether you’re driving an automatic or manual vehicle. Our expert mechanics can provide you with a gearbox oil change as well as targeted repairs in order to get you back on the road as soon as possible. We also offer a full warranty on all our gearbox work, where you’ll be covered for up to 12000 miles, or a period of 12 months, whichever comes soonest.
Get in touch with us directly today to find out more about our comprehensive range of gearbox services.
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