When is it Required to Rebuild or Replace the Transmission?
Simply because a transmission exhibits abnormal behavior,
such as not shifting up or down, slipping, falling out of gear,
or
even harsh shifts, it does not mean it needs to be replaced or
rebuilt. Many of these problems can be caused by non-transmission
related components. Auto manufacturers have instilled numerous
sensors and controllers within vehicles since the 1980’s
that cause a great number of complaints with the vehicle’s
transmission operation. For example, a coolant temperature sensor
can fail and cause an automatic transmission to lose overdrive
and converter clutch capability. This usually creates a symptom
of a higher revving engine at speeds over 45 mph and one may
think the transmission is bad.
An Intake Air Temperature Sensor
measures the temperature of air entering the engine and is intertwined
with the transmission and its pressure control system. The failure
of this sensor may cause the driver to experience hard shifts
through its increase of pressure inside the transmission. Another
example is related to the vehicle’s Mass Airflow Sensor,
which can cause a multitude of transmission symptoms ranging
from harsh shifts to soft shifts, to no shifts at all. This sensor
measures airflow into the vehicle engine and communicates with
the Powertrain Control Module in determining engine load and
shift timing and performance.
It is important to have a transmission
specialist perform the correct diagnostic procedures before replacement
or rebuilding of your transmission or transaxle because there
are so many control issues in today’s vehicles that can
cause transmission problems.
Transmission Rebuilding and Pricing
Today, consumers requiring transmission repair have the options
of rebuilding the transmission currently in their vehicle, replacing
the transmission with a remanufactured or used transmission,
or buying another vehicle. Cost of these options have a wide
range of prices that depend on variables such as parts cost and
parts needed during the rebuild and various manufacturers list
price for those parts.
Quality transmission rebuilding always
consist of replacing internal friction lined clutches, bands,
seals, bushings, gaskets,
molded rubber pistons, filters, sealing rings, and updated components.
Other components, considered hard parts, are replaced when they
do not meet critical tolerance limits or are high failure rate
items for the particular application. Hard part components can
often add to the cost of rebuilding a transmission, thus making
it very difficult for someone to get an exact cost estimate on
transmission rebuilding.
These days we are faced with pricing factors on rebuilt transmissions
that require us to offer transmission rebuild options. For example,
we may find several hard part components damaged inside a transmission
that drastically increase the rebuild cost and give the customer
the option of replacement of such items with used parts when
available. Other options may include, per customer request, the
replacement of the transmission with a remanufactured transmission
or even a used transmission if so desired.
With the large number
of transmission remanufacturing companies entering the market,
a wide range of pricing and warranty structures
exist, making it difficult to receive an exact figure and straight
answer when shopping transmission rebuilding or replacement prices.
Another factor is the large number of used transmission suppliers
entering the market and making the price variables even more
difficult for consumers to understand. Pricing differences for
used transmission replacement is based mainly on unit miles and
condition of the transmission and often judged by external appearance
and the originating vehicles condition.
The point is simply this, when
shopping for prices in this industry it is advisable to visit
and get to know the company you have
inquired on for your transmission repair. Doing this will allow
you, as a consumer, to get realistic answers and scenarios for
rebuilding your transmission and learn what is involved in the
process. You will then get answers to important questions and
concerns as well as get a feel for the mechanics abilities, cleanliness,
and most important, ethics.
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