Transmission repairs can be the most costly of any made to your vehicle. When transmissions fail, many opt for a rebuild rather than replacement. Although a transmission rebuild is designed to return your vehicle to its prior operating condition, there are advantages and disadvantages, which should be weighed prior to making the decision and there are steps that can be taken to insure that the rebuild will be lasting and successful.
Rebuild
A transmission is a complex mechanical system consisting of many gears, bands, pumps and rotors. A transmission rebuild involves removal of and careful inspection of all of its parts. Severely damaged or worn parts are replaced or refurbished prior to reassembling the transmission and reinstalling it into the vehicle.
Advantages
There are several advantages to rebuilding as compared to replacing. First and foremost is cost. Often the rebuild will cost substantially less, sometimes up to half of replacing it. Second, the repair can be completed in 3-4 days, rather than the week or more it could take to get a new transmission shipped in and installed. Finally, only the pieces that are actually broken are replaced, thus eliminating the need to swap out parts that are working properly.
Disadvantages
One of the biggest drawbacks is the warranty. When travelling, if something goes wrong with the repair, it may difficult to get it serviced soon enough. Some shops may pay to have the work done at a different shop, but most will not. The second disadvantage is the time involved. Although in most cases it is faster, in other cases, where the damage is more severe than anticipated, it could take a lot longer to get the transmission rebuilt. Finally, it is difficult to give an accurate quote until after the work has already begun. Once the transmission is disassembled, unexpected expenses could arise due to issues like cracked castings and broken gears.
A transmission rebuild can restore a transmission to peak performance, but it will not make it as if it were new. There will still be parts on it that are worn and are subject to failure at a later date. Hiring a skilled mechanic that will use quality parts and perform a thorough inspection and replace all necessary parts will lessen the chance of issues down the road.
Trans Works Transmissions LLC has been servicing transmissions for over 30 years. For more information, go to www.trannyman.net.
