A failing transmission can be a real bummer. And because it’s such a vital part of your vehicle’s regular operation, you can’t ignore the problem. There’s also a great chance that the repairs are going to cost some serious coin.
Even so, you’ll need to face your transmission demons head-on so that you don’t kill another part of your car by driving around with bad gears. In some cases, this means a rebuild which, as the name suggests, is the process of repairing and replacing parts of transmission to make it operate as new again.
Rebuilt transmissions can involve major overhauls, where several parts are replaced or repaired, or they can be a simpler process with just a few replacement parts and a good cleaning. No matter which direction you need to go, it’s important to understand what’s happening and what it will cost.
A transmission rebuild is a major mechanical overhaul done to a vehicle’s transmission. A transmission, like a vehicle engine, is made up of a series of interrelated mechanical parts that wear out over time and with extended use. Rebuilding a vehicle’s transmission replaces these worn parts without replacing the entire transmission.
If transmission parts need replacing and are easily accessible, or if there is an electrical problem, the transmission may be able to be repaired without removing it from the vehicle. This alone saves you time and money. However, it may be advisable to look at the bigger picture right from the start and have the transmission thoroughly checked by the technician.
If some parts of your transmission are damaged, other parts may also need to be replaced. But you know, once the parts swaps start it can be a losing battle. Indeed, a transmission rebuild can be the smartest and most economical choice you will make.
Certain things can state to you that your transmission system needs an overhaul.
When you park your vehicle at one point for some time, you notice colored fluids on the ground. It is an indicator of a faulty transmission system. Remember, the transmission fluid comes in different colors. It helps to distinguish it from other oils.
Once you note the above signs, you must check your transmission system. That is when you can determine if you need to perform a rebuild or replace the entire system.
An important element of transmission diagnostics is determining the source of the problem so that you can make an informed decision whether or not to proceed with the transmission rebuild. The transmission rebuild process typically includes:
Some parts of your transmission can be repaired without dropping it out of your vehicle, but not all parts are as easily accessible. If a component needs repair that cannot be accessed from the vehicle’s underside, the transmission will need to be removed.
Some damage goes beyond the repair of a single component, however. Over time, wear and tear can cause damage to the gears and other components that need tight tolerances to function properly. When this happens, a rebuild is needed to replace the parts with new or remanufactured parts.
Completely rebuilding a transmission involves removing the transmission and completely disassembling it. Each component is inspected for damage or excessive wear. Parts that are in good shape will be cleaned for use in the reassembled transmission, while any parts that need to be replaced will be taken care of at this point. Clutches, seals, gaskets, and any other wear items will be replaced as well.
There’s no difference. The two terms mean the same thing, but people have taken to using them interchangeably over the years. You should still be asking questions to clarify what you’re actually getting with your transmission rebuild or overhaul to make sure that the repair shop understands the services you’re hoping to receive.
Due to the complex process of removing and disassembling the transmission, many hours are needed. This means a large percentage of the cost will be spent on labor. The cost also depends on the extent of the damage and the parts that must be replaced.
Most rebuilds take between 8 to 15 hours, which translates to $800 to $1500 in labor costs.
The most significant factor that influences the total cost of a transmission rebuild is the extent of damage to the transmission, and the location of the transmission.
On average, a transmission rebuild with both labor and parts will cost around $2000 to $3000.
This applies to extensive rebuilds but it is possible that the price will be higher or lower depending on what part is being rebuilt and the car model in question.
People often confuse a remanufactured transmission for a rebuilt transmission.
While both processes include renovating the transmission, a remanufactured transmission has been fully restored by replacing every component, regardless of its condition.
A remanufactured transmission will therefore cost more, as additional work must be completed and more parts will be replaced.
The transmission rebuild process typically includes: Removing the transmission from your vehicle and dismantling it. Chemically cleaning the transmission by running it through a parts washer. Any wonky transmission parts, plus all seals and gaskets, are replaced with new ones. Any required electrical repairs are
The transmission rebuild process typically includes:
Rebuilding a transmission can save you a lot of money over the short term while keeping car payments out of your monthly budget. For many, rebuilding their transmission is worth the initial cost. Rebuilding a transmission may cost you twenty-five hundred dollars or more, which is a significant chunk of change.
A transmission replacement is the most expensive option when fixing your transmission. In many cases, you will hear this referred to as “re-manufactured.” Basically, the manufacturer will replace parts that have gone bad with modified parts. This is an option if the transmission is too damaged to even consider a rebuild.
Rebuilding a car’s transmission costs on average $1500 to $3000. However, this can vary considerably depending on factors such as the car model, drivetrain, damage, and labor cost. When rebuilding a transmission, only the parts that are not working properly are replaced.
The transmission rebuild process typically includes:
On average, a rebuilt transmission is expected to last between 30,000 – 50,000 miles. If the work is done extremely well and regular maintenance is performed, a transmission rebuild can last as long as the original transmission (120,000 – 200,000 miles on average).
With a transmission rebuild or even a high-quality remanufactured transmission from a reputable company like Certified Transmission, your vehicle will retain a higher resale value than it would with a used transmission.
Warning Signs Your Transmission Is Going Out:
Difficulty Level. Rebuilding an automatic transmission is generally regarded as a difficult undertaking because the repair shop must be familiar with your specific type of transmission. Automatic transmissions vary widely from one vehicle to the next and each requires totally different parts and tools to rebuild.
Some transmissions can last just over 10,000 miles, while others will last over 200,000 miles. Generally, though, regular vehicle maintenance is the number one factor affecting a transmission’s lifespan, and good upkeep can help it last even longer.
Burnt or Worn-Out Fluid – Drain & Refill
Transmission Replacement Labor Cost: A big portion of any transmission replacement or rebuild is the labor cost. It’s at least six hours to remove and install a transmission, often twice that.
Again, as long as you have a place for every part and a way to clean them, the process can be completed by an amateur mechanic. While some heavier tools may be required to disassemble and reassemble, it is doable.
In conclusion, as parts and special tools (where needed) become available and affordable, rebuilding CVTs will become a more enjoyable and profitable experience. Until that time, caution is required as to how to proceed, as you are not in business to lose money.
The output shaft should spin when the transmission is in a forward/reverse gear, and the input shaft is rotated. Finally, grab the output shaft and pull/push it to check for excessive play. If no obvious problems are noted, then you likely have a good junkyard transmission.
After installing your freshly rebuilt transmission, breaking in the new clutches is a critical part of the entire process.
The good news is, if it is just your torque converter that is having issues since it’s a self-contained unit, you may not need to replace or rebuild your whole transmission. Torque converters can be serviced or replaced as a single unit.
The average cost to repair a CVT transmission ranges between $3500 and $8000. The price varies by the make and model of the vehicle; Nissan and Honda CVTs tend to be on the lower-priced end while Subaru’s CVTs are toward the higher end.
You might not have to worry about the motor in your car for a long time if you do it right. If an engine rebuild is done properly, it can last over 100000 miles! And even just maintaining the vehicle and doing some of the work on its own will help keep that mileage up as well.
Generally, “remanufactured” indicates that a unit has had additional machine work that brings the quality level to the same standard as a new part. While a “rebuilt” transmission usually implies that only worn-out parts have been replaced, the process to remanufacture a transmission is typically much more thorough.
