A transmission problem can be costly, and fixing it isn’t as simple as changing oil or inflating a tire. Repair work is complex and requires the experience and expertise of qualified mechanics. The thought of dealing with a dead transmission is downright frightening, because not only does it keep draining your wallet, but the numerous trips to the garage, the hundreds of phone calls with the mechanic, and adding up the numbers on the expense tally will wear you out. Learning how to rebuild a transmission can help you avoid all these hassles.
Remember, you need to have sufficient technical knowledge to perform all the procedures for rebuilding a transmission. If you have no idea or aren’t confident enough to do the technical work, consult a mechanic to handle the job.
Does the Transmission Need to Be Rebuilt?
Before learning how to rebuild a transmission, you need to determine if your transmission actually needs it. Sometimes, repairing certain parts and replacing a few others is enough to restore functionality.
How do you know what kind of treatment the transmission needs? That’s where the experience of a qualified mechanic comes in. If you don’t have enough knowledge about the transmission mechanism, let an auto repair shop handle the diagnostic process and identify the cause of the problems.
Repairing certain parts will cost much less than rebuilding the entire transmission. Therefore, from a financial standpoint, it’s wise to have the problem diagnosed by a trusted mechanic or a reputable repair shop. Making the right decision can save you thousands of dollars.
How to Rebuild a Transmission: A Brief Overview of the Procedures
Is it hard to rebuild a transmission? It’s quite difficult and demanding if you’re not equipped with the proper knowledge and tools. But, with a bit of know-how, attention to detail, and skills in handling automotive mechanisms, you can learn how to rebuild a transmission.
Step 1 # Buy a Transmission Rebuild Kit
The kit contains all the tools you need for the rebuild and some spare parts. There are four types of kits, and they may or may not include gaskets, seals, rings, bands, clutches, washers, modulators, filters, and O-rings.
You need to buy the right kit containing all the necessary components and tools to complete the process.
Step 2 # Transmission Removal
The next step in this lesson on rebuilding a transmission is to detach the entire engine assembly. At the same time, also unbolt the torque converter and transmission oil pan before removing the transmission. Do this carefully, as it involves many parts that look similar. Not keeping track of them can lead to confusion.
After disassembly, drain the fluid. You can label each part so there’s no confusion during reassembly.
Step 3 # Cleaning and Replacement
When you’re repairing the transmission, it means you already know which parts to replace and which to keep. After disassembly, clean the components you plan to keep and replace the broken ones with new parts.
Step 4 # Putting It All Back Together
The final step is to reassemble all the components into their housings. Perfectly functional parts won’t work if you assemble them incorrectly. Labeling the parts will be helpful at this stage.
After reassembly, perform all pressure tests to be sure you’ve done everything correctly. It’s best to have the whole thing checked by an experienced mechanic before you start driving the car.
How Long Does It Take to Rebuild a Transmission?
You already know how to rebuild a transmission, but how long does it take? Well, that depends entirely on you, your skills, and your work pace.
But it can take one to four days if you send it to a garage. A one-day job means the transmission is already diagnosed and removed from the engine. It will take four to five days if the mechanic needs to find the problems, remove it, perform some repairs, and then reinstall it.
It will take fewer days if you decide to rebuild the entire system, as most parts will be replaced anyway.
How Much Does It Cost to Rebuild a Transmission?
A complete rebuild can cost between $3,000 and $4,000. Remember, a rebuild kit itself isn’t expensive. You can reduce expenses by doing it yourself. A repair shop charges that much due to labor costs.
Other factors come into play in determining the final amount: the type of transmission, the vehicle’s make and model, and the price of the damaged parts. Rebuilding the transmission of a luxury or sports brand like Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, or Porsche will be more expensive than that of a classic Toyota or Honda car.