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Transmission repairs.
- Adjustments
and In-Car Repairs
There are several
problems that can be resolved with an adjustment (A simple
adjustment is one that can be made without removing the
transmission from the vehicle.) or minor repair.
If a late model transmission (computer-controlled
transmissions started becoming popular in the early '90s)
is not shifting properly, it is often the result of a
computer sending incorrect signals due to a faulty sensor,
or the transmission is not reacting to the computer
command because of a bad connection or defective solenoid
pack. These problems can be corrected while the
transmission is in the car for considerably less money
then a complete overhaul.
If a non computer-controlled transmission is shifting too
early or too late, it may require an adjustment to the
throttle cable. Since throttle cables rarely go out of
adjustment on their own or due to wear and tear, these mis-adjustments
are usually due to other repair work or damage from an
accident. If the vehicle has a vacuum modulator
instead of a throttle cable, there is an adjustment that
can be made using an adjustment screw in some modulator
designs. In vehicles with modulators, however, it is
very important that there are no vacuum leaks and the
engine is running at peak efficiency. Engine vacuum is
very sensitive to how well the engine is running. In
fact, many technicians use a vacuum gauge to diagnose
performance problems and state-of-tune. Many problems that
seem to be transmission problems disappear after a tune-up
or engine performance related repair was completed.
In some older transmissions, bands can be adjusted to
resolve "slipping" conditions. Slipping is
when an engine races briefly when the transmission shifts
from one gear to the next. There are no adjustments
for clutch packs however.
- Reseal
job
A transmission is
resealed in order to repair external transmission fluid
leaks. If you see spots of red oil on the ground
under the car, your transmission may be a candidate for a
reseal job. In order to check a transmission for
leaks, a technician will put the car on a lift and examine
the unit for signs of oil leaks. If a leak is
spotted at any of the external seals or gaskets and the
transmission otherwise performs well, the technician will
most likely recommend that the transmission be resealed.
Most of the external seals can be replaced while the
transmission is still in the car but, if the front seal
must be replaced, the transmission must first be removed
from the vehicle in order to gain access to it, making it
a much costlier job.
- Replace
accessible parts
There are a number of
parts that are accessible without requiring the removal of
the complete transmission. many of the control parts
including most of the electrical parts are serviceable by
simply removing the oil pan. The parts that are
accessible, however, vary from transmission to
transmission and most transmission repair facilities would
hesitate to provide meaningful warrantees on external
repairs for the simple reason that they cannot see if
there are any additional internal problems in the
components that are only accessible by transmission
removal.
- Complete
Overhaul
In a complete overhaul
(also known as rebuilding a transmission), the
transmission is removed from the vehicle and completely
disassembled with the parts laid out on a workbench. Each
part is inspected for wear and damage and then either
cleaned in a special cleaning solution, or replaced with
another part depending on its condition. Parts that have
friction surfaces, such as bands and clutches are replaced
as are all seals and gaskets. The torque converter is also
replaced, usually with a remanufactured one.
Technical service bulletins are checked to see if the auto
manufacturer recommends any modifications to correct
design defects that were discovered after the transmission
was built. Automobile manufacturers often make upgrade
kits available to transmission shops to resolve these
design defects.
Replacement unit vs. overhaul existing unit
When a transmission requires
an overhaul, there are generally two options that you may
have. The first is to remove your existing transmission
and overhaul it, then put the same, newly rebuilt unit back in
your car. The second option is to replace your existing
unit with another unit that has already been rebuilt or
remanufactured.
The second option will get you out of the shop and on your way
much faster but will cost you more and may cause you problems
down the road. The reason for this is that, in some but
not all cases, a particular transmission model can have dozens
of variations depending on which model car, which engine,
which axle ratio, even which tire size. The problems you
could experience could be as simple as a speedometer that
reads too high or too low (the speedometer is usually
connected by cable to a gear in the transmission output
shaft.) You may also experience incorrect shift points or even
complete transmission failure because your engine may be more
powerful then the one the replacement unit was originally
designed for. This is not the case with all transmission
models so voice your concerns with your
technician. Most shops will rebuild your existing
unit if you request it as long as they can afford to have a
lift tied up with your car while the transmission is being
rebuilt. Of course this is only important if you are
sure that the transmission you have is the original one and
has never previously been replaced. |
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