3 Signs You May Need a Transmission Rebuild

Know When You Need Our Professionals

When your transmission starts to act up, you might start hearing the words repair, rebuild, or even replace. Some auto shops will use these words interchangeably, but they have pretty distinct meanings. If a transmission needs repairing, a technician only corrects the minimum parts necessary to get it back up and running. A replacement is just like it sounds — completely replacing an old transmission with a new one. And then there’s a transmission rebuild. The transmission is completely taken apart and cleaned, replacing old parts, and the system is put back together.

It’s not always obvious which service you’ll need, especially when you might need a rebuild. Fortunately, Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care in Durham, North Carolina, has inspected and rebuilt thousands of transmissions, so if you’re concerned you need a rebuild, here are a few signs you can look for!

When Does My Transmission Need to Be Rebuilt?

You should always get a professional opinion before you have your transmission serviced, but below are a few symptoms that warrant a visit.

Your transmission is leaking. Transmission fluid lubricates the gears and other moving parts, so they are at risk of being damaged if it leaks. If the leak is caught quickly enough, a technician can seal and refill fluids without major work. But if the transmission leaked for several miles, you’ll probably need a rebuild to address the damaged parts.

The gears are grinding. If you hear the metal-on-metal sound of grinding gears, that’s never a good thing. Low fluid levels likely cause this, but it can also happen when the gear teeth have worn out. Regardless, you’ll probably need a rebuild to clean the system and replace the damaged gears.

Your transmission doesn’t shift gears. A transmission that doesn’t shift gears isn’t doing its job and should be addressed immediately. In most cases, this happens because the gear teeth are missing or worn out, so a rebuild is typically recommended.

Transmission Specialists You Can Trust

A transmission rebuild is costly, but if it’s done when it’s needed, you’ll get the most bang for your buck. Bring your vehicle to Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care if you experience any of the above symptoms or others that we failed to mention. Our experts will inspect your transmission and only recommend the services you need. Give us a call and give your vehicle the care it deserves!