Trаnѕmiѕѕiоn Rebuild Cоѕt

The transmission in your vehicle is one of the most complex engines there are. Your transmission is needed for either automatically or manually, shifting the gears and changing the speed-torque ratio. This shifting is done to deliver power to the wheels based on the speed your vehicle is going. Since the transmission is complex, it experiences a lot of ‘wear and tear’ due to constant use and most vehicle operators don’t regularly maintain them – many people need their transmissions rebuilt, repaired or replaced. Let’s look at some important information that contributes to the final transmission rebuild cost of your vehicle.

What does rebuild mean?

Rebuild- also called refurbished or reconditioned. The rebuilding process involves disassembling, inspecting, cleaning and replacing damaged or worn parts in a shop setting. To rebuild a transmission, a technician will remove it from the vehicle, take it apart and inspect all the key components. Any parts that are still inside the manufacturer’s acceptable wear limits are reused, and anything that’s too worn will be replaced. All the “soft parts” like gaskets, seals, bands and O-rings are replaced. Then the whole thing is put back together and reinstalled in the car. The quality of components used in a rebuild may not be ideal at a less-than-reputable shop, so make sure you do some research to see if the company you choose is using quality parts and services.

Turnaround Time

Rebuilding a transmission takes time. The transmission must be removed, disassembled, parts purchased, reassembled, and installed back in the vehicle which can take about 3 to 5 service days. Sometime the garage or dealer that you bring your car to, cannot rebuild the transmission themselves. They may have to send the work out to another vendor or location, and this can increase the time that they have your car, and work on it.

Quality

Since a transmission rebuild, is made up of a mix of old and new parts, quality is often hard to determine. So, you can not guarantee that the highest quality is received. New parts may be of better quality than the old parts that are just fixed. It is important that you know and trust the mechanic that is doing the work on your car. An honest worker, will make sure that the best quality possible will be put into choosing the parts and the work they do on your transmission.

Cost

The average transmission rebuild cost is between $1500 and $3000, depending on your region, how many new parts are put into the transmission, or if the work is sent out to another vendor. There is no way of knowing exactly what the cost of this process will be before the job is started. So be aware that the estimate that you are given is only a guide to the final cost you may have to pay. Things such as amount of new parts used, and where the labor is done can change this estimate. Other things that could affect the transmission rebuild cost are make and model of the car, amount of damage to the transmission, and having a manual car vs an automatic. It is best to speak to a professional before you start the process.

Buying a new transmission can be very costly for most people. Finances and the age of your car, may make considering a transmission rebuild an option for you. Make sure you ask questions, trust the garage and mechanic you are using, and know exactly what steps will be done for the best quality and price for your transmission.