Rebuild or Replace a Transmission?
When your transmission reaches a significant level of wear and tear from age or fluid leaks that escalated into catastrophic failure, you have two choices. You can either replace the transmission or rebuild it. While both cost a substantial sum of money for the labor to install the rebuilt or new transmission, rebuilding a transmission requires a great deal of professional skill that may be difficult to assess. This is where the decision becomes tricky when you have to wonder how much you can trust a rebuilder. Finding a transmission specialty shop that has years of experience and all the tools and training to work on your vehicle is a key element to making the right decision. It also helps if the business has a good reputation with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and provides a full warranty on their work.
This is a common question for car owners, so all of us at Don Wood Chevrolet Auto Repair Service in Logan, OH are more than happy to share this information with you.
Brand-new transmissions are typically only available from the dealerships. The only exception to this may be if there is a non-manufacturer specific transmission used for certain kit cars. Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) transmissions usually cost an arm and a leg to purchase and may have limited warranty protections unless you opt for installation by dealer technicians. For the price of the investment, many people would rather purchase a brand-new vehicle. People who really want to keep a collectible or other expensive vehicle (where the investment makes sense) usually are willing to pay a extra for the brand-new replacement.
The best transmission rebuilders will have the equipment to pressure test the transmissions before they install them to ensure proper operation. Cleanliness is king when it comes to rebuilding transmissions. You will want to avoid shops that appear to be unkempt and filthy. It only takes a spec of dirt to jam up a check valve in your transmission. Although a filter is meant to catch and eliminate particles before they can cause damage, it is not always effective at flushing out particles.
If your transmission must be replaced after an accident, you should always ensure that the frame of the vehicle is perfect and that it sits squarely. If you install a new or rebuilt transmission in a vehicle that is off-square, you will perpetually burn through transmissions from running them out of alignment. The stresses on the axles and internal drives will eventually lead to premature failures that will never be remedied. Using these tips, the answer to rebuilding or replacing a transmission should be clear in your case.
Don Wood Chevrolet Auto Repair Service, 12916 State Rt 664 South, Logan, OH 43138
Sources: Wikihow, BBB and YouTube
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