A broken transmission happens to almost every car at one point. And since the transmission is a very important component of a vehicle, it requires attention once it becomes damaged. A faulty transmission cannot be ignored as the vehicle will remain useless until this is given attention.
However, the problem with transmission problems is that replacing a transmission is more on the expensive side. The great news for everyone is that rebuilding a transmission is possible. This involves replacing worn out parts of the transmission and with this, fixing the transmission problems will be a lot cheaper than buying a new one.
The Cost Of Rebuilding A Transmission
The cost of rebuilding a transmission varies depending on whether you let a professional do it or you rebuild the transmission yourself.
A DIY job costs around $150 to $1,500.
This price includes a purchase of a transmission rebuild kit. This kit contains transmission spare parts that can be used for replacing worn out transmission parts. The kit also comes with a manual to help even an amateur DIYer to do the job successfully.
On the other hand, professional rebuilding of the transmission can go anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000.
This price includes professional labor fees for inspecting and repairing the damage, the cost of spare parts, and a limited warranty.
Factors That May Affect The Cost Of Rebuilding A Transmission
Transmission system. A car’s transmission system can either be manual or automatic. Rebuilding a manual transmission is usually a lot cheaper as compared to rebuilding an automatic transmission.
Damage. Some transmission problems can be fixed by simply replacing springs and bolts. These problems are often the cheapest. On the other hand, if the extent of damage requires replacing more parts, expect the cost of rebuilding the transmission to be on the higher end of the spectrum.
Kits. You may have noted that the price of a DIY transmission rebuilding starts from as low as $150 and can go as high as $1,500. This is true because this depends on the kit you purchase. The price of DIY transmission rebuild kits vary depending on the number of spare parts that comes in the box. A kit that contains a complete line of transmission spare parts is usually priced higher.
Vehicle. Spare parts are priced differently for every vehicle make and model. Hence, the overall cost of rebuilding the transmission can be affected by the type of vehicle you have.
Shop. If you are hiring a pro to do the job for you, the price depends on the auto repair shop you choose. Shops charge differently from each other due to several factors including expertise, reputation, geographical location, competition, and the like.
Added Costs When Rebuilding A Transmission
If you have an automatic transmission that requires rebuilding, it usually comes hand in hand with the need to replace the transmission fluid. This will cost you $100 to $250 extra.
If you order DIY transmission rebuild kits online, expect to pay extra for the cost of shipping.
Signs Of A Transmission Problem
How do you know that you need to rebuild your transmission? Check out the following signs that may tell you that your car is having transmission problems:
- Delayed shifting
- Fluid leaks
- Low transmission fluid
- Unusual noises when shifting gears (deep grinding, squealing, clunking, etc.)
- Hard shifting
- Metal shavings in the fluid
If your vehicle shows these signs, it may be possible that your transmission has problems. However, take note that these signs already tell you that you require rebuilding or replacing the transmission. Some of these signs may be caused by other problems in the vehicle. The wisest move is to bring your vehicle to a qualified mechanic and have your car checked.
Rebuild It Or Replace It?
There is a great difference between a rebuilt transmission and a brand new one. Basically, the most obvious difference is their price. A new transmission has a price tag of at least three times more than the cost of a rebuilt transmission. However, besides the price tag, there are deeper differences between the two options that can help you in deciding whether or not to rebuild a transmission.
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New |
Rebuilt |
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| Reliability | New transmissions are more reliable than their counterparts. This is true because the specifications of a new transmission are basically similar to the transmission that originally came with the vehicle. | Though you can find rebuilt transmissions that are reliable, there is not much of a guarantee with these transmissions. Usually, auto shops rebuild transmissions in a hit and miss basis. |
| Quality | Since new transmissions are originally made for a specific type of vehicle, they are best tuned to serve you. | Most of the time, the quality of rebuilt transmissions depends on the quality of the work done by the shop. |
| Time Frame | It takes up to a week to order a new transmission. | It takes no longer than three days to rebuild a transmission. |
| Warranty | New transmissions come with a full warranty from the manufacturer. | Rebuilt transmissions are given a warranty by the shop that made them. |
Some Helpful Tips Before You Decide To Rebuild A Transmission
If you are planning to rebuild the transmission yourself, make sure that you have a good knowledge on your vehicle’s transmission system. Your knowledge is very important to ensure that you will be doing the job correctly. If you think you cannot trust yourself with the job, it pays to spend extra to hire a professional to do the job appropriately and successfully for you.
Get price quotations from various auto repair shops. Pick a shop with a good service and reputation at the best price you can ever pay for. Take note that rebuilding the transmission has already saved you a lot of money from not buying a new one. Hence, do not settle with the cheapest service that will offer you no good at all.
For professional transmission rebuilding projects, make sure that the shop offers a warranty for the work. Good auto repair shops will offer up to two years warranty for a transmission that they have rebuilt.