Transmission Repair

Signs You Need Transmission Repair

If you’re experiencing any of these warning signs, your transmission may need repair:

If you’re experiencing these issues, it’s time to schedule an appointment at FREED Performance.

• Transmission shifting delay. Your vehicle pauses before moving when shifting from park, or there’s a delayed response shifting into first gear or reverse
• Slipping, grinding, or jumping. Transmission slipping, grinding, or jumping during acceleration when the car is shifting gears
• Car shaking. Car shaking at any speed
• Burnt smell. A burnt smell coming from under your hood
• Fluid leaking. Fluid visibly leaking from the vehicle
• Unusual sounds. Clunking, screeching or whistling sounds coming from the vehicle
• Bad transmission fluid. Cloudy, thick or foul smelling transmission fluid on dipstick
• Hard to shift. Gear shifter is physically hard to move or won’t go into gear (on manual transmissions)

Common Transmission Problems

While there are many different transmission problems, here are some of the most common:

• Leaks or contamination of transmission fluid. Without the right amount of clean, debris-free transmission fluid, transmissions can overheat and essential gears can slip, surge, or become ground down. In automatic transmissions, total vehicle failure can occur
• Worn gear synchronizers (manual transmissions). Gear synchronizers make the gear you are shifting into spin at the same speed as the gear you are shifting from. If untreated, worn gear synchros can cause transmission failure
• Worn clutch (manual transmissions). The clutch can become worn due to mechanical error from a hydraulic fluid leak in the clutch master cylinder, or by frequently accelerating and shifting without releasing the clutch. This can burn up a clutch quickly and will result in a clutch replacement service
• Gear slipping. If the transmission is slipping but has the correct amount of fluid, or if it’s going in and out of gear, the link that holds the gears may be broken or worn out. This needs to be repaired as soon as possible, as it could pose a safety risk
• Failed needle roller bearings (automatic transmissions). Needle bearings are small, lightweight roller bearings that help prevent gears in the automatic transmission’s torque converter from grinding. Worn or sluggish needle bearings wear down transmission gears prematurely

Transmission Service Can Prevent the Need for Repair

It’s important to note that routine transmission service is needed to prevent bigger issues down the road that cause the need for transmission repair and replacement.

If you’re having any transmission issues – or if it’s been a while since your car was last serviced – request an appointment today.