Transmissions
Your vehicle's transmission system is one of the most complex in the entire engine. It is made up of hundred of parts, all of which are subjected to constant movement, friction, heat, and interaction with other parts.
Because of its complex nature, your transmission may endure more wear and damage than other systems in your car, and transmission problems are some of the most important to address quickly, before those moving parts create further damage and require more costly repairs.
If you notice any of these signs, take your car in to be checked for a transmission issue.
- Delays in transmission shifting; pauses in movement when your car if shifted from park to drive, into or beyond first gear, or from park to reverse
- Transmission slipping, jumping, or grinding when changing gears during acceleration
- Clunking noises, whistling, or screeching made by your vehicle
- If your vehicle shakes at any speed
- If you smell burning from under your hood
- If there is fluid leaking from under your vehicle
- Cloudy, foul-smelling, or thick transmission fluid found on dipstick
- If the gear shifter on your manual car is physically difficult to move, or will not move
Transmission Diagnostic and Repair Services
Check engine lights, trouble in gears, slipping transmissions, noises, leaking?
- Transmission Fluid Service
- Clutch Replacement
- Master Cylinder Replacement
- Transfer Case Fluid Replacement
- Axle Shaft Assembly Replacement
- Clutch Fluid Replacement
- Full Transmission Replacement or Rebuild
Warranty: Saddleback Smog & Auto 24 Month/24K Miles warranty, guaranteed!
It is important that you know the warning signs of a faulty or damaged transmission system. We can help diagnose and repair your vehicle before permanent damage is done.
Common Transmission Issues
Low or Dirty Transmission Fluid
You manual car uses transmission fluid to lubricate gears and keep them from grinding away due to friction. Your automatic vehicle uses transmission fluid to create hydraulic pressure necessary for movement within the transmission system. Transmission fluid can become contaminated due to leaking or age. If your car does not have the proper amount of fluid, or has dirty fluid, your transmission system could overheat, gears can slip or grind, or damage to your entire vehicle could occur.
Failed Needle Roller Bearings (Automatic Vehicles)
Needle roller bearings keep the gears from grinding in the torque converter, inside your automatic transmission. You might hear grinding or brushing noises while your car is in motion if these bearings have become worn. If the bearings are worn or slow your transmission will move inefficiently and your gears will be worn more quickly.
Worn Gear Synchronizers (Manual Vehicles)
The transmission on a manual vehicle uses gear synchronizers to spin the next gear at the same speed as the current gear, creating a smooth transition as your shift from one gear to the next. These synchronizers commonly get worn, and if you do not repair them on time it could lead to total transmission failure in your manual car.
Worn Clutch (Manual Vehicles)
Your clutch can become worn down if there is a leak of hydraulic fluid into the clutch master cylinder, but is more often caused by user error. If the driver repeatedly accelerates and shifts through gears without releasing the clutch, it can be severely worn and damaged and require a replacement clutch to be installed.