Transmission Rebuild vs Transmission Replacement

No one ever says, “I think it’s time to start saving for a transmission”. When a transmission fails, it is typically unexpected and a financial burden. I know from experience, having been associated with over 30,000 transmission repairs and rebuilds over my 35 years in this industry. There is buzz online and in the automotive repair industry that replacement, or “remanufactured transmissions”, is the better choice. Contrary to popular belief, however, remanufactured transmissions are similar, if not the same as a rebuilt transmission.

Automatic Transmission Soft Parts

Inside an automatic transmission, there are two types of parts. The first type is known as the transmission’s soft parts. Soft parts are wearable pieces inside your transmission that eventually will need to be replaced. Soft parts come in rebuild kits; rebuild kits are also known as overhaul kits and can be bought in different sizes. Smaller rebuild kits have less parts, while larger kits come with more parts. Inside some kits, you will find clutches, seals, sealing rings, internal and external gaskets, and other wearable items that are replaced at the time of repair. Some kits have even more pieces such as steels, bushings, bearings, bands, and washers. Most pieces can be purchased individually as well as in a kit.

At the time of rebuild, soft parts (clutches, seals, sealing rings, internal and external gaskets) and the filter are usually replaced. There are times when a shop can offer to only do a pin point fix, depending on the rest of the parts or the budget of the customer. This would mean that the shop was only replacing what was needed to bring the transmission back to working order. A good transmission shop will be searching for the failure and the cause of the failure so the problem doesn’t return after repairs are completed. Pin point fixes can be very cost effective and dependable, and can last as long as overhauls (rebuilds), which I have seen in my own experience. Some customers prefer to replace the wearable items, and this is fine. Typically soft parts are replaced at the time of rebuild. Bushings are typically replaced as needed, and the same goes for bearings and washers. If you want all of the “soft parts” changed at the time of rebuild, make sure to request that type of rebuild kit.

Automatic Transmission Hard Parts

Hard parts are parts made of steel or aluminum inside your transmission. They do not normally go bad, but when they do they can be bought used, re manufactured, or new. Excessive hard part damage can drive up the costs of repair. Some Hard Parts inside the transmission are called pumps, drums, planetary, housings, shafts and the valve body.

When a pump is bad, it can be resurfaced or replaced with used, remanufactured, or new equipment. Pumps are rebuilt during the transmission rebuild process. Bushings inside the stator of the pump or the pump cover bushing are very common to be replaced at time of transmission rebuild. The front seal and sealing rings on the stator are also replaced. When buying a new pump, they can be expensive depending on the application. Resurfacing a pump body or pump cover is time consuming, and it is more cost effective to replace the pump with a re manufactured or used pump that is in good condition.

Drums are typically replaced as needed. A drum is a holding fixture for clutches. Drums can be purchased used, re manufactured or new. My rule of thumb is if a drum has damaged clutches, then replace the drum, though it is not always a necessary procedure. A drum can be rebuilt with new rings on the pistons and work as good as new. Drums can crack at tig welds, and fail where bushings ride and warp. In some cases, the drum can be the cause of failure, but in most cases the drum and clutch pack are damaged by the cause of failure.

The planetary assemblies inside your transmission are very durable. They typically do not fail, but there is always the possibility that they can. Usually if a planetary has been damaged, it has been damaged by another source. Extreme lack of maintenance can cause planet failure. In most cases, planet failure is caused by lack of internal lubrication. Planets (planetary assembly) can be purchased used, re manufactured or new. Planetary assemblies can be rebuilt, but it is time consuming, and generally considered more practical to replace the assembly in most cases. If your working on a 722.99 Mercedes 7 speed automatic, a new planetary assembly can cost thousands of dollars. A re manufactured assembly or used planet set in good condition will be as durable and a more cost efficient option that will last just as long as new (as long as the cause of failure is found and corrected).

The Valve body can make or break a good transmission rebuild. The valve body can be replaced as needed with used, re manufactured or new parts, but is typically cleaned and reused. The valve body inspection, cleaning, and re-assembly is one of the most critical parts of the entire transmission overhaul procedure. Cars and trucks today have electrical components called shift solenoids attached to the valve body. These shift solenoids help shift the transmission, and can be replaced with new or used parts or, in some cases, rebuilt. Most transmission rebuild shops will know what to do to make sure your valve body is a dependable part of transmission operation.

Automatic Transmission Updates

It is said that remanufactured transmissions have special powers. The remanufactured transmission has been updated to exceed the manufacturer’s specifications, and these aftermarket updates correct all the problems that the manufacturer didn’t get right at the time of design. Some after market updates are in some overhaul kits, while others are bought as needed. Good transmission repair shops have the experience to know which updates are the best. Some transmissions just don’t work that well; they shift sloppily from the factory. Sometimes computer updates can correct transmission shifting concerns.

Updates are available for all different parts of your transmission. Personally, I am a big fan of a shift kit on certain transmission types at time of overhaul. A shift kit on certain transmission applications makes the transmission feel better when it shifts, though the same transmission will last just as long without the shift kit. Internally speaking, there are no special updates available to remanufactured transmission suppliers. When a Honda Odyssey has a torque converter clutch failure (or not), it is industry standard to update the pressure regulator valve inside the transmission. It is also common practice to do an end plugs update in the valve body at time of overhaul, install a external transmission cooler, etc. This is only one of many examples. Internal and external transmission updates are available to all transmission rebuild centers.

Pro’s and Con’s of Remanufactured (replacement) Transmission vs Repairing (rebuild) the Original

Remanufactured transmissions tend to be much more expensive. It may be the mark up of the transmission installer of the replacement transmission, or the transmission supplier who supplies the transmission to the installer. It could be that when buying a remanufactured transmission, you are buying parts that may not be needed to rebuild your original transmission. Inside a automatic transmission, there is typically over 700 individual pieces that make up the entire transmission. Most of these parts, 90% or more are reusable and do not fail. If a remanufactured transmission is available locally, it can be a quicker turn around on completion of repairs. When rebuilding the transmission in your vehicle, it will typically take 3-5 business days and sometimes more. In some cases a remanufactured transmission installer may be able to get a transmission locally and install it sooner, saving rebuild time.

Most remanufactured transmissions are tested on a transmission dynamometer. This transmission testing machine allows the remanufactures to test the transmission for proper operation prior to shipping. Transmission dyno’s are state of the art and are a amazing piece of equipment. The dyno tested transmission is not a guarantee that your transmission will never fail again.  When considering a dyno tested reman transmission, pay close attention to what caused the transmission to fail, so the problem doesn’t reoccur with the exchange reman transmission. Many transmission failures are caused by problems outside of the transmission itself.

Repairing your original transmission can in some cases cost thousands less than a replacement transmission. Reusing the good parts and only replacing the bad tends to be a more cost effective method than the latter method of remanufacturing. A transmission rebuild of your original transmission will be equivalent to a re manufactured (replacement) transmission in relation to quality and updates, but it may take more time to complete the repair.

Warranty – Remanufactured Transmission vs Rebuilding Original Transmission

The warranty is typically very similar between the two, but sometimes reman transmissions will carry a 3 year warranty or longer. Most rebuilt transmissions will carry a 1-2 year warranty. Most remanufactured transmissions will carry a nationwide warranty. Most automatic transmission repair shops have different warranties and transmission repair types to fit your repair needs but typically only offer a local warranty. The warranty on a  remanufactured (replacement) or a rebuilt transmission is always negotiable (try it). Most transmission remanufactures will pay the installer for the removal and installation of the transmission in the event of a warranty repair, some do not. Be certain to ask when purchasing a reman transmission what additional costs may be incurred in the event of a failure. Rebuilding your original transmission will usually include a warranty that includes the removal and installation in the event of a warranty claim.

Warning Signs of a Failing Transmission

All modern cars are now made with computerized transmissions. Of course, nothing is full proof. As sophisticated as these modern transmissions can be, errors can make those gearshifts considerably less smooth. Keep reading for some warnings signs to keep a  look out for. 

The check engine light is often one of the first telltale signs that your car is having trouble. You might also notice some strange sounds or vibrations when something goes awry with your vehicle’s transmission. In other situations, your transmission might shift gears in unpredictable ways, resulting in uneven speeds and inconsistencies while driving.

Your car may sound like it’s trying to go 100 miles per hour when it’s only traveling at 50, this is known as a transmission slipping in most cases. Additionally, there might be a few seconds delay when you shift from park to drive. While some of these problems might seem negligible in the moment, ignoring such issues could make the situation worse by actually decreasing the life of your transmission over time and increasing the chance of automatic transmission repair.

Automatic Transmission Slipping

Does your car feel like it is changes gears randomly while driving? Are you experiencing struggling or a lack of acceleration? These may be signs your automatic transmission is slipping and needs to be looked at by a certified technician. Slipping of the automatic transmission may be accompanied by a whining sound. Any of these symptoms may require your transmission be serviced.

Rough Gear Shifting

Does your car feel like it is refusing to shift gears or is just doing so un-smoothly? Rough gear shifting can be a sign that your transmission is failing. You may hear a thud/clunk noise while attempting to shift gears as well. If your vehicle is shifting gears roughly or making odd noises it may be time to contact a local Denver rebuilt transmission specialist.

Fluid Leaks/Stains under your car

Noticing new fluid stains and/or leaks underneath your vehicle? The automatic transmission is a closed system that should not leak fluid at all. Transmission fluid is typically pink/red in color but can sometimes appear brown as well. If you notice any new stains underneath your vehicle, especially a red-ish stain you should contact our local transmission services specialists.

Odd Automatic Transmission Sounds

Whining, clunking, thuds, all of these odd automatic transmission sounds can be a sign your transmission is failing in your vehicle. When shifting your vehicle from Park to Drive, you may also hear the engine revving yet it doesn’t appear to get power. Any new noises that your vehicle is making could be a sign of something serious like transmission failure. Our transmission repair specialists are trained to notice all the sounds/signs of a transmission problem.