Wear and Tear of the Pan Gasket

Regular use of a car or truck makes it more likely that a driver will have problems with their transmission pan gasket. The pan gasket is vulnerable to being cracked by loose rocks and debris that get kicked up onto the car's undercarriage, along with regular damage over time. This is usually a best-case scenario for cars with fluid leaks because this transmission repair is relatively straightforward and inexpensive.

Torque Converter Leakage

Within the torque converter, a hydraulic pump uses pressure to push transmission fluid throughout the whole system. A crack or damage to this pump or its seal will reduce the pressure being applied and allow fluid to leak. Unfortunately, repairing this issue requires significantly more labor than a pan gasket.

Irregular Transmission Maintenance

Unlike engine oil, transmission fluid serves several purposes, including lubricating gears, acting as a coolant, and transferring power from the engine. This fluid will eventually degrade and become contaminated with bits of metal (in manual transmissions). If a car's transmission fluid and filter aren't changed every few years, the fluid won't perform as well, and the debris can damage the bearings and seals, causing a leak. Performing routine transmission maintenance and other upkeep can help avoid these problems.

The truth is, any transmission leak is worth checking out to prevent more serious issues. At Best Transmission, our team prides itself on providing customers with honest, reliable work and fair prices. We stand behind our transmission repairs with a 12-month/unlimited mile warranty, and each technician has decades of experience working on foreign and domestic cars and trucks. If you're in the Jacksonville area and are experiencing issues with your transmission, call our shop today at 904.783.4980.

Signs of a Failed Transmission

If you're having any of the following issues, your transmission may be failing, and you should consider rebuilding it:

• A delay after changing gears: If you notice a delay when shifting from drive to park or any other gear, that points to a serious problem.
• Slipping transmission: Your vehicle should never "slip" into a different gear while you're driving or parked.
• Difficulty getting into gear: Similar to a delay, if shifting gears is putting a strain on your vehicle or it's refusing to change gears, that's a bad sign.

Inspection and Replacement of Parts

During the first stage of the transmission rebuild, a technician will inspect all of the parts to assess the damage and check which components can be salvaged. Many of the soft parts will be discarded because they tend to get more wear over time. This includes clutches, gaskets, filters, seals, and bands. The parts that are still in good condition will be cleaned and saved for reassembly.

Transmission Reassembly

As you might have guessed, assembly involves putting the transmission back together with the parts that have been cleaned or replaced. The technician will also make modifications based on the car manufacturer's recommended updates. This can help prevent the issues that caused your transmission to fail in the first place.

Test Drive and Quality Assurance Check

The last step is making sure that the rebuilt transmission is working correctly. Then, the technician will check for any leaks and top it off with some fluid. Once you get your vehicle back, you should ask for maintenance tips to keep it running smoothly.

At Best Transmission, our team has served drivers in Jacksonville with honesty and integrity for decades. Our technicians are transmission experts, and our repair shop is a certified ATRA member. We offer comprehensive transmission repair services for cars and trucks that are foreign or domestic. We back the quality of our work with a 12-month/unlimited mile warranty. If your transmission is having issues, get an estimate from our team today by calling 904.783.4980 or contacting us online.

Manual Transmission Fluid

Traditionally, manual transmission fluid is much thicker than automatic fluid. The main differences between the fluids used for manual transmissions align with their intended functions. Here are the responsibilities of manual transmission fluid:

• Facilitating smooth shifts: Manual transmissions have built-in synchronizers that equalize the speed of the gears that are being engaged, which makes for an effortless shift. The two main components of the synchronizer, the sleeve and the synchronizer (blocker) ring, work together to ensure a successful gear shift. The friction between the synchronizer ring and a cone on the face of the gear matches their speed. The smoothness, or feel, of the gear shift is related to the lubricant's viscosity.
• Minimizing wear: Quality transmission fluid should actively fight against damage to the synchronizers and the unit as a whole. Synchronizers are typically made of brass, which isn't compatible with certain lubricant additives. The thickness of manual transmission fluid helps reduce friction and heat, which can cause deterioration.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Automatic transmissions and their fluids are a little more complicated⁠. Automatic transmission fluid performs several functions that include managing friction levels and preventing wear. Additional duties of the fluid include:

• Functioning as a hydraulic fluid: Automatic transmissions use pressurized fluid during gear shifts by sending an electric signal to the correct shift solenoid. The solenoid sends fluid through passages in the valve body to engage the selected gear. This fluid squeezes a set of plates inside a clutch pack to direct the engine to the transmission output shaft and send power to the wheels.
• Reducing heat: High temperatures can be severely damaging to automatic transmission fluid. It breaks down the substance and creates a sludge that can clog passages and make shifting difficult.

Selecting the Right Transmission Fluid for Your Vehicle

Sometimes, automatic transmission fluid can be used in manual transmissions, but you should consult a transmission professional and the car's manual before purchasing transmission fluid to service your vehicle. A professional can provide maintenance tips to ensure that your vehicle's transmission is functioning properly and help extend its lifespan.

Not everyone feels confident performing maintenance on their own transmissions, and that's why Best Transmission offers automotive support for drivers in Jacksonville. We perform transmission maintenance on cars, trucks, 18-wheelers, and more while offering a 12-month guarantee on our work. Contact our expert technicians today by calling 904.783.4980.