For over 50 years, the Cronulla Sutherland Automatics team has been servicing and repairing clutches and gearboxes in the Sutherland Shire. Whatever your concern, our qualified mechanics will be able to assist with any concerns you may have.
The most common causes of gearbox failure
Inadequate lubrication caused by under filling
No matter what gearbox type you are using in your vehicle in the Sutherland Shire, you’ll need to maintain lubrication in appropriate amounts for its proper functioning at all times. The use of low-quality or incorrect lubricant and lack of adequate lubrication are two of the primary issues connected to gearbox failure.
Incorrect specification
Selecting a gearbox can be quite difficult. Customers in the Sutherland Shire have a wide range of gearboxes to choose from that are capable of fulfilling a range of requirements. An incorrect decision could result in the purchase of a more expensive gearbox. The power transmission industry may need a gearbox that will support overhung loads while the motion control industry may need a gearbox that will handle dynamic motion.
Mixing or incompatibility
Some transmission fluids are very incompatible with different transmission types as they use varying additives in the fluids. Your car transmission requires the correct fluid, as specified by your car manufacturer, to run correctly and to the full length of life.
Deteriorated grease or oil
Some of the common points of issue for gearbox applications are oil overheating, foaming, and emulsification. All of these are aggravated or caused by use of the wrong oil for the application and by contaminant ingression.
Water contamination
Water is one of the most destructive contaminants and is often ignored as one of the primary root causes of gearbox failure. The metal features inside the gearbox will always be susceptible to varnish and rusting when water is present. Cronulla Sutherland automatics can assist with issues of water contamination with your gearbox in the Sutherland Shire. Water contamination within a gearbox can cause issues such as:
• Shorter component life due to corrosion and rust (bearings and gears).
• Water etching caused by the generation of sulfuric acid and hydrogen sulfide from water.
• Erosion as a result of free water flashing onto hot metal surfaces and causing pitting.
There are many signs you can look for when determining if your gearbox is failing. The top 5 signs of gearbox failure are:
Poor response
If you’re having issues shifting gears, your vehicle may have a faulty gearbox. Any sign of complete refusal or hesitation to change gears may indicate that your gearbox may have a fault. These symptoms may be be a sign of electric, mechanical or hydraulic issues. In a manual, you may notice a disconnect between changing gears and the actual increase in revs from the engine. The vehicle may also accelerate slower than the higher revs suggest.
Unusual sounds
You may have an issue with your gearbox if it starts producing a sound you’ve never heard before, or if you hear whining, clunking, buzzing or humming. Your gearbox comprises hundreds of moving parts. If just one ball bearing is faulty, for example, such unexpected noises may occur as a result. Manual transmissions tend to “clunk” while automatics often hum or buzz. Beware that such noises may also be caused by problems with the drive shaft, exhaust or engine, and may not mean that your gearbox is faulty – but either way, it’s important to get the vehicle checked out by Cronulla Sutherland Automatics.
Fluid leakage
Automatic transmission fluid (ATF) is present in automatic gearboxes to assist in reducing friction and therefore overheating. If this fluid starts to leak, you could have a serious issue on your hands. Indeed, loss of ATF is a very common cause for automatic transmission failure. An ATF leak may result in red, bright fluid pooling under your vehicle. However, if the fluid has been burnt in the gearbox due to friction, it could be black or brown – in which case a gearbox repair from Cronulla Sutherland Automatics may be required.
Refusal to shift gear
There are a number of possible reasons why your car has an inability to change gear, including incorrect transmission fluid, a clogged filter, failing solenoids and faulty sensors . It is essential to get your vehicle checked out by Cronulla Sutherland Automatics if it refuses to change gear. This could result in a gearbox repair by the Sutherland Shire specialists.
Burning smell
If you notice a rubber-like burnt smell paired with fluid leakage, you could have a gearbox issue. You may also see smoke. Burnt fluid means that your transmission is not receiving the lubrication it requires. These signs may indicate your transmission is nearing the end of its life. If there’s no leakage, such a smell may be caused by debris or sludge being burnt.
What does a gearbox do?
The purpose of a gearbox is to increase or decrease the speed at which you are travelling. As a result, torque output will be the inverse of the speed function. If the enclosed drive is a speed reducer (speed output is less than speed input), the torque output will increase; if the drive increases speed, the torque output will decrease. To maintain engine speed on all conditions of vehicle speed and load, the gearbox uses a system to maintain engine speed, while sacrificing the same road speed. To enable the engine to run faster on-road wheels as well as to multiply the torque, a gearbox is necessary.
What’s included in a gearbox service and repair at Cronulla Sutherland Automatics?
Our range of services include:
• Repairing a broken clutch
• Replacing the whole clutch kit
• Replacing the clutch fluid
• Replacing transmission fluid and filter
Our workshop has 8 hoists, enabling us to service a range of car sizes and types in the Sutherland Shire.
Cronulla Sutherland Automatics offers honesty, fast service, co-operation and reliability. You will not be disappointed if you choose Cronulla Sutherland Automatics to assist you in trouble-free motoring. Cronulla Sutherland Automatics is an Authorised Repairer for the NRMA, a member of the Motor Traders Association (MTA) and the Institute of Automotive Mechanical Engineers (IAME). Cronulla Sutherland Automatics is an accredited member with the Motor Vehicles Repair Industry Authority and the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders of Australasia (ATRA).
Any questions, suggestions or comments are welcome and will be answered as quickly as possible! Call now or contact us on our contact form >