How Much Does It Cost to Repair a Gearbox?
Ellie Dyer-Brown, 11 days ago
5 min read
- Repair
- Cost
- Gearbox
WhoCanFixMyCar breaks down the cost of repairing a gearbox.
This in-depth guide discusses common gearbox problems, causes and average repair prices.
Contents
How much does it cost to repair a gearbox?
The average price of a gearbox repair is £277.03. The table below shows how prices vary between different manufacturers.
Car Make | Average Price |
---|---|
Audi | £328.39 |
BMW | £226.25 |
Fiat | £261.26 |
Ford | £474.97 |
Mercedes | £116.67 |
Nissan | £248.69 |
Peugeot | £203.08 |
Vauxhall | £390.99 |
Volkswagen | £296.97 |
How does a gearbox work?
The gearbox is an intricate piece of machinery. It transfers power from the engine to the wheels using a set of gears that can be shifted to adjust the speed and torque. These gears are arranged in various patterns to offer different speeds while maintaining performance. When you push the clutch pedal, it disconnects the engine from the wheels, allowing you to change gears.
This guide discusses how automatic cars work and whether they have a clutch.
Early signs of gearbox problems
Jumping gears
If your car slips into the top or lowest gear without you telling it to, there may be a problem with the gearbox. Specifically, the transmission fluid may be low or the linkage rod could be worn out.
Noisy while in neutral
If you hear more noise than usual from your car while it's in neutral, check the fluid level and try topping it up. It's also worth checking for a leak, which will require a repair to stop the problem from reoccurring. If topping up the fluid doesn't solve the problem, a likely cause is worn-down gearbox parts.
The engine management light is on
Gearbox trouble can trigger the engine management light. However, this dashboard warning light has many other possible causes, so you should check for additional symptoms that could help you diagnose the problem.
Dragging clutch
A dragging clutch is caused when the flywheel and clutch fail to disengage, making changing gears almost impossible. This gearbox problem will likely be accompanied by a grinding noise emitted every time you try to change gears.
Find out what a flywheel is and what it does in this guide.
If the clutch has too much slack in the pedal, the linkage between the clutch disk and the pedal won't pull the two components apart. Therefore, the linkage needs to be tightened or replaced.
Car won't go into gear
If your car refuses to go into gear or makes a grinding noise when you try to shift gear, there are a few possible causes:
Low transmission fluid
A sensor issue
Clutch linkage or shift cable problem
Burning smell
A burning smell from the bonnet or inside the cabin is a common symptom of a faulty gearbox. It can be caused by oil leaking into the exhaust manifold, the wrong transmission fluid, low fluid and the transmission running hot. Whatever the cause, a burning smell shouldn't be ignored.
Shaking or shuddering
In automatic cars, a shaking or shuddering sensation accompanied by a failure to engage gears, it could be because the torque converter has failed. Shuddering in a manual vehicle is more likely to be caused by a clutch problem.
If you're unsure what's making your car shake, a diagnostic test could help you get to the bottom of the issue.
Leaking transmission fluid
Leaking transmission or gearbox fluid is another common cause of gearbox issues. It can be caused by a worn gasket or seal, a crack in the transmission casing, a faulty drain seal or loose bolts. This guide discusses how to identify and fix leaks.
Whining, clunking or humming noises
Hearing a strange noise from your car is probably the easiest way to know that something isn’t right. Clunking, whining and humming noises are often caused by low gearbox oil, damaged gears or worn out bearings.
Whatever is causing your car's gearbox issues, WhoCanFixMyCar's garage network is here to help.
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