Should You Repair or Replace a Broken Transmission?
3 Answers
It's best to replace a broken transmission. The transmission replacement method is as follows: 1. Remove the positioning screws, washers, springs, steel balls, and reverse light switch. Remove the shift control device and positioning pins. Remove the drain plug, fill plug, and vehicle speed sensor. Remove the transmission hanger, cross it, and then remove the transmission housing bolts in three steps. 2. Remove the sealing screws, spread the retaining ring, and place it on the countershaft bearing. Then use a retaining ring plier to remove it. Finally, pull out the transmission housing and positioning pins. 3. Remove the reverse idler shaft, reverse idler gear, and reverse shift fork. Remove the reverse lock cam. Wrap tape around the splines where the clutch driven disc is installed. Remove the shift fork assembly, main shaft assembly, and countershaft assembly from the clutch housing. Take out the differential assembly, magnet, oil drain plate, oil guide plate, and gasket.
I remember last year when my car's transmission had issues, it really stressed me out. The first thing was to check the repair costs: if the damage wasn't severe, spending a few thousand could fix it, like replacing some internal gears or refurbishing. Compared to directly spending ten to twenty thousand on a new transmission, it saved a lot of money, especially for someone like me on a salary, who also has to consider daily expenses. Ask nearby repair shops if they can diagnose the type of fault—sometimes it's just a bad sensor or fluid issue, which can be fixed easily. But don't just go for the cheapest option; find a reliable place, or you might end up spending more on rework. In the end, I chose to repair it, and the money saved was just enough for an annual inspection. In short, assess your budget and the actual condition of your car first, and don't rush to replace it blindly.
I've been pondering the transmission failure issue from the perspective of the vehicle's overall value. If the car is already over ten years old, replacing the transmission won't add much value, and the investment would be too high to justify. It might be better to simply repair it or consider selling the car to buy a new one. However, if the vehicle is still relatively new, say only three years old, repairing or replacing the transmission can help maintain its value and ensure future driving performance. I consulted my friends' experiences: minor issues like damaged synchronizers can be fixed with repairs, while major problems such as completely shattered internal gears may require replacement parts. Remember to check the vehicle manual to understand the transmission type, as the approach differs between automatic and manual transmissions. Regular maintenance is the best preventive measure, like changing the transmission fluid early to avoid wear. At my age, I focus more on long-term considerations, weighing costs and practicality before making a decision.
