Transmission Service – Clutch & Transmission Repair, Chandler AZ

Crawford’s Auto Repair offers transmission service, including a transmission flush, transmission repair and clutch repair to vehicle owners from Chandler, Gilbert and other nearby areas.

What is a Transmission? Why is it important?

The internal combustion engine uses a series of controlled micro explosions to drive pistons up and down in their cylinders. Because of the shape of the parts and control of the firing order from the electrical system and the fuel injection system, the pistons alternate–as one piston goes up the adjacent piston goes down. The pistons are attached in an alternating pattern to a crankshaft, so as they alternate going up and down they are turning the crankshaft in continuous rotational motion. This kinetic energy is then transferred to the wheels through a series of “gear box” parts, shafts and axles, all of which is called the drivetrain. The first of these parts is a “gear box” part called the transmission. When considering the engine and drivetrain together, it’s called the power train.

The shape and position of the transmission will depended on the arrangement of the remainder of the drivetrain. In a rear-wheel drive vehicle the transmission will be cone-shaped with the apex pointing towards the drive shaft and rear differential (or transfer case in an All-Wheel Drive vehicle). In a front wheel drive vehicle the transmission will be combined with a differential and called a transaxle.

The transmission uses mechanical advantage to either increase or decrease the kinetic energy that is received from the engine through the crankshaft. It may help to comprehend how this is done by visualizing a multi-speed bicycle. A multi-speed bicycle will have multiple cogs at the pedals and multiple cogs at the center of the rear wheel. A chain connects a front cog with a rear cog and it moves between cogs when the rider shifts gears. The rider will use high gears to go faster on a level riding plane and lower gears to go uphill. It is the change in mechanical ratios that allows the rider to pedal uphill.

Transmission Flush (i.e. Transmission Service or Transmission Fluid Service)

Depending on the specifications from your vehicle’s manufacturer, your vehicle could need a transmission fluid flush about every 100,000 miles. In older vehicles the intervals will be shorter. The vehicle owner’s manual is consulted for the exact maintenance schedule.

The word “flush” is kind of a misnomer that we tend to avoid using in general and for the transmission specifically. We prefer to call this a “transmission fluid service” for more than one reason. One reason is that a “flush” could imply that we run water through the transmission like we do for a cooling system flush, and we don’t! Although a degreaser fluid could be used to clean some of the parts which could be considered a “flush”. Another reason is that the service involves more than just removing the old fluid and installing new fluid. It includes disassembly, installation of a new filter, possible installation of a new gasket, reassembly, and installation of new fluid.

The following is a step by step detail of a transmission fluid service. The steps could vary depending on make and model. Some makes and models are more complicated than others.

• Vehicle is raised on a hydraulic lift
• Drain pan or transmission pan is removed and transmission fluid drained
• Transmission filter is removed
• New transmission filter is installed
• Transmission pan magnet is cleaned
• Transmission pan is cleaned with degreaser
• Replace pan gasket if needed or clean pan gasket if reusing it
• Clean gasket seal surface on the open transmission
• Reinstall transmission pan following any torque recommendations from manufacturer if any.
• All residual transmission fluid from splashing or draining is cleaned off the bottom of the vehicle.
• Vehicle is lowered
• New transmission fluid is installed, ensuring that it is the correct fluid for the vehicle. Fluid is installed cautiously to above the cold engine level (if it’s overfilled the only way to drain it is to remove the pan again.
• Vehicle is driven a couple miles so the engine is hot. Confirm that the fluid is not above the hot engine level.
• Raise vehicle again and confirm there are no leaks

As you can see it’s more than just opening a plug and refilling it. So it’s more than a “flush”, its a “service”.

Warning Lights Related to Transmission

The most common warning light which could indicate transmission problems is the Check Engine Light, however the Check Engine Light is not specific to the transmission and could indicate other problems while the transmission is fine. Your particular make and model may have a different symbol than the one shown. See variations of the Check Engine Light on our Dashboard Light Guide. See also Free Check Engine Light Code Scan.

If your vehicle has it, the transmission temperature or transmission oil temperature warning light indicates that the transmission is too hot. This has the same severity as the engine temperature light and if your vehicle has it, you should memorize it so that you know what to do if it comes on. Pull over as safely and as quickly as possible and turn off the engine to allow it to cool. Continuing to drive while it’s hot will severely damage the transmission up to and including the need for replacement. You’ll want to have the vehicle towed to the shop to avoid damage.

These are additional transmission service lights. They could indicate that service is due or that there is an issue that needs inspection and repair. Red is probably more urgent than orange or yellow, although that is not a universal rule of thumb.

It is most likely that these indicator lights will be present on vehicles that require a lot of engine power, such as 4-wheel drive (4WD) and vehicles made for towing. There may be other indicator lights that are specific for 4WD and AWD vehicles. A manual transmission might have other indicators that indicate when it’s best to change gears or brake.

We only include indicator lights that suggest the need for servicing here. Consult your owner’s manual for additional indicator lights.

Signs Of A Failing Transmission

The following are signs that the transmission could be failing and would merit further inspection and repairs.

• Transmission slipping – transmission changes gear for no apparent reason, engine may change in pitch or whine, it may seem like the engine has low power or isn’t accelerating properly.
• Transmission delay – A pause before the vehicle drives after shifting from “P” to “D”, during this pause the engine may rev as you apply the accelerater but it doesn’t move forward or vehicle doesn’t shift when accelerating.
• Transmission dragging – Rough shifting, noticeable clunks and thuds when vehicle shifts gears, or grinding.
• Noises while the car is in neutral
• Transmission fluid leak discovered upon inspection.
• Your vehicle may have a warning dashboard light specific to the transmission. If it doesn’t then the Check Engine Light could illuminate, but the Check Engine Light could mean a lot of other things too.
• There is a burning smell (never good, could mean other things too)

Transmission Repairs

The most common issue found in transmissions is a leak. Transmission leak repair could include gasket seal replacement or driveshaft seal replacement. The transmission is cooled by the Cooling System, just like the engine. An internal leak could cause coolant-transmission fluid cross contamination. This would require radiator tank replacement, which is only sold with a new radiator (radiator replacement). Of course a flush or “fluid service” would be part of the repair.

Another common issue is the torque converter has worn or damaged needle bearings which would require torque converter replacement. There could also be problems with the transmission solenoid. The transmission solenoid could break as a primary problem, or it could be a secondary problem since a leak somewhere else could reduce the fluid level required to keep the solenoid functioning properly. Both cases would require solenoid repair.

Severe cases of transmission problems would require a transmission rebuild or transmission replacement. These are much more expensive than other repairs so we will discuss best options with you so you can make an informed decision.

Additional repairs are included in the more complete list below. If a transmission repair is required within three years of purchase, then it may be covered by warranty. That’s a case where you might want to check with the dealer. In most other cases Crawford’s Auto would be a better option since our quality is the same or better and our prices are much more competitive than any dealership.

Signs of Failing Clutch

The following are signs of clutch failure which will merit further investigation and repair:

• Clutch slipping – you release the clutch pedal and press the accelerator but the vehicle moves slowly while the engine revs higher, or clutch releases earlier than when you lift the clutch pedal.
• Clutch pedal makes noises when engaging and disengaging
• Clutch pedal chatters when you accelerate
• Clutch pedal pulsates
• Clutch pedal remains stuck to the floor
• Clutch pedal feels loose or spongey
• Clutch pedal is hard to engage
• Transmission makes grinding, whirling or chirping noise in neutral
• Grinding occurs when shifting gears
• Trouble getting into gear

Clutch Repairs

For some vehicles clutch slipping or sticking can be fixed with a clutch cable repair or adjustment. Hydraulic issues may mean you need seal and gasket replacement, or master and/or slave cylinder replacement. Other common repairs include flywheel resurfacing or flywheel replacement.

A clutch job involves replacing the pressure plate, disk and bearings. In some cases it may be more economic to replace the entire assembly, which is a full clutch job.

Here is a more complete list of clutch and transmission repairs:

Bring Your Vehicle To Crawford’s Auto Repair For Clutch & Transmission Service. Call 480-201-0740 To Schedule An Appointment.

If you have any gear shifting issues with your vehicle or if you’re due for maintenance services according your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations, then bring your vehicle to Crawford’s Auto Repair for clutch and transmission services. We can perform everything from fluid replacement to complete transmission rebuild or replacement. We treat your vehicle as if it belonged to our own mother and we never try to sell unnecessary repairs. Call 480-201-0740 to schedule an appointment.