When a transmission has internal damage, the options are a rebuild, a remanufactured unit or a good used unit. AutoTech Clinic explains all three with the cost, the warranty and the time frame, then does the work at our shop at Michigan Ave and Telegraph in Dearborn.
Before we quote any of them we confirm the damage is internal. That means a scan, a pressure test, a fluid inspection for metal and a road test, because a rebuild is a serious amount of money to spend on a guess.
- How Long
- Typically 3 to 5 working days.
- Same Day
- Time frame confirmed before you leave the car.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need Transmission Rebuild and Replacement
- Metal flake or clutch material in the transmission fluid or pan
- Slipping in more than one gear, or no drive at all
- A loud whine or grinding that changes with road speed
- Line pressure that reads low on the scan tool and does not respond
- A repair quote that approaches the price of a replacement unit
- The transmission has already failed once and the same fault returned
What We Do
- 01
Confirm Internal Failure
We drop the pan and inspect for debris, test line pressure and verify the fault is inside the unit before recommending a rebuild.
- 02
Lay Out Your Options
Rebuild, remanufactured or used, each with its own cost, warranty and lead time. We tell you which we would choose and why.
- 03
Find the Root Cause
An overheated transmission usually had a reason: a plugged cooler, a leak, towing beyond the rating or neglected fluid. We fix the cause so the new unit lives.
- 04
Replace the Supporting Parts
Torque converter, cooler lines, flush of the cooler circuit, mounts, seals and fluid. Reusing a contaminated cooler will take out a fresh transmission.
- 05
Program, Relearn and Road Test
We complete any programming the vehicle requires, run the adaptive relearn, then road test thoroughly through every gear before you get the car back.
Rebuild or Remanufactured: The Honest Comparison
A rebuild opens your existing unit, replaces the worn clutches, seals, bands and any damaged hard parts, and puts it back in. It keeps your original case and it can be the most cost effective route.
A remanufactured unit is built to a specification in a dedicated facility, often with factory updates applied to fix known weaknesses, and it generally carries a longer warranty. For many late model vehicles that is the option we recommend. We put both numbers in front of you with the warranty terms in writing.
Why the Torque Converter Goes With It
The torque converter sits between the engine and the transmission and holds a large share of the fluid. When a transmission fails internally, debris circulates straight into the converter and stays there.
Reusing the old converter sends that debris into a freshly rebuilt unit. Replacing or properly reconditioning it is not an upsell, it is the only way the warranty means anything.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Rebuild, remanufactured or used unit
- Front wheel drive transaxles versus rear wheel drive transmissions
- Whether the torque converter and cooler also need replacing
- All wheel drive and four wheel drive models, which take longer to remove
- Programming requirements on late model vehicles
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.