Transmission Repair: Arming Yourself With Knowledge

Not everyone wants to be a transmission repair expert. In fact, more and more people these days simply want to drive their cars and leave the rest to the mechanics. While this is fine and dandy, it should be noted that not every mechanic you come across is going to be honest with you about the problems your car is facing. While there are doubtlessly more honest mechanics out there than not, how will you know the difference if you don’t know anything about the car you’re driving? The good news is this: the area underneath the hood of your car isn’t some mystical world of unknown mysteries. With just a bit of research, you can arm yourself with more knowledge than you might have ever thought possible.

The Parts

When it comes to talking about transmission repair with a mechanic, you’ll want to know the various parts that comprise this piece of machinery. These parts and names will be thrown at you when discussing the problem, so, at the very least, you should have an idea of where they’re going. When they bring up the “johnson rod”, you can assure yourself that you would be better off taking your car somewhere else. The more knowledge and intelligence you can display during your conversation with a mechanic, the milder the chances are that you will be ripped off.

The Bell Housing

When a mechanic pops open the hood to begin transmission repair, the bell housing will be the part of the machinery they see first. Shaped roughly like a cone, it is a metal casing that is visible to anyone who cares to glance at it. Depending on whether you drive a front wheel drive car or a rear wheel drive, the casing may be to the side or behind the engine itself.

The Gears

You might be under the impression that because you drive an automatic, your transmission doesn’t go through gears. But this isn’t the case. An automatic has the same gears as a standard. It just uses a different system to switch through them while your car is in traffic, eliminating the need for a clutch and a manual shifter. The car will have both main gears and planetary gears, both of which are necessary to move.

The Fluid

Few auto experts will disagree with the fact that the fluid is one of the most important aspects of transmission repair. Without it, you will experience a myriad of problems, eventually resulting in failure. This is why it’s always a good idea to check your fluid levels on the order of twice a year. Check for leaks whenever you park on a light colored surface.