Gearbox Repairs in Bantham

Bantham sits at the mouth of the River Avon, and a sunny weekend brings surfers, walkers and plenty of cars squeezing down narrow lanes. Between queuing, reversing in tight spots and pulling away on gradients, a manual gearbox earns its keep, and its faults tend to appear at the worst moments.

Automaster, at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, deals with manual gearbox repair and replacement, gearbox servicing, transmission diagnostics, differentials, CV joints and driveshafts. We see drivers from Bantham, Thurlestone, Bigbury, Kingsbridge and Loddiswell.

Why is my gearbox hard to get into gear?

Difficulty selecting a gear has several possible causes: a clutch that is not fully releasing, worn synchromesh, tired gearbox oil, a stretched cable or worn linkage. Reverse is often the first to complain because it is used for tricky parking.

If a gear will not engage at all, or the car will not move properly when it does, stop driving and get it looked at. Forcing the lever can damage a gearbox that might otherwise have been put right.

• Reverse difficult to select
• Lever stiff or notchy
• Gears will not engage cleanly
• Clutch pedal low or spongy

Could salty beach air harm CV joints and driveshafts?

Coastal conditions are hard on rubber and metal. CV joint boots can crack or split with age, grit and sand get in, and the joint wears quickly. The sound is a rhythmic clicking when turning on full lock, and driveshaft or inner joint wear can give a shudder when you accelerate.

Catching a split boot early can sometimes mean a smaller job than replacing a whole joint, though that depends on what we find when we inspect.

How do you decide between repairing and replacing a gearbox?

We open the conversation only after looking at the car. If wear is limited to something like a seal, a bearing or a selector component, repair is often possible. If there is widespread damage, or the work to repair would be extensive, a replacement unit may be the better route.

Several things shape the price: how hard the gearbox is to remove on your vehicle, the parts involved, and whether the clutch is worth renewing at the same time. You can ask for a quote at any stage.

Is it a gearbox fault or a clutch fault?

This is the question we get asked most. A clutch that drags or slips can feel exactly like a gearbox that is failing, with crunching, difficult gear changes or a lack of drive. A hydraulic fault in the clutch system can have the same effect.

Our diagnosis separates the two so you do not pay to replace parts that are working. We tell you what we found and why.

Where do Bantham drivers bring their car?

To Automaster at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, Totnes TQ9 6PL. We are an independent garage and an RAC Approved Garage, and drivers from the coast and the River Avon area come to us.

If you are not sure whether the noise you can hear is the gearbox, a wheel bearing or something else, just describe it when you ask for a quote. We will tell you what we would want to check.