Gearbox Repairs in Bickington

Bickington sits on the road between Newton Abbot and Ashburton, close to the A38 and the edge of Dartmoor. Anyone driving from the village heads either up onto rising moorland roads or onto fast dual carriageway, and a manual gearbox has to cope with both.

If yours has started to crunch, whine or drop out of gear, Automaster can help. We work on manual gearboxes, gearbox replacement, transmission diagnostics, differentials, CV joints and driveshafts from our garage at Longcombe Cross, near Totnes.

What does gearbox trouble feel like on a hilly road?

Gradients show up weaknesses quickly. A worn gearbox may jump out of third or fourth when you are pulling hard up a hill, then pop back in when you lift off. A whine that is faint on the flat can become obvious under load.

Do not ignore a car that will not hold a gear. On a steep road with traffic behind, losing drive suddenly is not a risk worth taking.

• Jumping out of gear on climbs
• Whine that grows under load
• Crunching on a quick change
• Hard shift when the gearbox is cold

Is it the gearbox or the clutch?

The two are easily confused. A clutch that is worn or not releasing fully can cause graunching, a hard first gear and an odd pedal feel, even though the gearbox itself is sound. A slipping clutch on a hill, where revs rise but speed does not, is another typical clutch symptom.

We diagnose before recommending anything, so you do not pay to replace a gearbox that was not at fault.

What does a gearbox repair or replacement involve?

The gearbox has to be removed from the car, which on many vehicles is a long job. Once it is out, we can see whether the damage is something that can be repaired, such as bearings, seals or synchromesh, or whether a replacement unit is the more sensible choice.

Time and cost are driven by the make and model, how hard it is to reach, the extent of the internal wear, and whether the clutch should be renewed while access is open. We explain this before you commit.

Why do CV joints and driveshafts click or vibrate?

Clicking when you turn sharply is a classic sign of a worn outer CV joint. Often a split rubber gaiter has let grease out and dirt in. Vibration under acceleration can point to an inner joint or a damaged driveshaft.

We inspect the gaiters and joints, test for play, and check the differential if there is a whine or clunk that follows the drive rather than the engine.

Do you work on cars from Bickington?

Yes. Drivers from Bickington, Newton Abbot, Liverton, Heathfield and Buckfastleigh come to Automaster at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes. Ring or message us with the symptoms and your car details to start a conversation.

The more you can tell us about when the noise or problem happens, the quicker we can narrow it down.