Gearbox Repairs in Buckfastleigh

Buckfastleigh sits on the edge of Dartmoor beside the A38, with the heritage steam railway and Buckfast Abbey bringing tourists to the area. For local drivers that means moorland roads, hills and plenty of slow traffic, all of which load the gearbox and driveline with constant gear changes.

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes. We repair manual gearboxes and fit CV joints and driveshafts, and we begin every job by finding out what is wrong. Read on for the signs of trouble and what to tell us when you ask for a quote.

Why is my gearbox whining on the moorland hills?

Climbing a long gradient with the engine pulling hard makes a worn gearbox much louder. A whine that rises with speed in one gear usually means worn bearings or gears, while low or tired oil can make it worse.

Drivers around the Dartmoor edge often notice it first on the way up and then find it quiet on the flat. Tell us which gear and what road conditions bring it on, since that detail helps us diagnose it.

What does it mean if my car jumps out of gear?

A car that pops out of gear, especially when you ease off on a downhill, is showing worn selector components, worn gear teeth or movement in the engine and gearbox mounts. It tends to get worse, not better.

Do not keep driving a car that will not stay in gear. On moorland roads with hills and bends, suddenly losing drive is a real danger. Get it inspected before it leaves you stuck.

How do I spot a bad CV joint or driveshaft?

Listen for clicking when you turn tightly, as when manoeuvring in a visitor car park. That is typical of a worn outer CV joint, often caused by a torn gaiter. Vibration while accelerating suggests an inner joint or driveshaft problem.

We examine the joints, gaiters and shafts on both sides, because if one side has worn the other may not be far behind. We will explain what we find before any parts are replaced.

• Clicking on full lock
• Torn rubber gaiters and flung grease
• Shudder when accelerating

Is it the gearbox or the clutch?

The two are easy to confuse. A clutch that drags can make first and reverse crunch, and a slipping clutch lets the revs rise without the car pulling, which feels like gearbox failure.

At Automaster we test for clutch faults before blaming the gearbox. If both need work, doing them together can sometimes make sense, as much of the labour overlaps, but we only suggest it when it is justified.

Do you cover Buckfastleigh, and how do I ask for a quote?

Yes, we welcome drivers from Buckfastleigh, Buckfast, Holne, South Brent and Totnes. We are at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and you simply get in touch to describe the problem.

Cost depends on the fault found, the parts needed and how much work is involved in reaching them. Give us your make, model, engine and registration plus the symptoms and ask for a quote.