Gearbox Repairs in Caton

Caton is a small hamlet on the Dartmoor edge near the A38. If you drive from here, you are probably used to relying on your car, and a manual gearbox that starts to crunch or slip is a problem you want sorted properly.

Automaster works from Longcombe Cross near Totnes. Drivers from the surrounding countryside, along with nearby Bickington, Pounds Gate, Hexworth and Buckfastleigh, bring us cars needing manual gearbox repair, replacement, servicing, differential work, CV joints and driveshafts.

How do I know if the problem is my gearbox?

Think about when it happens. A whine that changes with road speed, a crunch when you select a particular gear, or a lever that will not stay engaged all point at the gearbox. A click on full lock points at a CV joint instead.

If you are unsure, describe it to us. We will ask a few questions and then inspect the car.

• Whine linked to road speed
• Crunch into one particular gear
• Car jumps out of gear
• Click on full lock

Can the clutch cause the same symptoms?

Yes. A clutch that is worn or not releasing properly can make gear changes hard and noisy, which feels like a gearbox fault. Slipping, where the revs rise but the car does not accelerate in proportion, is also a clutch sign.

Checking the clutch first avoids replacing a good gearbox.

What does a gearbox replacement involve?

The gearbox is lifted out of the car, which is often a long job because of the parts around it. We then decide, from what we see, whether a repair or a replacement unit is sensible. If the clutch is worn, it is usually sensible to renew it while access is open.

Cost depends on the vehicle, the condition of the gearbox, the parts required and the labour. We give a quote after inspection.

Then we explain what we found and what we recommend. We keep the conversation in plain English, with the choices laid out.

Why does my driveshaft vibrate?

Vibration when you accelerate may be a worn inner CV joint or a damaged driveshaft. A rhythmic click on turns usually means the outer joint. Rubber gaiters that split let grease out and grit in, so check the area behind your wheels for fresh grease.

Differential faults can feel similar, so we check the whole path from the gearbox to the wheels.

Do you cover Caton?

Yes. Caton drivers and those from nearby villages bring their cars to Automaster at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes. Tell us your vehicle and what you are noticing, and we can suggest what to do next.

If the problem makes the car unsafe to drive, please say so when you contact us.