Gearbox Repairs in Churston

Churston sits between Paignton and Brixham, close to the steam railway line, and plenty of local journeys here are short hops along the routes towards Brixham and Dartmouth. Short, stop-start trips are hard on a manual gearbox, because the oil rarely gets properly hot and every change is a small test of the synchromesh rings inside.

If your car has started whining, crunching or jumping out of gear, this page explains what is usually going on and how we approach it. At Automaster we work on manual gearboxes, differentials, CV joints and driveshafts, and we always start by finding the cause rather than guessing.

What does a failing manual gearbox sound and feel like?

The common signs are a whine that changes with road speed, a crunch or graunch when you select a gear, a gearstick that feels notchy or stiff, and a car that pops out of gear on the overrun. Some owners also spot oil spots under the car or a burning smell after a long drive.

None of these means the whole gearbox has to come out. A crunch on one gear often points to a worn synchro ring for that ratio, while a whine in every gear can point to bearings or low oil.

• Whining that rises and falls with speed
• Crunching when changing gear
• Jumping out of gear
• Stiff or notchy gearstick
• Oil leaking from the casing or seals

Could it actually be my clutch and not the gearbox?

Quite often, yes. A worn clutch can make a gearbox feel faulty. If the car is hard to get into gear when you are stationary, the clutch may not be fully disengaging. Slipping, judder or an odd biting point are clutch symptoms too, even though people describe them as gearbox trouble.

That is exactly why diagnosis comes first. Replacing a gearbox when the clutch was the culprit would be an expensive mistake, so we check the clutch operation, the fluid or cable side of the linkage and the gearbox itself before recommending any work.

Should the gearbox be repaired or replaced?

Where the fault is limited, for example a leaking seal or a worn selector, a repair can make sense. Where the internals are badly worn, replacing the unit with a suitable reconditioned or used one may be more sensible than stripping it down. It depends on the vehicle, the parts available and what the inspection shows.

Clicking on turns, shaking under power: CV joints and driveshafts

A rhythmic click when you turn on full lock, such as when manoeuvring out of a tight space, usually means a worn outer CV joint. A split rubber boot that has thrown out its grease is the classic cause. A shudder or vibration when accelerating can point to a worn inner joint or a damaged driveshaft.

We also look at differentials, which can whine or clunk when worn or short of oil. Left alone, a worn joint can eventually fail completely, so it is worth having it checked early.

Do you cover Churston, and where do I bring the car?

Yes, drivers from Churston, Brixham, Paignton, Dartmouth and the wider Torbay area come to us. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and you are welcome to ask for a quote before booking anything.

When you get in touch, tell us the make, model and year, which gear or situation brings on the noise, and whether any warning lights are showing. Photos of oil marks help too.