Gearbox Repairs in Ellacombe

Ellacombe is a Torquay district of steep terraced streets close to the harbour and town centre. Cars here spend their lives on short journeys, tight turns and sharp gradients, with very little time at steady speed to warm everything through.

That pattern is hard on three things in particular: the gearbox, the clutch and the CV joints. Below we explain what goes wrong and how Automaster approaches gearbox and transmission repairs.

Why do short town trips cause gearbox trouble?

On a short run the gearbox oil never gets to proper working temperature, and constant first-to-third changes put repeated load on the synchromesh. Tight junctions and hill starts then add wear to the clutch.

Over time you may notice a stiffening gear lever, a graunch on certain changes or a faint whine that was not there before. These are the early signs, and catching them early keeps the repair smaller.

• Gear lever stiffening
• Graunching on second or third
• Faint whine that grows
• Leaks around the casing
• Clutch biting higher up

Why is my car clicking when I turn?

Narrow streets mean regular use of full steering lock, which is where a worn outer CV joint gives itself away with a rhythmic click. The usual root cause is a torn rubber boot that has let the grease out and dirt in.

If caught early, replacing the boot or joint is a straightforward job. If it is left, the joint can fail, and a vibration under acceleration may point towards the inner joint or driveshaft.

It also helps to tell us how the car is used. A vehicle that only ever does short trips behaves differently from one that gets regular longer runs, and that history guides where we look first.

Is the problem the gearbox, the clutch or something else?

It is easy to blame the gearbox for what is really a clutch that no longer releases cleanly, or a worn mount or driveshaft.

We would always rather tell you the problem is a smaller one than rush into taking out the gearbox.

Gearbox repair, replacement or servicing in Ellacombe cars

Servicing may be sensible on some vehicles, while others are listed as sealed, so it depends on the maker. A repair covers faults such as seals, bearings and worn selector parts. Replacement means fitting another unit when the damage is too great.

Parts, labour time and what else is worn determine the quote, so ask us and we will explain, in words rather than guesswork.

Do you take work from Ellacombe, and where are you?

Yes, we do. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Ellacombe, St Marychurch, Paignton and the wider Torbay area book in with us, as do those from Newton Abbot.

When you ask for a quote, tell us the make, model and year, which gears give trouble and whether the noise changes with speed or steering.