Gearbox Repairs in Hexworth

Hexworth is a small hamlet in Dartmoor-edge country, reached by narrow lanes. Out here the car is usually the only way to get about, so a gearbox that starts to complain is more than an inconvenience.

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross, near Totnes. Drivers from the surrounding countryside and nearby Heathfield, Liverton, Bickington and Caton come to us for manual gearbox repair, gearbox replacement, transmission diagnostics, differentials, CV joints and driveshafts.

What are the first warning signs of a gearbox problem?

Listen for a new whine, feel for a notchy or stiff lever, and watch for oil marks where you park. Crunching when you change gear or a tendency to drop out of gear are more serious signs.

Lanes can disguise early symptoms because you spend so much time in the lower gears. A longer drive on a faster road often shows a problem up.

Please also tell us how the car is used, whether short local trips or longer runs, because that affects how we read the wear.

• New whine or hum
• Stiff or notchy gear lever
• Crunching on a change
• Dropping out of gear
• Oil leaks

Why do you diagnose before repairing?

A gearbox symptom may come from the gearbox, the clutch or the driveline. Treating the wrong part wastes money, so we look first and explain what we find. A worn clutch is often mistaken for a gearbox fault.

We will not promise a repair is possible until we have inspected the car.

Is it worth repairing, or does it need a replacement gearbox?

Where the damage is limited, a repair may make sense. Where the internals are badly worn, a replacement unit may be the more reliable route. We will tell you which we think is right once we have seen it.

Cost depends on the car, the labour involved in removing the gearbox, the parts, and whether you renew the clutch at the same time.

With narrow lanes and few alternatives, a car that cannot be relied on is hard to live with. A gearbox fault also tends to show itself at awkward moments, such as pulling out onto a faster road or climbing a Dartmoor-edge hill. Dealing with it early keeps the repair simpler.

What if I hear clicking on tight lane corners?

Clicking when the wheel is turned well over is a typical sign of a worn CV joint. On twisting lanes you turn on lock constantly, so it can wear quickly, particularly once a rubber gaiter splits.

Vibration under power may be a driveshaft issue.

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

Yes, drivers in and around Hexworth are welcome. Bring the car to Automaster at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes. We also see people from Heathfield, Liverton, Bickington and Caton.

Before you set out, call us if the gearbox has become unsafe, so we can talk about the sensible way forward.