Gearbox Repairs in Liverton

Liverton is a village on the edge of Dartmoor, between Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey, and many people there rely on the car for just about everything. A gearbox problem soon becomes a real nuisance when the next shop or station is a drive away.

Automaster is a garage at Longcombe Cross near Totnes that handles manual gearbox repairs, gearbox replacement, gearbox servicing, differential repairs, CV joints and driveshafts. We take a diagnosis-first approach, so you are told what is wrong before you are asked to approve any repair.

Why is my gear lever stiff or notchy?

A stiff or notchy shift can come from worn synchromesh, low or tired gearbox oil, worn linkage or selector parts, or a clutch that is not fully releasing. Cold mornings often make it worse, and then it eases as the oil warms.

Because the causes vary so much, it is worth having the car checked while the problem is still mild. Left alone, a notchy gearbox often develops into crunching.

• Stiff lever when the car is cold
• Notchy change between two gears
• Difficulty finding reverse
• Gearbox oil level or leak concerns

Can a clutch fault feel like a gearbox fault?

It can, and it is one of the most common misdiagnoses. If the clutch is not disengaging fully, selecting gears will be hard and may cause a graunch even though nothing inside the gearbox is damaged. A worn clutch can also slip and make the car feel weak.

We test both together, so you only pay for the work the car really needs.

Gearbox repair or replacement: how is the decision made?

We cannot answer that honestly until the car has been inspected and, where needed, the gearbox opened up. Minor problems such as a leaking seal or worn bearing may be repairable. Severe internal damage can make a replacement gearbox more practical.

Cost is shaped by the vehicle, labour to remove and refit the box, the parts involved, and any related work such as a new clutch. We put it all in the quote.

We explain it in plain terms: what we found, what needs doing, what is optional, and what drives the cost. You decide whether to go ahead, and nothing is started on a guess.

What causes clicking, clunking or vibration from the driveline?

A rhythmic click on full lock normally means a worn CV joint, often after the gaiter has split. A shudder under power can come from a driveshaft or inner joint. A clunk when you take off or lift off may involve the differential or a worn mount.

We check each part rather than guess, because the symptoms overlap.

Do you cover Liverton, and where is the garage?

Yes, we welcome drivers from Liverton, Heathfield, Newton Abbot, Bickington and Hexworth. The garage is at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes.

When you contact Automaster, tell us the vehicle, the symptoms and how long it has been happening so we can talk through the options.