Gearbox Repairs in Milber

If you live in Milber, your car probably does a lot of short, repetitive journeys: out of the estate, past the industrial estate traffic, and on to the A380 or into Newton Abbot. That pattern means plenty of gear changes, and a manual gearbox that is starting to complain tends to let you know early.

At Automaster we look after manual gearboxes and the driveline parts around them: gearbox repair and replacement, transmission diagnostics, differentials, CV joints and driveshafts. We are at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and Milber drivers bring their cars to us when something does not feel right through the gear lever.

What does a failing manual gearbox sound and feel like?

The common signs are a whine that changes with road speed, crunching or graunching as you select a gear, a lever that has gone notchy or stiff, and a car that jumps out of gear on a lift-off or when pulling hard. You may also notice oil spots where you park.

None of these is a reason to keep driving for weeks. A gearbox that is already crunching can get worse quickly, and a car that pops out of gear at the wrong moment on a busy road is a safety issue.

• Whining that rises and falls with speed
• Crunching when changing gear
• Stiff, notchy or vague shift
• Jumping out of gear
• Oil leaking from the gearbox area

Could it be the clutch rather than the gearbox?

Quite often, yes. A worn clutch can make a car difficult to get into gear, cause a graunch when you select first or reverse, or leave the engine revving without the car pulling. Drivers naturally blame the gearbox, but the fault can sit in the clutch, the release mechanism or the flywheel.

That is why we diagnose before quoting. Replacing a gearbox that was never the problem would be an expensive mistake, so we confirm where the fault really is.

Should I repair or replace the gearbox?

It depends on what we find once the fault is traced. Worn synchromesh, a failed bearing or a leaking seal may be repairable on some gearboxes, while heavy internal damage may make a replacement unit the sensible route. We will not promise either until the car has been inspected.

Cost depends on the vehicle, how accessible the gearbox is, what has failed inside, and whether the clutch is sensibly renewed at the same time since the gearbox is already out.

Is that clicking noise a CV joint or driveshaft problem?

A rhythmic clicking or clunking on full lock, such as when you turn out of a junction or a car park, usually points to a worn CV joint. A vibration under acceleration can mean a tired driveshaft or joint. Torn rubber gaiters, with grease thrown around the wheel arch, are an early warning.

We also look at differential faults, which show up as whines, clunks or howls that depend on whether you are accelerating or coasting. Different noises, different causes, so we trace each one.

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

Yes. Drivers from Milber, Newton Abbot, Abbotskerswell, Stoke-in-Teignhead and Teignmouth bring their cars to Automaster at Longcombe Cross, Longcombe, near Totnes. Tell us the make, model and year when you get in touch.

Describe the symptoms as exactly as you can: when it happens, which gear, hot or cold, and whether any warning light is on. That helps us quote sensibly.