Gearbox Repairs in Paignton

A summer afternoon on Paignton seafront can mean a long crawl past the pier, the harbour and the zoo, with the clutch pedal going up and down every few seconds. Add the rest of the year's school runs and shopping trips and a manual gearbox in a Paignton car does a lot of low-speed work.

This page covers the gearbox and transmission problems we see most and how we deal with them at Automaster: manual gearbox repair and replacement, gearbox servicing, differentials, CV joints and driveshafts.

Which gearbox symptoms should I not ignore?

Jumping out of gear is the one that worries us most, because the car can lose drive without warning. Persistent whining, a gearstick that has become stiff, graunching on a downshift and oil dripping from the casing all deserve attention.

A gearbox usually gives warning before it fails completely. Catching it early can mean a smaller repair, whereas driving on can turn a worn synchro or leaking seal into damage to gears and bearings.

• Jumping out of gear
• Constant whine
• Graunch on downshifts
• Heavy or notchy gear lever
• Oil on the underside of the car

Why does diagnosis come before any quote?

A gearbox complaint can have several different causes, and they lead to very different jobs. The same noise could be a bearing, low oil, worn gears or even a wheel bearing or driveshaft fault that sounds like it comes from the gearbox.

Then we can tell you what is needed rather than offering a guess.

Is it my clutch or my gearbox?

Slipping under power, a pedal that feels different, juddering away from a junction or trouble getting into gear from rest all point towards the clutch. Gear whine and crunching while moving are more likely to be inside the gearbox.

Sometimes both are tired together, which makes sense when the gearbox has to come out for a clutch anyway. We will talk you through it before you decide.

What affects the cost of a gearbox repair?

Without quoting figures, the main factors are how much of the gearbox must be dismantled, the price and availability of parts for your model, and whether a reconditioned or used replacement unit is the more sensible option. Labour time also depends on how accessible the gearbox is.

Ask us for a quote and give us the make, model, year and symptoms. That gives us a good starting point.

Do you look after Paignton drivers, and where are you?

Yes. Automaster is at Longcombe Cross near Totnes, and drivers from Paignton, Brixham, Churston, Torbay and Totnes use us for gearbox and transmission work. You can ask for a quote first and decide afterwards.

If your car is making a clicking noise on tight turns, such as turning out of a seafront car park, tell us. That points to a CV joint and is a separate and often simpler fix.