Automatic Transmission: Repair, Rebuild, or Replace?

Your car’s transmission just went out—and you shudder to think about what that’s going to cost you. Before you shell out any money, though, think carefully about the best way to spend it.

You have three choices: (1) repair it, (2) rebuild it, or (3) replace it. Which option’s the best? Unfortunately, there’s no one right answer; it depends on a number of factors.

The extent of the problem

If it’s just a few minor components that are on the blink, such as a gasket, seal, or electrical parts, a simple repair or replacement of those parts is probably your best bet. After all, there’s no sense in throwing everything out if only a few things need fixing. On the other hand, replacing a planetary gear set, clutch pack, transmission control module, or torque converter can run you several hundred dollars, or more. So, do the math.

The age of the car

Replacing transmissions can be costly (anywhere from $2,000 to upwards of $10,000, depending on the make and model of the car), so you really need to ask yourself if it’s worth putting that much into a vehicle that you may not be keeping much longer anyway. If you can get a few more years out of the car by simply replacing a few parts, that’s one thing—but spending what might be more than the book price of the car might not be the most economical choice.

Your budget

If you decide to rebuild or replace, keep in mind there are some ways to keep the cost down. If your problem is the result of an accident, your car insurance might kick in. If the car’s still under the manufacturer’s warranty, then you may be off the hook entirely. Even some motor oil companies—if you’ve used their products consistently—offer limited warranties on engine parts. Of course, if you’re really mechanically-minded, you can purchase a rebuild kit and make the replacement yourself.

 Shop Automatic transmissions

Bear in mind that rebuilt or replaced transmissions can be just as good as new; it’s not uncommon to get up to 100,000 miles on them if the car’s maintained properly. To make sure you have what you need to keep it in good shape, make Sun Transmissions your source for all your automatic transmission and power steering needs, wether you need an automatic transmission sensor, transmission Overhaul kits, solenoids, coolers, power steering pump rebuild kit or more. We carry only the best quality inventory and we’ll be happy to ship your order to you. Let us hear from you today!