The Pros and Cons of Remanufactured Transmissions

September 17, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Is the transmission in your Mercedes in trouble? If you’re having transmission problems with your vehicle, then finding a solution right away is the best way to protect your vehicle and ensure that it keeps functioning properly. For some, the best solution is purchasing an entirely new transmission. While this can be effective, it can also be costly, and it’s not the best choice for all drivers.Before you spend your money on a new transmission, consider how purchasing a remanufactured transmission can benefit you.

Save Money

For most people, one of the top benefits of choosing a remanufactured transmission is low cost. Compared to purchasing an all new transmission, remanufactured transmissions are usually much cheaper. If you’re looking for a way to save money but you still want to ensure that the remanufactured transmission is something that you can trust, you should do some research. Find a company that offers you great rates, little or no core deposit, and a warranty. This can give you the peace of mind that you require in order to opt for the transmission that has the lower cost.

The Best of the Best

One of the major reasons to consider a remanufactured transmission is that you can guarantee that your transmission has all of the latest parts and fittings. When you purchase a new transmission, you may be getting a transmission that is technically new but has been sitting on a shelf for a few years. If you’re looking for the best performance, then opting for a remanufactured transmission may be the best way to ensure that. Remanufactured transmissions will offer you great updates that ensure your vehicle runs smoothly, and you won’t have to spend a fortune on them.

Warranties

One of the cons of purchasing a remanufactured transmission is that it might not offer the type of warranty that you’re looking for. With a new transmission, you may be able to get a lengthy warranty, but you need to consider at what cost. If you choose to work with the right remanufactured transmission dealer, you may be able to get a great deal and a good warranty on the transmission. At Sun Valley Mercedes Transmission, we offer a two-year unlimited mileage warranty with all of our remanufactured transmissions. That means you can drive with complete confidence that your transmission is going to serve you properly.

If you’re looking for a new transmission for your Mercedes, look to the pros at Sun Valley Mercedes Transmission. We can offer you an remanufactured automatic transmission that will help your vehicle run smoothly. Call us today at 818-782-2300 to speak to one of our transmission specialists about your options!

Need Transmission Repairs? What to Look for in a Transmission Repair Pro

September 17, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Having trouble with your transmission lately? If your transmission is showing signs of disrepair, then you need to seek transmission repairs as soon as possible. The sooner that you take your vehicle to a trusted professional to get the transmission checked out, the better. Ignoring transmission problems can lead to extra expenses, and there’s no reason for you to waste your money. Before you take your car to a repair shop, you should spend some time thinking about what to look for in a transmission repair professional. Taking time to find the right repair team will ensure that your vehicle gets the best repairs possible!

Free Diagnostics

If you’re trying to choose a transmission repair shop to handle your transmission issues, one of the first things that you should look for is a company that offers free diagnostics. You can easily spend a good deal of money just on finding out what the problem with your transmission is if you take it to the wrong shop. If you want to avoid this, then looking for places that offer free diagnostics is the place to go. That way, you can get a solid understanding of what is wrong with your transmission before you agree to pay for any repairs to it.

Affordable Rates

When you’re looking for transmission repair, one of your top concerns will probably be your finances. Transmission repairs can be costly, and it’s right for you to be concerned about how hard such repairs will hit your wallet. That’s why it’s so important for you to think about price whenever you’re looking for a transmission repair shop. Before you agree to any repairs, shop around and see what the best prices are. That way, you can ensure that you don’t break the bank with your repairs.

Results You Can Trust

Another thing that you should consider when looking for a transmission repair pro is reliability. You shouldn’t simply choose the shop that can offer you the lowest rates. You also need to consider whether or not the company is one that you can trust to provide you with excellent results. If a transmission repair shop has been in the community for a number of years, there’s a good reason why. Check out reviews for some of your options and see what information you can find.

If you need help keeping your transmission in top working order, Fort Worth Transmissions is here for you. We offer great rates to all of our customers, so there’s no reason for you to let your transmission issues go unchecked for any longer.Call us today to discuss your needs or schedule transmission repairs!

A Few transmission myths corrected

August 8, 2014 admin Leave a comment

You wouldn’t knowingly neglect some repair that could cost you thousands of extra dollars to fix later. Nowadays, automatic transmissions have tons of misinformation circulating the Internet and through word-of-mouth. Here are a few transmission myths corrected to help you filter out the false facts.

Myth #1: If you haven’t serviced your transmission for 100,000 miles, then it’s too late. Servicing it now would just cause it to fail.

The truth behind this lie is that a proper service will never hurt your car. It could actually help extend your car’s life. While it is always best to get your car in the shop sooner, there’s always a chance of finding something that can’t be repaired. Keep in mind quick action can save you from dealing with a breakdown and help lower repair costs.

Myth #2: Flushing your transmission cleans your transmission filter as well.

While this might make sense, it isn’t true. When your transmission is flushed, fluid enters through the neck and out through the filter. Debris will get caught inside the filter, thus clogging it. When the fluid can’t get through, your transmission isn’t lubricated anymore. The filter is replaced once the flush has occurred.

Myth #3: If you find material in pan that means your transmission is bad.

This also might seem like sound logic, but it isn’t always true. A small amount of particles or powder-like material indicates normal wear and tear, which isn’t normally a problem. If you find large pieces of metal or similar items or any water, you have a major problem and need to get your transmission serviced.

Myth #4: All transmission fluid is the same OR one fluid is better than what you were using originally.

Manufacturers blend specific fluids together to address the specific demands of their transmission design. You should never let someone substitute the fluid in your car. You should only use OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) recommended fluid.

There are many components that go into a proper service. You need to make sure that your car is test driven, that the pan is removed and inspected, and that the inside of your transmission is looked at. If you have bands, those need to be adjusted and your valve body bolt torque needs to be checked. Lastly, a replacement filter needs to be installed and the exact replacement fluid needs to be filled. It seems like quite a list, but you don’t have to do it all on your own.

Your primary concern should be to go see a transmission specialist that you can trust to fix your car the first time and honest about any problems you might face. You need to go see Albuquerque Transmissions or call them at 505-255-8601. They are the trustworthy, experienced transmission repair specialists that will help you with any transmission issue you could possibly experience.

Important Transmission Problems To Be Aware Of

July 30, 2014July 30, 2014 admin Leave a comment

If you drive a car that has automatic transmission, you may have already thought about what would happen if the transmission ever failed. Here are some fairly common signs that you probably shouldn’t ignore, as these will dearly cost you in the future.

Slippage is a common transmission problem that people tend to overlook. If your transmission is slipping, it can feel like you’re driving in a certain gear and then it changes for no apparent reason. The noise from the engine may change in pitch or start to sound like whining. Your car may also seem like it is struggling, is underpowered, or isn’t accelerating like it should.

Another problem is having rough shifts. Your car may feel like its refusing to shift gears as it normally would do, or the gear shifts aren’t really that smooth. Sometimes you may hear a clunk when the car shifts gears.

While it is impossible to say exactly what your transmission will sound like when there is trouble with the transmission, there will be a definite reaction from you, which will be “I’ve sure never heard that sound before!”. Most likely though you will hear a humming, buzzing, or whining noise. Cars with manual transmission will emit a sound that can be described as a more slightly mechanical, louder, and abrupt sounding noise.

A leak is probably the most recognizable symptom. Letting transmission fluid leak is one of the most common causes of transmission breakdown. Without transmission fluid, the engine in your car will seize up and stop working completely.

Your transmission is supposed to run smoothly without any shaking, jerking, or grinding sounds. Manual transmissions commonly indicate problems by making a grinding noise or feeling when you shift into a gear. On the other hand, automatic transmissions act a little differently. Instead of making a grinding noise, you will feel it take some time to wiggle into gear at first instead of a smooth transition.

Another common problem to be aware of is a burning smell. Any burning smell coming from your car is indubitably a cause for concern. Overheating transmission fluid is one cause of such a burning smell. Transmission fluid helps keep the parts lubricated and cooled so that they don’t get worn out or damaged.

Be mindful of your transmission problems as soon as possible, as the longer you wait, the more you’ll pay. Call Denver Transmission today at 303-478-8131.

Automatic and Automated Transmission

July 30, 2014 admin Leave a comment

These two terms, when it comes to transmissions, are often used interchangeably, which is false. Automatic transmission and automated manual transmissions are completely different types of equipment. The most critical difference is the automatic transmission uses a torque convertor rather than a typical two-plate manually activated clutch. Here are some key similarities and differences that any driver should be aware of.

One of the big differences between an automated and automatic transmission is that automatic transmissions use the same set of gears to produce all of the different gear ratios. A planetary gearset makes this function possible.

Rather than a traditional gearshift as in the case of a manual transmission, the ratios in a planetary gear rotate, driven through a set of clutches that make the planetary ratios change.

This then becomes a gear shift, but because the input shaft passes through a hydraulic torque converter, the engine does not have to decelerate during a gear change. The engine turns a turbine inside the torque convertor housing at the front of the transmission. The torque is then transmitted through the planetary gears to the output shaft, which drives the wheels.

The gear ratios are actually determined by the number of teeth on the gears inside the planetary gears, and which of those gears is actually in use. Automatics are also used in heavy trucks, which typically have five to six forward speeds, and one reverse speed.

Automated transmissions are a standard manual gearbox with electrical servos that automatically execute gear changes and manage the clutch. Beyond the electric control and actuation of the gear changes, the manual is not much different from its fully manual siblings.

The manual transmission engages and disengages different sets of gears on two countershafts linked to the output shaft to create various gear ratios.

The gear steps are more or less equally spaced to improve the predictability of a gear change for the driver. Multi speed manuals such as 13 and 18 speed models have a close gear step to permit better matching of engine to road speed. Generally, North American manuals have 8-18 gear ratios, plus a two or three range reverse gear.

If you have any questions regarding both automatic and automated transmissions, and simply just transmissions in general, call Grisham Transmission today. With over several years in the transmission industry, they have the required experience it takes to tackle any transmission or car problem. Contact them today at 615-226-2789.

Transmission Repair Guide

July 30, 2014 admin Leave a comment

It really stinks when you have to repair a certain part of your vehicle when it breaks. Probably one of the most difficult to repair is the transmission, as there is no other part of the engine that is more complex. The transmission is responsible for shifting gears to quickly change the speed to torque ratio in order to deliver power to your wheels, allowing your car to move.

Finding the symptoms of your car problems can be tricky, but regularly changing your car’s transmission fluid or getting the transmission flushed will mitigate the damage or just get rid of any problems you are having all together. Some of the signs to look for are the transmission slipping in between gears while driving or popping back to neutral. There may be an unusual grinding or clunking nose, so be mindful of that. Your clutch may also be dragging, which means the clutch is staying engaged and causing grinding noises when trying to shift.

If your transmission does begin to fail in some shape or form, or just simply stops working, mechanics will usually recommend a replacement or some amount of repairs. Each type of repair has different procedures and costs associated with it. If problems are caught earlier than later, you will find that the minor repairs are much more budget friendly as they usually do not require complete removal or disassembling or replacement of hard parts.

There are several factors that play into how much your transmission repair could cost. The make or model of the vehicle is very important. If the transmission needs to be replaced or rebuilt, you can expect to pay several thousand for parts and for the skilled labor, while minor repairs and a fluid change can cost less than a couple of hundred dollars.

The extent of the damage also plays into how much the repair will cost. What type of conditions the car has been through can also affect the price, as newer cars that have been well maintained will cost less than those that have been through tougher times.

The driver’s location contributes greatly to the overall cost of the procedure. Areas that have a higher cost of living, higher demand of services, or lower availability of skilled technicians will charger even more for labor costs, which will increase the overall price. Call Grisham’s Transmission Center today for more information at 615-226-2789.

Fix A Can

July 23, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Most people drive the same route to work every day, same roads and stop signs. But today there is a bad vibe in your mechanical karma. Shifts seem oddly soft and late. If your dipstick shows a low level, is the color of institutional linoleum and smells bad, your transmission fluid is in need of changing.

Fluid additives are available at most stores. Sometimes they are sold as what sounds like “the savior” for your automobile transmission. Most people know what snake oil is and some of these may fall into that category, so watch out. Many of these additives may help your transmission last longer, while others almost sound like they stop leaks and make your transmission seem like new. In some cases the consumer-oriented product aren’t always the best choice for one to put in the transmission. Some of these are the products you see on the shelf in the store. They make claims that are most realistic because they are supposed to prevent fluid oxidation and modify to improve transmission performance. Do not waste time or money with fix a can. How can you change it yourself?

An overall inspection is the first step. Having a low fluid level might indicate that you have a leak somewhere. It might possible be a cooler line that runs from the bottom of the radiator. Fix it and then find it and then top off the level. Remember, unlike the engine crankcase, it only takes about a pint to make a difference between “add” and “full” marks. Make sure you use the correct ATF. Sometimes the shifting problem or the lag may just disappear after you add ATF. The fluid might be bright red and “sweet” smelling. If it’s a dark color or burned odor, a complete change has to be done.

Lockup?

All modern automatic have looking torque converters to eliminate slips cursing speeds. The powertrain control module controls these.

Fresh Fluid

The most important thing you can do to not pay big bucks for transmission repairs is to change the ATF on a regular basis. Some carmakers have backed down from the unrealistic 100,000 mile trans fluid change interval recommended in the past. Every 30,000 miles is more reasonable for the average joe. Going through the operation of dropping the transmission pan and replacing the filter can be a messy job. Regardless of how far you are willing to go, you still have to take the transmission pan off, there are a couple of ways to make it a little neater.

If you can’t change or manage any of these things by yourself, there are many shops for this purpose. Sprinter Transmission will make sure you leave with you car running like a brand new ride. If you are in the Houston area and you need to be put in the right direction, or have questions about your transmission, come to Sprinter transmissions, or visit them at www.sprintertransmission.net

The Components Of Your Automatic Transmission

June 20, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Knowing the various components of your car is critical if you want to be able to properly take care of it and make it function as long as possible. Of all the parts of your car, the transmission is one of the most complicated. If you can understand what your transmission is made up you are making a huge step to becoming a car-savvy person.

The parts that are most important to understand how your transmission works are the torque converter, input shaft, transmission oil pump, valve body, pistons and servos, planetary gear sets, band and clutches, and output shafts.

The torque converter is a fluid coupling that connects and disconnects the engine and transmission. It consist of three main parts: The impeller, turbine and stator. The impeller is the driving fan that produces oil movement inside the converter. The turbine is also a driven fan that is splined to the input shaft of the automatic transmission. The stator is designed to improve oil circulation inside the torque convertor.

The planetary gears are sets that provide different gear ratios and reverse gears. A planetary gear consists of a sun gear, several planet gears, a gear carrier and a ring gear. A common automatic transmission typically uses two or more planetary gear sets.

The input shaft transfers power from the torque converter to the internal drive member and gear sets. The transmission oil pump produces pressure to operate the hydraulic components in the transmission. It also produces pressure to operate the automatic transmission. This part of the transmission is located behind the torque convertor or in the valve body.

The valve body controls oil flow to the piston and servos, and also contains many of the hydraulic valves of an automatic transmission. The pistons and servos actuate bands and clutches, which apply clamping pressure on different parts of the planetary gear sets to operate them. The output shafts then transfer engine torque from the gear sets to the drive shaft.

Other parts of the transmission include bell housing, fluid, and filters. The bell housing is a cone shaped metal case that you can see if you look underneath your car. The transmission fluid is essential for a properly functioning transmission. Most cars have red fluid, so if you see red fluid laying around your garage you may have a leak. The transmission filters help so that your car shifts gears at the right time.

If you have any more questions or problems with your transmission or just your car in general, call Grisham’s Transmission Center today at 615-226-2789.

How To Diagnose Your Automatic Transmission Problem

June 20, 2014 admin Leave a comment

For a person who isn’t car-savvy, the transmission is undoubtedly the most difficult to understand. There are so many different parts to it, it feels impossible to decipher what may be wrong with it when it’s not working properly. Here are some ways in which you can try to find out what exactly the problem is with your transmission.

There are two groups of problems that are caused by the exact same faults in your transmission, so whichever your car happens to be doing, the following applies.

It is extremely important to check your transmission fluid at least twice a year. Not only can a low fluid level cause your car to shift poorly, it can lead to some very serious damage and an incredibly costly repair, something we are trying to mitigate here. If your car seems to be losing an excessive amount of fluid, you most likely have some type of leak.

Checking for a leak isn’t as bad as you think it is. Understand that the transmission is a closed system, so there are a limited amount of places that your car can leak from. Unless your transmission fluid has been changed to a neutral fluid, your car should have red transmission fluid.

Here are the several places that you need to check for a potential leak: At the filler tube base, at the drain hole under the transmission, between the transmission and the engine, at the selector shaft, under the speed sensor mounting point, or on the radiator. The selector shaft is the rod that connects the gear shift to the transmission. The speed sensor mounting point can either be a cable screwed into your transmission machine, or an actual sensor that is just bolted in. If your car has a transmission cooler, it is likely that the transmission fluid will leak into the radiator fluid. These two fluids don’t particularly mix well, so you’ll probably find it sitting there.

Another common problem that people have is that their filter is clogged. If you haven’t replaced your filter in a while, be sure to do this, as this is a very common problem that people don’t troubleshoot before the go spend a fortune at the car mechanic.

Unfortunately, most transmission problems can’t be done by yourself, as there are so many specialized tools to fix so many different issues. Do not worry though, as Grisham’s Transmission will fix whatever problem you are having for an affordable price. Call today at 615-226-2879.

Catalytic converters

June 19, 2014 admin Leave a comment

Catalytic converters are used to convert harmful pollutants into less harmful emissions before they leave your exhaust system. Some emissions like nitrogen gas, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, are mostly not harmful. Even though these may not be harmful, some think carbon dioxide contributes to global warming. There are 3 main emissions a catalytic converter is designed to reduce: carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless poisonous gas, hydrocarbons or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a major component of smog from evaporated, unburned fuel, and nitrogen oxides, a contributor to acid rain and smog.

A catalyst is a substance that causes or accelerates a chemical reaction without affecting itself. In a catalytic converter there are 2 different types of catalysts: a reduction catalyst and an oxidation catalyst. The idea is to try to create a structure that exposes the maximum surface area of catalyst to the exhaust stream, while minimizing the amount of catalyst required. The reduction catalysts convert the nitrogen oxide in your exhaust into nitrogen and oxygen. The oxidation catalysts convert the hydrocarbons of unburned gasoline and carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide and water. That is why you sometimes see water trickling out of your exhaust pipe.

Your catalytic converter can become clogged or poisoned. Unfortunately there is no true inspection spot to look and see if it has become clogged. The only way for you to tell is to remove it and check for any change in your engine performance. Your catalytic converter relies on getting the proper mix of exhaust gases at the proper temperature. Any additions to the gas mixture or temperature changes reduce your converter’s effectiveness and life. Using lead gasoline and overuse of certain fuel additives can shorten your converter’s life.

Your catalytic converter can also fail because of bad exhaust valves on your engine or because of fouled plugs causing unburned fuel to overheat your converter. If you press your gas pedal and you don’t go any faster, you might have a clogged catalytic converter. Check to see if your gas mileage has dramatically dropped. This is another sign that you might have a clogged catalytic converter. If your converter is partially clogged, it will limit your actual RPMs to a fast idle. If your converter is completely clogged, it will cause your engine to quit because of the increased exhaust back pressure.

General lack of engine maintenance could cause your converter to fail. You could have excess fuel, oil, or antifreeze entering your exhaust. If you have damaged spark plugs and wires or your oxygen sensor isn’t functioning properly, your catalytic converter could show signs of failure. Even driving over road debris could damage it. The good news is that your catalytic converter should last your car’s lifetime and never fail. If you do think you have symptoms of a catalytic converter problem with you car, you need to go to the people you can trust. You don’t want to try the installation yourself and face a potential $25,000 fine! Go see Albuquerque Transmissions or call them at 505-255-8601. They will properly diagnose your car’s problems and help resolve any issues.