How Long does It Take to Rebuild a Transmission?

The transmission of your vehicle is a sum of a lot of active and interrelated parts of different sizes. When it works, the small parts also run together for keeping it working. With time these small parts wear out or get damaged because of running continuously. There might be more reasons. As a result, the transmission starts losing its efficiency.

To keep the transmission running properly, you can rebuild it. Rebuilding a transmission means removing the inefficient parts from it and putting new parts in the places of the old ones so that it works like before. In most cases, the replacement happens for the hard parts like cases, pumps, pistons, drums, springs, side covers, etc.

People often ask how long does it take to rebuild a transmission as it is a complex task. However, it depends on a lot of factors. Here I’ve tried to talk about those factors and a few more things. If you’re interested, keep reading.

Steps in Rebuilding Transmission

Rebuilding a transmission is a step-by-step process. Below is the easy way to rebuild a transmission.

Step 1- Removing the Transmission

At the very first, the transmission has to be removed from your vehicle. The reason is simple- if you don’t remove it, you can’t work with it properly.

If you’re going to do this job on your own, I suppose you already know how to remove it from your vehicle. Go for it.

Step 2- Disassembling the Transmission

After getting the transmission in your hand, it is time to get into it. For that, you have to disassemble it. Start by draining the transmission fluid from it. Then carefully take apart the small parts of it.

Make sure that you’re memorizing how those are attached to each other. You’ll need it later. The best way is to capture pictures with the help of your smartphone. If you want, you can capture videos too.

Step 3- Cleaning the Parts

After taking apart the parts, use some kind of washing substance to clean those. You’ll find many types of chemical washers on the market. Pick any one from those. However, just make sure that the one you’re picking is able to wash the material that the parts are made of.

Clean the parts properly to remove all types of dirt and accumulations. This is important because if you don’t wash those properly, you may miss some signs of damage.

Be careful while doing this. Make sure that no part is lost.

Step 4- Looking for Faults

After getting all the parts cleaned, now it is time to check those. Look for any type of cracks. Also, don’t forget to any signs of damage. Checking and finding out the parts with issues is very easy. If you don’t understand, take help from the internet to see how the parts should look like, and compare those with the parts of your transmissions.

Thus find out the faulty parts and keep those separately. Don’t miss checking any part.

Step 5- Searching for Replacements

After getting the faulty parts, you have to bring the replacements for those. While looking for replacements, you need to know the dimensions, material, size, etc. of the faulty parts. The Internet can help you with this as you’ll find a lot of information there. Also, you can look for some expert help here.

You’ll find replacement parts in your local auto shop. Take the faulty parts there and search for replacements. You should find everything there. If you don’t find a replacement, ask them for bringing one for you. Also, you can order online.

You may go for updated replacements.

Also, you should get a rebuilding kit that comes with the parts that are usually prone to damage. You’ll find many types of rebuilding kits in the market. Pick one that matches your requirements.

Step 6- Assembling the Transmission

After getting all the replacement parts for the torn, worn, and damaged ones, it is time to assemble the transmission again. You should be alert in this stage as the parts should be attached properly. A small mistake can make you disassemble the whole transmission again.

So, take expert help. Also, use the pictures and videos you’ve captured at the time of disassembling it. Those can help you a lot. You’ll find some resources on the internet too about how to assemble the transmission.

Step 7- Installing the Transmission

Once it is rebuilt, install it in your vehicle. The process is done.

Factors Affecting Time Needed to Rebuild a Transmission

It is not easy to guess the time needed to rebuild a transmission as it is different in different cases. Some factors affect the process. Let’s talk about those a bit.

Type of the Transmission

If it is a simple type of transmission, you might not find it tough to rebuild. As a result, you won’t need a long time. However, sometimes you might need a huge time because of the complexity of it. A complex transmission is tough to disassemble and assemble. You might make several mistakes for which the time needed increases a lot.

Availability of Parts

If your vehicle is an old make and model, you might need a long time to rebuild the transmission because of the unavailability of the parts. There is a chance that you won’t find all the replacement parts required in your local auto repair shop. In that case, time is needed to look for, find, and fetch those. This also has an effect on the time required for the process.

In the case of new models and makes, it is easy to get the parts. You won’t need a long time then.

Looking for Perfectly Updated Parts

If you’re thinking of updating the parts, you would need a lot more time. Getting the perfect updates is not that easy. You would have to explore and research a lot for finding out the perfectly updated replacements. This affects the time needed to rebuild the transmission of your vehicle.

Looking for the exact parts doesn’t need a lot of attention but looking for updated parts needs it. So, it takes time.

These are the most common issues that affect the time needed to do the job. However, if you’re letting it done by an auto shop, a few more factors are there including the load of work, difficulties in contacting you, etc.

How Long Does it Take to Rebuild a Transmission?

We’ve already shown that several factors have direct impacts on the time required. So, it is tough to estimate a specific time. Let’s talk more about this.

When the rebuilding process is simple, only one or two parts have issues, and the replacements are available, it only takes a few hours to rebuild the transmission. However, you might allow a single day for this.

In the case of slightly complex transmission with problems in more than 3-4 parts, the process may take 2 days.

If the parts are not available, finding and sourcing those may take around 3-4 days. In that case, rebuilding requires around 4-5 days depending on the complexity of it.

You won’t know exactly how long the process may take unless you take it to an auto repair shop or check the transmission by disassembling it. So, I suggest having at least 3-4 days on hand so that it doesn’t affect your schedule if the problem is complex and parts are not widely available.

Cost of Rebuilding a Transmission

The cost of rebuilding the transmission can be divided into two parts- the price of the replacement parts and the cost of labor.

The price of replacement parts is not that huge here. You’ll find replacement kits within the range of 50 USD to 350 USD. If you need a specific part for replacement, you’ll find that within a reasonable range.

The charge of labor and expertise is huge in this case. Transmission is a complex system and it requires a long time to master. So, the expertise required to rebuild a transmission comes with a great cost. You would have to spend a lot on such expertise.

If you’re rebuilding your transmission by an auto shop, you might have to spend within a range of 1000 USD to 3500 USD depending on the type of the problem.

Transmissions with simple issues that take less time to solve would cost you around 1000 USD. A small slice of it is the cost of parts. The remaining is the charge of labor and expertise. With upward-moving complexity, the cost of rebuilding increases.

If you have enough knowledge about it, you won’t have to spend such a huge amount. You would have to spend just the cost of replacement parts and your time. However, I don’t suggest trying this if you don’t have enough knowledge about transmission. You might end up in a huge chaos you can’t handle.

Benefits of Rebuilding Transmission

Cost Saving

Rebuilding your old transmission helps you to save the cost of repairing. A transmission with old and worn components can’t perform properly. As a result, you’ll face problems regularly. Issues caused by a faulty transmission cost you a lot.

When you rebuild the transmission, such issues won’t happen again. As a result, you won’t have to spontaneously spend money on your vehicle. Thus rebuilding your transmission allows you to save bucks.

Cheap

This is a cheap way to get rid of issues caused by a faulty transmission. You can think of buying another transmission but it would cost you a lot. Buying a new and improved transmission would cost you almost similar to buying an engine.

On the other hand, you won’t have to spend a huge amount to rebuild your old transmission. So, if you don’t have enough bucks to buy a new one or you want to save money, rebuilding the old one is the cheaper option.

Extended Lifespan

When you rebuild a transmission, you remove the faulty parts of it and add new ones. This increases its lifespan and allows you to use it for a long time.

Now you know that the almost finished transmission is going to serve you for a few more years. You might think of buying a used transmission, but that won’t last as long as a properly rebuilt one. So, by rebuilding, you can enjoy the extended lifespan of the transmission.

Better Performance

When the transmission is rebuilt, it is equipped with new and good parts that work properly. So, you can expect it to do better than it was before.

Rebuilding makes the transmission almost like a new one. So, you can expect a smooth and dependable performance from it. It is not possible if you continue to use the old one without rebuilding it.

Authenticity Continued

The transmission that comes with your vehicle is made for it only. Also, your vehicle is working with it for a long time. So, there is a great synchronization between the vehicle and transmission.

If you want to install a new transmission, you’ll see that finding the perfect one is tough. Also, after getting the new one installed, the vehicle takes a long time for perfect synchronization. During this time, many types of issues may arise.

If you rebuild your old transmission, this is still the one that your vehicle knows. So, it won’t need time to get used to the transmission.

Eco-friendly

Rebuilding the old transmission gives you peace of mind that you’re putting some impact on saving nature. Manufacturing transmissions need a lot of different natural resources. Also, the manufacturing process is harmful to the environment if wastes are not treated properly.

Rebuilding your old one means you’re putting less impact on the environment by recycling old parts of it. So, you’ll get peace of mind if you’re aware of our impacts on nature.

FAQs About Rebuild a Transmission

Is rebuilding a transmission worthy?

In my opinion, the answer is- yes, it is worthy. It costs you less than getting a new one. Besides, it comes with benefits like continued authenticity, eco-friendliness, smooth performance, etc. that you won’t find in a new one. So, I think rebuilding is worthy.

However, some might have a different opinion. You can hear those too and decide what you would do.

What signs ask you to rebuild the transmission?

Several signs say that there is an issue with transmission and you need to rebuild it. Among those, a common one is the problem with gear shifting. If you face delayed gear shifting, there might be a problem with the transmission. Unfamiliar sounds and smells appear because of damaged transmission parts.

Another sign is transmission fluid leaking. Also, if you find that the fluid is polluted with tiny metal particles, you should understand that there is an issue with the transmission.

Check engine light also says that the transmission requires checking.

Can I drive with a damaged transmission?

I don’t suggest driving a vehicle with a damaged transmission for a long time. The first reason behind it is you can’t find comfort as the gears and accelerations won’t respond well. Also, if you continue using the vehicle with a damaged transmission, you’ll see problems in many other functions too. This will lead to a bigger cost.

Also, driving with a damaged transmission may cause serious accidents that you don’t want to face. So, if you think there is an issue with the transmission, get it checked by someone expert and get rid of the problem as soon as possible.

How to Rebuilt Your Transmission – Expert Video

Final Verdict

While answering how long does it take to rebuild a transmission, I’ve tried to talk about almost all the topics you have to know about rebuilding your transmission. The process might seem easy but it is not. Transmission is a complex system that requires knowledge. So, I suggest not trying this if you don’t have expertise.

It might cost you some money and time but always go to an expert mechanic for rebuilding it. This will save you from mess and waste of bucks.

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