The vehicle’s gearbox is responsible for transmitting a certain amount of force from the engine to the wheels. Thanks to it, it is possible to go from a stopped vehicle to a running one. And you can regulate the power to overcome certain resistance to the advance.

But if it breaks down, the whole car will stop. Normally you will have to change it, but in some cases it can be fixed. In this post we tell you how to repair a gearbox.

The problems that a gearbox can present

Gearboxes generally have the same lifetime as the vehicle. And only in exceptional cases do they break down. Therefore, it is necessary to pass the relevant reviews of the vehicle. And drive properly by engaging each gear smoothly.

It is advisable not to force the changes. And keep the whole system well lubricated by using a good oil. This oil should also be changed when the vehicle needs it.

This will be essential for the proper functioning of the gearbox. And to avoid a major car breakdown. But even so, there are times when it breaks down. Since the gearbox is a complex system of pinions, rollers, gears, etc..

And it is convenient to know how to detect the possible breakdowns that we may encounter. Specifically, those affecting manual gearboxes and automatic gearboxes. We are going to focus on the manual ones

How to tell if a manual gearbox is spoiled

In the case of manual gearboxes, there are certain signs that will alert us that something is wrong. Among them:

Noise when trying to put a gear in

If you want to put in a gear or change to another we notice a loud noise. It is very possible that the gearbox is out of adjustment with respect to the clutch. In this case, we must tighten the cable that connects them and adjust the entire mechanism. But it may also be necessary to replace some of the rings that go inside the box.

Difficulty to put in or change a gear

If, in addition, you also find it difficult to get a gear in and it gets stuck. Then we find a possible wear of the bobbins that block each of the gears.

If this happens, we will have to replace the rollers because we can find a road block.

Tools to repair a vehicle’s gearbox

In the event that your vehicle’s gearbox has any of the faults listed above. And you’re encouraged to check and repair it yourself, you’ll need to have a set of shop tools to access it.

And is that the gearbox is a watertight box. Which must be accessed by removing a number of screws. So you will need a set of keys.

Steps to repair a gearbox

Remove the gearbox and clean it

For this you have to separate it from the engine. Do it carefully so as not to damage any of the connections.

To be able to work safely and see all the components, the gearbox must be cleaned. You can do this with pressurized water. Then dry it well with a clean cloth or paper.

Start to disassemble the box

This starts with the entry of the gear lever linkage. You will need to remove screws and nuts so be prepared with several wrenches and screwdrivers. Keep in mind how everything was assembled so that you can put each piece back in place.

Remove the clutch

To continue opening the box, you must remove the lever from the clutch. At this point you can observe this one also in case it needs to be replaced by a new one.

Remove the primary cover

By removing the front cover of your vehicle’s gearbox you will find the primary shaft seal. Clean it well and check it for damage.

Remove the rear cover and remove the input and output shafts

This is where the output shaft seal is located. Now you can separate the two halves of the gearbox. It is time to observe the state of the bearings. You must change the bearing where the output shaft sits because it is the one that wears the most.

If the others are in good condition, there is no need to replace them. Check that the rest of the parts are not broken or worn. If you see any fault, replace the part that is in bad condition.

Start the assembly

Once you have replaced the part that was worn or broken you can reassemble the gearbox. Remember to put each of the pieces in place and close the box again with its screws. In addition, you can seal the box with silicone so that the two parts are well together.

Place the rod of the gear lever

Remember to put it in the position you found it. You must take into account the position of the linkage in relation to the gears. Otherwise, the gears will not fit. Adjust everything well and grease the box so that all the movements are smooth.