It may be one of the most intricately put together parts of a car, but few people understand how to look after their gearbox properly. If you are one of those motorists who does nothing at all to maintain their car's gearbox and leaves it to an annual service to be sorted out, then you should read on to find out the most common reasons for them to fail. All that is needed is a little knowledge about gearboxes for you to avoid the most serious problems. These are the usual reasons that a gearbox will fail.
Gearbox Alignment
Gearbox repairs will often involve a mechanic realigning a transmission system which is not in the right position. You might notice this at first if you are having trouble getting your car into the right gear as you have been used to. Gears should mesh together without much friction between them when they are correctly aligned with one another, and it only takes one part in a gearbox to move out of its correct location for problems to occur.
Left unchecked, an incorrectly aligned gearbox will mean the teeth in your gears wear down prematurely, and you may face the cost of replacing it entirely if significant damage occurs. Avoid driving fast over bumpy ground and see a mechanic sooner rather than later if you feel your gear stick is not sitting in the right place when you shift gears.
Gearbox Lubrication
Many parts of a car's engine require oil to keep them in good working order, and your gearbox is no exception. A gearbox requires special oils, sometimes referred to as transmission lubricants, to run properly due to the high levels of pressure and friction generated in such a relatively small space. Since gearboxes should be sealed units, the oil ought to remain inside, but this may not be the case if you notice unexplained oil drips under your car when you park. Another sign is a meshing or grinding noise when you raise your clutch for the gears to re-engage with one another.
Overloaded Gearboxes
If you place your gearbox under too much strain, then the components within it can simply come apart. This usually means that a repair is not practical and that you will need a replacement instead. Common reasons for overloading a gearbox include towing heavy items uphill for prolonged periods or driving too fast in a low gear.