Transmission Diagnostics in Tyne and Wear

A transmission fault can sit in the gearbox, the differential, the driveshafts, the mountings or the electronic controls. Replacing parts on a hunch is expensive and often fails.

Diagnostics is the process of narrowing it down with evidence. This page explains what we look at and what you will get from it.

What we check

The process begins with listening to you, then a road test to feel the fault. We then look at fluid level and condition, inspect for leaks, mountings and linkage, and check driveshafts, CV joints and the differential for play and noise.

On cars with electronic control, we scan for stored fault codes and live data. A code does not prove a part is bad, it points to where to look.

• Road test and symptom check
• Fluid level and condition
• Leaks and mountings
• Driveshafts, CV joints and differential
• Fault code and live data scan

What you get at the end

At Banks of the Tyne in Hebburn the outcome should be a clear explanation: what is wrong, how sure we are, what the options are and the likely consequences of waiting. Sometimes the answer is a simple fluid or mounting fix. Sometimes it is a repair or replacement.

We will not claim certainty where there is none. Some internal faults can only be confirmed once the unit is stripped, and we say so.

What affects the effort involved

Intermittent faults take longer, since we need to reproduce them. A fault that appears only when hot, or only on a long run, needs patience. Complex electronically controlled boxes may need more testing than a simple manual.

Cost follows time and equipment, not a fixed outcome. Diagnostic time is separate from any repair, and we explain at the start what is involved.

• Whether the fault is constant or intermittent
• Manual or automatic design
• Electronic control complexity
• Access to the parts being tested

How to help us help you

Note exactly when it happens: cold or hot, accelerating or coasting, turning or straight, a particular gear. Photos or a phone recording of the noise can help.

Tell us about earlier repairs and service history. If the car has been slipping badly or will not engage gears, avoid driving it and ask about recovery.