When you have transmission problems with your car, you’ve got several options for fixing it. Which one you choose will depend on what is wrong with the transmission, your budget, and how long you plan to keep the car. Most transmission shop locations in Mesa or Phoenix Arizona will offer most or all of these options. Before you decide which way to go, you may want to have the car looked at by more than one Phoenix or Mesa Transmission repair shop to get a second opinion or to get a better price on the fix. A rebuilt transmission is not your only choice. Here are all your options.
New Transmission
We start with this one because it is an option car owners in Arizona want to consider. However, brand new transmissions are not available from automakers for most vehicles. Most replacement transmissions installed by car dealerships or a transmission shop is a remanufactured or rebuilt transmission. That’s true at shops in Mesa, Phoenix and throughout Arizona.
Rebuilt Transmission
This is the most common type of replacement transmission used in Mesa and Phoenix transmission repair. A rebuilt transmission is one that has been disassembled at a transmission shop and fully inspected for problems. Gears and other hard parts that are damaged or worn past acceptable tolerances are replaced. Typically all soft parts such as gaskets and seals are replaced in a rebuilt transmission. With a rebuilt transmission from a Phoenix transmission repair shop, it will be your car’s original transmission that is overhauled and fixed.
Remanufactured Transmission
With these, the work is not done in a local Phoenix or Mesa transmission shop. It is done in a factory setting and the transmission you receive will not be the one that was unbolted from your car. With some remanufactured units, more parts are replaced automatically than with a rebuilt transmission and this may make them more expensive. Talk with your local Phoenix transmission repair mechanic about what is and is not replaced in a remanufactured transmission.
Repaired Transmission
This is not a rebuilt transmission that has been entirely overhauled. Only the part that is damaged is replaced. Some Phoenix and Mesa transmission repair businesses will do this, but most recommend taking the next step have going with a rebuilt transmission, especially if you intend to drive the car or truck for very long. One exception might be if a newer transmission develops a minor problem like a bad seal or gasket and really has no other major damage. Any reputable transmission shop in Arizona will let you know the repair is minor and not try to sell you on a rebuilt transmission in these cases. If your vehicle has less than 75,000 miles on it and a transmission shop mechanic tells you it needs to be rebuilt, take it to another Mesa or Phoenix transmission repair company and get another opinion.
Used Transmissions
This is a budget choice for older vehicles or one you intend to sell quickly. The transmission is simply unbolted from a wrecked car and cleaned up a bit. A new gasket is used but this is not a rebuilt transmission either. Many local transmission shop locations will provide used transmissions. The Mesa or Phoenix transmission repair mechanic should, however, make it very clear that it is used and not rebuilt.
Summary
Which type of transmission is right for you? It depends on the circumstances. If you have a local transmission shop you trust, talk with them about your options. Or call several Mesa or Phoenix transmission repair businesses to discuss the situation. By researching your options, you’ll discover the one that makes the most sense for your vehicle, whether it is a remanufactured, repaired, used or rebuilt transmission.