Remanufactured Transmissions: What Is Rebuilt Transmission?

• Remanufactured Transmission Lookup
• What is a “new” transmission?
• What is a remanufactured or rebuilt transmission?
• What do the remanufactured transmissions include?
• Rebuilt Transmission Benefits
• How much does a remanufactured transmission cost?
• Rebuilt Transmissions Warranty – What is covered?
• How long does the installing of rebuilt transmission take?
• How long will rebuilt transmission service last?
• Some ways to buy remanufactured transmissions
• What is a Core Charge (core deposit)?
• Finding a Shop to Install the Remanufactured Transmission

Remanufactured Transmission Prices & Lookup

What transmission do you have?

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Transmission Type Manufacturer

What is a “new” transmission?

Frankly speaking, true new transmissions can be found only on the brand new cars that are rolling off the assembly line. Starting with gears to the dozens of other tiny components every part is freshly stamped and extruded.

It is not a secret that manufacturers produce only one transmission pre each car, for any reason. So, when you see separated transmissions, be sure that it is either rebuilt or used or remanufactured. The same thing is with transmissions replaced by the dealer under the warranty, this one won’t be a new one at all.

Now it is a fact: All transmissions are rebuilt even those from dealers.

What is a remanufactured or rebuilt transmission?

In general, remanufactured or rebuilt transmissions are a gearbox itself which has been demolished and reengineered on a distributor assembly line. Each part is properly cleaned, inspected, and examined by the technician that specializes in a particular process.

There is a risk group of the transmission components, they are gears, case, shafts, valve bodies and the converter.  All of them are tested and certified, so everything is matching the announced standards. If happens so that a part is not up to the standard or is damaged badly it is replaced with a brand new.

As soon as all elements meet all requirements, they are transported to the assembly line and are getting reassembled. Then a transmission is put and connected to the software C.A.R.S. program which simulates the real driving conditions.

In such a way, a rebuilt transmissions are tested on leaks and other imperfections, if some troubles are found, they are immediately eliminated before the transmission leaves the plant.

There is one major benefit of remanufactured or rebuilt transmissions, it is the opportunity to install all new upgrades and updates. It is a common practice for cars that are in production for several years, with time some small issues may be discovered. And rebuilt transmissions are a nice chance to keep your car up to date. The rebuilt transmission service may require some additional materials, which can improve the performance and the maintenance of the car gravely.

Technical Service Bulletins always inform the dealership about what kinds of troubles may occur with your car. All remanufactured or rebuilt transmissions also receive those TSB and update the changes in their factories as well.

What do the remanufactured transmissions include?

Disassembly

When the original transmissions come to the factory, it is cataloged and totally disassembled. The transmission fluid is cleaned and recycled, the torque is also disassembled and all its parts are accounted.

Cleaning

As soon as all components are accounted and cataloged, old gaskets are thrown away and all parts like gears, shafts, case are carefully washed under the great pressure. Some of them are washed with a help of an automatic washer, some other parts such as torque converter and valve body are washed by hands.

Inspection

After the cleaning, when there is no dirt, all components are carefully checked for imperfections or cracks. They compare the current status with the manufacturer standards and give a mark. Parts which are not up to the certain level are replaced or remanufactured or rebuilt again.

Valve body testing

Examination of the valve body requires more efforts because exactly this part is responsible for shift timing. So, the valve body is hooked by the special machine that can produce a driving simulation. It provides with different test drive cycles to follow after different road conditions. Thanks to such complicated machine, the valve body is properly tested on various leaks, cracks, and other shifting problems. After the diagnostics, it is resurfaced to make sure that it will fit the transmission case perfectly.

Replacing Parts and Re-Assembly

Some components may be damaged, so all of them are usually replaced on the assembly line. The most problematic parts are gears and gear sets, shafts, clutches, seals, and gaskets. Electrical components are also inspected and may be replaced. The torque converter also needs some updated components, usually its remanufacturing requires new springs, spacers, clutch friction material.

Dyno testing

When the transmissions are out of the assembly line, it is placed on a dynamometer and put into extreme road situations which re-simulated by the machine. That is how the manufactured transmissions are tested on quality and performance. If something goes wrong, it is turning back on the assembly line to experience all procedures again.

Torque converter

When a torque converter comes to the assembly line it is opened, cleaned and inspected. Mechanics will do everything to keep the maintenance on the level: replace springs, rollers, spacers, clutch, hubs and other parts. Two disks inside are carefully examined and tightened if it is needed. Then it is tested to ensure smooth and vibration-free operation.

Rebuilt Transmission Benefits

The manufacturing quality

The transmissions are remanufactured or rebuilt in the factory on the high technique assembly line. That means that the job is done by true professionals who know how it works and what result is expected. Moreover, the transmissions are passed through numerous checks that value the quality and the performance. That is how dealer provides the confidence about their products.

Replaces more parts

When you have your transmission remanufactured that means that most of the components will be replaced with a brand new one. In such a way you may not only bring back the original quality of the transmission but improve the performance with implementing updated components.

Testing

It is a common thing for many transmission shops that the result of remanufacturing may be tested only after the installing the system in the vehicle. It is not only non-professional, but also a dangerous way to check the transmissions. So, in contrast to such shops, dealerships provide the high-quality tests that can say for sure what is the result of procedures and what performance and the lifespan should the owner expect.  Moreover, dealer and official manufacturers feel the responsibility and are ready to give you a warranty, often you cannot get such thing from the average transmission shop.

How much does a remanufactured transmission cost?

As a rule, the price for a rebuilt transmission can range from 1,800$ to 3,800$. Of course, it depends on the make and the year of your car. Also, you shouldn’t forget about the installation cost which is usually between 400 and 800$.

The cost of buying the remanufactured or rebuilt transmissions and having your own transmission rebuilt is totally different. In most cases, you will pay more for a full transmission replacement. However, if your original transmission has suffered too much and there is no sense in rebuilt service, it might be more useful to replace it with a new one.

So, a question arises what kind of service is better and more efficient. There is a table with prices of different shops where the transmissions can be rebuilt, remanufactured and installed.

Fair Remanufactured Transmission Price Ranges by Year, Make & Model

Related: What is limp mode

Rebuilt Transmissions Warranty – What is covered?

The main thing about buying a remanufactured or rebuilt transmission is the warranty from the dealer. Its quality is guaranteed by the 3-year or may be unlimited National wide Warranty. Others provide only with 18-months or 100,000 miles warranty. That is why the quality question shouldn’t disturb you. Moreover, the warranty may be easily transferred to another owner, so when you have suggested selling a car the warranty will be also transferred to the new owner along with a car.

One thing you should be attentive to some shops or services may limit the transmission warranty with suggested shops that may be located far away. So, if you miss such detail you will have to pay for repairing yourself. Not to be misunderstood, check the coverage area of the service center.

A good warranty will provide you with a professional service in every licensed shop and the location won’t matter at all. It will do all required up to the standards including the parts replacement and labor. As soon as the average cost of transmission repair is estimated at 50$ per hour, make sure that your warranty will cover at least the labor.

How long does the installing of rebuilt transmission take?

The process consists of shipping, the remanufacturing and installation. The most time consuming may be either shipping or installing, depending on your location and the make and type of your car. Installation takes 1-2 days.

How long will rebuilt transmission service last?

There is no set time duration or specific mileage. Some face the problems with the remanufactured or rebuilt transmissions on the 6,000 miles, others say that it can last for 300,000 miles. There are a lot of factors that may influence the lifespan of the transmissions, such as driving habits, maintenance, and other circumstances. That is why a good warranty is preferred. If you want to know precisely the number is between 150,000 and 200,000 miles.

Some ways to buy remanufactured transmissions

Buying locally

To buy the remanufactured transmissions you may visit your local shop, there they will order a remanufactured one from a well-known vendor like Certified or Jasper. Don’t be surprised if the price is 15-30 percent higher than the actual cost.

Buying online

Buying transmissions online is a good way to save some money and avoid the 30% markups made by shops. You can order one with a click and in a few days it will be shipped in a certain location, everything is needed is just to install It in the nearest transmission shop for 400-800$. Search only for reliable shops like Street Smart Transmission or others.

How does it work?

To make an order you need to get all information about your car beforehand when you know the VIN number, the mileage you can order the transmissions online. There you fill in the data and choose the nearest distribution spot for shipping.

Financing

It is not a secret that changing the transmissions is quite expensive, so Street Smart Transmission, for example, makes it possible to pay with PayPal. You will be able to order a new transmission and install it before the payday comes. So you can be back on the road again and only then pay for the transmission. However, you will have to pay the labor service for the installation, but, the transmissions can be paid later.

Shipping Charge and Location

You probably can imagine how heavy the transmissions are. And if your dealer doesn’t provide a free shipping, that means you will have to pay quite good money for delivery. Street Smart has a free shipping to business addresses, that means you shouldn’t worry about taking the transmissions from home to the chosen service center.

What is a Core Charge (core deposit)?

Almost all remanufactured transmissions came from somebody else’s car. That is why old transmissions in order need to be remanufactured or rebuilt and sell to another customer.

Old transmissions are called “core”, some companies may ask for a core charge (500-1500$), but don’t worry it will be refunded when the core transmissions will be delivered. If happened so that the case is broken or other components are badly damaged, you might not get your money back. To know all the consequences read the policy attentively.

Finding a Shop to Install the Remanufactured Transmission

If the terrible thing with your transmission occurred, you might need a professional to replace it. A good way is to ask dearest and nearest whether they know a trustworthy shop. If you want to get the service immediately search on the internet for the nearest available transmission shop.

If there are any warranty questions, read the licensing and find a licensed shop for service. If transmissions didn’t work properly mechanics will cope with that under the warranty covering.

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