Perhaps you just purchased a vehicle with a manual transmission, or just curious what it takes to maintain one. Either way this article will show you the necessary procedures to prevent unexpected breakdowns caused by the transmission. Just like you would in any other vehicle, you will want to be on top of things. However the good news, is manual transmissions are fairly straight forward to service.
Clutch Replacement
The clutch is easily one of the most important components in the gear box. If your clutch fails completely, you are not going anywhere. The best way to prevent this is replacing the clutch at the mileage the manufacturer recommends. This information can be found in the owners manual or a credible online source. While this doesn’t guarantee the clutch to never fail, this ensures a worn out clutch gets replaced before failing.
Fluid Change
Just like your engine, a manual transmission uses fluid to help keep moving parts lubricated. You won’t need to change the fluid as often as an engine, but will be need done periodically. It can range from 30,000-50,000 miles, depending on what the manufacturer recommends. You will also want to replace the transmission fluid filter while you are at it too, just like an engine.
It is also worth noting flushing is not recommended by most manufacturers. As the fluid used for flushing out transmission fluid can get trapped in the transmission. Which can break down the transmission fluid prematurely, and can void your warranty if you have one on your vehicle. The transmission fluid to use depends on what the manufacturer recommends for your vehicle. Using the wrong fluid may not damage your transmission, but you do run the risk of damaging it.
Shift Linkage
If you bought a used car and noticed that gear changes are sloppy or it is difficult shifting gears. You may have worn shift linkage bushings that need replaced. Even if your car doesn’t have this issue, it is something you will want to keep in mind as the vehicle gets older. Some vehicles with cable ran shift linkages do not have this issue, but may require other parts to be replaced when they get older.
Manual Transmission Rebuild
Nothing lasts forever as the old saying goes, and the same goes for manual transmissions. If the transmission has difficulty going into gear or the car grinds when going into gear. This means the transmission will need removed to be replaced or have the internals rebuilt. While this can be costly, it is cheaper than rebuilding an automatic transmission generally. Plus it is cheaper than getting another car, especially in 2022 with rising used car prices.
While you could attempt rebuilding the transmission yourself, I recommend against it. This is because a transmission has a lot of moving parts, and better left to a professional mechanic. If you have access to a lift and transmission jack you could remove the transmission your self. Then take it into a mechanic saving the amount of hours you will have to pay for. However only do this with the proper equipment, and if you have the skills.
Conclusion
While this article was pretty short, that is all there is too servicing manual transmissions. Pair that with driving your vehicle responsibly, and not driving like a race car driver during your commute. You will likely have a reliable transmission that wont give you too many problems. The key is knowing what can fail and when to replace those components. With that said, I appreciate you taking the time to read my blog. If you would like to learn more about manual transmissions, I have other articles on this blog.