Does Your Ford Need a Transmission Repair?

Grinding Gears

Whether you’re driving an automatic or manual vehicle, grinding sounds are always a symptom of gearbox problems. With luck, the grinding will only be due to low or aging transmission fluid, which is easy enough to fix by refreshing the fluid.

It might also be caused by a faulty solenoid, torque converter issues, rounded-out gears, or something else altogether. With automatic shifts, this grinding might be accompanied by strange whining noises. You’ll most likely need to have a technician take a look.

Stuck Gears

When gearbox problems are allowed to develop, entire sets of gears can eventually stick and refuse to turn. Before it reaches this point of failure, you might notice a hesitancy in your gear changes, reduced acceleration just after you shift, or sudden high engine revving. These are all indications of serious gearbox problems.

Slipping Gears

Transmission problems become dangerous when gears start slipping and changing on their own. An internally damaged transmission might also take you out of gear without warning, putting you into neutral just when you need a burst of controlled speed.

Leaking Fluid

The cause of most transmission issues is insufficient or dirtied transmission fluid. So with regular flushing and high-quality fluid, you will likely avoid most problems.

But transmissions can occasionally spring a leak in the gasket pan, torque pump, or one of the axle seals or hoses. If you ever notice gear problems, pull over and check for a reddish liquid leaking from the bottom of your car.

Vibrating Clutch

Clutch problems develop when the clutch disk and flywheel fail to engage or disengage properly. Both manual and automatic shifts can experience clutch problems, but these issues are more obvious with a manual shift, where you need to use a clutch pedal.

A clutch fault is often due to problems with the clutch cable, which is relatively easy to repair. It might also be something more serious, like a worn-out or warped flywheel, clutch disk, or pressure plate.

How Often to Flush Fluid at Your Ford Dealer

You’ll avoid the lion’s share of transmission issues if you periodically have your fluid flushed and replaced. With automatic transmissions, this should be once every 60,000 miles of driving, and with manual shifts, once every 30,000 miles. While changing your fluid, your technician can also give your transmission a thorough examination to make sure all is well.

Visit Lundgren Motors Ford today to have your transmission checked and repaired. We’re a family-run dealership that’s been providing for the region’s drivers for almost a century.

Tags: Ford Service, Lundgren Service Department, OEM Service
Posted in Eveleth Ford Service, Lundgren Ford Service | No Comments »