Vehicles with a manual transmission have long been a favorite of car enthusiasts that want to enhance their riding experience. But even those enthusiasts that love the manual option, many have very little idea of what their transmission actually does.

To start, a manual transmission has two types; sliding gear and constant-mesh. While both types have similar qualities, the sliding gear option has quickly become outdated and almost all modern manual vehicles feature a constant-mesh transmission.

But how exactly does your vehicle’s transmission work? Let’s take a look at some of the basics:

Constant-Mesh Transmission

The constant-mesh transmission works very similar to a sliding gear transmission. The biggest difference between the two is that the constant-mesh option works in a way where all of the mainshift gears are consistently meshed with the cluster gears. This means that cluster gears, mainshift gears, gearbox, and main drive gears are always rotating, even when your vehicle is in a neutral state.

The Role of Synchronizers

One of the most important parts of manual transmissions is the synchronizers. Without them, the transmission would not be able to work in concert with the clutch to allow for efficient shifting. These synchronizers are generally made from parts that include a hub, inner sleeve, shift plates, springs, and blocking rings.

Advanced Transmissions

While these are some of the basics for modern day manual transmissions, many vehicle owners make the decision to go with advanced transmissions that can further enhance their driving experience. These options are generally designed by transmission experts and generally involve adding additional gears.

The Final Word

The makeup of transmissions has changed quite a bit over the years. While there was a time when 4-speeds were the standard option, you will now be hard pressed to find a passenger vehicle that does not feature 5-speeds. Many vehicles today, mostly sports cars, even feature 6-speed manual transmissions. Some of the most popular 6-speed vehicles include the Porsche Boster S and the Dodge Viper.

While this quick guide should give you a basic idea of how your vehicle’s transmission works, it is always a good idea to get in touch with a transmission expert when any type of work needs done. Even if the price range of repair or rebuilding is out of your budget, they can still provide a lot of great information to make sure everything runs smoothly. Experts like Trans Works have decades of experience helping customers better understand transmissions and how they work.

Trans Works specializes in the repair and rebuilding of a manual transmission. Be sure to get in contact with them if you have any questions about how your transmission works.

An automatic transmission break down can be a scary thought. The repair and rebuilding process is never cheap, meaning you could be looking at both a lighter wallet and lengthy time without a vehicle. While this can be stressful, it is important to realize that solving the problem quickly can be a much cheaper solution than attempting to go on with a faulty transmission.

Let’s take a look at three signs that your transmission is breaking down so you can make sure that you get to an expert as soon as possible for repairs:

Transmission Overheating

If you happen to catch a burning smell in your vehicle, there is a good chance that it has something to do with your transmission. This happens often in vehicles in which oil and transmission fluid is not added on a regular basis. To prevent this issue, be sure that you are filling up and changing your oil and transmission fluid according to the recommendations provided by your mechanic.

Obnoxious Sound While in Neutral

If your vehicle is having obnoxious noises when you are in neutral, there is a very good chance that there is something wrong. In most cases, this is once again an issue that can be prevented by adding transmission fluid and oil to your vehicle on a regular basis.

Fluid is Leaking

If your transmission fluid seems to be continuously leaking onto your garage or driveway, this is a telltale sign that something needs to be taken care of. You should check your fluid to make sure that it is not producing a burning smell as it should instead have a bit of a sweet smell to it. The best option for this problem is to immediately contact a transmission expert or mechanic to prevent further damage.

The Final Word

No matter what type of issue you might suspect in your automatic transmission, it is never a bad idea to get in touch with a trusted transmission expert to confirm that everything is running smoothly. Getting to the issue early can ensure that you will not have to have your transmission completely rebuilt, which can save you a huge chunk of change. Experts like Trans Works can give you reliable information about whether or not repair work needs to be done.

Trans Works specializes in helping vehicle owners with their automatic transmission needs. Give them a call to set up an appointment and make sure your transmission is in tip top shape.

Cheatsheet says that one of the four most expensive automotive problems out there for car owners is anything that requires a transmission replacement. Auto Service Online, in turn, cites issues with transmission fluid as the likely cause of most automatic transmission failures. Manual transmission drivers don’t get off scot-free, either, since improper driving can still cause the transmission to wear out prematurely. Whichever type of transmission you have—manual or automatic—a breakdown in your transmission can cost thousands in repair bills. Opting for remanufactured or used parts for a replacement will generally cost you less, though. But between remanufactured parts and used ones, used parts win the price war. So if you’re looking for a replacement that won’t put a hole in your budget, getting a used transmission is a fitting solution.

The Used Transmission Option

Used transmissions are simply transmissions that come from used cars. Since they cost much less than a new or rebuilt transmission, they’re an ideal alternative for drivers working under a tight budget.

However, used ones do come with a few risks. Since you aren’t exactly sure of the condition of the part, performance might range from solid to iffy. That’s why it pays to get used transmissions from trusted auto parts sellers like Trans Works Transmissions. That way, you’re sure to get a reliable part in the process, one that won’t leave you and your car in a lurch.

Tips for Buying Used Parts

Shopping around for used transmissions? Here are a few questions to help you pick out the best ones:

1. Have you done your research? Since you’re getting parts from used cars, make sure the parts deliver on performance and quality.
2. Does the transmission fluid show signs of any issues? If so, have those issues fixed then and there. If that’s not possible, then simply ask the shop to provide you with another replacement part.
3. Has the part been tested? Find out if any un-diagnosed problems came up when the test was performed. Were those problems fixed? The more you know, the more informed your decision will be.
4. Can’t find one? Another option to buying a used transmission is getting a transmission case instead. Bring that over to a transmission shop and have them rebuild it. That option is still going to cost you less than if you had to rebuild the faulty transmission in your car.

In the end, you don’t have to spend thousands on car repair when reliable and low-cost solutions are available. When times are tight, going for the low-cost solution is simply smart and practical. For more information on used transmissions, contact us at Trans Works Transmissions.

Don’t spend thousands on transmission repair! Shop for used transmissions at Trans Works Transmissions and save on costs. Order your first one today!

Thinking of trading in your stick for an automatic? Here are seven great reasons, from TransmissionRepairGuy, on why staying with a manual transmission can be the right choice for you:

1. You love to drive. Unlike fans of automatic transmissions, you don’t just want to get from point A to point B. You actually enjoy driving your car! And you know you get more out of the experience when the car runs on manual.
2. The price is right. Manual transmissions cost a lot less than automatics, mostly because of the low demand and less moving parts. That, of course, means great news for you and your wallet!
3. Few maintenance woes. Since manuals are simpler by design, they’re easier to fix and maintain, so repair and maintenance bills won’t set you back too many dollars. With a manual ride, you can save up on costs without having to skip on much-needed maintenance and repairs.
4. You’re used to it. Based on trade-in numbers, few stick drivers are replacing their sticks to go to automatic. Habit or not, if driving a stick is comfortable for you, there’s no reason to change things.
5. Better road acceleration. Manuals often have better acceleration. That’s because they weigh less. Power loss, too, is diminished. That’s not the case with automatic transmissions, though. So if the thought of owning a powerful vehicle holds more appeal for you, then going for a manual is an easy choice.
6. Not appealing to thieves. Because most drivers in North America drive an automatic, making sure yours runs on manual might keep enterprising thieves away from your ride. That’s certainly a creative way to discourage thieves.
7. You’re in the driver’s seat. This is basically what most drivers love about owning a stick: you’re in control. Some might go for convenience and ease, but if you want your driving experience to be all about having control on the road, about navigating through all the traffic and empty roads firmly, then manual is the only option for you!

These are just 7 reasons for you to love your manual. Need to get yours in for transmission repairs? If not repairs, then how about basic maintenance services? Interested in getting remanufactured transmission systems? For more information on how to buy a manual transmission, or about repair and maintenance services involving transmission parts, visit us at Trans Works Transmissions.

Cut repair costs! Trans Works Transmissions offers you a great selection of remanufactured transmission makes and models to choose from. Call us today for a quote!

Car repair bills getting you down? Don’t let your expenses get out of hand. One way you can cut down on rising repair costs is to opt for a remanufactured transmission. Not sure how to go about it? Do It Yourself has a couple of tips you’ll find handy:

Choose Quality

A remanufactured transmission is a transmission rebuilt according to the specifications of the original manufacturer with the use of new parts. This doesn’t mean a step-down in quality, though. The remanufacturing process ensures that the newly rebuilt unit delivers excellent on-the-road performance, so you’ve got no worries on that score. Your remanufactured part will function pretty much like a new one, but at only a fraction of the cost. And with companies like Trans Works Transmissions offering warranties for a remanufactured transmission, you know those parts are solid.

Buy It Online

Choice isn’t an issue. With so many sites online offering different types of transmissions, you’ve got plenty of sources to pick from. Just make sure you ask about how their remanufacturing process works. Where do they get the parts? Ask as many questions as you want. Learn as much as you can. This way, you’ll know if the part is good enough or if you need to move on to the next one. Also, don’t forget to ask about the warranty. And when you buy it online, be sure to use a secure payment system to keep your information safe and protected.

Compare Prices

Make a list of your choices. While it’s tempting to choose based on the lowest prices, don’t forget to compare the quality of the rebuild in your decision. Remember that you get what you pay for. And if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. These clichés exist for a reason, and yet people fall for them all the time. Make sure you don’t. When you make a final decision, don’t let price tip the scale. Base it on a combination of factors instead, like quality, warranty and customer service.

Scout for Discounts

A lot of auto repair shops hand out coupons that you can use to pay for repair services. Be on the lookout for that, as well as for promotional deals and discounts. A 5 or 10 percent reduction might not seem like much, but when you see that 5 or 10 percent converted into savings, you’ll be happy you saved that coupon. Say yes to free services like repair estimates to save on costs. And explore more tips like these to help you get your repair costs back under control.

To know more about remanufactured transmissions, visit us here.

Cut down on repair costs! Trans Works Transmissions offers you a great selection of remanufactured transmission makes and models to choose from. Call us today for a quote!

Want to cut back on transmission repair and replacement costs for your car? Want to cut corners but still be able to give your ride the parts and service it needs? Here are some ways to help you keep your repair and replacement costs low without compromising your ride’s performance:

• Is there enough fluid?Always check to see if your transmission has enough fluid. The fluid cools as well as provides your transmission with the lubrication it needs. Not enough fluid means your transmission runs hotter. This is a major factor in why parts wear out prematurely. With enough fluid, your transmission won’t have to work so hard, which means it won’t have to run the parts ragged sooner than it should. You save up on costs when your transmission lasts longer.
• Did you get the transmission fluid replaced? Replacing the transmission fluid is a given. But make sure you do it on schedule. Regular transmission services ensure the oil in your transmission has all the detergents and additives necessary to keep your gears running smoothly. These additives are often depleted over time, so making sure the fluid is regularly changed helps keep your car’s on-the-road performance better. Peak performance means you won’t have to spend anything on repairs or replacing worn out parts any time soon.
• Are you using used transmissions?One of the many ways you can save up on costs is to go for used transmission units. Companies like Trans Works Transmission LLC offer rebuilt transmission units at very affordable prices. And these used transmission units work just as reliably as brand new ones. So if you want to save up on replacement costs, pick a used transmission unit for your ride. You won’t just enjoy the improved performance, you’ll enjoy the cost-savings too.
• Tried DIY yet?While auto repair and maintenance can be difficult, there are still plenty of simple maintenance services you can do yourself, like learning how to gauge if the transmission fluid is running low or not. By knowing what to look for, you’d be able to tell if your transmission needs more fluid, put some in, and succeed in stopping your transmission from overheating. Imagine the world of trouble you’d be able to prevent just by knowing what to do. So read up on simple DIY measures that are easy and quick to learn. And before you attempt anything, make sure you’re wearing the right safety gear to keep you protected at all times.

Save up on replacement costs with used transmission units. At Trans Works Transmission LLC, we offer reliable transmission units for less.

Find out too late your car’s transmission is shot? Don’t compromise your safety on the road. The next time you see any of these signs, take your car to the nearest auto shop and schedule it for transmission repair:

• Burning SmellCheck under your hood for this. It could mean your transmission overheated. Either it’s low on fluid or the transmission fluid is already dirty and needs to be replaced. Both are easy to fix and won’t set you back too much.
• Stiff ShiftsHaving a tough time shifting gears? Think changing gears doesn’t feel as smooth as it used to be? And does it come with clunking sounds all the time now? All those are strong signs you need to take your car in for a much-needed transmission repair session.
• Delayed ReactionYou get in, start your car and start to pull out of your parking slot. Only problem is, your car won’t start. Not immediately, at least. It takes a long while for the gears to start working. And that’s really problematic. Not only because no one likes delays; it’s also not very safe. If you need to pull out of a slot, especially if you’re in a congested parking lot or street, you could get hit if your car doesn’t move out of the way fast enough.
• Transmission LightIf you see your engine light up with the code for transmission trouble, that definitely means your car needs to go the shop for transmission repair.

To DIY or Not

Transmission troubles might seem like they involve nothing more than replacing the fluids or adding more. That sounds easy. And yes, there are definitely plenty of DIY videos out there to help you pull these off yourself. However, if you don’t have the proper experience, equipment or know-how, it would be better to simply ask professionals to handle it, especially if it involves repairing old parts or replacing them with new ones.

Think going DIY will save you on repair costs? Yes, if you have sufficient know-how and practical experience. But going into it blind, or just after watching a couple of videos on Youtube might not give you the expertise you need. You could end up doing far more harm to the system than good, which could cost you more—and give you bigger problems—in the future. So don’t skimp on repairs. Stay safe on the road by going for repairs at reliable auto shop centers like the Trans Works Transmission LLC.

Get great transmission repair with us. At Trans Works Transmission LLC, we offer transmission repair and replacement for whatever your system needs.

Don’t want automatic transmission troubles to make you late for work again? Here are signs you need to pay attention to if you want to be free of transmission problems and woes:

Leaks

Are there leaks under your car? Transmission fluid is often red and translucent. It also smells sweet. So if the fluid appears cloudy or dark or if it distinctly gives off a burnt smell, that means trouble. It could be as simple as having the leak repaired and the fluid replaced or it could mean throwing your old automatic transmissionfor a new one.

Noise

Put your car in neutral and listen. Is it noisier than usual? Are there thumping noises? Noises don’t automatically mean problems with your transmission, of course. It could be loose parts from other systems. But if it does turn out to be transmission-related, you might have to replace the fluid or check for worn, old parts, repair what you can or simply replace them all, to make sure your transmission is in tip-top shape.

Engine Light

The engine light is like a warning sign. It tells you if something bad is happening under your hood. Again, it could be something else other than your automatic transmission. But if you do see the code for transmission trouble, don’t delay taking it to the car shop. Have it serviced immediately to ensure the damage won’t get worse.

Burning Smell

Does it smell like something’s burning? Check under your hood. Is the smell coming from there? That could mean your system is suffering from low transmission or that it has a leak or a dirty fluid, all of which could cause your transmission to overheat.

Grinding

You shouldn’t have any problem shifting gears. But if you’ve noticed that your car shakes or grinds every time you do, that’s a problem. It could mean your transmission is low on fluids, some of the transmission components are worn and need to be replaced or you simply have a dirty transmission.

Groans

If that grinding comes with other noises whenever you shift gears, that’s another sign of trouble. Don’t put off going to the repair shop to make sure your transmission problems don’t get worse.

Jumps

Does your car jump for no reason? That could be your automatic transmissiontrying to tell you something. Contaminated or dirty transmission fluid is the likely cause of this issue.

Anytime you encounter any of these signs, drive to the nearest repair shop for repairs. Don’t wait until the last minute to get your transmission problems fixed.

Automatic transmissiontroubles again? Trans Works Transmission LLC offers the repair and replacement services you need. Call us.

We at Trans Works Transmissions personally do not like using used transmissions. There are a number of reasons for this (namely, they are USED and unpredictable), but we do take apart every used transmission that comes our way and see whether or not it would meet the needs of our customer. Below are just some of the questions, which we (and hopefully our clients) ask before they purchase used transmissions for their ride, starting with:

Is There a Warranty on it?

When it comes to used transmissions, the warranty is king. Many warranties are very limited, which means an individual choosing to purchase a used transmission without knowing what to look for could be a very financially unwise decision.

Is the Mechanic Certified?

Apart from asking whether or not a company like ours will even install used transmissions, you should also ask the company whether or not their mechanics are familiar with using installing or working on that particular transmission. Here at Trans Works Transmissions, we make sure that our mechanics are SEC certified (this stands for automotive service excellence). This ensures that the technicians working under our roof and who are installing your transmission have been trained to the highest standards and will be able to successfully install your transmission to your specifications.

Is There Any Technological Oversight?

Technology is undoubtedly moving at a rapid pace these days, and this includes the transmission systems in our vehicles. When we select a transmission system for you vehicle, we make sure that it will run with your specific ride before we set you free and charge you a fee. When we install a transmission system, we are certain that above and beyond a doubt it will work for you and be able to take you from Portage, Wisconsin and beyond.

Even if you do not choose us to install your transmission, make sure that the company you chose does. Transmission technology is changing at breakneck speed, so choosing a tranny system, which is even a year, or two older to install in your vehicle can cause significant issues for the driver.

The Bottom Line

Choosing which is best for you can be difficult, particularity as the difference between a new and used transmission can be as much as $1000 or more. Here are some questions to ask yourself before committing to either choice:

• How long to you plan to use the vehicle?
• How often did the previous transmission fail?
• How often do you rely on the vehicle to get you from point “a” to point “b”?
• What kind of vehicle to you have and what is the history of the previous transmissions of those vehicles?

Whatever you choose to do, we at Trans Works Transmissions are here to accommodate you. We welcome you to give us a call with you automotive needs anytime!

Finding anyone who will give it to you straight in the automobile industry can be difficult these days, especially when it comes to a certified transmission technician. There are some characteristics, however, which everyone should be looking for such as those in the technicians working at Trans Works Transmissions which separates a great technician from one who will probably be leaving you looking for a second opinion or repair in the end. Wonder what they are? Then read on:

Make Sure They Are Certified

Anyone who claims to be a certified transmission technician or specialist needs to be certified. They will have certification granted by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (also known as ASE). Most of these specialists will have this prominently and proudly displayed on their wall, but if they do not, don’t be afraid to ask them for proof.

The Shop Services Your Make and Model

Even if you own the most popular type of car on the market, that does not necessarily mean that the shop you choose to perform transmission work on it will be able to The first step that you need to make is to ensure that the shop actually knows how to repair you type of car and that they have both the latest equipment and the most up to date training on how to fix your vehicle.

Look for Reviews Online

The Internet is a fantastic resource for certified transmission specialists and technicians (and we at Trans Works Transmissions have gained a lot of clients through this resource). Those who have received services will be incredibly upfront about what they liked, what they had, and what they think could use a bit of a tweak or improvement. Check out the reviews, and if you are still left with questions then contact a certified transmission specialist, and he may be able to answer them.

• TIP: Check with the Better Business Bureau, or BBB. Even if all references come out positive, the BBB and the company’s social media pages are the best places to look for unbiased and honest accounts of how business was conducted and what quality of a repair they received was.

Try them with Something Small

If you will need to try out a completely new shop and can delay repair, try them out with something smaller and less significant (i.e. an oil change, a brake joke, etc.). This will help tell you whether or not the technician and their company are people whom you want to work with and who will be able to tot trust with your vehicle.

Ask About their Warranties

Most auto repair shops will offer warranties not only on the parts they sell us (which is actually a manufacturer’s warranty) but also on their workmanship. Whenever possible, choose a company, which is able to offer a guarantee on their work, and make sure that their warranty works for you and the work to be done.