Slipping between gears
Revs rise without acceleration.
Transmissions
Transmission Repair & Rebuilds in Empire
Climbing I-70 with a trailer is hard on a transmission. Slips and harsh shifts are checked from the simple causes upward, so you only pay for a rebuild if you truly need one.
Ask about my transmission — (303) 997-2698Signs to watch for
Harsh or delayed shifts
Fluid, a solenoid or software.
Shudder at light throttle
Often the torque converter or fluid.
Red fluid under the vehicle
A leak that needs fixing before it causes damage.
Four-wheel drive will not engage
Transfer case or actuator trouble.
What the work covers
- Four-wheel-drive switch, actuator and transfer case checks
- Fluid level, condition and leak checks
- Code and data review
- Road test under load, cold and warm
- Repair, rebuild and replacement options
- Fluid set to spec and a full road test afterwards
How we handle it
Plenty of shifting complaints are fixed with a leak repair, a fluid correction or a solenoid. Those are ruled out first. If the problem is internal, you get the price of repairing it, rebuilding the unit and fitting a replacement, side by side.
Manual gearboxes, clutches and transfer cases get the same approach: find the cause, price the options, let you decide.
After any transmission work, the fluid is set to the correct level at operating temperature and the vehicle is driven through every gear, including four-wheel-drive engagement where fitted.
What affects the cost
External fixes such as leaks, fluid and solenoids are at the smaller end. Internal repairs and rebuilds depend on how much has failed, and replacement units depend on what is available for your transmission. Each option is priced along with the time it keeps the vehicle off the road, so you can weigh both before deciding.
Before you call
Tell us when it happens: cold or warm, under load or cruising, in which gears. Say whether you tow and whether four-wheel drive is involved.
If the fluid has ever been changed, or never has, that is worth knowing too. Fluid history affects both the likely cause and the safest way to service the transmission now. If another shop has already quoted a rebuild, mention it.
Good questions
Does a fluid change fix slipping?
Only if the fluid was the cause. Worn clutches will not recover, whatever goes in.
Should I keep driving it?
As little as possible; slipping makes heat, and heat makes it worse quickly.
Do you work on clutches and manual gearboxes?
Yes, along with transfer cases. They are tested, priced and repaired the same way as automatics, with the options laid out before any work starts.
How long does a transmission repair take?
External repairs are often quick. Rebuilds and replacement units take longer and depend on parts. Each option comes with its own time estimate.
Get the shifting looked at
Describe what it is doing, cold and warm, and we will set up the right checks before anyone mentions the word rebuild.