Most of the time, a transmission clutch is associated with a manual transmission. It is responsible for separating the engine from the transmission so a gear change can take place. But in an automatic transmission, the clutch is responsible for actually engaging a gear. So how do you know if a clutch is going bad in an automatic transmission? Let’s find out!
What Transmission Do I Have?
What is an automatic transmission clutch?
An automatic transmission clutch is a thin round disc that is coated in a friction material. The outer edges of the clutch disc have tabs molded in so the clutch can fit inside of a clutch drum. Automatic transmission clutch packs typically come in sets of five, and are separated by similarly sized and shaped steel discs, which the clutch discs grip onto when the pack is squeezed together.
Can a clutch go bad in an automatic transmission?
The simple answer is yes. An automatic transmission clutch is what’s considered a wear part. This means that over time, it can wear out and will need to be replaced. The way you take care of your transmission however, will make a big difference on how long your transmission clutches last.
Transmission fluid – In order to operate the clutch packs, your transmission relies on pressurized transmission fluid. Low or dirty transmission fluid can negatively affect the hydraulic pressure needed to engage or disengage the clutches. Dirty transmission fluid can also damage the friction surface on the clutch discs, causing them to fail prematurely.
To avoid these problems, keep a regular check on your transmission fluid level. And also have the transmission serviced according to schedule.
Other things that can affect the longevity of your transmission clutches:
Driving environment – Excessively hot or cold weather can affect the viscosity of your transmission fluid, which in turn can cause premature wear to your automatic transmission clutches.
Stop and go traffic – If you are constantly driving in heavy traffic, the clutch packs that operate the lower gears in your transmission can wear out prematurely.
Towing – Putting a heavy strain on your transmission can cause the friction material on your clutches to wear off much faster. This is especially true if you do a lot of towing. For all three of these conditions, an auxiliary transmission cooler can help extend the life of your transmission clutches.
How do you know if your automatic clutch is bad?
Since clutch packs in your transmission are responsible for engaging and disengaging gears, the first thing you’ll notice when they go bad is transmission slipping. You’ll be driving along and the engine RPMs will increase, but the vehicle speed will not. This is a very unnerving feeling and it may happen just once or frequently, depending on how badly damaged your clutches are.
This is happening because the friction material on the clutch disc has6 worn away or become damaged, which is preventing them from gripping the steel plates.
How do you fix a bad automatic transmission clutch pack?
Unfortunately, the problem described here will require the removal and disassembly/partial disassembly of your transmission. Given the labor time involved to remove the transmission from the vehicle (this is not a simple task), most repair shops will recommend that you go ahead and rebuild the entire transmission while it’s out. Since they already have to tear it down, it sort of makes sense to spend the extra money to do that. After all, you should get a lot more mileage out of your transmission once it’s rebuilt. And since they’ve already got the transmission apart, might as well, right?
Why a remanufactured transmission might be a good option
While you can’t buy a brand-new transmission, a remanufactured transmission is a terrific alternative. These are completely reengineered and put together on a factory assembly line. They often contain a lots of upgrades over their stock form, which means many of the design flaws that result in premature failure of components can be eliminated. This can give a reman transmission a much longer service life than it originally had.
Remanufactured transmission companies like Street Smart Transmission put each of their reman transmissions through a rigorous build process that ensures a quality product every time. It begins with nearly 100 trained technicians that specialize in different aspects of the build process.
This remanufacturing process starts with the inspection team that test all of the critical components from the donor transmission to ensure that they meet the original equipment (OE) tolerances and specifications. The case, pumps, gears, shafts, valve body and torque converter are checked for hairline cracks, metal tensile strength, warping and other parameters. If any component fails to meet the required specifications, it’s discarded and replaced.
All the parts are then cleaned and sent to the appropriate stations on the assembly line for reassembly. Throughout the process, quality control managers inspect the build to ensure that it meets the desired specification. Any necessary modifications or upgrades that are needed to correct factory design flaws are also performed or added. The valve body is rebuilt and tested on a special dyno machine to ensure that it performs according to the specifications. All of the solenoids are also tested prior to installation.
Once the build is complete and passes its final quality control inspection, the newly remanufactured transmission is sent to the dyno room, where it’s tested on a special dyno machine using a proprietary software program called C.A.R.S. (Computer Aided Real-world Simulation). This cycles the transmission through a number of real-world driving situations, to ensure that it performs according to the factory specs. It also helps to break in all of the friction components, that way it’s completely tuned and ready to go once it’s installed.
Warranty – One of the benefits of buying a remanufactured transmission vs. a rebuilt transmission is the warranty. Street Smart Transmission for example, covers all of their reman transmissions with a 3 Year/Unlimited Mileage Nationwide Warranty (there is a mileage restriction for commercial vehicles). This covers parts and labor for transmission repairs performed by any licensed repair shop in the country. It’s also completely transferable if you ever decide to sell the vehicle. Compared to a mechanics warranty on a transmission rebuild, a remanufactured transmission warranty offers superior financial protection.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Is a remanufactured transmission worth it?
If you plan to keep your vehicle for as long as possible, then getting a transmission rebuild is certainly a viable option. However, a remanufactured transmission is a much better alternative. You’re getting as close to a brand-new transmission as it is possible. Companies like Street Smart Transmission also modify the transmission to correct all of the factory design flaws, allowing you to get a much longer service life from the transmission. So in terms of value for the money, a reman transmission might be the better way to go.
