{"id":1650,"date":"2025-09-30T09:17:35","date_gmt":"2025-09-30T08:17:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mrclutch.com\/blog\/?p=1650"},"modified":"2025-09-30T09:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-30T09:00:00","slug":"how-to-tell-if-a-gearbox-is-going","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrclutch.com\/blog\/how-to-tell-if-a-gearbox-is-going\/","title":{"rendered":"How to tell if a gearbox is going"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Even if you do everything you can to maintain your vehicle, natural wear and tear will eventually cause various components within it to weaken and fail. The gearbox is no exception – and, as with many car parts, failure of a gearbox can have major consequences.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How do you know if your gearbox is going?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, there are various telltale signs you can look out for that might give you some warning when your gearbox is on its way out. If you spot one of these signs, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean your gearbox is about to fail – in fact, many of the symptoms of gearbox wear can occur with other problems as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you do notice one or more of the signs we discuss here, it likely means that something<\/em> is wrong with your vehicle, even if it\u2019s not the gearbox. Whether you\u2019re certain of the problem or have no idea, the best thing to do is to take your car to your local autocentre<\/a> to have the gearbox checked by an expert mechanic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below, we outline some key symptoms that could mean your gearbox needs the attention of a professional.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fluid leakage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Whether your vehicle relies on manual or automatic transmission, the gearbox uses a lubricant to keep things moving smoothly. If the levels of this oil get too low, problems can occur as friction develops between the moving parts of the gearbox.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is why it\u2019s so important to check your gearbox oil levels regularly, to ensure that they\u2019re at a safe level and top them up if needed. Levels can drop more quickly than usual if there\u2019s a leak somewhere in the system – so if you notice you\u2019re using up oil quicker than expected, there\u2019s a problem.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If that happens, refill your gearbox oil to a safe level and take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible so the problem can be rectified.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unusual sounds<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you get used to driving your car, you instinctively get to know the noises that are and aren\u2019t normal for it to make. If you begin to notice unusual sounds coming from your car, that\u2019s usually a sign that something is wrong and it shouldn\u2019t be ignored.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When something\u2019s wrong with your gearbox, you might hear crunching, grinding or clunking noises when you\u2019re changing gear. Any unexpected noises should be investigated, as there could be an underlying problem that needs addressing.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Difficulty shifting gears<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Any issues relating to problems changing gear – whether in a manual or an automatic – are generally a sign that there\u2019s something wrong with your vehicle\u2019s transmission system. If you notice any of the following symptoms (or anything else amiss with your gearbox), speak to a mechanic: <\/p>\n\n\n\n