Difficulty Changing Gears: Symptoms & Causes

Are you tired of feeling like you’re in a constant battle with your car’s gearbox? Do you find yourself needing help to shift smoothly and constantly grinding gears?

Shifting gears shouldn’t feel like a struggle, but if you’re experiencing difficulty changing gears, your car is playing hard to get. In this article, we’ll look at the Symptoms of a bad gearbox and the Causes of gearbox issues and get you shifting smoothly again.

What are the Symptoms of a bad gearbox?

The following are 5 Symptoms of a Bad Gearbox:

• Grinding Noise: A grinding noise when shifting gears is a common sign of a bad gearbox. This noise occurs when shifting gears or while the vehicle is neutral.
• Gear Slipping: A gearbox that slips out of gear while driving, or is difficult to get into gear, is a sign of worn or damaged synchronizers.
• Burning Smell: A burning smell from the gearbox or clutch area indicates that the clutch or gearbox is overheating or burning up due to friction.
• Difficulty Shifting: If you’re experiencing difficulty shifting gears, such as crunching sounds or feeling like the shifter is “sticky,” it may be a sign of a problem with the gearbox.
• Leaking Fluid: A gearbox leaking oil indicates a problem with the seals and gaskets.

What are the causes of Gearbox Issues?

The following are 5 Causes of Gearbox Issues:

• Lack of Maintenance: Failure to regularly check and change the gearbox oil leads to gearbox problems.
• Overheating: Overheating the gearbox due to excessive use or lack of proper cooling causes significant damage to internal components.
• Misuse or Abuse: Misusing the gearbox, such as “riding the clutch” or “force-shifting,” can cause significant damage to internal components.
• Manufacturing Defects: Defects in manufacturing can cause problems with the gearbox, such as faulty bearings and gears.
• Wear and Tear: Over time, the internal components of the gearbox will wear down, leading to problems such as difficulty shifting, gear slipping, and grinding noises.