My Gears Are Crunching & Grinding – Is that Bad?

A grinding or crunching gearbox when changing gears is a common sign that you’ve got transmission problems. It can mean that the speed of your wheels and engine are not in perfect alignment. Or, there could be a simpler explanation. In this guide, we’re looking at the signs you should get a car mechanic on the scene.

What are the common causes of grinding gears?

• Malfunctioning clutch parts – Issues with the clutch assembly or damage to clutch components can result in malfunctioning gears. There could be a problem with the torque converter in an automatic, for instance.
• Lack of lubrication – If your transmission fluid isn’t getting to where it needs to be this could cause friction in the wrong places. It’s worth changing the fluid at intervals to prevent unnecessary damage to your gear components. Your annual car service provider should be able to check this for you.
• Bad driving habits – The way you drive can impact the health of your vehicle. Grinding can occur naturally with manual transmission vehicles. Every once in a while is fine. However, if you do this every time you get behind the wheel, this could take its toll on your gearbox. Aggressive gear changes or carrying particularly heavy loads can put unnecessary pressure on your gear system.

How to fix grinding gears

The approach will be different depending on whether you have a manual transmission or automatic transmission vehicle.

However, these are some simple checks that you or your local car mechanic can do:

• Check the levels of transmission/differential fluid
• Check for any cracks, chips or corrosion of the gearbox components

Sometimes, the solution can be as simple as replacing or topping up on fluid. Other times, part replacements may be required, or even an entirely new gearbox.

If you’re in the Peterborough area, Vital Vehicle Care can help. We’re a trusted local car repair service here for all your car diagnostic requirements, servicing and repairs. Got grinding gears? Contact us today to book in your vehicle with us. Our expert team will get to the bottom of the problem and advise on the best solution.