A Trusted Local Option for Gearbox Replacement & Gearbox Repair in Hengrove | The Clutch Company
While most in the Hengrove area, perhaps because of our name, know us for the clutch repair and clutch replacement services we provide Bristol – we also carry out gearbox repair and gearbox replacement; the two components are closely linked and together make up the transmission system, so mechanical expertise with each will often complement the other. In another post on this website, we take time to explain exactly how a clutch works, so that new motorists in Hengrove and its surrounds can grasp the importance of maintaining their transmission and finding the right team for clutch repairs and clutch replacement should they ever require them.
Here, we look to do the same thing for gearboxes, explaining what they’re comprised of and how they work. But it might be you’re already familiar, or perhaps even uninterested: you’re in Hengrove and need gearbox repairs or gearbox replacement ASAP, or perhaps clutch repairs and clutch replacement, not an article! If that’s the case, feel free to cut right to the chase and call us on 0208 3922 666 or 02088 783 666.
How Gearboxes Work
As engines run at such high speeds, a series of gears are required to limit power transferred to your vehicle’s wheels. Each gear is suitable for a different purpose, for example: climbing an incline/hill, or cruising a road or motorway. The gearbox sits after the clutch, and is typically positioned toward the rear of the engine (the clutch sits in between). Most modern vehicles feature four to five gear speeds, in addition to the mandatory reverse and neutral positions.
A modern gearbox features a gear lever, connected to a number of selector rods; these lie next to shafts carrying the gears themselves. Currently, the most widely employed design is the constant-mesh gearbox. This features three shafts: input, layshaft, mainshaft and a separate shaft that allows for the rotation of the reverse gear’s idler pinion.
The order of operation goes: engine (driving the input shaft) -> layshaft -> mainshaft gears. These latter components will freely rotate until locked by a device called the synchromesh, attached to the shaft. It’s this synchromesh which you actively engage with, via the selector rod. A device called a baulk ring is also featured in the kinds of modern vehicle popular throughout Hengrove; it stops gears being engaged until shaft speeds are levelled out and synchronised, reducing wear and the likelihood of a mechanical fault or breakdown.
So as you can see, gearboxes are sophisticated things with many intricate parts; as such there’s a lot that can go wrong with them, calling for gearbox repair or gearbox replacement. This means it’s essential to choose the right mechanic should you be experiencing difficulty with yours, for example, Hengrove’s The Clutch Company – which also provides a full range of quality clutch repair and clutch replacement solutions.