M20/32 ADVICE!
I’ve just finished a telephone call with a potential customer and the conversation was one I seem to be having a lot more of these days.
First let me say that a big part of our business is the repair service we offer, this is designed to save customers ££££ when compared to reconditioned gearboxes. However, a repair is only possible if the gearbox is still repairable!
Ring Ring Ring!!
ME: Hello, North West Transmissions, can I help you?
CUSTOMER: Hi, my gearbox on my Vauxhall Corsa is very noisy, it’s a six speed gearbox, how much would a repair cost?
ME: These gearboxes suffer with premature bearing failure, if you catch it early enough we can re-bearing the gearbox for £345.00 plus vat. Fitted would be an extra £200.00 plus vat
CUSTOMER: Oh thats great, I need to use it this weekend though. Can I bring it in next week?
ME: That will be fine, but if you’re looking to repair the gearbox then my advice would be to tackle the fault sooner rather than later. If you leave it too long the bearing will collapse and the resulting damage in the gearbox will often leave it unrepairable and your only option would be an exchange gearbox which is almost twice the price.
CUSTOMER: Oh! Well, I need the car and my mate said its only just started and it will be fine for now.
ME: Well ok, but having seen hundreds of these gearboxes fail I can tell you that once they become noisy it doesn’t take long before the bearing collapses completely and can then damage both the rear casing and the gear-train, specifically the sixth gear assembly. Every mile you put on the car takes you closer to this failure and further away from the chance of a repair.
CUSTOMER: Oh I see! But I really need to use it this weekend. Can I book it in for next monday?
ME: Sure.
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Two Days Later!
Ring Ring Ring!!
CUSTOMER: Hi, we spoke a couple of days ago regarding my Vauxhall Corsa. Well I was just driving along when there was an almighty bang and now the gearbox has locked up and I can’t move it. Do you offer a recovery service? ………………
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I know it looks a bit melodramatic but believe me this is a conversation I seem to be having every few days now.
The serious point I’m trying to make is that the advice about not using a gearbox with a fault is GOOD ADVICE! It’s given in the hope of saving you money. If there is one thing I can guarantee you, it’s that a gearbox with a fault will never fix itself, it will always get worse and cost more to fix than if the fault is rectified quickly!
TTFN
