Keeping up with the Shifting Transmission Installation Trends

Transmission installation and repair facilities rely heavily on the expertise and knowledge of installers to ensure efficiency and reliability.

FREMONT, CA: The transmission-repair industry has long been accustomed to constant vehicle design changes and rising business costs. The challenges faced today are more complex than ever before. With each passing decade, the complexity of transmission systems has increased, requiring transmission rebuilders to continuously learn and adopt new practices. But it is not just the transmissions that have changed; the vehicles they are attached to have also undergone significant transformations. Before any transmission can be rebuilt or repaired, it must be removed from the vehicle and reinstalled, rebuilt, exchanged, or converted. 

Transmission installers have always played a vital role in transmission shops, contributing to the facility's overall success. The advancement in technology and vehicle design has made transmissions more complex, requiring more specialized knowledge to install. This has made the job of a transmission installer more challenging and important as they are responsible for properly installing a transmission, which is essential for a transmission shop to remain operational. In the early days, installers would perform their tasks on creepers with vehicles supported by jack stands. Their expertise in avoiding damages, identifying additional work, and efficiently completing the job would significantly impact the shop's bottom line. In addition to the basic remove-and-replace process, installers would handle minor adjustments, such as the shift linkage or throttle cable, conduct the initial road test, check for leaks, and verify fluid levels. Today, the role of an installation technician has undergone significant changes. In many shops, the installer technician is responsible for the initial road test and diagnostics, which means they have had to adapt to the advancements in electronics and computers and various other factors. These advancements have enabled installation technicians to diagnose and repair complex systems more quickly and accurately. Additionally, they have had to develop their technical skills and knowledge in order to keep up with the ever-changing technology.

The proliferation of transmissions is accompanied by an extensive range of vehicles they are fitted into. It becomes challenging for anyone to master such a vast number of variables. Even seasoned installers find it challenging to keep up with the constant model changes. Furthermore, the complexity of lifting vehicles has also evolved. Introducing unibody designs requires careful attention to avoid body distortion and maintain proper weight distribution. Technicians must disable specific systems, such as ride height or level control, to prevent damage during lifting. ALI (Automotive Lift Institute) provides a useful quick-reference guide to assist technicians in identifying lifting variations and avoiding potential issues.

With the prevalence of front-wheel-drive (FWD) vehicles, even minor repairs like valve body replacements can pose difficulties, let alone major jobs. Dealing with half-shafts and the subframe (cradle) adds further complexity to the process. Removing a significant portion of the undercarriage to drop a transmission is challenging and time-consuming. Moreover, the issue of supporting the engine during the process has led to the development of advanced engine hangers and adapters. Today, some engines lack lifting rings, necessitating creative solutions to ensure secure lifting. Supporting an engine has become a costly endeavor, but it remains essential. Access to an up-to-date engine support guide is invaluable for installers dealing with various engine configurations.