Transmission Repair in Pasadena & Hollywood

Diagnosis before anyone says "rebuild"

"You need a new transmission" is the most expensive sentence in this industry, and it gets said far more often than it is true. Slipping, flare-ups between gears and shudder can come from low or burnt fluid, a failing shift solenoid, a bad torque converter, worn mounts, or an engine misfire being felt through the drivetrain. We scan, road-test and inspect before we tell you the number.

Transmission and drivetrain services

• Transmission fluid exchange and filter service
• Transmission fault-code scanning and road-test diagnosis
• Shift solenoid and sensor replacement
• Clutch and flywheel service on manual vehicles
• Axle and CV joint replacement
• CV boot replacement before the joint fails
• Differential and transfer case fluid service
• Transmission mount replacement

Symptoms worth bringing in

• Engine revs but the car doesn't accelerate. Classic slipping. Get it looked at before it gets worse.
• Hard, clunky or delayed shifts. Often fluid or solenoid related and frequently fixable without major work.
• Shudder around 40–50 mph. Commonly a torque converter lockup issue.
• Clicking when turning. Worn CV joint, usually after a torn boot let the grease out.
• Red or brown fluid on the driveway. A transmission leak. Cheap to fix now, expensive to ignore.
• Burnt smell. Overheated fluid. Time-sensitive.

On fluid intervals

Many manufacturers describe transmission fluid as "lifetime fill." In stop-and-go Los Angeles traffic — which is exactly the duty cycle that heats fluid the most — that claim does not hold up well. If you tow, sit in traffic daily, or drive a high-mileage vehicle, ask us to check the fluid's condition. It is a cheap look at an expensive component.