Automatic Transmission Hard Parts

What Are Transmission Hard Parts?

Arguably the question we’re asked the most; “What are transmission hard parts?”
Unless you’ve had a transmission repaired before, there’s no way you would know what they are. A lot of less reputable transmission shops count on a customer’s inexperience with hard parts so they can use them as a sales tool. If you have a basic understanding of hard parts, it may detour these tactics, saving you hundreds of dollars.
This page is to help you learn more about what a hard part is, but if your more concerned right know about the “Tricks that a dishonest transmission shop may use” follow the link for the information, but I suggest you finish reading this section on transmission hard parts to help you understand the phrases used on that page.
Internal Automatic Transmission Parts fall under two main categories, Soft Parts and Hard Parts.
Soft parts are parts that, by design are going to eventually wear out. These parts are included in a Master Rebuild Kit (MRK) and consist mainly of new clutches, bands, seals, gaskets, bushings, bearings and internal transmission sealing rings along with a new transmission filter.
Hard parts are parts that are NOT designed or expected to wear out or brake. Below is a list of the most common hard parts that fail.
During an automatic transmission rebuild, the transmission is disassembled, cleaned and inspected for hard part damage. If all the internal “hard part” components pass inspection by the transmission rebuilder, then the transmission is reassembled with those hard parts and new soft parts included in a Master Rebuild Kit.
At most transmission shops, anything not included in the rebuild kit is considered a “hard part” and if needed will be at an additional charge to the customer.

What Are The Most Common
Damaged Hard Parts?

Automatic transmission hard parts that fail or are determined to be outside of acceptable specifications are most commonly transmission;
Pumps
Valve bodies
External Cases
Planetary Gear Sets
Drums
And Differentials in front wheel drive vehicles
Failed Transmission Hard Parts are parts that are cracked or broken
Worn Transmission Hard Parts are parts that may still function now, but are worn to the point where they are outside of acceptable limits, such as thin splines or worn drums where a band rides. These parts may be fine now, but will likely fail in the near future.

How Can I Tell If My Transmission Has Damaged Hard Parts?

Failed transmission Hard Parts let you know there is a problem instantly. Broken hard parts can cause your car to lose forward or reverse, or your car could quit moving all together. Sometimes you can hear when a part breaks, for example it may cause a clunking/chunking noise or a loud screeching noise. Whether you hear it or feel it, a broken hard part lets you know that you have a serious problem.
Worn Transmission Hard Parts are much harder to recognize. Your transmission could still be functioning normally, but the internal parts could be getting ready to let go. Worn out transmission hard parts are normally found during other repairs or maintenance. For example, a worn internal part can generate excessive debris, and during a regular transmission service the debris would be evident in the bottom of the transmission’s oil pan. There will always be an expected amount of debris in the pan from normal daily driving, during a service this gets cleaned out, that’s why most transmissions have a magnet in the pan to catch the fine metal along with a replaceable filter. But an abnormal amount of debris means there are problems with internal hard parts that are going to have to be addressed.

What Caused My Transmission’s
Hard Part Damage?

Transmission Hard Parts can be damaged by a number of different reasons, these are the most common reasons, but there are many more causes of damaged hard parts. Some examples are:
Other internal hard parts that have failed; Once one hard part fails, it can cause instant failure of other internal parts, such as lack of lubrication from a broken pump. Other failed hard parts can cause damage over time as the debris gets into to bearings or valve bodies.
Normal daily driving; After enough miles are put on a vehicle, hard parts such as bearings wear to the point of failure.
Abuse; Putting too heavy a load on a transmission or driving habits in ways the transmission wasn’t meant for can stress parts to the point of failure.
Defective part; A part that was manufactured with an unnoticed flaw could function for years before failing.
Not replaced during an overhaul; A part that was worn past acceptable specs and should have been replaced during a past rebuild can eventually fail.
Collisions; Certain accidents can break a transmission’s case depending on the type of impact.
Overheating; A transmission cooler that is underrated for the vehicles application, or a cooler that has become restricted from years of normal debris collecting in it can lose its efficiency.
Towing; A vehicle that was towed incorrectly, for example, a rear wheel drive car that was towed from the front, letting the rear wheels rotate and spinning the drive shaft which cause the transmission to spin without lubrication. The drive shaft should always be removed before towing.
Lack of maintenance; The transmission’s filter and fluid should be changed according to the vehicles recommended scheduled maintenance program. A normal amount of debris is always generated during everyday driving, and should be removed by having the transmission serviced.
Lack of lubrication; Some transmissions have certain inherent problems in their design, these problems are usually corrected by manufacturers in newer models. Transmission shops can install upgrades to correct these problems and help lubrication.
Driving while low on fluid; Small transmission leaks are often ignored to the point where the transmission starves for fluid. I don’t think I really have to explain how this condition damages a transmission, at least I hope not.

How Much Does An Automatic Transmission Hard Part Cost?

The cost of a transmission hard part can vary for a number of reasons; first off, it depends on a transmission shop’s mark-up. After That it depends on these most common factors;
More expensive dealer parts.
Less expensive, but still of a high quality aftermarket parts.
Lower quality import style aftermarket parts.
Worn transmission parts that have been reconditioned.
Broken parts that have been repaired, for example a transmission case that has been welded.
Used parts that are well within specifications.
A transmission shop’s stock on hand, if overstocked, the parts may be sold at a discounted price.
Expedited shipping charges or shipping charges from places around the world, such as European manufactured parts.
The specific type of hard parts, some hard parts are much more expensive than others.
A fair mark-up on hard parts should be expected for a couple of reasons;
First, the transmission shop rebuilding or repairing the transmission has to cover the expense of procuring the item. Sounds trivial, but some parts require an extensive search to locate if the item has been discontinued or is just a hard to find part that is in high demand.
Transmission repairs that were promised by a certain date can make a search more time consuming. The time it may take to get the part into the hands of the transmission shop vs. the price of a part has to have an acceptable balance or the search for the part must continue.
So the shop employee’s time on the phone, or a driver that may need to drive across town to pick up a part to insure the job is completed on time, or even monthly charges for software to locate parts, are all reasons for a shop to mark up the cost of a hard part.
And secondly, the fact that the shop has to warranty the hard part against failure causes a price mark-up. If for any reason the part had to be replaced under warranty, the cost the part and the labor to install it would be the responsibility of the transmission shop.

The Bottom Line
If you’re being charged for expensive hard parts, the transmission shop should advise you of the extra cost and get approval before purchasing the part or parts needed. The MORE knowledge you have, the LESS likely you are to be taken advantage of.