Key Takeaways
The following are the key takeaways from this article:
- Transmission bands are made of steel and are responsible for holding the gears during a gear shift.
- This prevents the slippage of transmission during a gear shift.
- The common causes of bad transmission bands include low transmission fluid, damaged inner frictional layers, defective springs, and piston systems.
- The symptoms of a bad transmission band include burnt fluid odor, difficulty in transmission shift, gear slippage, and weird noises during a gear shift.
- The common solution to resolving this problem includes replacing or adjusting the transmission bands.
- The cost of replacing transmission bands can be around $2000-3000.
Introduction
Holding gear and drum is essential for optimum transmission performance.
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When the engine revs up or revs down, a gear change is required depending on the engine load condition. It is where transmission bands play a major role by clamping and holding the gears and drum together.
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However, over time, the friction material in the bands can be damaged, which will impact the bands’ clamping properties (1). In this case, you will experience gear slippage and other transmission problems. This article will provide insight into the causes and symptoms of bad transmission bands. Similarly, we have estimated costs and common solutions to resolve transmission problems.
Role of Transmission Bands in the Vehicle
Transmission bands can be made of steel and wrapped around gear trains mainly connected with the gear housing.
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The band and clutch/torque converter must release and engage in a regulated manner for optimum transmission performance. As a result, the band tightens around the drums and brings them to a stop holding them there during a gear shift.
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In common cases, the friction material inside the bands gets damaged, and the bands can wear out. It impacts the bands’ gripping ability, and the drum can slip, due to which gear shifting can become slow or faulty (3). The driver can face a slipping sensation in the vehicle during a gear shift. Transmission bands can be double or single-wrapped depending upon the vehicle model. In a modern vehicle, bands are mostly double-wrapped due to increased clamping force characteristics.
In some cases, adjusting bands can resolve transmission problems (1). But tightening or adjusting transmission bands will only sometimes resolve the problem, especially when the band is broken. In a nutshell, bands hold the gear together, and damaged bands can even cause damage to the torque converter and other transmission parts.
Causes of Bad Transmission Band
Low Transmission Fluid
Transmission bands are the essential components of the transmission system. These bands are steel and connected to the gear system’s internal parts. These transmission bands play an essential role in clutch functioning (2). The transmission bands rotated due to the hydraulic pressure generated in the engine system. The transmission fluids generate hydraulic pressure. Therefore, the transmission fluid is present in the transmission pan.
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The leakage in the transmission pan lowers the transmission fluid in the transmission pan, and the required amount of hydraulic pressure is not generated, resulting in the transmission bands’ poor rotation. Moreover, less amount of hydraulic pressure creates problems in shifting the gears.
Damaged Frictional Layer
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Another reason for the poor transmission band is the damaged frictional layer. The transmission bands are made up of steel and are in constant frictional movement.
The frictional layer of the transmission band usually goes bad due to a lack of lubrication. The components of the transmission system are in continuous movement and require constant lubrication for better performance (1). The transmission fluid lubricates these parts in the pan. This transmission fluid in the pan usually gets low due to internal or external leakage, and as a result, the overall lubrication process is slowed down. The transmission bands are in constant motion, and the lack of lubrication impacts the frictional layer of the transmission bands. Thus, this damaged frictional layer creates a blockage in the transmission system. As a result, during the gear shifting, vibrations and noises are observed from the system.
Damaged Spring System
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The transmission band also gets impacted due to the damaged spring system. The main role of the spring system is to absorb the unnecessary vibrations and shocks generated by rough roads.
The damaged spring will fail to absorb the vibrations, and as a result, the constant vibration in the vehicle will cause permanent damage to the transmission bands. The damaged transmission bands will fail to perform effectively (2). Because of the vibrations, the transmission bands usually loosen and cannot hold the components tightly. Moreover, the transmission bands engage the gears with an automatic transmission system. The loose bands will result in the transmission slip.
Defected Piston system
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Another reason for the poor transmission band is the defective piston system. The piston system in the transmission system plays an important role in the transmission.
Its purpose is to oppose the motion of the clutch. The force is applied to the clutch piston so that the spring moves in the opposite direction (3). The defective piston system will impact the transmission system, and the wrong movement of the clutch damages the transmission band. The sudden sound from the engine while driving is a clear signal that transmission bands are damaged.
Symptoms of Bad Transmission Band
Fluid Odour
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The major symptom of broken transmission bands is transmission fluid odor. The transmission fluid leakage occurs due to the broken transmission pan.
These fluids start accumulating under the vehicle, and fluid odor is spread around the vehicle. Also, the transmission fluid enters the combustion chamber and burns along the fuel. This will then release black-colored smoke through the tailpipe. Moreover, the released smoke has a rotten egg smell due to the burning of transmission fluid. Finally, the transmission fluid enters the cylinder, and a misfire can occur.
Difficulty in Gear Shifting
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The transmission band gets destroyed due to a poor frictional layer. The frictional layer gets damaged due to a poor lubrication system. The lubrication process is slowed down due to minimal transmission fluid.
Less hydraulic pressure is generated, and less transmission fluid is pushed toward the components. Due to minimum hydraulic pressure, it becomes difficult to shift the gears. As a result, less power is generated, and the vehicles fail to accelerate properly (5). This happens due to damaged components in the transmission system.
Vibrations and Noise
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The defective piston and spring system are responsible for the noise and vibrations in the vehicle. In addition, due to uneven road surfaces, the damaged spring system fails to absorb the vibrations.
As a result, the transmission bands got damaged, and power was not transmitted to the wheels. As a result, it becomes difficult for the driver to drive the vehicle because of the poor transmission system. Also, the damaged piston system and friction layer of the transmission band could result in harsh noises. This is because of the continuous movement of the transmission components and the minimum amount of transmission fluid (4). Therefore, an engine warning light is also indicated on the dashboard to indicate the errors with the transmission band.
Solution of Bad Transmission Bands
Following are a few solutions for bad transmission bands:
Replace the Transmission Bands
The transmission bands are in the gear train that bands the gears together. So, if the band is damaged or loose, there is a chance that the gears will not shift properly. This will result in difficult gear shifting, exerting pressure on the engine. Long-term driving with loose bands can even damage the engine (4).
So, it is recommended to replace the transmission bands urgently. The transmission band specifications can be checked in the vehicle’s instruction manual.
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However, take the car to a professional maintenance center, as the bands cannot be replaced without an expert’s supervision.
Reset the DTC and Test Drive the Vehicle
Some sensor complications might illuminate your vehicle’s cluster meter’s check engine light/check transmission light. In this case, you will not observe any other symptoms of a bad transmission band, such as gear slippage, vibration noise, etc. In other words, DTC will depict that the transmission bands have gone bad, but this will be due to a sensor complication. In this case, you are recommended to reset the DTC using a hand-code reader (5).
After resetting the DTC, test drives the vehicle and check for any symptoms of a bad transmission band. If the symptoms appear, it is recommended to take the car to a professional service center to replace the transmission bands. Else keep driving the vehicle.
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Cost to Resolve Common Transmission Problems
The following table illustrates the cost of resolving common transmission problems, including bad transmission bands:
| Common Transmission Problems | Cost Required to Resolve the Problem |
|---|
| Low Transmission Fluid | $125-250 to replace transmission fluid |
| Bad Transmission Filters | $50-100 to replace the transmission filter |
| Torque Converter Issues | $600-1000 to replace the faulty torque converter |
| Faulty Transmission Solenoid | $50-100 to replace transmission solenoid |
| Bad Transmission Bands | $2000-3000 to replace transmission bands |
| Bad Transmission Sensors | $50-200 to replace transmission sensors |
Conclusion
To conclude, broken or loose transmission bands can significantly impact the driving experience of your vehicle. It can cause problems such as engine revs, chugs, the burned or strange smell coming from the transmission, delayed acceleration, and your car missing the gears. When you observe such symptoms more commonly, it is a clear sign that transmission bands have gone bad and need replacement. However, in some cases, the check engine/check transmission light can blink due to sensor complications. So, you must just reset the DTC and drive the vehicle if it does not show any prominent signs of damaged transmission bands.
FAQs
It is dangerous to drive a vehicle with a slipping transmission. Generally, the vehicle will shift gears unexpectedly, making it unreliable. The situation can worsen when driving the vehicle on the highway and the car starts decelerating due to slipping transmission. If any such situation occurs, it is recommended that you stop the vehicle at the side and tow the car to a maintenance center. This will protect your car from an accident and reduce the cost of changing the transmission system by resolving minor problems.
Why is the transmission not working well even after I have replaced the fluid?Although, the majority of the transmission problems are due to burnt or low transmission fluid. However, there is a chance that the problem is due to damage to other transmission components. Damage can occur in the transmission bands, transmission solenoid, torque converter, speed sensor, etc. So, if you are experiencing jerky transmission, always check the DTC through the OBDII module. If the problem is due to a bad transmission band, replace them before the gears are worn out, and you are required to replace the entire transmission system.
The most common type of transmission includes automatic and manual transmission. The driver needs to shift the gear in the manual transmission using the clutch and the gear stick. However, in an automatic transmission, the driver needs to engage a particular level (P, N, D, L, etc.), and the actuator will automatically shift the gears. There is no clutch in cars with automatic transmissions. The third transmission type is available in modern cars called CVT (constantly varying transmission). This is an attempt to improve the automatic transmission to enhance the car’s fuel economy.
