How to Deal with Grinding Gear Problems When Driving

Gear grinding problems are a major cause for concern for many car owners. One minute you are enjoying a smooth ride in your car, and the next minute, you hear disturbing sounds when you try to change the gear. The gears are an important system that allows you to control your car’s speed.

Like many other components, the gear system can run into problems, and one of the major signs of an issue is a disturbing grinding sound. In this guide, we will help you understand the causes of gear grinding issues when driving, and how to deal with the problem.

Common Causes of Grinding Gear Problems

The gears are an essential part of the transmission system, and they help you control speed and torque when driving. Gears cannot work, though, without other transmission components such as the clutch (which engages and disengages from the engine for smooth gear shifts). If any of these components fail, then you may experience gear problems in your car.

Some of the major causes of grinding gears are;

Faulty Clutch

As mentioned above, the clutch plays a crucial role in engaging and disengaging the engine from the transmission. However, the clutch could wear out over time, or it could get damaged due to unfavorable conditions. This could lead to improper disengagement of the transmission from the engine, leading to the grinding sounds you hear from your car’s gears.

Damaged Synchronizers

Synchronizers, or synchros, are also essential components of the transmission. They help to match the gear speed as you shift. When they get faulty, they could also make it difficult to change gear and may cause grinding sounds when you try to change the gear.

Low Transmission Fluid

The transmission system needs an adequate supply of transmission fluid to help lubricate its moving parts and also cool the system down. If your car ever gets low on transmission fluid, then there will be an increase in friction between moving parts, which could cause grinding noise. You could also have this issue if you use low-quality or contaminated transmission fluid.

How to Handle Grinding Gear Problems in Your Car

Once your car starts making grinding sounds when you try to shift the gear, it is an indication of a problem with the gears or the larger transmission system. Ignoring this can lead to serious issues, and also put your car at a safety risk.

It is best to deal with the situation immediately. Here are some steps you should take to handle your car’s grinding gears;

Inspect the gearbox and the transmission for any sign of wear or damage. You should also pay attention to when the grinding occurs—while accelerating, decelerating, or shifting to a particular gear.
Check the transmission fluid and refill when it reaches less than an optimal level, and you should also change the fluid if you notice that it has been contaminated. Make sure that you only use high-quality or factory-approved transmission fluids.
Improve your driving. Poor driving habits like rough gear shifting or not engaging the clutch fully can be the reason for your car’s grinding gear issues. If you improve your driving technique, you can make your gear-shifting process smoother and avoid grinding problems.
Visit a qualified mechanic. If you notice that the grinding gear problem persists in your car even after filling the transmission fluid, improving your driving, and adjusting the clutch pedal, it means you need to get professional help. Get your car down to a mechanic immediately to avoid further complications.

The Top Automobile Care Center in Texas for Your Car

Grinding gear problems can easily transform from a minor issue into a major problem in your car if you do not give it immediate attention. As soon as you have done the steps above without improvement, you need to get your mechanic involved.

Adair and Sons is an expert automobile care center in Round Rock, TX, and we offer advanced care and repair services for Import and German vehicles. Whether your car needs a maintenance check, or more complex repairs, we have what it takes to help get your car back to its best shape. Our technicians have years of expert training and experience, and we also have sophisticated equipment to help solve any problem.