A Real-Life Transmission Rebuild in Lakewood/Westminster
Here’s a case study pulled from typical work we’ve done at our Lakewood and Westminster locations, illustrating how the team at Advanced Transmission Center approaches a full transmission rebuild. While all identifying details have been anonymised for client privacy, the process, problem and outcome reflect real-world results.
The Situation
- The vehicle: a 2012 full-size pickup truck with ~145,000 miles, routinely used for mountain towing and Denver-metro commuting.
- The driver reported: “The truck hesitates when shifting into Drive from a stop, sometimes slips during acceleration, and I smell burnt fluid after the mountain trip.”
- Based on that, the technician scheduled a full diagnostic inspection, including fluid check, road test, scan for fault codes, and transmission pan inspection.
The Diagnosis
- Transmission fluid was dark brown, had a burnt smell, and contained small metallic particles (indicating internal wear).
- The road test revealed delayed engagement from park to drive, rough shifts from 1→2 and 2→3, and slight slippage under load (when accelerating uphill).
- Visual inspection of the transmission pan revealed significant metal shavings on the magnet, and some cooler line connections were showing signs of leakage.
- Given the usage history (towing, mountain driving) and the condition of the fluid + behavior, the recommendation was a full in-house rebuild rather than a patch repair.
The Repair Process
- Removal of transmission – the truck was dropped off, towed under our free towing policy, and the transmission was removed safely.
- Disassembly & inspection – our rebuild team (with decades of experience) stripped the transmission, measured wear on clutch packs, gears, solenoids, and verified torque converter condition.
- Replacement of key components – clutch packs, seals, gaskets, torque converter (due to internal wear), and replacement of all filters and fluid. The cooler lines were also replaced.
- Re-assembly & calibration – rebuilt transmission was reinstalled, cooler lines installed, vehcile road tested in both normal and mountain-grade conditions (to replicate the client’s usage).
- Final validation & warranty – after testing, the vehicle was returned to the customer with a full 3-year/50,000-mile nationwide warranty (for qualifying vehicles) and service advice moving forward.
The Outcome
- The customer reported immediate improvement: smooth engagement, no slipping under load, no burnt-fluid smell, and restored confidence towing gear into the mountains.
- Downtime was minimized: the rebuild was completed inside our quoted timeframe, with clear communication throughout (techs sent photos of worn components and explained the reasoning).
- The customer commented: “It runs better now than it did when it was new,” and praised the transparency and professionalism of the staff at both Lakewood and Westminster.
What This Means for You
- If your vehicle shows any signs of transmission trouble (delayed engagement, slippage, burnt smell, dark fluid), don’t ignore it. A rebuild at the right time can save you from major failure later.
- Especially in the Denver metro area (Lakewood, Westminster, foothills trips, towing), transmissions endure higher stress. Choose a shop that specialises in rebuilds and understands local driving demands.
- Ask for detailed diagnostics, see the worn parts, understand why the rebuild is needed—not just that it is.
- A quality rebuild with proper parts, testing, and warranty gives you long-term peace of mind—not just a short-term fix.
Ready to see if your vehicle’s transmission needs this level of care?
Bring your car or truck into either our Lakewood or Westminster location. We’ll perform a thorough transmission-driveline inspection, show you what we find, and help you decide whether you’re ready for a rebuild or just need proactive servicing. Let’s get your ride back on the road strong and reliable.
With over 10 years of hands-on experience in the automotive industry, including serving as General Manager for a high-volume transmission shop, Tom Christy brings deep operational and technical expertise to every facet of auto repair and service management. Having overseen multi-million-dollar operations, led national teams, and improved shop performance across sales, staffing, and customer service, Tom has a proven track record of growing revenue while reducing costs. Tom's real-world experience in transmission diagnostics, repair workflows, and customer satisfaction makes them a trusted voice in the field.
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