Does A Rebuilt Or Remanufactured Transmission Need A Break-In Period?

When you get your transmission rebuilt, you want to get as much mileage out of it as possible. When it comes to remanufactured engines, there are specific guidelines on how to run them in. This ensures that all the moving components are bedded in, helping the engine last longer.

It’s not quite so clear-cut for transmissions. Break-in procedure recommendations vary, making it difficult to know what is best. In this article, we discuss what you need to do once your transmission has been rebuilt or remanufactured.

What Does The Remanufacturing Process Involve?

At Powertrain Products, we take pride in our work. Our transmission remanufacturing process is a multi-phase process.

1.)    Teardown and Triple clean – Every transmission is disassembled, inspected, and painted. We clean each unit three times during this process to ensure that all contaminants have been removed.

2.)    Valve Body Rebuild and Test – Every valve body unit is built in-house and inspected by the cell manager. It is tested using our C.A.R.S. program, which effectively simulates road conditions. This process ensures that every part meets the highest quality standards.

3.)    Reassembly – The rebuilt and comprehensively tested valve body is installed into the transmission housing. New O-rings, gaskets, and seals are also fitted.

4.)    Final Inspection – The completed transmission is then tested on one of five custom dyno machines. These dynos perform a spin and load test with custom shift parameters. Once the transmission passes these tests it is ready for delivery.

Every remanufactured PPI transmission has its holes inspected three times to ensure that there is no damage.  Another benefit of PPI rebuilds is that we identify and rectify any known issues – providing you with a product that is better than new.

What Does A Breaking-In Period Do?

A break-in period is common on rebuilt engines. It allows the parts to mesh together properly, which can prolong the engine’s life and allow it to run smoothly.

The same theory applies to rebuilt transmissions. They are composed of many gears, seals, and gaskets. A transmission break-in period allows these new or rebuilt parts to adapt to each other, ensuring they fit and work right. The end result is a smooth shifting transmission that should last longer.

Does PPI Recommend a Breaking-In Period?

We certainly recommend a break-in period on all of our rebuilt engines. While transmissions do not experience the same stresses as an engine, they should still be run in to give the parts a chance to bed in properly.

What Should You Do During The Breaking-In Period?

Your engine’s break-in period requires you to drive gently for the first few miles. You should also replace the oil a bit more frequently within the first 5,000 miles.

Breaking in the transmission is a similar process. However, there is no specific mileage recommendation as you get with an engine rebuild. An oil change is also not strictly necessary. Following these guidelines over the first few hundred miles can help extend the life of your transmission:

• Avoid harsh acceleration from a standing start and in lower gears
• Drive at varying speeds and throttle loads
• Avoid towing while breaking the transmission in
• Try to avoid frequent short trips as the transmission oil won’t have time to warm up

The transmission oil can be changed within the first few thousand miles, but it is not required.

Powertrain Products Is Your Best Option For Quality Remanufactured Transmissions

Not every transmission rebuild is the same. Powertrain Products doesn’t just rebuild a transmission, it makes it better, and offers a an industry beating warranty to go with it.

• Warranty Protection Up To Seven Years, One Million Miles
• High-Quality Rebuilds – We Machine and Use New Parts for Optimum Performance
• Triple-cleaned and triple-inspected
• All known faults are corrected
• Tuned And Recalibrated For Enhanced Performance

Powertrain Products stocks a full range of transmissions for your vehicle. We offer a 3-year standard warranty on all our engines, transmissions, differentials, and transfer cases. That standard warranty can be upgraded to 5 or 7 years or 1 million miles, whichever comes first. For the ultimate protection, you can add our no-fault Pure Care™ Warranty to your purchase. We’re also the nation’s leading supplier of differentials, transfer cases, and engines. Call us at 888-842-0023 or contact us online.