Gearbox repairs in Liverpool
Whining, crunching or jumping out of gear? We are one of the largest re-manufacturers of manual transmissions in the North West, with reconditioned and checked second-hand gearboxes on the shelf, and we will tell you honestly whether yours needs a repair, a recondition or a replacement.
- Family-run since 1977
- All work guaranteed
- Trusted by local garages & dealers
Liverpool's manual gearbox specialists since 1977
Top Gear Transmissions started rebuilding gearboxes on Aigburth Road in 1977. Nearly fifty years on, we are one of the largest re-manufacturers and repairers of manual transmissions in North West England, and the workshop that local garages and main dealers turn to when a gearbox job lands on their ramp.
That matters when your car starts making a noise it shouldn't. Gearboxes are not a sideline for us, they are the business. We strip them, rebuild them, stock them and fit them, every working day.
Gearbox problems we fix
- Whining or droning that rises and falls with road speed, usually bearings or worn gear teeth.
- Crunching into gear, worn synchromesh, especially second and third.
- Jumping out of gear on the move or under load, from worn selectors, detents or gear engagement dogs.
- Difficulty selecting gears, sometimes the box, often the linkage, cables or the clutch not releasing cleanly.
- Oil leaks from failed seals or gaskets, cheap to fix early and expensive to ignore once the box runs dry.
- Rattles and bearing noise at idle or in neutral.
A good diagnosis comes first, because several of these symptoms can also be caused by the clutch, and we repair clutches too, so we have no reason to sell you the wrong job.
Repair, recondition or replace: an honest answer
There are three sensible routes, and the right one depends on what we find:
- Repair, when the fault is isolated to a bearing, a synchro, a seal or a linkage. The least involved route, and right for boxes caught early.
- Recondition, when wear has spread. The box is stripped, rebuilt with new bearings, synchros and seals, and checked. Ours carry a 12-month / 12,000-mile warranty.
- Replace with checked second-hand, a low-mileage used box that we have stripped and inspected, which can be the practical fix for an older car.
We talk you through every route that makes sense for your car and let you choose. No work is undertaken without your authorisation.
Reconditioned and second-hand gearboxes in stock
We keep a large stock of reconditioned and good-quality, low-mileage second-hand manual gearboxes and parts on the shelf. Every second-hand box we sell has been stripped down and thoroughly checked first, because we do not fit unknowns. Stock on the shelf is the difference between your car being off the road for days and being back the same week. See our gearbox reconditioning page for how the rebuild process works and what we keep in stock.
Manual transmission specialists
We specialise in manual gearboxes, clutches and differentials, the mechanical side of the driveline, which is where almost fifty years of experience counts. We are manual transmission specialists and do not work on automatic or DSG gearboxes, so you always deal with people who do this work day in, day out.
Our process, and the warranty in plain numbers
Road test and diagnosis first. A clear quote before any work starts, with no work undertaken without your authorisation. Then the repair or rebuild, fresh oil, and a final road test before collection.
Competitors say "guaranteed". Here are our actual terms:
Our warranties, in plain terms
| Work | Warranty |
|---|---|
| Reconditioned gearboxes | 12 months / 12,000 miles |
| Clutches | 12 months / 12,000 miles |
| Repairs | 3 months |
| Low-mileage second-hand gearboxes | 28 days |
What customers say
“Can't recommend Top Gear enough. If you have a gearbox problem, this is the place. Good honest people who won't rip you off, a very quick turnaround, and genuine specialists at what they do. The gearbox on my BMW 3 Series completely went, and I'd been quoted silly money and long waiting times elsewhere just to diagnose it. Top Gear booked me in that week and had the car fixed and back on the road the same day it arrived. Sam and Ernie made my life a lot easier. Thank you.”
“Brilliant service. They diagnosed the problem within an hour of dropping the car off, replaced the bearings and seals in the gearbox, and had the car back within two working days. Would highly recommend.”
“This is the place for gearbox repairs, definitely the best. I've had a few done over the years: quality, quick and reliable. These people do what they say. Simply the best. Don't mess with the others, just use these guys.”
If your gearbox is noisy, crunchy or stuck, call 0151 726 1777 and describe the symptom. We can usually tell you over the phone what it is likely to be and what is involved in putting it right.
Frequently asked questions
Is it worth repairing a gearbox?
Often, yes. If the fault is caught early, such as a noisy bearing or a single worn synchro, a repair is far less involved than a full rebuild. Once damage spreads to the gears and shafts, a reconditioned unit with a 12-month warranty is usually the smarter choice. We will tell you which honestly.
How long does a gearbox repair take?
A straightforward repair, or a swap to a reconditioned unit we have in stock, is typically turned around quickly, often within a day or two once the parts are confirmed. A full strip-down and rebuild takes longer. We give you a clear timescale when we quote.
Should I choose a reconditioned gearbox or a new one?
A reconditioned gearbox is usually the sensible choice for most cars. A properly reconditioned unit is stripped, rebuilt with new bearings, synchros and seals, then checked, so it does the same job as new. Ours carry a 12-month / 12,000-mile warranty in writing.
Can you tell if it is the gearbox or the clutch?
Usually, yes, from a road test. Crunching, difficulty selecting gears and some noises can come from the clutch rather than the gearbox. We repair both, so we have no reason to sell you the wrong job. We diagnose the fault first, then explain what it needs.
Book your vehicle in
Call us for honest advice and a straight answer. We usually have a spare ramp for same-day appointments, so call first to check.
Family-run since 1977 · All work guaranteed · Trusted by local garages and main dealers