How Much Does Truck Transmission Repair Cost?
Drivetrain · Class 8 tractor · Class 6–7 medium duty · Class 3–5
Short answer
$750–$17,780
TODO(verify): A Class 8 transmission rebuild typically runs $4,000 to $9,000 and a reman replacement $7,000 to $18,000 installed. An automated manual with a failed clutch actuator or shift module can often be repaired for a fraction of either.
AMT shift actuator, clutch actuator, or shift module repair
- Parts
- $500–$3,000
- Labor
- 2–8 hr × $125–$210/hr = $250–$1,680
Provisional figures — pending verification against our receipt dataset.
Labor rate: provisional national placeholder — TODO(verify), not yet from our collected dataset. How we build these ranges.
TODO(verify): actuator and module pricing by transmission model. Always rule this out before authorising a rebuild.
What you are actually paying for
Transmission work splits into three very different bills: a control or actuator repair on an automated manual, a rebuild of the gearbox internals, and a complete reman replacement. Being quoted the wrong one of those three is the most expensive mistake available here, and it happens because the symptoms overlap. An AMT that will not shift can be a $900 sensor or a $15,000 unit, and the only way to know is a proper diagnosis with the manufacturer's tool.
What it costs in each situation
Priced at provisional national placeholder — TODO(verify), not yet from our collected dataset. Parts and hours are the figures worth arguing about; the rate is usually not negotiable.
| Scenario | Class | Parts | Hours | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMT shift actuator, clutch actuator, or shift module repairTODO(verify): actuator and module pricing by transmission model. Always rule this out before authorising a rebuild. | Class 8 tractor | $500–$3,000 | 2–8 | $750–$4,680provisional |
| Manual transmission rebuild, Class 8TODO(verify): rebuild kit pricing and labor. Includes R&R plus bench work. | Class 8 tractor | $1,800–$5,000 | 14–30 | $3,550–$11,300provisional |
| Remanufactured transmission, supplied and installedTODO(verify): reman unit pricing by model. Core charge and freight are frequently missing from a first quote. | Class 8 tractor | $5,000–$14,000 | 8–18 | $6,000–$17,780provisional |
| Clutch and transmission service done togetherTODO(verify): combined pricing. The transmission is already out for a clutch job, which makes this the cheap moment. | Class 8 tractor | $2,500–$7,000 | 12–26 | $4,000–$12,460provisional |
| Medium-duty transmission rebuild or replacementTODO(verify): medium-duty parts and labor. | Class 6–7 medium duty | $1,500–$8,000 | 8–20 | $2,500–$12,200provisional |
What moves the price
- Repair, rebuild, or replace
- The three paths differ by an order of magnitude. A correct diagnosis is worth more than a cheap hourly rate here.
- Manual, automated manual, or automatic
- AMTs add electronic actuators and calibration; automatics add valve bodies and torque converters. Each has its own cheap failures that look like expensive ones.
- Core charge and freight
- On a reman unit these are real money and are often left off the initial quote. Ask specifically.
- Whether the clutch goes with it
- If the transmission is out, the clutch is exposed. Replacing a worn clutch now costs a fraction of coming back for it.
- Calibration and programming
- AMTs and automatics need the control unit programmed and the clutch calibrated after installation. Confirm the shop has the tool and the software subscription.
- Downtime
- Reman availability can add days or weeks. Ask about lead time before you commit — a slightly more expensive unit available today may cost less overall.
Symptoms that lead here
- Jumping out of gear or refusing to hold a gear
- Grinding on shifts, or an inability to select gears
- Whining, growling, or bearing noise that changes with gear selection
- Metal in the transmission oil at a drain
- On an AMT: repeated shift faults, missed shifts, or a transmission that will not engage
- Overheating transmission temperature warnings
- Leaks from the input, output, or shift shaft seals
How to pay less without buying trouble
- 1
Insist on a diagnosis with the manufacturer's tool before authorising a rebuild on an AMT. Actuator and sensor faults are common and comparatively cheap.
- 2
Ask for the core charge, freight, and calibration on the written quote so the invoice does not grow.
- 3
Do the clutch at the same time if it has meaningful wear. The access labor is already paid.
- 4
Sample the transmission oil. Metal content tells you whether internals are involved before anything comes apart.
- 5
Service the transmission on schedule with the correct specification lubricant. Wrong oil is a documented cause of premature failure.
- 6
Compare a quality rebuild from a specialist against a reman unit. On some models the rebuild is markedly cheaper and equally durable; on others it is not. TODO(verify): comparative data.
Questions people ask before they book this
Rebuild or replace with a reman unit?
A rebuild is usually cheaper in parts; a reman unit is usually faster and carries a broader warranty. Which wins depends on the model, the shop's expertise, and how much your downtime costs per day.
Can I drive with a transmission that jumps out of gear?
It is not safe. A transmission that drops out of gear on a grade leaves you without engine braking at exactly the wrong moment. Get it looked at rather than driven around.
Why is my AMT quote so different between two shops?
Usually because one diagnosed an actuator or module and the other quoted a unit. Ask each shop what specifically failed and how they determined it.
Does transmission oil really matter?
Yes. Manufacturers specify particular lubricants and intervals, and using the wrong specification is a recognised cause of premature bearing and synchroniser wear. TODO(verify): specific manufacturer requirements by model.
Shops that quote this job
We call every shop before it appears here, and publish the date.
Sample records only — seeded to demonstrate the directory. None of these numbers has been called.
Memphis, TN · 24/7 · mobile service
Indianapolis, IN · Mon-Fri 6am-6pm · mobile service
Laredo, TX · Mon-Sat 6am-9pm · mobile service
Phoenix, AZ · 24/7 · mobile service
Had this repaired? Tell us what you paid.
Every figure on this page is a range we intend to replace with measured data. If you have paid for truck transmission repair and replacement cost in the last two years, your invoice is the thing that turns this from an estimate into a dataset.
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