Perhaps the most critical component of your transmission rebuild kit is one of the smallest parts: the overhaul sealing kit. Comprised of all the o-rings, gaskets, and other sealing components you need to complete the unit's rebuild, the overhaul kit is the key to ensuring a successful repair and a satisfied customer. However, it's important for you to know that all overhaul kits are not made equal.
Though overhaul kits generally come as part of an entire rebuild kit along with bands, steels, clutches, and other hard parts, the soft sealing components inside are perhaps the most critical to a complete and dependable seal kit. Here's our list of everything you should look for inside a quality overhaul sealing kit.
What to Look For Inside Your Overhaul Kit
- Genuine OE components: Every quality overhaul kit includes the same original equipment (OE) seals that were used to build the unit in the first place. OE components are exact, 1-to-1 replacements for the old, worn parts you're removing from the unit, and they provide the best quality and best fit. If your seal kit is made up of substitution or aftermarket reproduction parts, your rebuild simply won't hold up in the long run.
High-performing materials: The seals in your kit should also be made of high-performing materials that meet or exceed the demands of the transmission unit. Cutting corners material-wise makes for ineffective rebuilds that will bring the same vehicles back to your shop on warranty again and again. Look for durable materials like synthetic rubbers, Teflon, and innovative metals, too.- An expert brand name: Especially in the aftermarket, brand name really does matter when it comes to sealing components. You can trust that a well-established brand is only including well-made and accurate seals in their bag. Off-brand overhaul kits might be a lot cheaper, but that also means they're more cheaply made when it comes to materials, production, research, and testing. Expert brands earn their reputation by using their industry knowledge and connections to supply all the parts to help you get the job done right the first time.
Your Rebuild Depends on the Right overhaul Kit
While the overhaul kit only makes up a small percentage of the cost of a lucrative transmission rebuild job, the kit you choose makes all the difference to your business. It's simply not worth risking a comeback and an unsatisfied customer by using an inferior overhaul kit. When you're choosing your next rebuild kit, take a good look at the sealing package and what's inside it. It just might be the key to round out your shop's service and reputation in the competitive automotive market.
