Why Your Transmission Rebuild Should Be Dyno Tested

Even if your re-manufacturer provides a guarantee, it's a total pain in the you-know-what if your new gearbox fails unexpectedly. A guarantee ensures that the manufacturer knows a cost-effective number of gearboxes will not fail. A dyno test, however, proves that the transmission has performed adequately under operational conditions, so there is a much smaller chance of failure before full life expectancy. The two concepts are very different. Let's take a look at why and what it means to you as an owner or operator. Learn why your transmission rebuild should be dyno tested.

What is Dyno Testing?

A dynamometer (usually shortened to dyno) test-bed is a specially adapted test-bed for testing forces and the operation of equipment under rotation. The Dyno testing equipment consists of a powerful electric motor or in some cases an internal combustion motor, with pressure gauges and mountings, and may have a computerized operator panel and readouts. The testbed is designed to measure forces, power, and torque by applying rotation and external forces on an object. A transmission dynamometer is designed explicitly for testing transmission systems with mountings and measurements specific to a transmission drive. The dyno testing involves mounting a transmission in the dynamometer and putting it through its paces. The tests are performed to simulate a real operating environment, taking the gearbox through a full set of operations, gear changes, speed changes, operating through the design speed range in each gear. All of these states are measured with the outputs recorded.

What Does Transmission Dyno Testing Prove?

The dyno test ensures that a transmission is put through its full range of operational conditions while measuring outputs against factory specifications. Torque, pressure, temperature, and efficiency are checked, sensor functionality is confirmed, and the technician completes a post-operational check of bolt torque and leaks. The dyno test proves that the gearbox works according to factory specifications under the full design speed and gear range.

What Happens if a Transmission Fails the Dyno Test?

At High Gear, if a transmission does not pass the dyno test, it will be stripped down and the job will be started entirely from scratch. Only transmissions that perform under factory specifications pass the dyno testing stage.

What if Your Transmission is Your Business?

Without dyno testing, there is no way to prove the gearbox does not fail in operating conditions. Although the guarantee might cover a fault, it is incredibly frustrating to have to return a gearbox that could have been quality checked more thoroughly with a dyno test. Dyno testing will mean the chance of failure is significantly reduced. If your transmission is your business, for example, a repair shop, fleet owner, or commercial driver, it's important that quality is assured. Even as a private owner, you will also want quality, since a severe mechanical failure with the gearbox in use could potentially cause further damage to the engine.

How to Ensure a Quality Remanufactured Transmission?

A high quality remanufactured transmission can be even better than a new one when completed by professionals. It's essential to ensure the remanufactured gearbox is not only guaranteed, but bench tested by a full speed dyno test rig. All transmissions at High Gear Transmission are 100% dyno tested. Feel free to contact us if you want to know more about the dyno testing process, or drop by, and we will be happy to explain the equipment and the test procedure.