The Musso is an off-road vehicle from South Korean manufacturer SsangYong, which became KG Mobility in 2022. Launched in 1993, the Musso has spanned two generations, the first of which ended in 2005. Born out of a collaboration with the Mercedes-Benz group, it relies on German engines — both diesel (such as the OM601 and OM602, with four and five cylinders in line respectively) and petrol.
A version marketed as a sports model was also sold between 2002 and 2006, though it was in reality a pick-up variant of the off-roader, available with a turbo diesel option.
After a hiatus of more than ten years, the Musso made its return at the prestigious Geneva Motor Show in 2018. Once again a mid-size pick-up, it was presented to the general public. The vehicle is powered by a petrol engine — a 2.0 L e-XGDI 200T 4I producing 225 bhp — or a diesel: the 2.2 L e-XDI 220 I4-T with 181 bhp.
To complement the engine, the SsangYong Musso is paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an automatic gearbox manufactured by Aisin, one of the world's leading suppliers in this field.
Given the vehicle's utility character, it comes with four-wheel drive as standard: all four wheels are driven. This requires the addition of a transfer case, which distributes engine power appropriately between the front and rear axles.
Whether automatic or manual, your transmission system can unfortunately develop a few warning signs. How do you spot them? What habits should you adopt to minimise problems? What should you do if a fault occurs? All the answers are in this article.
Recognising the warning signs before a breakdown
A problem with the SsangYong Musso gearbox rarely occurs without first giving one or more warning signs. Knowing how to spot them will make your mechanic's job easier. The sooner you act, the less time a fault has to spread to other components of the transmission system. Your observations will also help the professional mechanic reach a diagnosis more efficiently. Among the signs to watch out for, you may notice:- Resistance in the clutch pedal or gear lever;
- A gear that won't engage or that jumps out, dropping back to a lower ratio;
- Various noises that may occur at different times, such as grinding, clunking, squealing or cracking sounds (the precise nature of the noise can indicate what is wrong, so it is important to be as specific as possible);
- A sensation of slipping on pull-away;
- Vibrations felt inside the cabin;
- A burning smell;
- Oil spots noticed beneath the vehicle.
Gearbox repair: the different scenarios
Gearbox oil changes for optimum maintenance
Most gearbox faults are relatively straightforward to repair. The appearance of a symptom can sometimes be resolved by replacing a worn part or by changing the gearbox oil, also known as transmission fluid. Gearbox oil ensures the correct lubrication of all the components that make up the transmission system. It also helps keep them clean by carrying away metal particles and other residues, whilst dissipating some of the heat generated during driving. Over time, the quality and quantity of oil in the system can deteriorate. It is worth checking the dipstick in the reservoir periodically. The gearbox oil level should sit between the two markers: if it falls below the lower mark, this likely indicates one or more leaks. Equally, if the oil has turned black, it is saturated and an oil change is required. In any case, a car fitted with an automatic gearbox should have its oil changed every two years or every 60,000 kilometres. A manual gearbox is more robust and does not normally require attention until 250,000 kilometres. That said, to keep things running as smoothly as possible and to prevent problems, an oil change is advisable roughly every five years.More complex faults
In rarer cases of failure, the professional mechanic may have no option but to recommend a complete gearbox replacement, as the garage may lack the time or specialist tools needed to carry out an in-house repair. In this situation, you have several options. You are not obliged to buy a brand-new gearbox: on top of paying a premium price, you would also have to contend with lengthy delivery times, as the majority of new parts produced are destined for vehicles coming off the production line. The second-hand market may seem appealing, but it should be avoided: with no way of testing the quality of a used gearbox before having it fitted, you risk ending up with a faulty unit. That is why we offer our reconditioned gearboxes on an exchange basis! Every item in our catalogue has been stripped down piece by piece, thoroughly cleaned, and carefully reassembled before being tested by our experts. You get a gearbox that performs like new, but at a price close to second-hand! And there is no compromise on quality: your new gearbox comes with a one-year warranty. As a bonus, we collect your old unit when we deliver the new one so that it can be recycled — making this a solution that is both economical and environmentally friendly! To find out more, have your registration number to hand and get in touch with one of our advisers. It's quick, easy and no obligation!To replace the part, see our reconditioned SsangYong gearboxes on an exchange basis, with up to 24 months' warranty.
