Chapter 10 Manual Transaxle Construction and Operation 215
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Transaxle case
Differential
assembly
Snap ring
Transaxle seal
Transaxle seal
Ball bearing
Thrust washer
Thrust washer
Spider gear
Pinion shaft
Thrust washer
Differential case
Spring
pin
Ring gear
Ball bearing
Side gears
Spider gear
Figure 10-19. This exploded view of a transaxle differential shows the relative positions of the various components. Note the likeness
of this differential to that of a rear-wheel drive vehicle. This transaxle is unusual in that it uses ball bearings for side bearings. (Honda)
the differential assembly is the same as that of a rear axle
assembly. When the vehicle makes a turn, the differential
assembly allows the outer wheel to travel further than the
inner wheel. This is necessary because the arc (or radius)
of the turn is always greater at the outer wheel. If the axles
were simply connected together, both wheels would be
forced to rotate the same amount during a turn. To do this,
one of the wheels would have to lose traction to make the
turn. The transaxle differential assembly allows the vehicle
to make turns without wheel hop. For further discussion on
the general construction and operation of differential
assemblies, refer to Chapter 16.
Differential drive gears are used in all transaxle dif-
ferential assemblies. This gearset typically consists of heli-
cal ring and pinion gears. However, some transaxle designs
have a hypoid ring and pinion to divert power flow by 90°.
The drive pinion gear is on the transaxle output shaft. It
meshes with the ring gear on the differential case.
The transaxle differential assembly is also composed
of meshing spider and side gears, enclosed in a differential
case. Figure 10-19 is an exploded view of a typical trans-
axle differential assembly. The differential case is a one-
piece unit made of cast iron or aluminum. The ring gear is
bolted to the case. It meshes with the drive pinion gear,