Chapter 10 Manual Transaxle Construction and Operation 217
Copyright by Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Power
in from
transverse
engine
Clutch
housing
Clutch release lever
Case
Fill
plug
Cover
Vent
Back-up
lamp switch Rear end
cover
Front
of
vehicle
Selector
shaft
Differential
section
Side gear
(opening for
CV axle)
Transmission
section
Fill
plug
End
cover
Vent
Back-up
lamp switch
Anti-hop
bracket
Differential
cover
Extension
housing
Left Side Rear View Right Side
Boot
No power
transfer
Gears on
output shaft
freewheel
Input shaft turns
Synchronizers
centered
Figure 10-22. These views of the previously illustrated transaxle show various other features of the case. (Chrysler)
Figure 10-23. Power flow through a typical transaxle mounted
on a transverse engine is shown here in Neutral. (Ford)
Manual Transaxle Power Flow
Power flow through a transaxle mounted on a trans-
verse engine runs parallel with the crankshaft. There is no
change in angle once power leaves the engine. Engine
power enters the input shaft of the transaxle transmission.
Power is engaged and disengaged through the clutch
assembly. The input shaft drives the output shaft through
the shaft gearsets. The drive pinion gear, located on the end
of the output shaft, drives the ring gear on the differential
case. From the ring gear, power enters the spider and side
gears and exits through the CV axles to the front wheels.
On a transaxle attached to a longitudinal engine,
power flow must make a right-angle turn at the differential
assembly, as it does in a rear-wheel drive vehicle. This type
of transaxle essentially has two input shafts. One shaft
delivers power from the clutch to a drive chain. The drive
chain then drives the input shaft of the transaxle. The input
shaft runs parallel to the clutch shaft. (Refer back to
Figure 10-5.) Note that some transaxles of this type use two
large gears instead of a drive chain to transfer power to the
transaxle input shaft.
With this arrangement, power flow then enters a
countershaft through the shaft gearsets. The counter-
shaft drives a third transaxle shaft—the output shaft.
The output shaft drives the differential pinion gear,
which is attached to the end of the output shaft. The
pinion gear drives the differential ring gear and case
assembly. The ring and pinion is the hypoid type, like
the ones used on front-engine, rear-wheel drive
vehicles. The design causes the power flow to make a
90° turn. From the differential side gears, power exits
through the CV axles to the front wheels. Note that this
type of transaxle more closely resembles the rear-wheel
drive manual transmission.
Detailed Look at Power Flow
A detailed look at power flow through a transaxle
used with a transverse engine is illustrated in Figures 10-23
through Figure 10-28. This transaxle is a model with a
basic two-shaft (input and output) arrangement. It is used
with a transverse engine.
Figure 10-23 shows the gears in Neutral. The clutch is
engaged and is turning the input shaft, but power is not
transmitted to the output shaft. The gears on the output
shaft are turned by those on the input shaft, but both syn-
chronizers are centered. The synchronizers must be moved
off center to engage the gears riding on the output shaft
with the shaft itself.
In Figure 10-24, the transaxle is in first gear. The rear
synchronizer remains centered. The front synchronizer has
been moved toward the front of the transaxle, engaging
first gear on the output shaft with the shaft itself. Power