Overview Of The Components Within Your Car’s Transmission

Far different than your alternator or fuel pump, your transmission is an intricate construction that relies upon multiple parts working together. Each component has a specific job. As long as they perform their jobs, your car can shift gears properly. If any of the parts wear down and malfunction, your tranny might “slip” or refuse to shift. Given enough time, it will be necessary to have the entire assembly either replaced or overhauled.

In this article, we’ll take a brief tour through the various components within your transmission. I’ll describe their responsibilities and explain how they fulfill them.

Planetary Gearset

The planetary gearset is designed to provide the gear ratios. It consists of an outer ring gear, a central sun gear, and at least two planet gears that form a bridge between the ring and sun gears. Pinions intersect the planet gears while the ring gear is connected to an input shaft. The input shaft is powered by the engine, which causes it to turn. As the ring gear turns, the planet gears turn, which turn the sun gear.

Hydraulic System

The hydraulic system has a simple duty: to send pressurized fluid to every area of the transmission. The fluid lubricates the parts and cools them down. In doing so, it provides more shifting control. Even though the hydraulic system’s job is a simple one, its design is complex. There are many tubes through which the fluid is sent. If any of those tubes suffer a reduction in pressure, it can cause the entire system to break down.

Torque Converter

The torque converter is found on automatic transmissions. It is tasked with the responsibility of supplying power to the tranny and sits between it and the engine. A turbine sits inside the torque converter and connects to the input shaft. A pump and a part called the stator work with the turbine to move oil in a consistent circular direction through the converter. The turbine powers the sun gear (mentioned above) which supports the turning of the planetary gearset.

Keeping The Fluid Flowing

Front and rear seals are used to prevent fluid from leaking from the transmission. The front seal keeps fluid moving through the torque converter. The rear seal keeps it from leaking from the output shaft. Both are made from rubber and as a result, will deteriorate with time. When they do, they should be replaced as soon as possible. There are also several other smaller seals (for example, the O-ring) that are located throughout the assembly. Gaskets also help to keep the fluid from leaking.

The above are the main parts that are found within your transmission. It’s worth noting that they cannot do their jobs properly without the contribution of other components. An oil pump, a series of clutches, modulator, and solenoid pack all play important roles. Fortunately, the entire assembly will usually last for years before problems emerge.

Find Ford Escort Transmissions

Related posts

• Car’s Automatic Transmission Shifting Into Drive (0)
• Tips For Preventing Transmission Damage (0)
• The Basics of Automatic Transmissions (0)

Learning The Fundamentals Of A Manual Transmission

Most of us drive vehicles with automatic transmissions. They’re more convenient for daily commuting and they’re more prevalent; automakers equip the majority of their fleets with them. Having said that, cars with manual transmissions are generally more fun to drive, especially on highways and roads uncongested with traffic. The magic is in the control given to the driver. In effect, the motorist chooses which gears to hit and when to hit them, allowing him or her to maximize engine performance.

Even though manual trannies are becoming rarer each year, they continue to be the main ingredient in performance vehicles. In this article, we’ll take a quick tour through manual transmissions. I’ll describe the basics regarding how they work, including how moving the shift knob through the gears translates into drive power to the wheels.

Keeping Below The Redline

Your vehicle’s engine has limits; it’s generally referred to as the “redline.” When you put pressure on the gas pedal, you’ll hear the engine grow louder as the RPMs climb. The redline is the point past which your engine becomes in danger of failing – or blowing apart under the stress.

Most engines enjoy their peak performance at approximately 5,500 RPMs. The trick is to come as close as possible to that level without crossing it. That’s what a manual transmission does. It lets the driver set the gear ratios that allow the engine to operate within its optimal RPM range without exceeding the redline.

Clutch And Gears

In a manual 5-speed or 6-speed, the driver controls the gear ratios through the clutch, a component that connects the engine with the transmission. When the clutch pedal is pushed down, the connection is severed. When the clutch pedal is released, the connection is reestablished. When connected, engine powers the revolutions of the output shaft which in turn powers the layshaft. The teeth of the gears interlock so that the spinning of the gears coincide with the spinning of the engine.

How The Shift Knob Contributes To Gear Selection

From a top-down perspective, the positions of the shift knob look similar to an “H” formation. When you move the knob into a particular position, it powers a gear selector fork. That fork powers a collar within the tranny. The collar is outfitted with dog teeth that fit into the grooves of the 1st through 5th (or 6th) gears. Depending upon the position into which you move the shift knob, the corresponding gear will be engaged.

A car’s manual transmission follows a beautifully graceful design. That is not to suggest its design is simplistic. On the contrary, like a Swiss watch, the gears, dog teeth, and other components adhere to a well-honed precision. For car aficionados, that level of precision translates into irreplaceable engine performance.

Find Ford Escort Transmissions

Related posts

• Stick Vs. Automatic: Making the Right Choice for You (0)
• The Basics of Automatic Transmissions (0)
• Overview Of The Components Within Your Car’s Transmission (0)

Uncovering The Causes Of Your Car’s Transmission Problems

Failing auto parts can be separated into two categories: those that are expensive to repair or replace and everything else. Your vehicle’s transmission falls into the first group. It can perform flawlessly for years, but when it begins have problems, you can expect a hefty repair bill.

Though most drivers don’t realize it, their car’s transmission is a particularly sophisticated piece of equipment. Its design borders on elegant; the gears intertwine perfectly and fluidly transfer power from the engine to the wheels. Unfortunately, like everything else, transmissions fail after enduring years of wear and tear.

Below, I’ll briefly describe the components that contribute to the assembly’s operation. I’ll also make a few suggestions regarding what might be causing problems. What follows will not prepare you to perform major repairs. However, it should provide help for identifying and resolving simple issues.

The Parts Inside The Box

The main parts inside your car’s transmission are the planetary, sun, and ring gears, housing, filter, and fluid. The gears are difficult to describe, but imagine the gearset inside a Swiss watch. The gears’ teeth are perfectly designed to mesh with each other. Each gear is dependent upon the smooth operation of the other gears. The gearset within your transmission works in a similar manner.

The housing encases the various gears and components. The transmission fluid functions as a lubricant for the metal parts (similar to how motor oil lubricates your car’s engine). The filter catches the debris in the fluid ensuring that your transmission avoids damage.

Easiest Things To Check

The first item to check is your fluid level. If the level is low, it can cause poor shifting within the gears. Given enough time, the lack of lubrication can cause friction, which leads to expensive damage.

If you notice the fluid is low, check for leaks. The fluid tends to have a reddish hue, so it’s easy to identify. You might see residue on the selector shaft, near the speed sensor, or around the draining hole located (usually) on the underside.

The last item to check is the filter. Too often, drivers neglect to change it. But, just like your air filter, it does its job by accumulating debris. The problem is, after awhile, the debris can clog the filter and thereby, prevent the fluid from accessing the transmission. That leads to lack of lubrication and potential damage.

When Your Transmission Is Beyond Fixing

If there is a persistent problem that cannot be resolved by adding fluid or replacing the filter, you’ll probably need a mechanic’s expertise. Keep in mind that your transmission is a complex piece of machinery; taking it apart is time-consuming, difficult, and requires special tools and equipment.

Describe to your mechanic what you’re experiencing while driving. Also, let him know if you’ve discovered fluid leaks. If your transmission is beyond the point of repair, your mechanic will suggest a rebuild. Prepare yourself; the work is expensive. The good news is that it will help your car run smoothly for years to come.

Find Ford Escort Transmissions

Related posts

• No related posts.