Your Car's Drive Train - Definitions

Intro - Definitions - Tips  

1. Clutch or torque converter-   clutch with Manual transmission or torque converter with automatic-permits smooth transfer of power from the engine to the transmission.
2. Transaxle is the combined transmission and driving axles in a compact unit, saving weight and space inside the passenger compartment. 
3. CV (constant velocity) joints deliver power to the wheels, twisting and flexing like a wrist joint as the steering wheels turn and the suspension moves over bumps. They are packed with grease and covered with rubber boots. 

4. Transmission whether front drive or rear, this Is the gear shifting mechanism that matches engine speed to road speed and load. 
5. Universal joints provide flexibility on a rear drive vehicle between the transmission and the rear axle, allowing the axle to move with the irregularities in the road. 
6. Drive shaft is the tubular component connecting the transmission to the rear axle. 
7. Differential is the round housing at the center of the rear axle. It directs power to the driving wheels and, through its gearing mechanism, permits wheels to turn at different speeds in turns. 

Courtesy of the Car Care Council

Intro - Definitions - Tips  

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