The Latest Models of Transfer Cases from Magna Powertrain
In the ever-changing world of automotive technology, we must keep up with an endless supply of new car models and their components. We will look at a new family of transfer cases manufactured by Magna Powertrain.
Advanced Diagnostics: Thinking ‘Outside the Box’
As automotive technology and design have reached new levels of sophistication, the role of the diagnostician has risen to critical levels. It is possible to replace transmissions and transfer cases with factory or aftermarket new or remanufactured units with relative ease. The shop needs only a qualified installer to make the swap.
Lubrication
One of the things often neglected is lubrication of the transmission, transfer case and differential. As with the automatic transmissions there are now dozens of specified lubricants that a professional shop must have available. What used to work no longer does, and putting the wrong lube into a late-model unit will result in spoiling a good rebuild. You must use the correct fluid for the unit you are working on. It sounds logical, but if you understand why, it will go a long way toward preventing shift complaints and outright failure under warranty due to incorrect lube fill.
Building a Better Mousetrap
Rebuilding and remanufacturing of a host of parts have been going on almost as long as the manufacture of automobiles. It has always been economically sound policy to refurbish a used part and give it a new life, in most instances less expensively than the purchase of a new one. A good percentage of the steel being produced for new products comes from scrap, and the same is true for gold, silver, copper, aluminum etc. Production of raw materials and their transportation to the various refiners is quite expensive. and it is more economical to recycle the used parts into a usable commodity.
Survival in an Age of Economic and Moral Stress
The lines between dedicated transmission-repair shops and general-repair facilities have become blurred, as trans shops are now doing more general-repair work than in previous times to help cover their overhead and the general-repair shop is now swapping transmissions and other components available through aftermarket rebuilders for the same reasons. It seems that nobody wants to turn away any work that will bring in more cash. This is a natural transition to the change in the repair business that is ongoing but also creates some new problems for suppliers and repair shops.
The BorgWarner 4473: Unlocking the Mystery
Through the BorgWarner 4473 transfer case, which is full-time all-wheel drive, there is a 35%/65% constant torque split front to rear. The 4473 is a relatively simple transfer case that uses a viscous coupling to control a planetary differential to split the torque. The planetary uses straight-cut gears for the planet pinions and the sun and annulus gears, which means that there is little or no thrust load on the internal components.
How to Be a Clutch Hitter
The clutch-driven vehicle will be here for the foreseeable future. The good news is that driver skills have declined, which makes clutch replacement a bigger share of your business.
Up to Standards
The two most-glaring issues start with “captive product.” The auto manufacturers of today have become efficient by building fewer of the components that go into the complex and sophisticated product that is today’s automobile. Tier 1 suppliers provide many components that go into the car. Although the car manufacturer may make the sheet metal and engines and be responsible for the design and process engineering to produce the vehicle, Tier 1 suppliers like BorgWarner, Tremec, Aisin, ZF, New Venture Gear, American Axle, Dana and Eaton manufacture the transmissions, transfer cases and differentials for the driveline. Other companies produce the interiors, steering, HVAC, fuel injection and other components.
Identifying Aisin Manual Transmissions and Transfer Cases
One of the major problems associated with buying and selling units and parts in our industry is the need to properly identify the unit you are working on. This article is devoted to identifying current-production models of manual transmissions and transfer cases produced by Aisin AI, with the hope of making it easier for you to obtain parts in the aftermarket. Past production is not listed but includes the familiar AX5, AX15 and R151 Toyota transmissions.
Crime-Scene Investigation, Part 2
This is the conclusion of a two-part article that began in the May issue. Part 1 covered the basics of the lawsuit, the progression from warranty issues to major lawsuit, and inspection of the transmission.
Crime-Scene Investigation, Part 1
I thought you, as technicians involved in transmission repair, might like to follow a recent transmission-related lawsuit I was involved in, both to see how it really happens and to learn more about protecting yourselves and your business. The lawsuit you are about to read has been settled. All parties involved are subject to a confidentiality agreement. There are no names, dates or places, but I think the mysteries of the case will interest you.
Tremec T56 Magnum
BorgWarner designed and manufactured the T56 six-speed transmission, which is the premier six-speed on the market today. BorgWarner sold its stick-shift-transmission line to Tremec, and Tremec has continued to manufacture and refine the T56 design.
