Solving a Tough Problem With the Tremec T45 Transmission
The T45 five-speed transmission was introduced in the Ford Mustang in the 1996 model year and continued in production through the 2001 models. Tremec Transmissions Corp. in Mexico manufactures this transmission for Ford.
The BorgWarner 44-11 Transfer Case, Chapter 2
In last month’s article we looked at the mechanical operation of the BorgWarner 44-11 automatic all-wheel-drive transfer case, which replaces the BW 44-05 transfer case and is used in the Ford Explorer, Ranger and Mountaineer and Lincoln Aviator models. This month’s article is devoted to the electronic functions of this transfer case.
Taking a Look at Ford’s New Transfer Cases
One of the best-selling and most-popular vehicles is the Ford Explorer and its cross-brand clones, the Mercury Mountaineer and the new Lincoln Aviator. These SUVs have been the volume leaders in their class and as such have provided us with lots of repair work as they have aged. Most of these vehicles were equipped with a BorgWarner 44-05 transfer case, and a lesser number were equipped with the BW 44-04 all-wheel-drive transfer case.
Time = Money; Waste=Loss: A Survival Guide
The economy is in a terrible slump, and for the first time people in our industry are beginning to realize that we are no longer recession proof. Zero down with 0% financing has transmission shops around the country losing jobs to new-car purchases or leases. The carmakers have become major competitors for vehicle-repair dollars with sales of reman and new units at competitive prices. General-repair shops are now doing transmission work that they used to farm out to transmission shops.
Understanding the New Venture Gear 226 Transfer Case
In the previous issue we discussed the theory of operations of the New Venture Gear 226 transfer case, which is found in the GMC Envoy, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Oldsmobile Bravada. This chapter is devoted to helping you to get familiar with the electronic functions of this “active” transfer case.
The New Breed of Active Transfer Cases – the New Venture Gear 226
The newest design level in the active transfer case is the NVG 226. GM introduced the Trailblazer, Envoy and new Bravada models that feature a newly designed straight six-cylinder engine. This engine has very high horsepower and torque output and is arguably the smoothest-running straight 6 ever produced. In order to complete this almost vibration-free package, GM chose the NVG 226 transfer case.
Two New Tremec Transmissions for the Ford Mustang
The TR3650 is manufactured by Tremec Corp., a state-of-the-art transmission manufacturer with facilities in the United States and Mexico. Tremec bought the standard-transmission line from BorgWarner Corp. and continues to manufacture the T5, T45, TR3550, TKO and T56 transmissions.
Ford’s New M5R4: A Radical Design Change in Rear-Wheel-Drive Manual-Transmission Technology
In 2002 Ford introduced a new four-door model of the venerable Explorer and its sister, the Mercury Mountaineer. The manual-transmission option for the new four-door model is a five-speed fully synchronized unit designated the M5R4 or M5OD-R4. The M5R1 transmission we all know and love has been replaced by a radical new design built by Mazda. This unit bears no resemblance to the M5R1.
Handling 6-Speed Heavyweights
The present trend toward larger and heavier-duty pickups has now brought the ZF S6-650 6-speed manual gearbox onto the scene. This 6-speed transmission was introduced in 1999 in the Ford F 250, F 350, F 450, F 550 and stripped-chassis models. It has been used behind diesel engines from 1999 to current production and behind gasoline engines starting in 2002 models. GM adopted the S6-650 transmission for use in its 2500 and 3500 heavy-duty pickups behind both gas and diesel engines in the 2001 model year.
The State of the Union on Standard Transmissions
In days gone by, cars were built with manually shifted transmissions as standard equipment, and automatic transmissions were an extra-cost option. This gave rise to the term “standard” as a reference to the stick-shift transmission. Along the way, automatics have steadily gained market share and now make up about 80% of the market in the United States. In Europe the opposite is true. Automatics are slowly gaining popularity, but just a fraction of the cars on the road are self-shifting.
Understanding Gear Technology
The transmission-repair industry is all about gears. The word transmission means transmitting or sending, and that is exactly what an automotive transmission does. The transmission sends the power produced as torque (turning force) by the engine and transmits it in a usable form to the driving wheels.
Getting a Handle on Half a Dozen Speeds
In the 1993 model year GM introduced the T56 six-speed transmission in the F body cars (Camaro/Firebird). The transmission was designed and manufactured by BorgWarner Automotive and was an evolution of the earlier T5 design. Larger and capable of handling more torque and horsepower, this trans became an instant hit with performance enthusiasts, race teams and hot rodders.
