Chrysler PT Cruiser 2001 Service Manual Supplement page 1248

PT
DESCRIPTION AND OPERATION (Continued)
LOW/REVERSE CLUTCH
The Low/Reverse clutch is hydraulically applied in
park, reverse, neutral, and first gears by pressurized
fluid against the Low/Reverse clutch piston. When
the Low/Reverse clutch is applied, the front planet
carrier/rear annulus assembly is held or grounded to
the transaxle case.
PLANETARY GEARTRAIN
DESCRIPTION
The planetary geartrain is located between the
input clutch assembly and the rear of the transaxle
case. The planetary geartrain consists of two sun
gears, two planetary carriers, two annulus (ring)
gears, and one output shaft (Fig. 11).
Fig. 11 Planetary Geartrain
1 – FRONT SUN GEAR ASSEMBLY
2 – #6 THRUST BEARING
3 – #7 THRUST BEARING
4 – REAR CARRIER FRONT ANNULUS ASSEMBLY
5 – REAR SUN GEAR
6 – FRONT CARRIER REAR ANNULUS ASSEMBLY
7 – FRONT SUN GEAR
OPERATION
The planetary geartrain utilizes two planetary gear
sets that connect the transmission input shaft to the
output shaft. Input and holding clutches drive or lock
different planetary members to change output ratio
or direction.
DIFFERENTIAL
DESCRIPTION
The 41TE differential is a conventional open
design. It consists of a ring gear and a differential
case. The differential case consists of pinion and side
gears, and a pinion shaft. The differential case is
supported in the transaxle by tapered roller bearings
(Fig. 12).
Fig. 12 Differential Assembly
1 – DIFFERENTIAL CASE
2 – RING GEAR
3 – TRANSFER SHAFT
4 – PINION GEAR
5 – PINION SHAFT
6 – SIDE GEAR
OPERATION
The differential assembly is driven by the transfer
shaft by way of the differential ring gear. The ring
gear drives the differential case, and the case drives
the driveshafts through the differential gears. The dif-
ferential pinion and side gears are supported in the
case by thrust washers and a pinion shaft. Differential
pinion and side gears make it possible for front tires
to rotate at different speeds while cornering.
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