LV12K

Tutor notes

LV12K Knowledge of light vehicle

transmission and driveline units and
components

Introduction
The purpose of the unit is to provide an understanding of vehicle transmission and
driveline units and components. Information relating to this Level 2 unit can be found in
Hillier’s Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology, Chapter 3: Transmission systems.
To help locate the source of the information required for the answers, the chapter and
section numbers are shown.

Learning objectives
At the end of this unit the student will have gained an understanding of:
 how light vehicle clutch systems operate (3.7, 3.8,)

 how light vehicle manual gearbox systems operate (3.1, 3.2, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.16, 3.17,
3.18, 3.21)

 how light vehicle driveline systems operate (3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20,
3.21, 3.22, 3.23, 3.24)

 how to check, replace and test transmission and driveline units (3.25, 3.26, 3.27,
3.28, 3.29, 3.30).

Tutor activity notes

Teaching and learning resources

 Hillier’s Fundamentals of Motor Vehicle Technology, Chapter 3: Transmission systems.

 Student worksheet: selection of student activities on engines.

 Interactives:

 Matching Pairs: students identify the different gear wheel formats.

 Maze: students identify the gearbox layout and three components.

Encourage students in a practical setting to identify the various components and
functions of the vehicle’s transmission system and driveline components.

Student activity notes

The activities can be used in a number of ways, for example:
 As an integral part of the lesson.

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Tutor notes

 As an independent activity, following the lesson.

 As a group activity, where the students give a brief presentation.

On successful completion of Activity 1 the student will be able to:
 identify three vehicle driveline configurations (3.3)

 state the function of the propeller shaft (3.19)

 state the function of a clutch (3.7)

 identify the main components and advantages of a diaphragm-type clutch (3.7)

 identify four common clutch faults (3.28).

On successful completion of Activity 2 the student will be able to:
 identify the main components of a mechanically operated clutch (3.7)

 list the two different forms of mechanical clutch adjustment (3.7)

 identify the three different forms of manual gearbox layouts (3.9, 3.10)

 calculate gear ratios (3.9).

On successful completion of Activity 3 the student will be able to:
 identify the two mechanical systems used in automatic gearboxes (3.12)

 identify the main components of an epicyclic gear train (3.12)

 identify the function of the gearbox selector inhibitor switch (3.13.2)

 state the purpose of a final-drive unit (3.21)

 identify the main components of a final-drive unit and state the purpose of the
differential (3.21, 3.22, 3.23).

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Tutor notes

Answers for student worksheet

Activity 1: Drive layout and clutch

1

 Front-wheel drive layout.

 Four-wheel drive layout.

a) 1) Gearbox; 2) Universal joint; 3) Propeller shaft; 4) Final drive (back axle).

b) The function of the propeller shaft’s sliding joint is to allow for the alteration in length of the
propeller shaft due to the change in distance between the gearbox and final-drive unit, as a
result of the up and down movement of the rear axle.

c) The universal couplings allow for the changes in drive angles caused by the up and down
movement of the rear axle.

3 A clutch provides a means of disconnecting the power produced by the engine from
the manual gearbox. A clutch also provides a means of progressively connecting
the power to the gearbox and transmission system.

a) 1) Flywheel; 2) Release lever; 3) Pressure plate; 4) Diaphragm spring; 5) Release bearing;

6) Driven plate.

b) Advantages:

 Compact and lightweight.

 Suitable for high engine speeds.

 A lower pedal force is required to release the clamping pressure applied to the clutch
driven plate.

 The clamping force on the friction surfaces will not decrease as the friction surfaces
wear.

a) Slip

b) Drag or spin

c) Judder

d) Fierceness.

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Tutor notes

Activity 2: Clutch and gears

1

a) 1) Clutch cable; 2) Return spring; 3) Release bearing; 4) Clutch fork (release lever).

b)

 Mechanical.

 Automatic.

 Constant mesh.

 Synchromesh.

3 To overcome the main disadvantage of the constant-mesh system (i.e. noise or

crashing of the gears during engagement due to a quick gear change by the driver) a
baulk ring or synchro ring is added in the synchromesh unit. The two main features
incorporated in the baulk ring system are:

The friction cone pressure, or load, is proportional to the speed of change.

An interception device prevents positive gear engagement until the speed of the
two gears is equal.

4 Formula to be used is:

Formula: Driven × Driven = 30 × 30 = 900 Gear ratio = 1.875 : 1
Driver Driver 24 20 480

Activity 3: Gears
1

 A configuration of gears known as epicyclic or planetary gears.

 A fluid coupling to connect the gearbox to the engine, i.e. fluid flywheel or torque
converter.

2 1) Annulus (ring gear); 2) Planet carrier; 3) Planet; 4) Sun wheel.

5 On an automatic transmission system, the gear selector mechanism has an inhibitor

switch fitted to prevent the engine being started in any position other than Park or
Neutral.

6 The purpose of a final drive as applied to a front engine rear-wheel drive vehicle is to:

 transmit the drive through 90°

 provide a gear ratio that reduces the speed at which the gearbox output shaft rotates.
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Tutor notes

7 1) Crown wheel; 2) Planet wheel; 3) Pinion; 4) Axle (half) shaft; 5) Sun wheel.

8 The purpose of the final-drive differential is to allow the driven wheels to rotate at
different speeds while the vehicle is cornering, whilst still applying the same amount of
torque to each wheel.

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