Abstract: A detent spring assembly that accurately locates a detent plate in a gear shift mechanism of an automotive vehicle has a detent spring which includes an elongated flexible strip. A roller on the strip is engageable with any one of a series of notches in the detent plate to properly position the detent plate. A fastener secures the detent spring to a support. A part on the strip engages the support at a point spaced from the fastener to cooperate with the fastener in accurately and precisely locating the strip.

Abstract: A detent spring assembly that accurately locates a detent plate in a gear shift mechanism of an automotive vehicle has a detent spring which includes an elongated flexible strip. A roller on the strip is engageable with any one of a series of notches in the detent plate to properly position the detent plate. A fastener secures the detent spring to a support. A part on the strip engages the support at a point spaced from the fastener to cooperate with the fastener in accurately and precisely locating the strip.

Abstract: A method for reacting an axial thrust load generated by a planetary gear system of an automatic transmission for an automotive vehicle is provided. The axial thrust load is transmitted along a first thrust load path between a sun gear of the planetary gear system and a clutch hub of an clutch assembly. The axial thrust load is then transmitted along a second thrust load path between the clutch hub and a thrust bulkhead extending from the transmission housing. A first portion of the axial thrust load is reacted by the transmission housing. A second portion of the axial thrust load is transmitted along a third thrust load path between the thrust bulkhead and an oil pump housing.

Abstract: A piston is reciprocable in a cylinder of a valve body. A spring in the cylinder has one end bearing against the piston. An abutment holds a retainer in bearing engagement with the opposite end of the spring to hold the spring under compression. The valve body has a slot through which the retainer may be introduced transversely into the cylinder when the spring is further compressed. The retainer has a locking tab. The valve body has an axial notch extending from the slot in a direction away from the spring to clear the tab when the spring is further compressed by a tool and the retainer is introduced. When the tool is withdrawn and the retainer is forced back against the abutment by the spring, the tab extends beyond the notch to be overlain and trapped or blocked by a portion of the valve body to prevent the retainer from falling out of the cylinder through the slot.

Abstract: A method of assembly for a north-south transaxle includes the steps of forming a case with a longitudinal passageway and having an opening generally perpendicular to the passageway. The method also includes forming a head portion and a shaft portion extending from the head portion and installing a front bearing about the transfer shaft and in the passageway. The method further includes installing the transfer shaft in the passageway, installing a rear bearing about the transfer shaft and in the passageway, and retaining the front and rear bearings and transfer shaft in the passageway.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a north-south transaxle includes a case having a passageway extending longitudinally and a cavity at one end of the passageway having an opening generally perpendicular to the passageway. The lubrication system also includes a transfer assembly disposed in the passageway and a differential assembly disposed in the cavity and engaging the transfer assembly. The lubrication system further includes means for delivering fluid in the cavity to the transfer assembly.

Abstract: A north-south transaxle includes a case having a first passageway extending longitudinally, a second passageway spaced from the first passageway and being generally parallel to the first passageway and extending longitudinally, and a cavity at one end of the second passageway having an opening generally perpendicular to the second passageway. The transaxle also includes a transmission assembly disposed in the first passageway, a transfer assembly disposed in the second passageway and a structure interconnecting the transmission assembly and transfer assembly for transferring torque from the transmission assembly to the transfer assembly. The transaxle further includes a differential assembly disposed in the cavity and the transaxle is structured to thermally compensate preload on the differential assembly over a temperature operating range.