First Gear POWERFLOW

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Dodge Magnum, 2006 Dodge Charger, and 2006 Chrysler 300. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Fig 1: First Gear Powerflow

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - UNDERDRIVE CLUTCH APPLIED (Turns Rear Sun)

2 - LOW-REVERSE CLUTCH APPLIED (Holds Rear Annulus/Front Carrier)

In first gear range, torque input is through the underdrive clutch (1) to the underdrive hub assembly. The underdrive hub is splined to the rear sun gear. When the underdrive clutch is applied, it rotates the underdrive hub and rear sun gear. The L/R clutch (2) is applied to hold the front carrier/rear annulus assembly. The rear sun gear drives the rear planetary pinion gears. The rear planetary pinion gears are forced to walk around the inside of the stationary rear annulus gear. The pinions are pinned to the rear carrier and cause the rear carrier assembly to rotate as they walk around the annulus gear. This provides the torque output for first gear. The other planetary gearset components are freewheeling. The first gear ratio is 2.84:1. See Fig 1.