hand on the manual gearbox of a stick shift

Manual transmissions aren’t necessarily simple, but they’re much easier to understand in concept than their automatic counterparts. You’re probably aware there are gears in manual transmissions - but there’s a little more to it than that. Here are some of the major components you’ll find in a manual transmission.

Shafts - There are three main shafts inside a manual transmission. There’s an input shaft where engine power is transferred via the clutch, and that drives the layshaft, also known as the countershaft. The countershaft has different sized gears to achieve various gear ratios. Corresponding gears on the countershaft connect to the output shaft. The output shaft is connected to the driveshaft, which powers the differential. 

Gears - Pairings of different gear sizing on the output shaft and countershaft determine gear ratios. A small gear on the countershaft paired with a larger gear on the output shaft means more torque at lower speeds. A large gear on the countershaft paired with a small gear on the output is for high speed, low torque - your overdrive gear. Power is only sent through one set of gears at a time, and the gear is selected by the shifter.

Bearings - The shafts ride on bearings inside the truck’s transmission, holding everything in place and allowing for smooth quiet transfer of power. Synchronizers. The synchros allow gears in your SUV to shift seamlessly and easily, so you don’t have to force or grind the transmission into gear. Friction from the synchros matches the speed at which both gears are spinning, so they mesh up perfectly and the transmission slides into gear.

Shift Forks - The shift forks are operated by the truck’s shifter - they move a sleeve forward or backward along the shaft, engaging the corresponding gear.

Case - The case is the housing, which holds all the internal parts. There’s gear oil in there as well, to keep everything lubricated.

Now that you know what’s inside a transmission, the inner workings are hopefully becoming a little clearer. At Joppa Transmission & Auto Service in Joppatowne we have the tools and the skill to service your manual transmission. Call or come by the shop today! 



_________________

Thank you for visiting Joppa Transmission & Auto Service in Joppatowne, MD. Count on our automotive repair technicians to keep your car, truck, suv, or van on the roads longer and safer.

Schedule your appointment today BOOK NOW   |   CALL: (410) 676-1406

  • Now Hiring
  • Jasper Pref
  • 24-Hour Dropoff
  • Fleet Services
  • Towing
  • 24 Month Warranty
  • Flowmaster
  • Ari Fleet
  • ASE
  • BF Goodrich
  • Bridgestone Firestone
  • Cooper Tires
  • NAPA AutoCare Center
  • Cummins Diesel
  • Customer Savings
  • Diamond Eye Performance Exhaust
  • Donlen Fleet
  • Dunlop Tires
  • Duramax Diesel
  • Element Fleet
  • Acdelco
  • Enterprise Fleet
  • Flo Pro Performance Exhaust
  • GE Capital Fleet
  • Goodyear
  • Ford Power Stroke Diesel
  • Handicap Accessible
  • Hankook Tires
  • Hunter
  • Kelly Tires
  • LeasePlan Fleet
  • Magnaflow
  • MBRP
  • Michelin
  • Mastercraft
  • Motorcraft Parts
  • Pet Friendly
  • Radiator
  • Sumitomo Tires
  • Synchrony
  • Tech-net
  • Tires
  • Toyo
  • Uniroyal
  • Welding
  • WEX Fleet
  • Wheel Pros
  • Wright Fleet

Joppa Transmission & Auto Service

604 Pulaski Highway
Joppatowne, MD 21085
Get Directions

location small (410) 676-1406
Email the Shop

SHOP HOURS

Weekdays:   8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturdays: 8:00 AM - NOON
Sundays: Closed

Make An Appointment