Method of adjustment for a north-south automatic transaxle

A method of adjusting backlash for a north-south transaxle, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming 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;
• disposing a transmission assembly in the first passageway;
• disposing a transfer assembly in the second passageway;
• interconnecting the transmission assembly and the transfer assembly for transferring torque from the transmission assembly to the transfer assembly;
• disposing a differential assembly in the cavity and engaging the transfer assembly;
• enclosing the opening of the cavity with a differential cover member;
• preloading the differential cover member;
• measuring the stretch of the differential cover member and comparing the amount of stretch to predetermined plots of stretch versus preload to determine the amount of backlash between the differential assembly and transfer assembly;
• and
• adjusting the backlash between the differential assembly and transfer assembly to achieve a target preload.

A method of adjusting backlash for a north-south transaxle, said method comprising the step of:

• forming 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;
• disposing a transmission assembly in the first passageway;
• disposing a transfer assembly in the second passageway;
• interconnecting the transmission assembly and the transfer assembly for transferring torque from the transmission assembly to the transfer assembly;
• disposing a differential assembly in the cavity and engaging the transfer assembly;
• enclosing the opening of the cavity with a differential cover member;
• engaging a dead weight with the differential cover member and pulling the dead weight in a direction away from the differential cover member;
• sensing the stretch of the differential cover member, measuring the stretch of the differential cover member and comparing the amount of stretch to predetermined plots of stretch versus preload;
• and
• rotating inner and outer adjusters of the differential assembly and moving the inner and outer adjusters laterally to move the differential assembly toward and away the transfer assembly to achieve a target preload.