Description: The flywheel for most
automatic transmissions/transaxles is simply a stamped-steel disc
with a ring gear located at the outer edge for engagement with the
starter’s pinion gear. With this type of flywheel, the torque
converter has
no ring
gear. Some cars use a more modest flywheel known as
a flexplate, which is all that’s needed because the torque converter
itself has a ring gear located on its outer
edge.
Purpose: The flywheel, or flexplate,
mounts to the engine's crankshaft and also serves as a mounting
location for the torque converter. Consequently, the
flywheel or flexplate transmits engine torque to the
torque converter housing. The flywheel’s ring gear also serves as an
engagement point
for the pinion of the starter motor when
cranking the engine. Because of the lightweight design of
the flywheel or flexplate,
it does not help to smooth out power pulses from
the engine like the flywheel does on a car with a
manual transmission. On cars with automatic transmissions, the torque converter provides
this function.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions:
The flywheel/flexplate does not require regular maintenance. Sometimes, the ring
gear may suffer damage from improper starter
engagement or alignment. If this is the case, the ring
gear or flywheel may need replacement.
