Edward's Transmissions+ Auto Systems Expert - Castleton

Tech Tip Tuesday: The Output Shaft

The output shaft is the component that carries torque out of the transmission and delivers it to the driveshaft or, in front-wheel drive vehicles, to the front differential.

Every gear ratio the transmission produces, every clutch pack that engages, every shift that happens, the end result arrives at the output shaft. It then transfers that rotational power to the rest of the drivetrain.

Output shafts operate under constant high loads. They are supported by bearings at both ends and sealed against fluid leakage. Over time, those bearings wear and the seal can begin to leak.

Output shaft problems produce specific symptoms. A howling noise that correlates with vehicle speed. Transmission fluid leaking from the rear of the transmission, where the driveshaft enters. A vibration under load that feels different from a tire or driveshaft balance issue.

Replacing an output shaft bearing or seal is a significant repair. It requires partial teardown of the transmission or transfer case. Catching the problem early, when symptoms first appear, usually keeps the repair in the hundreds rather than the thousands.

Happy birthday to Gerald "Jay" Smith Jr.

Gerald celebrated 15 years with Edwards Transmissions+ earlier this month, and today we celebrate him. Fifteen years in and still showing up with the same commitment that got him here.

Have a great day, Gerald.

Tech Tip Tuesday: U-Joints and CV Joints

Universal joints and constant velocity joints both have one job. They let a driveshaft or axle shaft transmit rotational power through an angle, as the suspension moves up and down.

U-joints are found in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive vehicles, typically at each end of the driveshaft. They use a simple cross-shaped design with four bearing cups. CV joints are found in front-wheel drive vehicles and on independent rear suspensions, using internal ball bearings to transmit power more smoothly at steeper angles.

A bad u-joint produces a clunk when shifting between drive and reverse, a vibration that increases with speed, and sometimes a squeak that changes with vehicle speed. A bad CV joint produces a clicking or popping sound during turns, especially under acceleration, and in later stages a grinding sensation that transfers through the steering.

Either failure, left unaddressed, progresses to a roadside breakdown.

15 years. Gerald "Jay" Smith Jr. joined Edwards Transmissions+ on June 3, 2011. Fifteen years later, he continues to serve as a core part of our management team.

Fifteen years in one shop tells you something about both the person and the place. It means the person has committed to the trade, put in the work, and built the kind of judgment that only comes from experience. It also means the shop built a culture worth staying in.

Jay has been part of how Edwards Transmissions+ operates for a decade and a half. The customers he has helped, the technicians he has supported, and the problems he has solved along the way are the foundation of why this business still runs the way it does.

Thank you, Gerald. 15 years is a milestone that speaks for itself.