Main gear — general information (Opel Corsa C)

The gearbox converts the engine torque, which is transmitted further via the small and large pinions of the main transmission. The large pinion is fixed in the main transmission housing. Drive shafts connect the main transmission to the axle shafts of the wheels. The main transmission together with the gearbox is mounted in one housing.

There are also four bevel gears connected to each other installed there (differential), two of which are connected to the drive (cardan) shafts, which in turn transmit torque to the vehicle's drive wheels. Constant velocity joints (of the "tripod" type) installed on the shafts ensure the transmission of the required torque at changing shaft angles.

During straight-line movement on a perfectly flat surface, both wheels have the same rotation speed, equal to the rotation speed of the main gear. The differential rotates at a similar speed, and the bevel gears are at rest. When turning or hitting an uneven surface, one of the wheels travels a greater distance than the other. In this case, the differential comes into play, distributing the torque between the wheels and allowing the driven shafts to rotate at unequal angular speeds.