American Axle & Manufacturing Introduces New Exclusive 3.42 PowerDense(R) Gear Set Designed to Improve Fuel Economy
October 16 2007 - 8:30AM
PR Newswire (US)
AAPEX Show Booth #1458 DETROIT, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM), which is traded as AXL on
the NYSE, today announced a new exclusive aftermarket 3.42
PowerDense(R) gear set for 2003 to 2007 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty
2500/3500 turbo diesel pickups. The gear set and its technology
will be showcased at the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo
(AAPEX), October 31 through November 2. AAM Aftermarket now offers
Dodge Ram diesel pickup owners the 3.42 ratio gear set as an
alternative to the numerically higher ratio gear sets that are
currently available. The lower ratio set reduces engine rpm, which
helps improve fuel economy under normal driving conditions which
exclude hauling, climbing grades, or pulling a trailer. The 3.42
ring and pinion is designed to fit inside the original equipment
AAM 9.25-inch front and 11.5-inch rear axles without modifications
to the transmission or the truck's on-board computer. In pre-2007
pickups the front axle requires a new redesigned differential case
along with new side and differential pinion gears. All 2007 models
have the advantage of coming with a factory installed redesigned
differential case, side and pinion gears making the installation
process easier. AAM PowerDense(R) Ring and Pinion Gear Sets AAM
utilizes state-of-the-art face hobbing to generate the gear tooth
form in a two-cut process. This represents AAM's latest effort to
enhance NVH, durability, quality and reliability of its
ring-and-pinion gear sets. The key advantage of a two-cut gear set
occurs when the components are being hobbed or generated. Hobbing
creates more surface area and equal tooth depth. This produces
lower alternating bending stress levels while creating a more even
distribution of loading across all of the teeth. The results are
reduced levels of NVH and increased durability. Another key
advantage of the two-cut process is the use of continuous indexing.
In the manufacturing process the gear teeth are generated
simultaneously with uniform tooth spacing and no imperfections.
Additionally, the two-cut manufacturing process permits tighter
backlash specifications between the gear and the pinion. Backlash
is defined as the amount of free play between two gears in their
operating positions. The results are reduced heat, NVH, driveline
clunk and increased gear set durability. Finally, two-cut
manufacturing is an environmentally friendly process. Since the
components are dry cut, the presence of a coolant medium at the
point of engagement of a tool and a component is eliminated.
Without coolant, no mists or smoke are produced. Tough Stuff AAM
PowerDense(R) gear sets are made from high quality Society of
Automotive Engineering (SAE) steel purchased only from approved AAM
and OEM steel suppliers. Special high core hardenability steel is
utilized to enhance the design and manufacturing process of the
gear sets. Made Even Tougher The specified steel also lends itself
to precision shot peening which extends the life of AAM
PowerDense(R) gear sets. In this process spherical shot is targeted
at the root of the gear teeth and bombards the surface, resulting
in compressive stresses to combat fatigue loading. The compressive
stress increases AAM ring-and-pinion durability and reliability.
AAM parts are also forged, lapped and heat treated to meet OE
manufacturers' stringent standards. Coordinate Measuring Machines
(CMM) are then used to inspect the parts for accuracy. AAM - Tough
to Beat AAM engineering teams have advanced the design and
manufacturing processes of driveline systems, chassis systems and
metal formed products since 1994. AAM designs, tests and validates
its ring and pinion sets to vehicle manufacturers' exact
specifications. AAM's on-going programs in NVH, thermal management,
vehicle-system efficiency, dynamics and vehicle handling and other
disciplines assure customers that the parts they are getting
incorporate the latest product, process and systems technology. For
more information on AAM gear sets and other products and services,
visit the Internet at http://www.aam.com/ or dial 1-800-299-AXLE.
About AAM AAM is a world leader in the manufacture, engineering,
design and validation of driveline and drivetrain systems and
related components and modules, chassis systems and metal-formed
products for light trucks, sport utility vehicles and passenger
cars. In addition to locations in the United States (in Indiana,
Michigan, New York and Ohio), AAM also has offices or facilities in
Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland,
South Korea and the United Kingdom. Certain statements contained in
this press release which are not historical facts contain
forward-looking information with respect to the Company's plans,
projections or future performance, the occurrence of which involves
risk and uncertainties that could cause the company's actual
results or plans to differ materially from those expected by the
company which include risk factors described in the Company's
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more
information... Renee B. Rogers Manager, Communications & Media
Relations (313) 758-4882 Or visit the AAM website at
http://www.aam.com/ DATASOURCE: American Axle & Manufacturing
CONTACT: Renee B. Rogers, Manager, Communications & Media
Relations, American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc.,
+1-313-758-4882, Web site: http://www.aam.com/ Company News
On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/033813.html
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