Chrysler AWD ON MINIVANS

["Cordeiro, Alan" <Alan.Cordeiro@mts.com>]

	>>Chrysler (saw AWD on one of their minivans)

	>VC system. Will transfer up to 10% to the rear when slippage
occurs.
	
	As the secondary owner of a Dodge AWD minivan ( wife’s primary
	transportation, kiddy car pool vehicle) I should add a few pieces
	of information,

1)	The system was designed and built by Steur-Diamler-Puch,
out of Graz, Austria ( beautiful city BTW). co-incidentally Chrysler
as a major minivan assembly plant in Graz......

Power is “taken off” through a small gear unit ( called the “Power Take Off”
for some strange reason). This unit replaces the length adjustment shaft
that 
goes between the transmission and the passenger side front wheel.

The PTO uses the same ratio as the final drive (in reverse).

The driveshaft to the rear wheels connects to the final rear axle gear
through a Viscous Coupling. Immediately following the VC is an
over-running (dog-clutch) clutch. The main function of this clutch
is to prevent the rear wheels from overdriving the front when the
ABS brake system is in operation.

The system is designed to deliver 10% of the power to the rear wheels
in NORMAL OPERATION and 90% to the front wheels. When the front
wheels lose traction, the rear wheels receive more torque through the 
viscous coupling in the center. 

IMHO the system works QUITE WELL, the torque transfer is barely
noticeable when the front wheels start slipping. Perhaps other 
Chrysler AWD minivan owners may comment here. 

Alan Cordeiro