The final drive ring and pinion gears in a typical transaxle utilize which type?

The final drive ring and pinion gears in a typical transaxle primarily utilize helical gears. Helical gears are designed with teeth that are cut at an angle to the gear axis. This design allows for smoother engagement between the gears compared to spur gears, which have straight teeth.

The smooth engagement of helical gears leads to quieter operation and improved load distribution across the gear teeth, which enhances durability and efficiency. This is particularly important in a transaxle, where the power from the engine is transmitted to the drive wheels. Additionally, the helical design also allows for the ability to handle higher loads, making them suitable for the demands of modern vehicles that require reliable performance.

In contrast, while spur gears are simpler to manufacture, they can be noisier and may not handle high loads as effectively. Bevel gears, despite being used in some drive applications to change the direction of power, do not typically serve as the final drive gears in a transaxle. Worm gears are generally used for right-angle drives where speed reduction is required but are not suitable for this application due to their lower efficiency and power-handling capacity.