Ring gear stabilization for powerglide transmissions

1. A ring gear stabilization system for a Powerglide transmission, the Powerglide transmission including a ring gear, a Powerglide output shaft, and a Powerglide planet carrier, the system comprising:

a radial stabilization plate having a central web surrounded by an annular bearing flange with an overall outer diameter sized to fit inside the ring gear, the central web defining (i) a central opening configured to receive the Powerglide output shaft therethrough and (ii) a plurality of peripheral openings positioned in the central web and dimensioned to receive at least one pinion shaft end when the central web is mounted to the Powerglide planet carrier; and

a plurality of bearing members configured and dimensioned to (i) be secured to an inner annular surface of the ring gear in a spaced relationship there around, and (ii) bear against said annular bearing flange to stabilize the ring gear.

2. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bearing members each have a bearing end having a first diameter and an attachment end having a narrower, second diameter, the diameter of the attachment end being dimensioned to be received in holes in the ring gear.

3. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 1 , wherein the annular bearing flange has a smooth outer bearing surface.

4. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 1 , wherein said outer bearing surface is adapted to minimize friction with said bearing members.

5. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 1 , wherein the Powerglide transmission further includes a reverse clutch pressure plate, the ring gear stabilization system further comprising an annular axial stabilization member with a central opening sized to fit around the ring gear and a thickness selected to occupy space to be eliminated between a mid-step of the ring gear and the reverse clutch pressure plate.

6. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 1 , wherein the radial stabilization plate further includes an annular support flange at an outermost diameter of said radial stabilization plate, positioned to extend substantially in parallel with both the ring gear and an outer surface of the planet carrier.

7. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 6 , wherein said annular support flange has an axially extending leg configured to extend into a space between the ring gear and planet carrier.

8. A method for stabilizing the ring gear in a Powerglide transmission, the Powerglide transmission including a ring gear, a Powerglide output shaft, and a Powerglide planet carrier, the method comprising:

mounting a radial stabilization plate to a rear facing surface of the Powerglide planet carrier, the radial stabilization plate having a central web surrounded by an annular bearing flange; and

attaching a plurality of bearing members to an inner surface of the ring gear in a location opposing said annular bearing flange when the radial stabilization plate is mounted on the planet carrier,

wherein said mounting the radial stabilization plate comprises:

positioning the radial stabilization plate in a centered location inside the ring gear with the Powerglide output shaft passing through a central opening in said central web; and

securing the central web to the planet carrier.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said attaching a plurality of bearing members comprises forming a plurality of holes around an inner surface of the ring gear in an area to be adjacent the annular bearing flange when said radial stabilization plate is mounted on the planet carrier.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said mounting the radial stabilization plate further comprises:

positioning the central web with pinion shaft ends protruding from the planet carrier received in peripheral openings in said central web; and

said securing comprises attaching the central web to the planet carrier at other peripheral openings in the central web.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein said positioning the central web centers said radial stabilization plate relative to the planet carrier.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein said attaching comprises welding.

13. A ring gear stabilization system for a Powerglide transmission, the Powerglide transmission including a ring gear, a Powerglide output shaft, and a Powerglide planet carrier, the system comprising:

a radial stabilization plate configured and dimensioned to be mounted on the Powerglide transmission planet carrier inside the ring gear, said radial stabilization plate having a central web surrounded by an annular bearing flange with an overall outer diameter sized to fit inside the ring gear, the central web defining a central opening configured to receive the Powerglide output shaft therethrough and a plurality of peripheral openings positioned in the central web and dimensioned to receive at least two pinion shaft ends protruding from the Powerglide planet carrier, said peripheral openings being positioned so as to center the central web on the planet carrier when said at least two pinion shaft ends are received therein; and

a plurality of bearing members configured and dimensioned to be secured to an inner annular surface of the ring gear in a spaced relationship there around, and to bear against said annular bearing flange to stabilize the ring gear when said radial stabilization plate is mounted on the planet carrier.

14. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 13 , wherein said peripheral openings further include peripheral clearance openings configured and dimensioned to receive additional pinion shaft ends or other protrusions at said rear of the planet carrier when said central web is mounted thereon.

15. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 14 , wherein said peripheral openings further include additional peripheral openings configured and dimensioned to receive attachment means for securing the radial stabilization plate to the planet carrier.

16. The ring gear stabilization system of claim 15 , wherein the radial stabilization plate further includes an annular support flange at an outermost diameter of said radial stabilization plate, positioned to extend substantially in parallel with both the ring gear and an outer surface of the planet carrier.