What are the common misunderstandings in the maintenance of the clean car transaxle?

What are the common misunderstandings in the maintenance of the clean car transaxle?

1. Ignore daily inspection
1.1 Irregularly check the bridge housing vent plug
In the daily maintenance of the clean car transaxle, the inspection of the bridge housing vent plug is often neglected. The function of the vent plug is to balance the air pressure inside and outside the bridge housing to prevent the lubricating oil from leaking due to the air pressure difference. If it is not checked regularly, the blockage of the vent plug will cause the air pressure inside the bridge housing to increase, and the lubricating oil will seep out from the oil seal, which will not only waste the lubricating oil, but also may pollute the brake system and reduce the braking performance. According to statistics, transaxle failures caused by vent plug blockage account for about 15% of daily maintenance problems.

# 2. Improper use of lubricants
2.1 Use of the wrong type of lubricant
The clean car transaxle has strict requirements on the lubricating oil model, and the wrong use of the lubricating oil model will cause a variety of problems.
Performance mismatch: Clean car transaxle usually needs to use heavy-duty gear oil, such as 85W/90 (GL-5) or 75W/90 (GL-5) and other models. These lubricants have high load-bearing capacity and good anti-wear properties, and can effectively lubricate the gears and bearings in the transaxle. If ordinary mechanical oil or other mismatched lubricants are used, their viscosity, anti-wear and anti-oxidation properties cannot meet the working requirements of the drive axle. For example, when running under high load, insufficient lubrication between gears will lead to increased gear wear, pitting and peeling on the tooth surface. According to relevant research, the gear wear rate of the cleaning car transaxle using the wrong type of lubricant is more than 30% faster than that of the transaxle using normal lubricants.
Influence on lubrication effect: Different types of lubricants also have differences in temperature adaptability. The cleaning car operates in different seasons and working conditions, and the temperature of the drive axle varies greatly. If a lubricant type that is not suitable for the current working conditions is used, the viscosity of the lubricant may be too low at high temperatures, unable to form an effective oil film, and the lubrication effect may decrease; the viscosity may be too high at low temperatures, the fluidity is poor, and it is difficult to reach the lubrication part in time. For example, in the low temperature environment in winter, the use of lubricants with higher viscosity will make it difficult to start the transaxle, insufficient lubrication, and increase the risk of wear of the transaxle. According to statistics, the failure rate of cleaning car transaxle with poor lubrication effect due to mismatched lubricant type is about 20% higher than that of transaxle with normal lubricant.
Shorten service life: Long-term use of the wrong type of lubricant will cause the internal parts of the transaxle to be in a poor lubrication state, accelerating the wear and aging of the parts. This will not only reduce the performance of the transaxle, but also shorten its service life. For example, the service life of the bearing may be shortened by more than 50% in the absence of good lubrication. In addition, mismatched lubricant types may also cause the seals inside the transaxle to age faster and leak, further affecting the normal operation of the transaxle.

# 3. Ignore component wear

3.1 Failure to replace worn bearings in time
Bearings are one of the key components of the cleaning car transaxle, and their wear directly affects the normal operation of the transaxle. However, in actual maintenance, the bearing wear problem of many cleaning cars is often ignored and not replaced in time, which leads to a series of serious consequences.
The harm of bearing wear: Bearing wear will increase the mechanical clearance inside the v, reduce the gear meshing accuracy, and then cause abnormal noise and vibration during the operation of the transaxle. These abnormal noises and vibrations will not only reduce the running smoothness of the cleaning car, but also accelerate the wear of other parts, such as gears, bridge housings, etc. According to statistics, the proportion of V failures caused by bearing wear and failure to replace in time is as high as about 30%. In addition, worn bearings will generate more heat during operation, further aggravating the deterioration and aging of the lubricating oil, reducing the lubricating performance of the lubricating oil, and forming a vicious circle.
Identification and replacement timing of worn bearings: Regular inspection of bearing wear is crucial. In general, when the radial clearance of the bearing exceeds 1.5 times the specified value, the bearing should be considered for replacement. For example, for the common cleaning car transaxle, the normal radial clearance of its bearing is usually between 0.05mm-0.10mm, and when the clearance exceeds 0.15mm, the performance of the bearing will be significantly reduced. In addition, if a clear “buzzing” or “chuckle” sound is heard during the operation of the cleaning car, and it intensifies with the increase of vehicle speed, this is usually an obvious sign of bearing wear. At this time, the car should be stopped and checked immediately, and the worn bearing should be replaced in time to avoid further damage to other parts of the drive axle.
Maintenance suggestions after bearing replacement: After replacing the bearing, you also need to pay attention to the subsequent maintenance work. First, ensure that the new bearing is installed correctly, including the bearing preload adjustment and the accuracy of the installation position. Secondly, during the first operation after the bearing is replaced, the operating status of the transaxle should be closely observed to check for abnormal noise and vibration. At the same time, regularly check the oil level and oil quality of the lubricating oil to ensure that the lubricating oil can fully lubricate the newly replaced bearing. It is generally recommended to check the oil level and oil quality of the lubricating oil once a week within the first month after the bearing is replaced, and then check it according to the normal maintenance cycle.

# 4. Improper operation

4.1 Frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration
During the operation of the cleaning vehicle, frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration will cause serious damage to the transaxle. This mode of operation will cause the transaxle to bear a huge instantaneous load, resulting in excessive wear and damage to the internal parts.
Impact on gears: During rapid acceleration and deceleration, the gears in the transaxle will be subjected to a momentary high torque impact. This impact will cause severe friction and collision on the meshing surface of the gear, resulting in pitting and peeling on the tooth surface. According to relevant research, the wear rate of the transaxle gear of cleaning vehicles with frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration is more than 25% faster than that of cleaning vehicles running normally. For example, in urban cleaning operations, frequent starting and stopping will cause the gears of the V to be subjected to repeated high-load impacts, which will greatly shorten the service life of the gears in the long run.
Impact on bearings: Rapid acceleration and deceleration can also cause serious damage to the bearings of the drive axle. Bearings are prone to fatigue wear and deformation under the impact of instantaneous high loads. Bearing wear will cause the mechanical clearance inside the transaxle to increase, which will cause abnormal noise and vibration when the transaxle is running. According to statistics, the failure rate of cleaning vehicles with bearing damage due to frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration is about 35% higher than that of cleaning vehicles running normally.
Impact on lubricating oil: Frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration will cause the temperature of the lubricating oil in the transaxle to rise sharply. Lubricating oil will accelerate deterioration and aging at high temperatures, reduce viscosity, and deteriorate lubrication performance, and cannot effectively lubricate the parts in the transaxle. In addition, high temperature will also cause the oxidation of lubricating oil, produce sludge and impurities, further affecting the lubricating effect of lubricating oil. For example, under the condition of frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration, the replacement cycle of lubricating oil may be shortened by 50%, from the normal every 10,000 kilometers to every 5,000 kilometers.
Impact on the overall performance of transaxle: Long-term frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration will reduce the overall performance of transaxle. The operating efficiency of transaxle is reduced, the power transmission is not smooth, and the driving stability of the cleaning car will also be affected. In addition, frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration will also increase the failure frequency of transaxle, resulting in a significant increase in maintenance costs. According to statistics, the maintenance cost of cleaning cars with transaxle failures due to improper operation is about 40% higher than that of cleaning cars running normally.

# 5. Confusion of maintenance cycle

5.1 Failure to replace lubricating oil according to the cycle
The lubricating oil replacement cycle of the cleaning car transaxle is one of the key links to ensure its normal operation, but many users often ignore this important matter in actual operation, resulting in frequent transaxle failures.
Importance of lubricant replacement cycle: Lubricant plays a key role in lubrication, cooling and cleaning in the transaxle. Over time, lubricants will gradually deteriorate and lose their original performance due to high temperature, oxidation and the mixing of impurities. If the lubricant is not replaced regularly, the deteriorated lubricant will not be able to effectively lubricate the gears and bearings in the transaxle, resulting in increased wear of parts and even failure. For example, lubricants will accelerate oxidation at high temperatures, the viscosity will decrease, and an effective oil film cannot be formed, resulting in insufficient lubrication of gears and bearings. According to relevant studies, more than 70% of transaxle failures are related to deterioration or insufficient lubricants.
Recommended lubricant replacement cycle: Generally speaking, the lubricant replacement cycle of the cleaning vehicle transaxle should be determined according to the vehicle’s operating conditions and the manufacturer’s recommendations. For vehicles used in ordinary urban cleaning operations, it is recommended to replace the lubricant every 10,000 kilometers or every 6 months, whichever comes first. If the vehicle is operated under high load, high temperature or harsh environment, the lubricant replacement cycle should be appropriately shortened, such as every 5,000 kilometers or every 3 months. For example, a cleaning car manufacturer recommends that the lubricant replacement cycle is every 10,000 kilometers, but in actual use, many users fail to strictly follow this recommendation, resulting in a significant increase in the failure rate of the drive axle.
The hazards of not changing the lubricant according to the cycle: Not changing the lubricant regularly will cause the lubricant to deteriorate, the viscosity to decrease, and the lubrication performance to deteriorate. This will not only accelerate the wear of gears and bearings, but also cause the internal temperature of the transaxle to rise, further aggravating the oxidation and deterioration of the lubricant. For example, deteriorated lubricants may form sludge and impurities on the surface of gears and bearings, hindering the flow of lubricants and affecting the lubrication effect. According to statistics, the failure rate of cleaning car transaxles that do not change the lubricants according to the cycle is more than 50% higher than that of transaxles that change the lubricants on time. In addition, deteriorated lubricants will also cause the aging of the seals inside the transaxle to accelerate, resulting in oil leakage, further affecting the normal operation of the transaxle.
Common misunderstandings in actual operation: Many users have some common misunderstandings in actual operation. For example, some users believe that as long as the lubricant does not appear to be obviously blackened or thinned, it can continue to be used, ignoring that the performance of the lubricant has declined. Some users also fail to thoroughly clean the inside of the transaxle when changing the lubricant, resulting in old oil residue, affecting the performance of the new oil. In addition, some users fail to strictly follow the model and specifications recommended by the manufacturer when selecting lubricants, resulting in poor compatibility between the lubricant and the transaxle, affecting the lubrication effect.

# 6. Summary
The maintenance of the cleaning car transaxle is a key link to ensure its normal operation and extend its service life. However, in actual operation, there are many common misunderstandings, which will not only reduce the performance of the transaxle, but also greatly increase the maintenance cost and failure frequency.
First of all, neglecting daily inspections is a major problem in the maintenance of the cleaning car transaxle. The blockage of the bridge housing vent plug will cause lubricant leakage, contaminate the brake system, and reduce braking performance. This problem is often ignored in daily maintenance. According to statistics, the failures caused by it account for about 15% of daily maintenance problems. In addition, improper use of lubricants is also one of the common misunderstandings. The wrong type of lubricant will lead to increased gear wear, reduced lubrication effect, shortened service life, and a failure rate of about 20% higher than that of a transaxle with normal lubricant use.
Secondly, component wear problems are often ignored, especially bearing wear. Bearing wear will increase the mechanical clearance inside the drive axle, cause abnormal noise and vibration, accelerate the wear of other parts, and the failure rate is as high as about 30%. Frequent rapid acceleration and deceleration operations will cause the transaxle to bear huge instantaneous loads, resulting in excessive wear of gears and bearings, deterioration of lubricants, and maintenance costs are about 40% higher than those of normal cleaning vehicles.
Finally, the maintenance cycle is chaotic, especially if the lubricant is not replaced according to the cycle, it will cause the lubricant to deteriorate, the lubrication performance will decrease, and the failure rate will be more than 50% higher than that of a transaxle with lubricants replaced on time. The existence of these misunderstandings not only affects the operating efficiency and safety of the cleaning vehicle, but also increases the operating cost.
In summary, the maintenance of the cleaning vehicle transaxle needs to be highly valued. By regular inspections, proper use of lubricants, timely replacement of worn parts, avoiding improper operation, and strictly adhering to maintenance cycles, you can effectively reduce the occurrence of failures, extend the service life of the transaxle, and improve the overall performance and operating efficiency of the cleaning vehicle.