# Who here knows how SYNCHROS work? **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [June 11, 2008, 9:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859 "2008-06-11T09:45:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:45am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/1 "2008-06-11T09:45:22Z")
I talk to a lot of car people and it seems that VERY few of them know what synchros actually do… By definition they “use friction to match the speeds of the gears”, but could you draw a picture of how they work? No cheating and looking at “how stuff works” (although that description is pretty weak) ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/2 "2008-06-11T09:48:02Z")
Nope. :redface: Although I like this thread already. \<–Waiting to learn something. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:50am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/3 "2008-06-11T09:50:40Z")
> The cone on the blue gear fits into the cone-shaped area in the collar, and friction between the cone and the collar synchronize the collar and the gear. The outer portion of the collar then slides so that the dog teeth can engage the gear. > Every manufacturer implements transmissions and synchros in different ways, but this is the general idea. > **[How a Manual Transmission Works](https://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm#pt3)** > > What does that funny "H" pattern on my car's gear shift have to do with my transmission? How does it make the car change gears? And when I mess up and hear that horrible grinding sound, what is actually grinding? ---
**Author:** ![LZ1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@LZ1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/LZ1)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:51am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/4 "2008-06-11T09:51:14Z")
google wins again ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:53am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/5 "2008-06-11T09:53:29Z")
yeah, but do you understand exactly what’s happening? what gear rotates freely? what is coupled to the shaft permanently. ---
**Author:** ![Willybeen](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/willybeen/32/7351_2.png) [@Willybeen](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Willybeen)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:54am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/6 "2008-06-11T09:54:42Z")
Ill be honest. No. I know it sucks when they are not working properly and shit grinds though. ---
**Author:** ![Jam](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jam/32/7235_2.png) [@Jam](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Jam)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/7 "2008-06-11T09:55:16Z")
as far as im concerned, transmissions work off of magic and worm holes ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:55am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/8 "2008-06-11T09:55:59Z")
> [@Willybeen](#): > > Ill be honest. No. I know it sucks when they are not working properly and shit grinds though. yeah. did you know that when you “grind a gear” you are actually grinding the dogs on the gear and the baulk ring? The GEARS never grind unless you shattered one. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 9:59am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/9 "2008-06-11T09:59:38Z")
![http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/transmission-5speed-gears.gif](http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/transmission-5speed-gears.gif) ![http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/transmission-5speed-forks.gif](http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/transmission-5speed-forks.gif) ![http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/transmission-reverse.gif](http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/transmission-reverse.gif) ![http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/transmission-synchronizer.gif](http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/transmission-synchronizer.gif) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/10 "2008-06-11T10:00:14Z")
> [@newman](#): > > yeah. did you know that when you “grind a gear” you are actually grinding the dogs on the gear and the baulk ring? The GEARS never grind unless you shattered one. never knew that, but it makes sense I suppose ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:00am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/11 "2008-06-11T10:00:41Z")
posting a bunch of pictures from the web doesn’t mean you could draw me a picture and explain how it works though… ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/12 "2008-06-11T10:03:23Z")
_shrug_ I think it explains it pretty well, honestly. It acts almost like a lead in for the gear ---
**Author:** ![skatanic28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e7dd6/32.png) [@skatanic28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/skatanic28)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:03am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/13 "2008-06-11T10:03:29Z")
i don’t ---
**Author:** ![bracketracer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bracketracer/32/15592_2.png) [@bracketracer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bracketracer)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:07am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/14 "2008-06-11T10:07:33Z")
> [@newman](#): > > yeah. did you know that when you “grind a gear” you are actually grinding the dogs on the gear and the baulk ring? The GEARS never grind unless you shattered one. I actually thought they were called balk rings, unless you talk to Mustang folks who call them blocker rings. However, yes I could draw how it works reasonably well. Didn’t really have a clue until I killed a transmission in my Mustang about 12 or so years ago, and decided to tackle it myself. It really is some cool engineering. FWIW, the last set of pictures will be really helpful, since Laura has asked me a few times how that all works. Let me guess…you and friend discussing 5th gear in a certain silver car? ---
**Author:** ![newman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/newman/32/7569_2.png) [@newman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/newman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/15 "2008-06-11T10:08:02Z")
> [@Dr.Stevil](#): > > _shrug_ I think it explains it pretty well, honestly. It acts almost like a lead in for the gear it doesn’t say anything about what is coupled to the shaft. it doesn’t talk about what is decoupled. Is the gear spinning when the clutch is pressed in? it’s very vague and leaves out a lot. > [@bracketracer](#): > > I actually thought they were called balk rings, unless you talk to Mustang folks who call them blocker rings. > > However, yes I could draw how it works reasonably well. Didn’t really have a clue until I killed a transmission in my Mustang about 12 or so years ago, and decided to tackle it myself. It really is some cool engineering. > > FWIW, the last set of pictures will be really helpful, since Laura has asked me a few times how that all works. > > Let me guess…you and friend discussing 5th gear in a certain silver car? haha, idk what silver car you’re speaking of. i couldn’t recall if it was balk or baulk. i think it is the former, though. ---
**Author:** ![bracketracer](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/bracketracer/32/15592_2.png) [@bracketracer](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/bracketracer)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:08am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/16 "2008-06-11T10:08:29Z")
> [@Dr.Stevil](#): > > _shrug_ I think it explains it pretty well, honestly. It acts almost like a lead in for the gear Or even a brake if you want to explain it a bit more definitively. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Stevil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/da6949/32.png) [@Dr.Stevil](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Dr.Stevil)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/17 "2008-06-11T10:13:42Z")
> [@newman](#): > > it doesn’t say anything about what is coupled to the shaft. it doesn’t talk about what is decoupled. Is the gear spinning when the clutch is pressed in? > > it’s very vague and leaves out a lot. > > haha, idk what silver car you’re speaking of. > > i couldn’t recall if it was balk or baulk. i think it is the former, though. my bad > [@howstuffworks](#): > > the green shaft from the engine turns the layshaft, which turns the blue gear on the right. This gear transmits its energy through the collar to drive the yellow drive shaft. Meanwhile, the blue gear on the left is turning, but it is freewheeling on its bearing so it has no effect on the yellow shaft. When the collar is between the two gears (as shown in the first figure), the transmission is in neutral. Both of the blue gears freewheel on the yellow shaft at the different rates controlled by their ratios to the layshaft. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Russian](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/the_russian/32/7414_2.png) [@The\_Russian](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/The_Russian)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:18am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/18 "2008-06-11T10:18:26Z")
I dont get it. All i know is they work when they want to and if they dont you take them to a specialist. ---
**Author:** ![Schema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/779978/32.png) [@Schema](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Schema)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:25am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/19 "2008-06-11T10:25:51Z")
David Blane. Synchros weren’t around before he was alive ---
**Author:** ![Viper966](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/viper966/32/7268_2.png) [@Viper966](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Viper966)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2008, 10:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859/20 "2008-06-11T10:31:11Z")
i do… but only cuz im a nerd and looked it up years ago when i was thinking of installing my own LSD [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/who-here-knows-how-synchros-work/49859.md?page=2)