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with the load. The starter gear section consists of an external housing with an integral mounting flange, planetary gear reduction, a sun and integral gear assembly, a torque-limiting clutch, and a jaw and cone assembly.  [Figure 5-6]  When the starter circuit is closed, the torque developed in the starter motor is transmitted to the starter jaw through the reduction gear train and clutch. The starter gear train converts the high speed low torque of the motor to the low speed high torque required to crank the engine. In the gear section, the motor pinion engages the gear on the intermediate countershaft. [Figure 5-6]  The pinion of the countershaft engages the internal gear. The internal gear is an integral part of the sun gear assembly and is rigidly attached to the sun gear shaft. The sun gear drives three planet gears that are part of the planetary gear assembly. The individual planet gear shafts are supported by the planetary carrying arm, a barrel-like part shown in Figure 5-6 . 

The carrying arm transmits torque from the planet gears to the starter jaw as follows: 

1. The cylindrical portion of the carrying arm is splined longitudinally around the inner surface. 

2. Mating splines are cut on the exterior surface of the cylindrical part of the starter jaw. 

3. The jaw slides fore and aft inside the carrying arm to engage and disengage with the engine. 

The three planet gears also engage the surrounding internal teeth on the six steel clutch plates. [Figure 5-6]  These plates are interleaved with externally splined bronze clutch plates that engage the sides of the housing, preventing them from turning. The proper pressure is maintained upon the clutch pack by a clutch spring retainer assembly. A cylindrical traveling nut inside the starter jaw extends and retracts the jaw. Spiral jaw-engaging splines around the inner wall of the nut mate with similar splines cut on an extension of the sun gear shaft. [Figure 5-6] 

