Planetary Gearset
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2002 Mercury Villager. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
The transaxle has two planetary gearsets to provide operation in reverse and four forward speeds. A front sun gear, front carrier, rear ring gear, front ring gear/rear carrier and a rear sun gear are the main components of the planetary gear set.