Pinions transmit the torque of the propeller shaft to the transfer case and thus form a crucial part of the entire drive chain.  Depending on the raw material and the size of the production lot, they may be produced by cold, warm or hot forging.  To obtain an optimum grain flow and thus a high level of customer satisfaction, the pinions are produced by extrusion and upset forging.  Centers on both ends can be introduced by machining or forging.  Subsequent machining operations can include soft machining, spline rolling or pressing, drilling and induction hardening.