Differential

DESCRIPTION
The differential case is a one-piece design. The differential pinion shaft is retained with a snap ring. Differential bearing preload and ring gear backlash is adjusted by the use of adjusters. The adjuster are between the differential bearings and the differential housing. Pinion bearing preload is set and maintained by the use of a collapsible spacer. The stamped steel cover provides a means for inspection and servicing the differential.

OPERATION





During straight-ahead driving, the differential pinion gears do not rotate on the pinion mate shaft. This occurs because input torque applied to the gears is divided and distributed equally between the two side gears. As a result, the pinion gears revolve with the pinion mate shaft but do not rotate around it (Fig. 25).





When turning corners, the outside wheel must travel a greater distance than the inside wheel to complete a turn. To accomplish this, the differential allows the axle shafts to turn at unequal speeds (Fig. 26). In this instance, the input torque applied to the pinion gears is not divided equally. The pinion gears now rotate around the pinion mate shaft in opposite directions. This allows the side gear and axle shaft attached to the outside wheel to rotate at a faster speed.