Description

Rear Drive Axle and Differential

Differential
The differential's pinion shaft aligns with the centerline of the vehicle's body and is supported by two taper-roller bearings.
The pinion shaft receives power from the engine through the transmission and driveshaft. The pinion shaft gear rotates the differential ring gear, which is bolted to the differential housing outer flange. Inside the differential housing, two differential pinion gears are mounted on a differential shaft, which is pinned to the differential housing. These pinion gears are engaged with the differential side gears to which the halfshafts are splined. As the differential side gears turn, they rotate the halfshafts and rear wheels.
When it is necessary for one wheel and halfshaft to rotate faster than the other, the faster turning differential side gear causes the differential pinion gears to roll on the slower turning differential side gear. This allows differential action between the two halfshafts.

Differential
The differential is supported at three mounting points, one at the front of the unit, and two at the rear, through rubber bushes to the vehicle's rear subframe. This mounting arrangement plus the subframe to vehicle-body mounting arrangement provides the rear driveline with double isolation from the vehicle's body.
The main casing of the differential is constructed of lightweight cast-iron with an aluminum rear cover. The rear cover incorporates fins to aid air cooling of the differential unit.