What Is Auto Differential?
Car differential is a key component in a vehicle’s drivetrain that allows the left and right wheels to rotate at different speeds while transmitting power. When a car turns, the outer wheel travels a longer distance than the inner wheel. If the rotational speeds of both wheels are exactly the same, problems such as tire slipping, increased wear and tear, and difficulty in steering will occur. It is essential for SUVs, pickup trucks, and passenger vehicles.
Main Components of Auto Differential
- Pinion Gear: receives power from driveshaft
- Ring Gear: changes direction of power
- Differential Carrier: supports internal gears
- Spider Gears: compensate speed differences
- Side Gears: connect to axle shafts
- Half Shafts: deliver power to wheels
How Does Vehicle Differential Work?
Straight Driving
- The resistance of the left and right wheels is the same.
- The planetary gears only revolve but do not rotate on their own.
- The rotational speeds of the left and right half shaft gears are the same, and the power is evenly distributed, which is equivalent to a “locked” state.
Turning or Slipping
- The resistance of the inner wheels is greater, while that of the outer wheels is smaller.
- The planetary gears start to rotate on their own, while continuing to orbit.
- The speed of the outer half shaft gears increases, while the speed of the inner gears decreases. This automatically compensates for the speed difference, allowing the vehicle to smoothly turn.
FWD vs RWD Differential
RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive)
- The differential mechanism is located in the middle of the rear axle.
- Structure: planetary gear + differential
- Power path: Engine → Transmission → Drive shaft → Rear differential gear
FWD (Front-Wheel Drive)
- The differential is integrated within the gearbox.
- It features a long front axle extension tube and has an overall “T”-shaped structure.
Types of Differential Upgrades
LSD (Limited Slip Differential): Adding a slip-limiting structure to the ordinary differential gear to prevent single-wheel skidding.
Air Locker:
- It is operated by an air pump and air tube to activate the locking mechanism
- The locking force is strong, it is a complete hard lock without slipping
- It can only be locked when parking or driving at a low speed, not at high speed
Mechanical Locker
- Generally refers to the tooth-engaged mechanical lock / manual lock
- It is manually engaged by moving the shift lever / pulling the cord
- Requires manual control and is prone to being forgotten to be unlocked, causing damage to the vehicle
Kowze Differential Advantages
- Made of 20CrMnTi alloy steel：High hardness and wear resistance on the surface; Strong internal toughness and impact resistance.
- Advanced heat treatment process: Enhance wear resistance, reduce deformation and ensure long-term accuracy.
- Gear meshing inspection equipment: Significantly reduce noise and enhance operational stability Quality Assurance: Only offer brand-new items, no refurbished items.
- Hear is the picture of Kowze car differential factory. Our company is the supplier of auto differential for Mitsubishi Toyota Nissan Ford Mazda Isuzu Chevrolet.
FAQ
Q: What are signs of a bad differential?
Noise, vibration and uneven tire wear
Q: Does a differential need maintenance?
Yes, regular oil changes are required.
Q: What is the difference between LSD and open differential?
LSD limits slip, while open differentials do not.
