Differential, Rear Drive Axle Fundamentals
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After engine power flows through the transmission and drive
shaft, it enters the rear axle assembly. The rear axles transfer torque to the
rear axle assembly. The rear axles transfer torque to the rear wheels of the
car.
When the car’s engine is in the front and drive axle and differential assembly is needed. Today’s high performance cars and older cars commonly use this setup.
Many new cars are front engine, front-wheel drive and they use a transaxle. A rear drive axle is NOT needed on these vehicles. However, many of the operating principles in a transaxle and a differential are the same.
Basic Rear Drive Axle Assembly
A simple rear drives axle assembly, consist of:
1. PINION DRIVE GEAR (transfers power from drive shaft to ring gear).
2. RING GEAR (transfers turning power to differential case assembly).
3. DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY (holds ring gear and other components that drive rear axles).
4. REAR DRIVE AXLES (steel shafts that transfer torque from differential assembly to drive wheels).
5. REAR AXLE BEARING (ball or roller bearings that fit between axles and inside of axle housing).
6. AXLE HOUSING (metal body that encloses and supports parts of rear axle assembly).
Rear Axle Power Flow
Power enters the rear axle assembly from the drive shaft. The drive shaft spins the pinion drive gear. The pinion gear turns the larger ring gear to produce a gear reduction.
Since the ring gear is bolted to the differential case, the case rotates with the ring gear. Small gears, inside the differential case, send torque to each axle.
The axles extend out of the axle housing. The axles normally hold and turn the rear wheels and tires to propel the car.
Differential Construction
A differential assembly uses drive shaft rotation to transfer the power to the axle shafts. The term “differential” can be remembered by thinking of the word “different” and “axle”. The differential must be capital of proving torque to both AXLES, even when they are turning at DIFFERENT speeds (car turning corner).
Gregory D. Lorson
http://gregorydlorson.weebly.com
When the car’s engine is in the front and drive axle and differential assembly is needed. Today’s high performance cars and older cars commonly use this setup.
Many new cars are front engine, front-wheel drive and they use a transaxle. A rear drive axle is NOT needed on these vehicles. However, many of the operating principles in a transaxle and a differential are the same.
Basic Rear Drive Axle Assembly
A simple rear drives axle assembly, consist of:
1. PINION DRIVE GEAR (transfers power from drive shaft to ring gear).
2. RING GEAR (transfers turning power to differential case assembly).
3. DIFFERENTIAL CASE ASSEMBLY (holds ring gear and other components that drive rear axles).
4. REAR DRIVE AXLES (steel shafts that transfer torque from differential assembly to drive wheels).
5. REAR AXLE BEARING (ball or roller bearings that fit between axles and inside of axle housing).
6. AXLE HOUSING (metal body that encloses and supports parts of rear axle assembly).
Rear Axle Power Flow
Power enters the rear axle assembly from the drive shaft. The drive shaft spins the pinion drive gear. The pinion gear turns the larger ring gear to produce a gear reduction.
Since the ring gear is bolted to the differential case, the case rotates with the ring gear. Small gears, inside the differential case, send torque to each axle.
The axles extend out of the axle housing. The axles normally hold and turn the rear wheels and tires to propel the car.
Differential Construction
A differential assembly uses drive shaft rotation to transfer the power to the axle shafts. The term “differential” can be remembered by thinking of the word “different” and “axle”. The differential must be capital of proving torque to both AXLES, even when they are turning at DIFFERENT speeds (car turning corner).
Gregory D. Lorson
http://gregorydlorson.weebly.com