Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
Design And Function: Differential
The differential consists of the differential housing, large and small differential gears, shaft journals and thrust washers. The differential housing is completely sealed so that if a drive shaft is removed no dirt can penetrate and no oil can run out.
The differential distributes power equally between the drive wheels, even if they are rotating at different speeds. When driving straight ahead, the ring gear and differential housing rotate at the same speed as the drive shafts and the driving wheels. When cornering, the differential gears rotate to compensate for the different speeds of the wheels. Because the small differential gears are rotating on the shaft journal, the drive shafts can rotate at different speeds. Power is transferred from the differential housing to the drive shafts via the small differential gears in the same way as when driving straight ahead. Both drive wheels still have the same driven power.
AWD
Cars with four wheel drive have a splined pin on the differential housing. The sleeve on the pin connects the differential housing with the bevel gear. This transfers the power to the rear wheels.
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
Pair factory procedures with proven DIY tools so the instructions are easier to execute.
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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