2
Rear Axle Group - Differential Drive Head
Section 160-0020
SM 1969 4-00
SM - 850
Fig. 2 - Exploded View of Limited Slip Assembly
1 - Housing
2 - Thrust Washers
3 - Externally Splined Discs
4 - Internally Splined Discs
5 - Thrust Ring
6 - Side Gears
7 - Pinion Gears
8 - Differential Axle
9 - Cover
10 - Bolts
OPERATION
Numbers in parentheses refer to Fig. 2, unless
otherwise specified.
Pinion gear (3, Fig. 1) is mated with ring gear (5, Fig. 1)
which is bolted to differential case assembly (8, Fig. 1).
When both drive wheels are free to turn under equal
resistance loads, ring gear (5, Fig. 1) and four small
pinion (spider) gears (7, Fig. 1) act as one rigid unit,
transmitting torque to both splined side gears (6). Side
gears (6), being splined to the axle shafts, then drive
each rear wheel with the same amount of torque at
identical rates of speed. In this instance, pinion gears (7)
do not rotate on their axis, therefore, side gears (6)
rotate at the same rev/min as ring gear (5 Fig. 1).
When resistance on one drive wheel exceeds the
resistance on the other, or when the vehicle makes a
turn creating the same effect, one gear continues to
revolve but pinion gears (7) cease to act rigidly with it.
Pinion gears (7) now rotate on their own axis,
permitting one drive wheel to rotate at a different
speed from the other. Since the ratio of the pinion and
side gear assembly is approximately 2 to 1, the result
is that as one drive wheel slows down, the speed of
the other proportionately increases. This prohibits the
application of a torsional load to either axle, which is
greater than that existing during normal operation.
Thus pinion gears (7) serve a dual purpose:
1. They allow a differential in speed between the two
drive wheels, permitting maximum manoeuvrability.
2. They prohibit the application of all torque to one axle
shaft.
Courtesy of Machine.Market
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