Can you imagine if your car could only travel one way? You could easily drive down the road as long as it is straight but at the first turn, you would have to stop and get out. The differential on your car is a vital component that gives your car the ability to make turns. It enables you to make turns and get to the mall and back. Without a differential, your car would in essence need tracks like a train. Read on to find out more about what a car differential is, why it is so vital, and what to do should it fail.
What is a Car Differential?
The differential is part of the car’s axle assembly. It connects the driveshaft to the axles and also connects the transmission or transfer case through the driveshaft. Its function is to transmit the energy generated by the engine to the wheels. It plays an integral role in your car turns.
The main task of the differential is to distribute, change, and then transmit rotation. In short, the differential transmits the engine’s torque to the wheels so that they can turn. If necessary, the differential provides torsion of two elements with different angular speeds.
For example, when your vehicle goes around a corner, the wheel on the outside must travel faster than the wheel on the inside. The differential distributes equal amounts of torque to both wheels. This permits the wheels to react to resistance, or provide traction, to give the wheel more resistance to rotate less. The wheel with less resistance rotates faster.
Every vehicle has a differential system based on the wheel drive of your car and different. The differential is also located in different places.
· AWD (all-wheel-drive) cars all-wheel drive utilizes both front and rear differentials to direct power to all four wheels.
· 4×4 cars FWD – Four-Wheel Drive-in axle housing (front or back); the differential distributes power to the front and rear wheels. Newest cars have an electronic all-wheel drive that adjusts the speed of the wheels by using electric motors
· Cars with front-wheel-drive are equipped with a front differential next to the transmission in the transaxle
· Vehicles with rear-wheel-drive in the rear axle housing between the rear wheels and are connected to the transmission by a driveshaft.
Not all vehicles are equipped with a differential, though. Go-kart wheels rotate at the same speed, often with a common axle powered by a chain drive.
Even though any differential will help your car turn, there are different types and some are better than others. There are 3 different types: open, limited-slip, or torque vectoring.
Open Differential
This is the oldest and most common design. It’s the most simple, reliable, and widely-used type of differential. The powered pinion gear, located at the end of the driveshaft, engages with the ring gear, which then transmits power to both axles through another set of gears.
The only flaw in its design is that when one wheel begins to slip, all power is in essence sent to the wheel with the least traction, making this setup unfit for rock climbing or high-speed racing.
Limited-Slip Differential
This is similar to an Open Differential but utilizes an integrated clutch system. The clutch mechanism locks the left and right sides of the axle together when a wheel loses traction.
This is the preferred system for high-performance vehicles such as drag racers and those towing heavy loads.
Torque-Vectoring Differential
This is the latest and greatest in differential technology. Torque vectoring encompasses a complicated collection of sensors and electronics to obtain data from the steering system, throttle position, road surface, and more, giving it the ability to distribute power to each wheel, according to the data.
This option provides maximum traction while cornering, increasing performance significantly.
Disabled Differentials
So far, the differential adjusts the spin of your wheels making it possible for the car to make turns efficiently.
If it doesn’t work properly, there would be other parts of the car that would be stressed and this will cause more damage, even an irreversible one. Signs of differential failures are:
Can you imagine if your car could only travel one way? You could easily drive down the road as long as it is straight but at the first turn, you would have to stop and get out. The differential on your car is a vital component that gives your car the ability to make turns. It enables you to make turns and get to the mall and back. Without a differential, your car would in essence need tracks like a train. Read on to find out more about what a car differential is, why it is so vital, and what to do should it fail.
What is a Car Differential?
The differential is part of the car’s axle assembly. It connects the driveshaft to the axles and also connects the transmission or transfer case through the driveshaft. Its function is to transmit the energy generated by the engine to the wheels. It plays an integral role in your car turns.
The main task of the differential is to distribute, change, and then transmit rotation. In short, the differential transmits the engine’s torque to the wheels so that they can turn. If necessary, the differential provides torsion of two elements with different angular speeds.
For example, when your vehicle goes around a corner, the wheel on the outside must travel faster than the wheel on the inside. The differential distributes equal amounts of torque to both wheels. This permits the wheels to react to resistance, or provide traction, to give the wheel more resistance to rotate less. The wheel with less resistance rotates faster.
Every vehicle has a differential system based on the wheel drive of your car and different. The differential is also located in different places.
· AWD (all-wheel-drive) cars all-wheel drive utilizes both front and rear differentials to direct power to all four wheels.
· 4×4 cars FWD – Four-Wheel Drive-in axle housing (front or back); the differential distributes power to the front and rear wheels. Newest cars have an electronic all-wheel drive that adjusts the speed of the wheels by using electric motors
· Cars with front-wheel-drive are equipped with a front differential next to the transmission in the transaxle
· Vehicles with rear-wheel-drive in the rear axle housing between the rear wheels and are connected to the transmission by a driveshaft.
Not all vehicles are equipped with a differential, though. Go-kart wheels rotate at the same speed, often with a common axle powered by a chain drive.
Even though any differential will help your car turn, there are different types and some are better than others. There are 3 different types: open, limited-slip, or torque vectoring.
Open Differential
This is the oldest and most common design. It’s the most simple, reliable, and widely-used type of differential. The powered pinion gear, located at the end of the driveshaft, engages with the ring gear, which then transmits power to both axles through another set of gears.
The only flaw in its design is that when one wheel begins to slip, all power is in essence sent to the wheel with the least traction, making this setup unfit for rock climbing or high-speed racing.
Limited-Slip Differential
This is similar to an Open Differential but utilizes an integrated clutch system. The clutch mechanism locks the left and right sides of the axle together when a wheel loses traction.
This is the preferred system for high-performance vehicles such as drag racers and those towing heavy loads.
Torque-Vectoring Differential
This is the latest and greatest in differential technology. Torque vectoring encompasses a complicated collection of sensors and electronics to obtain data from the steering system, throttle position, road surface, and more, giving it the ability to distribute power to each wheel, according to the data.
This option provides maximum traction while cornering, increasing performance significantly.
Disabled Differentials
So far, the differential adjusts the spin of your wheels making it possible for the car to make turns efficiently.
If it doesn’t work properly, there would be other parts of the car that would be stressed and this will cause more damage, even an irreversible one. Signs of differential failures are:
- Tire Damage – Due to forced spinning at unintended speeds. Look for unusual wear or damage to the sidewall.
- Vibrations – Worn universal joints cause the driveshaft to vibrate, especially during acceleration.
- Handling – Difficulty controlling the vehicle is a symptom that the differential is malfunctioning. A failed differential can lead to an accident.
- Whining Noise – because of poor lubrication. It may also indicate a leak.
- Grinding Gears – Worn gears, combined with low differential fluid, produce a humming sound.
Driving with a Damaged Differential
It is possible but it is definitely not a good idea, and it puts your safety at risk. A damaged differential may worsen to the point where your vehicle may be uncontrollable.
Ignoring the problem or delaying the repair, would only increase the risks and the damage, as it would compromise other components of your vehicle. Taking your car to a quality auto repair you trust for an inspection is highly recommended!
Your Trusted Quality Auto Repair
Zaelous Auto Repair is a trusted automotive specialist you can rely on! Starting with an oil change, we can take care of any repair your vehicle needs.
Our ASE-Certified Technicians are well-trained and knowledgeable in car mechanics, transmission repair, brake repair, and everything under the hood and from bumper to bumper. We offer car repair services for all models of most cars and light trucks, by any manufacturer. We, at Zaelous Auto Repair, take pride in giving special attention to
customers’ satisfaction.
Whatever your mechanical problem is, just give us a call and let our friendly team assist you with your vehicle problem.
