2006-10-16 14:53:46 · 8 answers · asked by bibb189 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
In a typical rear diff there are a total of 6 "gears" although they dont all look the same. There is a ring gear and a pinion which creates the correct rotational direction. then there are the spider gears. Two of which are on a "pin" that is connected to the ring gear and each of the other two are connected to the ends of the axle shafts via splines. so when the pin rotates with the ring gear is pushes the two spider gears against the gears which are on the axle shafts turning the axles.
There are also axles which have 8 gears. Same as above, but with 4 spider gears connected to the ring gear. (think toyota v6 and electric lockers)
Some electric locking differentials have 7. (fzj80 e-lockers)
Automatic lockers often have only the ring and pinion and no spider gears.
Then there are detroit trutracs which have a total of 5. the ring and pinion and 3 helical cut gears in fluid.
Hope that helps.
2006-10-16 15:01:53 · answer #1 · answered by JetboyToy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ring gear, pinion gear, 2 side gears, 2 spider gears.
The pinion gear is on the end of the driveshaft right behind the differential yoke where the U-joint goes.
It meshes with a ring gear which is on the same axis as the axle shafts, but not connected directly to it..
Thus the axis of the pinion gear is at a 90 degree angle to the axis of the axles and the ring gear.
On a drag racer or a dirt track car this is all there is: they don't need to go around curves.
On normal cars the outside wheel makes a bigger circle than the inside wheel, so the axles have to turn at different speeds. This is how they do it:
The ring gear has a cross shaft in the middle of it. Th3e ring gear turns this shaft, which is running 90 degrees from the direction of the ring gear.
The axle shafts have a side gear on the end of each of them. These two side gears mesh with the two spider gears in the middle of the ring gear.
The spider gear shaft and the two side gears form a cross right in the middle of the ring gear.
Thus the two axles can turn in relation to each other and so one wheel can turn slower than the other.
Jack a car off the ground and spin one tire by hand, and the other wheel will turn in the opposite direction while the driveshaft stays still.
Limited slip differentials are the same except the side gears have clutches or locking mechanisms to limit the amount the axles can turn relative to each other.
2006-10-16 15:00:49 · answer #2 · answered by econofix 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
6
2006-10-16 15:07:31 · answer #3 · answered by The gr8t alien 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Six in a standard differential. Besides the Ring & Pinion there is a series of four "spider" gears that allow each axle to turn independently (otherwise one wheel would "drag" as you cornered).
In a limited slip or "posi" differential the spider gears are replaced with a clutch pack that delivers power to both wheels.
2006-10-16 15:10:05 · answer #4 · answered by Lance 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in a differential there are usaully six gears a ring and pinion and four spider gears
2006-10-16 14:59:08 · answer #5 · answered by wrenchbender19 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One comming off drive shaft and one on axle shaft both inside the differential.
2006-10-16 14:57:52 · answer #6 · answered by ozniwellman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
RING, PINION , AND SPIDER GEARS 2 AND 2 SIDE
2006-10-16 14:58:32 · answer #7 · answered by Wild horse C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Six
2006-10-16 14:59:38 · answer #8 · answered by done wrenching 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋