Are differentials more part of the engine or the transmission?

Answer 1

The diff is the gear assembly that drives the wheels. On a front wheel drive car, it is a major part of the transmission and has nothing the do with the motor at all. The only relation is that the tranny is bolted to the motor. On a rear wheel drive car or truck, the diff is in the rear axle assembly and completely seperate from the tranny and motor.

Answer 2

In a rear wheel drive the differential is a set of roughly six gears that rotates in a bath of heavy gear oil and is connected to the axles and driveshaft.

In a front wheel drive the more common terminology is "Transaxle" or "AXOD" . In this case the transmission and differential are all in the same close proximity (housing) and are bathed in transmission fluid and the driveshafts are connected to either side of this assembly. This design saves energy by eliminating weight and energy wasted by the older drivetrains.

The newest small cars have a much simpler and even more efficient design and there are fewer parts and gears and fluids involved as the two main transmission components are two metal cylinders (cones) and a "rubber" drive belt.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

A differential gear is part of the drive axle, or final drive. You could consider that to be combined with the transmission in some cars. Never part of the engine.

Answer 4

If your car is a front wheel drive, the differential is part of the transmission. If you have a rear wheel drive or a 4 wheel drive, the differential is part of the axle assembly

Rick

I'm a retired ASE Master/L-1 Technician. I still keep current with the latest automotive technology.

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Answer 5

a differential is totally seperate from both motor and transmisssion, it is the rear end in a rear wheel drive car or 2wd truck. Most front wheel drive cars have a transaxle which is a combo of transmission and differential.