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Difficulty: MediumDriveshafts and Differentials

As rotational power enters an automotive rear axle assembly, torque transfers through several internal differential parts to drive the vehicle. In what order does mechanical torque travel through these internal components, starting from the differential housing input and ending at the axle shafts?

  1. 1Drive pinion gear
  2. 2Ring gear
  3. 3Differential carrier (case)
  4. 4Differential pinion (spider) gears
  5. 5Differential side gears

Answer

The correct torque path through the internal differential starts at the Drive pinion gear, transfers to the Ring gear, moves to the Differential carrier (case), passes through the Differential pinion (spider) gears, and concludes at the Differential side gears.
Rotational power from the driveshaft enters the differential through the drive pinion gear. The drive pinion meshes with the larger ring gear to change the direction of rotation by 90 degrees and provide gear reduction. Because the differential carrier (case) is bolted directly to the ring gear, it rotates at the same speed. Inside the carrier, the differential pinion (spider) gears are supported on a cross pin and revolve with the case. These spider gears mesh with and drive the differential side gears, which are splined to the axle shafts that turn the drive wheels.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the initial mechanical input to the differential housing.
The drive pinion gear receives rotational torque directly from the propeller shaft pinion flange.
The drive pinion is the physical input gear entering the axle housing.
2
Trace torque from the input pinion to the perpendicular drive gear.
The drive pinion gear rotates the much larger ring gear.
The hypoid or bevel gear mesh changes the axis of rotation by 90 degrees to drive the transverse axle line.
3
Identify the housing component driven directly by the ring gear.
The ring gear turns the differential carrier (case).
The ring gear is securely bolted to the flange of the differential carrier, making them spin as a single unit.
4
Follow the mechanical connection inside the rotating carrier.
The rotating differential carrier drives the differential pinion (spider) gears.
The spider gears are mounted on a shaft pinned inside the carrier and revolve around the axle centerline with the carrier.
5
Determine the final internal output gears before the axle shafts.
The spider gears drive the differential side gears.
The side gears mesh with the spider gears and contain internal splines that lock directly onto the axle shafts.

Key Concept

Differential internal power flow and torque path
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Driveshafts and Differentials

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