3. DIFFERENTIAL 3. DIFFERENTIAL Differential gear Rear axle Gear box Rear propeller shaft Differential gear Front propeller shaft Front axle The differential is installed on the front and rear axle to transfer the driving torque from the axle to the wheels. The differential transfers half of the output torque of the transmission via the universal drive shaft to the planetary gear of the wheel hubs and transfers the rpm and torque from the gear via the pinion and the ring. In addition, the differential also servers as an equalizer when going around curves.
If the mechanical connection from the transmission to the universal drive shaft, differential, shaft, and planetary gears to the wheels would be rigid, every steering movement would strain the axle construction and would result in increased tire wear. The equalizing function comes from the special construction of the differential. The power input from the input flange to the pinion shaft, ring and differential housing to the equalizing axle in the differential housing meshes the four equalizing tapered gears with the axle gears, which are located in the equalizing axles. This changes the relative direction of rotation between the shafts meshed with the side gears.
This means that one shaft turns clockwise and the other counterclockwise, and one shaft turns faster than the other. This balancing movement has the disadvantage that when traveling off road, traction is reduced on uneven ground, on loose ground or on snow or ice only wheel per axle is engaged. This disadvantage can be corrected in part by installing a self locking differential. 2-41