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differential

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All Wheel Drive: all wheel drive explained, differential, electronic differential lock (EDL), haldex, low range, proactive AWD, quattro evolutions, safety concerns, terrain response system, testdrive, Torque-vectoring AWD, torque split ratio, torsen, viscous coupling

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Videos: Diagonal spin test, electronic differential lock test, Viscous Coupling Test

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Last changed: 2012/02/07 22:47
what is a differential A differential is the driving-axle gear assembly located in the center housing between the driving wheels on rear-wheel drive vehicles, or as part of the transaxle on front-wheel drive vehicles or between front and rear differentials on all-wheel drive vehicles. The differential transmits power to the wheels while allowing each wheel to rotate at different speeds, such as when turning a corner. Why is it needed to lock the differential in certain conditions? If a wheel loses traction (the wheel is on ice, snow, mud, or raised in the air), an open differential will send all available engine power to that wheel. The wheel will spin, but the car will not move. So even if a vehicle has all-wheel drive, but neither of the three differentials can be locked, it is enough for just one wheel to lose traction (to spin) and the car will not be able to move. So, to get the car moving, it is necessary to lock a differential. Locked (or limited slip) differentials make (or try to make) the wheels to spin at the same speed, syncronously. This transfers torque from the wheels that spin to the wheels that have traction. Ideally, a vehicle should be able to fully lock all three differentials (center, rear, and front) - in this case the vehicle would be able to move as long as just one wheel has traction. Figure: Free differential (90KB) Figure: Limited slip differential (83KB) Read more: How a differential works Have you seen a better description of What Is A Differential in a paper magazine? Can you please scan it or take a photo and send it to ?
Last changed: 2012/02/07 22:47

There are 7 comments

Viv

November 04, 2011 - 12:49

I need to understand this... I am driving a 2001 land cruiser. Which has a differential knob on the left of the steering... Driving through rubble and rocky area should I put this on and then drive in 4 wheel mode?

Reply to Viv

George

November 07, 2011 - 21:21

The US market Toyota Land Cruiser had a center differential, so there is no single axle drive mode. [rear]
I would lock the center differential before attempting crossing a wet/mud obstacle, or where a loss of forward progress could mean a lateral slide (or roll over)
If the rocks/rubble are loose enough, then there won't be appreciable drivetrain windup.

RedRalph

November 12, 2010 - 09:49

Thanks

Thanks

Igor

January 06, 2010 - 11:37

Crackle

When I push a button to block a central deff. (Toyota LC-105), and trying to turn after the defferential clocked, I can hear strange noise like, would say a crackle from the front wheels. What can it be?
Thanks beforehand.

Reply to Igor

david

June 04, 2011 - 11:58

every thing. do not lock your center diff on anything but the sliperiest surfaces, consistent ice/snow mud sand.. Your center lock most likely is not a true lock maybe something like a clutch pack in a posi dif or a torsen settup this sound is prob the center diff giving in one way or another to allow some wheel speed differance front to back. Dont fret you didnt break it, you just put some extra wear on it.

Derek Thomas

March 03, 2009 - 04:10

What oil should i use in my all whel drive rav 4 rear differancal
Year 1996
looking foward to hear from u.

Reply to Derek Thomas

awdwiki.com

March 03, 2009 - 18:35

Well, I don't know. I may want to refer to the service manual or ask this question on a RAV4 forum.

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