The axle or differential is a powertrain component that functions to differentiate the rotation of the left and right wheels on one axle.
The axle will be very useful when the car turns, when the car turns left the left rear wheel has a shorter track than the right rear wheel. If the rotation of the left wheel is the same as the right wheel, then there will be slip on the left wheel because the wheel rotation is more than the distance of the track.
To overcome this problem, when the car turns left the left rear wheel must rotate more slowly than the right rear wheel. Also vice versa, when the car turns right, the right rear wheel must turn more slowly than the left rear wheel.
In this article, we will discuss in detail the names of the components that interact with the axle. Anything ? see in full below.
Axle Components and Their Functions
Drive pinion gear
The drive pinion gear is a pineapple-shaped gear, its function is as a driving gear that transmits power from the propeller shaft to the axle circuit. The shape of the teeth is like a pineapple, this is called a hypoid gear. This shape is suitable for distributing power efficiently and gently.
Drive pinion shaft
The drive pinion shaft is the pinion gear shaft, its location is usually integrated (permanently connected) with the drive pinon gear. Its function is as a rotating shaft to channel rotation and the propeller shaft.
Ring gear
Ring gear is a large gear with a shape resembling a ring. The function of this gear is to receive rotation from the pinion drive gear. Both ring gear and pinion drive gear are also known as final gear sets. Because the gears are located at the end of the car’s powertrain system.
Differential carrier
Differential carrier or also called differential case functions as a casing or housing for placing various axle components. For example, the ring gear as a rotation receiver is also bolted to the differential carrier. Apart from that, a series of spider gears and side gears are also placed on this component.
Spider gear
Spider gear functions as a rotating gear, there are two spider gears located at 90 degrees to the side gear. So when the car turns, the car’s fulcrum will lean to the inside (for example, if the car turns left, the fulcrum will be more to the left).
So the inner wheel will be heavier than the outer wheel, under conditions of this difference in load the spider gear will rotate. If the spider gear rotates even slightly, the rotation of the left and right wheels will be different. But when going straight, the spider gear will stay still even though the ring gear is spinning quite fast.
Spider gear shaft
Its function is only as a shaft to facilitate the movement of the spider gear. Even though there are two spiders, there is only one gear shaft. In other words, the position of the two spider gears is facing each other.
Side gear
The function of the side gear is to receive rotation that has been manipulated by the spider gear to be transmitted to the axle shaft. As explained previously, when the car turns, the spider gear will rotate to determine the rotational speed of the wheels.
The results of the process of differentiating the spider gear rotation will be connected to the side gear, where the side gear will be connected directly to the propeller shaft.
Axle shaft bearing
Bearings or bearings are used as a base for rotating components, against the casing or axle shaft housing which is stationary. There are two bearings, each located near the left side gear and the right side gear. Its function is as an axle shaft bearing for the axle shaft housing.
Adjuster nut
is a nut that adjusts the final gear gap. Final gear gap, meaning the movement of the pinion gear which rotates before the final gear moves. The size of this gap will affect the overall performance of the axle. So at one time, the final gear gap adjustment must be done by turning the adjuster nut.
Bearing cap
Bearing cap is a component that holds the axle bearing which is located near the side gear. Even though it is only the bearing that is being held, the bearing cap is indirectly holding the entire axle assembly from the axle shaft housing. Apart from the 10 main components above, there are still several additional components on the axle such as;
- Axle shaft housing as the main cover for the axle and axle system/
- Axle shaft housing cap, in the form of a cap with many bolts which acts as a housing cover. Usually from this component the axle oil is removed
- Differential oil tube, is a small hole in the axle shaft housing to fill the axle oil.
Oil seals, these oil seals are in several places, such as near the side gear and on the pinion gear.
To make it clearer where to place these components, you can see the following animation.
That’s the article about axle components and their functions. Hopefully it can broaden our insight.
