The set of side gears and small pinion gears mounted on a cross shaft inside the differential case. When the vehicle turns, the pinion gears walk around the side gears so the outer wheel can turn faster than the inner one. They only rotate relative to each other when wheel speeds differ, so long periods of wheelspin or one-wheel burnouts overheat and destroy them.
Ring and pinion look fine, it's the spider gears that let go, too much one-wheel spinning on the ice.
Also heard as
- differential gears
- spiders
Related terms
Pumpkin
Shop name for the round differential housing in the middle of a drive axle, from its bulging shape.
Ring and pinion
Shop name for the hypoid final drive in a vehicle axle, named by its ratio, such as 3.73 or 4.10.
Bevel gear
A cone-shaped gear that transmits motion between intersecting shafts, usually at right angles.