Rear Drive Axle And Differential - Overview (G1549752): Overview

The differential has two functions:

• to convert the 'angle of drive' through 90° and distribute drive, via the rear drive halfshafts, to the rear wheels.
• to compensate for differences in the rotational speeds of the vehicle's rear wheels during cornering.

Two types of differential are installed:

• an open rear differential on V8 5.0L petrol, V6 3.0L S/C petrol, GTDi 2.0L petrol AND TDV6 3.0L diesel vehicles
• an electric rear differential on V8 S/C 5.0L petrol vehicles.

Both types of differential are attached to the rear subframe at four mounting points. Each mounting point incorporates a rubber bush to reduce NVH (noise, vibration and harshness). The bushes in the forward mounting points are installed in the differential. The bushes in the rear mounting points are installed in the rear subframe.

The open differentials are almost identical in their design and differ only in the final drive ratio and a heavier input flange which is fitted to TDV6 3.0L diesel vehicles. The final drive ratios for the open and the electric rear differentials are as follows:

• GTDi 2.0L petrol - 2.73:1
• V8 S/C 5.0L petrol, V8 5.0L petrol, V6 3.0L S/C petrol - 2.56:1
• TDV6 3.0L diesel - 2.44:1.
  NOTE:

  • Two variants of the open and electric rear differential are available, the case can be constructed of cast steel or aluminum and are similar in their construction. The internal components remain the same in both variants. The cast steel version is shown in the illustrations in this document.
  • A mass damper can be fitted to the casing of the rear differential on some models.
  • Vehicles from 14MY: The electric rear differential was modifed with revised casing design and a new design of differential locking motor.