Center Differential: Construction

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The center differential consists of a set of bevel gears and a viscous coupling.

The center differential has the following two functions: distributing the engine torque to the front and rear wheel drive shafts and absorbing the difference in rotating speed between the front and rear wheels.

The engine torque enters the center differential case from the transmission's driven shaft. The engine torque is then distributed through the bevel gear set directly to the drive pinion shaft and via the transfer drive and driven gears to the rear drive shaft.

The viscous coupling limits the differential action of the bevel gear set when either front or rear wheels spin so that adequate torques are transmitted to the front and rear wheels and proper traction is obtained.

Fig 1: Center Differential - System Diagram