Drive Case Service

Adrian from the Heights Four Seasons MasterLube shows up the process involved in servicing drive cases.

Description: The differential is located between the two wheels, and is attached to each wheel by a half-shaft rotated through a bevel gear. Four-wheel drive cars have a separate differential for each pair of wheels. A grooved, or splined, axle side gear is positioned on the splined end of each axle. The side gears are driven by “spider” gears, which are little gears mounted on a shaft attached to the differential case. As it is supported by the differential case, the side gear can turn inside the case. The differential case can be turned, revolving around the axle gears. The differential pinion (a pinion is a small gear that either drives a larger gear or is driven by one) shaft turns the ring gear, which is fastened to the differential case. The propeller shaft (drive shaft) connects the transmission output shaft to the differential pinion shaft. The turning differential case is mounted on two large bearing holders. These bearings are called carrier bearings. The propeller shaft rotates the ring gear pinion, and the pinion turns the ring gear. The ring gear then turns the differential case and pinion shaft, but the axle side gears will not turn. By passing the differential pinion shaft through two differential pinion gears that mesh with the side gears, the case will turn and the axle side gears will turn with it. During turns, the side gears turn at rates dictated by the radius of the turns, and the spider gears then turn to allow the outer wheel to turn faster than the inner one.

Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Eventually, the protective additives in the drive case oil break down. Replacing the oil at the manufacturer’s required service interval will help to prolong the life of the gears and bearings within the differential ensuring your car’s turning remains nice and smooth.