Perth Car Differentials

Without a differential, your vehicle would struggle to get anywhere. It essentially allows your car to turn corners by enabling each wheel to spin at different speeds. When your vehicle travels around a corner, the wheel on the inside must spin slower than the wheel on the outside as it has less ground to cover. Your car differential distributes the amount of torque evenly to both wheels which permits them to provide traction or resistance. The wheel which has the largest amount of resistance will rotate less and the wheel with the least amount of resistance will rotate faster.

• Open Differential: This is the most common design found in modern-day vehicles. In an open differential, the level of torque applied is dependent on the amount of tyre traction. If a tyre loses traction, less torque is applied to both wheels.
• Locked Differential: The locked differential in design and function is almost identical to an open differential. The main difference between the two is that a locked differential can lock in place to create a fixed axle instead of an independent one.
• Limited Slip Differential: Limited slip differentials utilises an integrated clutch system which automatically locks the left and right sides of the axle together when a wheel begins to lose traction and slip.
• Torque Vectoring Differential: Torque vectoring differentials are comprised of a complex system of sensors and electronics which obtain data from the steering system, road surface, and throttle position. This data is utilised by the torque vectoring differential to distribute the ideal amount of power to each wheel depending on the situation.

• A whine or howl when accelerating over large or small speeds.
• A whirring noise when decelerating your car.
• Steady vibration that increases with vehicle speed.
• Whirring or rumbling at speeds over 30km/h.
• Clunking sounds every few metres or when your car begins to move.

As with any component in a vehicle, regular servicing equals optimal performance. Differential oil is often used by transmission specialists to lubricate differentials and manual transmissions so they function safely and smoothly.

Over time, differential fluid can become dirty and contaminated. Continuing to drive with contaminated differential fluid is risky as it can put unnecessary wear on components. In the worst-case scenario, contaminated fluid can lead to permanent vehicle damage.

Plan to have your differential oil changed every 50,000km by a trained technician. Clean, fresh oil will protect your differential and lead to a safer ride.