Differential Repair
Description of Differential Repair
The differential is responsible for transferring engine power to the wheels. It also compensates for and adjusts to the differences in wheel speed as your vehicle moves through turns. When your vehicle navigates a turn, the inside wheel turns slower than the outside wheel, which has to turn faster in order to keep pace with the inside wheel. The differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds while maintaining control. A vehicle without a differential would hop and bump along the pavement for an unstable, shaky ride. Four wheel drive vehicles are equipped with a differential in front and back, while rear wheel drive vehicles are equipped with a differential in back. A front wheel drive’s differential, called the transaxle because of the functional combination of the front axle and transmission, is located between the front wheels. All-wheel drive vehicles are equipped with a differential between both the front and rear wheels with a transfer case between them. The case adjusts for speed differences between the front and rear wheels. In all vehicle applications, the differential is primarily responsible for routing and regulating power between wheels.
Benefits of Differential Repair
Whether your car or truck has four-wheel drive, front wheel drive, or rear wheel drive, your vehicle has a differential that experiences heavy wear and tear. When scheduling a differential repair service, you should consider where you drive most often and how much time your vehicle spends traversing particular types of terrain. Tougher terrain—like dirt roads, unpaved or gravel roads—and extreme driving can have a heavier impact on the life of your vehicle’s differential. Maintenance for differentials will differ from vehicle to vehicle. As part of your normal car maintenance schedule, a differential fluid change can positively impact the safety and health of your vehicle. Noise coming from your vehicle’s differential can be a sign of insufficient lubricant or worn gears and bearings due to regular wear and tear. At the first sign of trouble, contact us so we can quickly diagnose and correct the issue.
- Approximate Service Time: 60 minutes
- Price Range: Get Quote for Price
The Basics Behind Differential Fluid Change Services at Total Roadside Services
Differential fluid lubricates the differential in all-wheel drive (AWD), four-wheel drive (4WD), rear-wheel drive (RWD), and front-wheel drive (FWD) vehicles. In most cases, front-wheel drive vehicles have a transaxle instead of a separate differential, but there are some instances where FWD vehicles have a stand-alone differential. The purpose of the differential is to deliver power to the wheels while allowing them to turn at different speeds. As your vehicle completes a turn, each wheel covers a different distance. The two wheels on the inside of the turn travel a shorter distance than the two wheels on the outside of the turn. Similarly, the two front wheels travel a different distance than the two back wheels. The differential allows your vehicle to make turns smoothly despite these differences, and differential fluid keeps the moving parts of the differential lubricated. Your differential needs clean differential fluid to ensure a smooth ride at all times.
- Approximate Service Time: 30 minutes
- Price Range: Get Quote for Price
The Basics Behind Differential Services at Total Roadside Services
Many vehicles need a properly working differential system for the smoothest ride possible. While all vehicles have some variation of a differential system, the location of the differential depends on the drive type of the vehicle. The differential system delivers power to the wheels while allowing the wheels to turn at different speeds. As your vehicle maneuvers through a turn, each wheel on the car travels a different distance. The two wheels on the outside of the turn travel a farther distance than the two wheels on the inside, and the back wheels cover a different distance than the front wheels. The differential permits the vehicle to complete turns easily despite these differences. Differential fluid keeps the differential system running smoothly by reducing heat and resistance caused by moving parts.
