Dodge RAM TRUCK 1500 1995 Service Manual page 122

3 - 2 REAR SUSPENSION AND AXLE ^ ^ ^ — — — B R
IDENTIFICATION
TAG
DIFFERENTIAL
COVER
FILL PLUG
DIFFERENTIAL
COVER
PUSH-IN
FILL PLUG
J9203-32
Fig. 2 Differential Cover—9 1/4 inch
Axle
DIFFERENTIAL
COVER
FILL PLUG
IDENTIFICATION
TAG
J9202-23
Fig. 3 Model 60 Differential Cover
In operation, power flow occurs as follows:
• Pinion gear rotates the ring gear
• Ring gear (bolted to the differential case) rotates
the case
• Differential pinion gears (mounted on the pinion
mate shaft in the case) rotate the side gears
• Side gears (splined to the axle shafts) rotate the
shafts
During straight-ahead driving, the differential pin­
ion gears do not rotate on the pinion mate shaft. This
occurs because input torque applied to the gears is
IDENTIFICATION
TAG
J9403-54
Fig. 4 Model 70 and 80 Differential Cover
divided and distributed equally between the two side
gears. As a result, the pinion gears revolve with the
pinion mate shaft but do not rotate around it (Fig. 5).
When turning corners, the outside wheel must
IN STRAIGHT AHEAD DRIVING
EACH WHEEL ROTATES AT 100%
OF CASE SPEED
PINION GEARS ROTATE
WITH CASE
J9303-13
Fig. 5 Differential Operation—Straight-Ahead Driving
travel a greater distance than the inside wheel in or­
der to complete a turn. The difference must be com­
pensated for, to prevent the tires from scuffing and
skidding through turns. To accomplish this, the dif­
ferential allows the axle shafts to turn at unequal
speeds (Fig. 6). In this instance, the input torque ap­
plied to the pinion gears is not divided equally. The
pinion gears now rotate around the pinion mate shaft
in opposite directions. This allows the side gear and
axle shaft attached to the outside wheel to rotate at
a faster speed.