Chrysler RAM TRUCK 2500 1994 Service Manual page 109

3 - 2 REAR SUSPENSION AND AXLE
IDENTIFICATION
T A G
DIFFERENTIAL
COVER
FILL PLUG
DIFFERENTIAL
COVER
PUSH-IN
FILL PLUG
J9203-32
Fig, 2 Differential Cower—9 1/4 Inch Axle
DIFFERENTIAL
COVER
FILL PLUG
I D E N T I F I C A T I O N
T A G
J9202-23
Fig. 3 Model 60 Differential Cover
pinion gear is fitted i n a bore i n the differential case
and is positioned at a right angle to the axle shafts.
I n 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 i n the case) rotate the side gears
• Side gears (splined to the axle shafts) rotate the
shafts
IDENTIFICATION
TAG
J94Q3-54
Fig. 4 Model 70 and 80 Differential Cover
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
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 i t (Fig. 5).
When turning corners, the outside wheel must
I N STRAIGHT A H E A D D R I V I N G
EACH WHEEL ROTATES AT 100%
OF CASE SPEED
P I N I O N GEARS ROTATE
W I T H CASE
J9303-13
Fig. 5 Differential Operation—Straight-Ahead Driving
travel a greater distance than the inside wheel i n or­
der to complete a turn. This difference must be com­
pensated for i n order to prevent the wheels from
scuffing and skidding through the turn. To accom­
plish this, the differential allows the axle shafts to
turn at unequal speeds (Fig. 6). I n this instance, the
input torque applied to the pinion gears is not di­
vided equally. The pinion gears now rotate around
the pinion mate shaft i n opposite directions. This al-