GMC 1982 Light Duty Truck Service Manual page 418

4 B -4 REAR AXLE
.
1
C om panion Flange
2 Oil D e fle cto r
.
Oil Seal
3.
4. Bearing Retainer
5. Shim
6 P inion F ro n t Bearing
.
Collapsible Spacer
7.
8. P inion Rear Bearing
9. Drive Pinion
If a vehicle were always driven in a straight line, the
ring and pinion gears would be sufficient. The axle shaft
could then be solidly attached to the ring gear and both
driving wheels would turn at equal speeds.
However, if it became necessary to turn a corner, the
tires would scuff and slide because the outer wheel would
travel further than the inner wheel To prevent tire scuffing
and sliding, the differential becomes effective and allows the
axle shafts to rotate at different speeds.
Straddle Bearing
10.
Ring Gear
11-
D iffe re n tia l Spider
12.
D iffe re n tia l Case
13.
D iffe re n tia l Pinion
14.
D iffe re n tia l Side Gear
15.
Side Bearing
16.
Side Bearing A d justing N ut
17.
A d justing N ut Retainer
18.
Fig. 4B-3--Chevrolet 10-1 / 2 " Ring Gear Axle Cross-Section
19. Retainer Screw
20. Bearing Cap
21. Case-to-Ring Gear B o lt
22. D iffe re n tia l Cover
23. Bearing Cap B o lt
24. Cover Screw
25. A xle Shaft
When the car turns a corner, the outer rear wheel must
turn faster than the inner wheel. The inner wheel, turning
slower with respect to the outer wheel, slows its rear axle
side gear (as the axle shaft is splined to the side gear) and
the rear axle pinion gears will roll around the slowed rear
axle side gear, driving the other rear axle side gear and
wheel faster