Rear Axle - 8 1/4

STANDARD DIFFERENTIAL
During straight-ahead driving, the differential pinion 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 it.






When turning corners, the outside wheel must travel a greater distance than the inside wheel to complete a turn. The difference must be compensated for to prevent the tires from scuffing and skidding through turns. To accomplish this, the differential allows the axle shafts to turn at unequal speeds. In this instance, the input torque applied 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.







TRAC-LOK DIFFERENTIAL
The Trac-lok clutches are engaged by two concurrent forces. The first, being the preload force exerted through Belleville spring washers within the clutch packs. The second is the separating forces generated by the side gears as torque is applied through the ring gear.

The Trac-lok design provides the differential action needed for turning corners and for driving straight ahead during periods of unequal traction. When one wheel loses traction, the clutch packs transfer additional torque to the wheel having the most traction.

Trac-lok differentials resist wheel spin on bumpy roads and provide more pulling power when one wheel loses traction. Pulling power is provided continuously until both wheels lose traction. If both wheels slip due to unequal traction, Trac-lok operation is normal. In extreme cases of differences of traction, the wheel with the least traction may spin.