Does a Broken Rear Differential Affect Driving?
1 Answers
A broken rear differential does affect driving. If the rear axle differential is damaged, it will impact the vehicle's four-wheel-drive functionality. Modern vehicle differentials are typically categorized into two main types based on their operational characteristics: gear-type differentials and limited-slip differentials. Gear-type Differential: Due to its structural design, this type of differential distributes equal torque to both wheels. This torque-balancing feature allows the vehicle to operate normally on good road surfaces. However, when driving on poor road conditions, it significantly hampers the vehicle's off-road capability. Limited-slip Differential: To enhance a vehicle's performance on rough terrain, some off-road vehicles and premium sedans are equipped with limited-slip differentials. The key feature of a limited-slip differential is that when one drive wheel loses traction on poor road surfaces, it can transfer most or even all of the torque to the wheel on a stable surface. This maximizes the traction of the functional drive wheel to generate sufficient driving force, enabling smooth vehicle starts or continued movement. The simplest method to achieve this is by installing a differential lock on a symmetrical bevel gear differential, converting it into a locked differential. When one drive wheel slips, the differential lock can be engaged to immobilize the differential, effectively disabling its torque-distribution function.
