AUTONET TV


Differential Service

Posted June 30, 2011 12:00 PM

When you take a corner in your car, the outside wheels have a slightly longer distance to go than the inside wheels.  That means that the outside wheels must turn a bit faster than the inside.  The piece of mechanical wizardry that makes this possible is called the differential.

The differential allows the drive wheels to rotate at different speeds in turns without the wheels binding or hopping.  If you have a rear-wheel drive vehicle, the differential is on the rear axle.  You’ve seen that bulge in the middle of the axle when you’re behind a truck – that’s the differential.

If you have a front-wheel drive vehicle, the differential function is handled by your transaxle.  Of course, all-wheel drive vehicles have differentials on both axles.  They also have a center differential or a transfer case between the front and rear axles to compensate for speed differences between the front and rear.

Because all the power of the engine is transferred through the various differentials, you can imagine that they are very strong and are built last a long time.  That’s why it’s important to keep your differential properly lubricated.  Differential fluid cools and protects the gears.

Your service technician will check differential fluid level and top it off if necessary.  With low fluid, the differential will run too hot and wear prematurely.  Ask your service advisor for when it’s recommended to change your differential fluid.  Fresh fluid will extend the life of your differential.  Your technician will also inspect the u-joints which connect your drive shaft to the differential and may recommend service.  Some u-joints can be lubricated as part of a routine lube, oil and filter change as well.

Now, of course differentials eventually wear out and need to be replaced.  You might notice a strange noise from your axle area as one of the first warning signs.  When the differential shows signs of failing, it’s important to repair it.  If you leave it too long and it freezes up when you’re driving you could lose control of your vehicle and other parts like the axle, driveshaft and transmission could be damaged.

Give us a call

AutoSurgeonInc
1820 E Kalamazoo St
Lansing, Michigan 48912
517-374-8940



Search



Archive

June 2011 (16)
July 2011 (4)
August 2011 (5)
September 2011 (4)
October 2011 (4)
November 2011 (4)
December 2011 (5)
January 2012 (4)
February 2012 (4)
March 2012 (5)
April 2012 (4)
May 2012 (5)
June 2012 (4)
July 2012 (4)
August 2012 (5)
September 2012 (4)
October 2012 (3)
November 2012 (5)
December 2012 (4)
January 2013 (4)
February 2013 (5)
March 2013 (4)
April 2013 (4)
May 2013 (5)
June 2013 (4)
July 2013 (4)
August 2013 (5)
September 2013 (4)
October 2013 (5)
November 2013 (3)
December 2013 (6)
January 2014 (4)
February 2014 (4)
March 2014 (4)
April 2014 (4)
May 2014 (5)
June 2014 (4)
July 2014 (5)
August 2014 (4)
September 2014 (5)
October 2014 (4)
November 2014 (4)
December 2014 (5)
January 2015 (4)
February 2015 (4)
March 2015 (5)
April 2015 (4)
May 2015 (2)
June 2015 (6)
July 2015 (5)
August 2015 (4)
September 2015 (4)
October 2015 (5)
November 2015 (4)
December 2015 (2)
February 2016 (2)
March 2016 (4)
April 2016 (4)
May 2016 (5)
June 2016 (4)
July 2016 (4)
August 2016 (5)
September 2016 (4)
October 2016 (5)
November 2016 (4)
December 2016 (4)
January 2017 (5)
February 2017 (4)
March 2017 (4)
April 2017 (4)
May 2017 (5)
June 2017 (4)
July 2017 (5)
August 2017 (4)
September 2017 (3)
October 2017 (5)
November 2017 (4)
December 2017 (3)
January 2018 (4)
February 2018 (4)
March 2018 (4)
April 2018 (5)
May 2018 (3)
June 2018 (4)
July 2018 (5)
August 2018 (4)
September 2018 (5)
October 2018 (4)
November 2018 (4)
December 2018 (5)
January 2019 (2)
March 2019 (4)
May 2019 (2)
June 2019 (5)
July 2019 (2)
August 2019 (2)
September 2019 (3)
October 2019 (5)
November 2019 (4)
December 2019 (5)
January 2020 (5)
February 2020 (4)
March 2020 (5)
April 2020 (1)
May 2020 (2)
July 2020 (1)
August 2020 (5)
September 2020 (4)
October 2020 (4)
November 2020 (5)
December 2020 (4)
January 2021 (6)
February 2021 (4)
March 2021 (4)
April 2021 (4)
May 2021 (5)
June 2021 (4)
July 2021 (3)
August 2021 (5)
September 2021 (4)
October 2021 (5)
November 2021 (4)
December 2021 (4)
January 2022 (6)
February 2022 (4)
March 2022 (4)
April 2022 (4)
May 2022 (5)
June 2022 (4)
July 2022 (5)
September 2022 (4)
October 2022 (5)
November 2022 (4)
December 2022 (4)
January 2023 (5)
February 2023 (4)
March 2023 (4)
April 2023 (5)
May 2023 (4)
June 2023 (4)
July 2023 (5)
August 2023 (4)
September 2023 (2)
October 2023 (1)
January 2024 (1)
February 2024 (4)
March 2024 (1)
April 2024 (1)
May 2024 (4)
June 2024 (5)
July 2024 (4)
August 2024 (4)
September 2024 (5)
October 2024 (4)

Categories

Warranty (1)Differential Service (3)Steering (13)Fluids (8)Maintenance (16)Fuel System (10)Headlamps (6)Parts (1)Wheel Bearings (2)Service Standards (4)Tire Pressure Monitoring System (1)Shocks & Struts (4)Tire Rotation and Balancing (4)Tires and Wheels (6)Automotive News (4)Air Conditioning (10)Diagnostics (1)Timing Belt (4)Battery (13)Exhaust (8)Fuel Economy (8)Service Intervals (2)Brakes (17)Safety (2)Keys to a long lasting vehicle (2)Alignment (6)Fuel Saving Tip: Slow Down (2)What Customers Should Know (83)Auto Safety (5)Check Engine Light (4)Alternator (7)Transmission (5)Windshield Wipers (3)Dashboard (1)Cooling System (9)Drive Train (4)Customer Detective Work (1)Oil Change (8)Older Vehicles (1)Winter Prep (5)Safe Driving (1)Winter Tires (1)Tires (11)Inspection (4)Spark Plugs (2)TPMS (3)Water Pump (2)Suspension (2)Transfer Case Service (1)Brake Service (6)Trip Inspection (2)Cabin Air Filter (2)Fuel Pump (1)PCV Valve (1)Shocks and Struts (3)Engine Air Filter (2)

Partners

ACDelco
NAPA AutoCare Center
ASE (Automotive Service Excellence)
IATN (International Automotive Technicians' Network)
Motorcraft
Car Care Aware

What our clients are saying about us

We have established longterm and stable partnerships with various clients thanks to our excellence in solving their automotive needs!

Just a word of thanks for the top notch done to Wema's Carolla and for the thoughtful communication with our Tanzanian exchange student. Not only did you fix her car, but also handled arranging towing, all in a narrow window of time. Wema is delighted to have her car back, running better than ever. Couldn't be more happy with your service! quotes-image
, 01/05/2021
reviewicon
My son limped his vehicle into Auto Surgeon's parking lot . The vehicle is on its last leg and we just needed to get it up and running for a few more weeks til my son graduates. The proper repairs were out of the budget so Bill came up with a solution that made sense for this vehicle, Bill didn't have to adapt for us but he did, and the price was more than fair. Don't hesitate to call Auto Surgeon for any repair.quotes-image
, 12/04/2020
reviewicon