How do differentials work: old-school video
The rear axles of a rear wheel drive or all-wheel drive car have come a really long way, with the latest systems featuring advanced torque vectoring systems such as the Vector-Drive system BMW uses (they call it Dynamic Performance Control) supplied by GKN Driveline. But still, do you know how a basic differential works? Reader Zali sent in this really cool video that makes understanding how a differential works so simple! It’s about 8 minutes long and great if you like “how stuff works” kinds of content.
Watch the video after the jump.
August 12, 2009 @ 4:43 pm
great stuff indeed. still back to basics
August 12, 2009 @ 4:51 pm
wah memang pandai betul diaorang nie
August 12, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
man, that’s the best car video i have seen in all my life!
August 12, 2009 @ 4:57 pm
Marvellous stuff!
August 12, 2009 @ 4:58 pm
Paul,
Is the BMW DPC diff the same as Audi’s Sport Differrential? Their vectoring features seem to function in the same way
August 12, 2009 @ 5:09 pm
Correct, both are torque vectoring systems. Here’s a nice video on Audi’s system: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee-6Tvd0q34
Here’s a good article: http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/automotive_news/4225886.html
I think Honda and Mitsubishi was one of the first with torque vectoring systems quite some time ago with the SH-AWD system on Acura cars and S-AWC on the Evo.
August 12, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
I really love all these old school films.
August 12, 2009 @ 5:19 pm
how bout the FWD? Hows the load is distributed from the engine?
August 12, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
this also applied into famous LSD gearbox.
Limited Slip Differential.
August 12, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
Wow, brilliant stuff!!
Differential is one of the best inventions of the century.
I wonder who thought and created this got Nobel prize or something.
August 12, 2009 @ 6:19 pm
so correct me if i am wrong,
if we want a FF car, we connect the axle to the front wheels,
for a FR car, the axle is connected to the rear wheels,
for a all wheel car 4wd, axles are connected to the front and back?
August 12, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
Thanx!! I will wonder about this in my whole life if I not watch this clip.
Tanax again PaulTan!
August 12, 2009 @ 6:38 pm
cant see the video
August 12, 2009 @ 7:05 pm
VERY VERY GOOD VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
after this Kimi Räikkönen must drive for BMW
August 12, 2009 @ 7:38 pm
now I can understand it clearly..
August 12, 2009 @ 7:56 pm
Thannnk Youuuu Teachherrr~~
August 12, 2009 @ 8:52 pm
Nice find!
August 12, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
this video are really good. Great job…!!
August 12, 2009 @ 10:07 pm
For those still in the dark, All car types regardless of FR, FF, MR have a differential unit. Difference is only where it is located and packaged.
4WD vehicles have 3 units. Front axle diff, Rear axle diff and a centre diff.
August 12, 2009 @ 10:08 pm
For those still in the dark, All car types regardless of FR, FF, MR have a differential unit. Difference is only where it is located and packaged. 4WD vehicles have 3 units. Front axle diff, Rear axle diff and a centre diff.
August 12, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
Cool video, real deal of learning,
those ppl in the past r so smart to come out with this… i wish i have such dexterity
August 12, 2009 @ 10:20 pm
Thanks a lot..
It is a greatest video for sharing…
Thanks again.
August 12, 2009 @ 10:22 pm
LSD is almost the same as this differential. however, as the name implies, the amount of “slip” is LIMITED. with the differential shown in this video, the amount of slip is unlimited.
damn, i think i’m confusing myself!
August 12, 2009 @ 11:04 pm
oooo… now that is how differential work. But how about FWD car?
August 12, 2009 @ 11:39 pm
great video, brilliant idea for differential invention
August 13, 2009 @ 12:59 am
rexis, in FWD car the differential is packaged inside the gearbox.
August 13, 2009 @ 2:51 am
great video, learned something new today thanks to it.
August 13, 2009 @ 8:28 am
Good video…thanks…and it is from chevrolet
August 13, 2009 @ 8:52 am
a very nice video … a very educational video for University students ..
August 13, 2009 @ 9:02 am
Yup.Differential is present on all cars on the road. Without diff you simply cannot steer the car as both driving wheels are still rotating at the same speed. Yes LSD as the name suggests limits the slip as to provide a straight line acceleration by ensuring both wheels are pulling at the same speed. LSD is not an essential for cornering purpose.
Word of caution for those who drives a FWD and prefers on wheel balancing. Balancing one wheel by turning it at speed with the other wheel stationary places undue strain on the diff unit. You will get an accelerated gearbox wear and tear. So plase reconsider your balancing act. Find a tyre shop that keeps their off wheel .balancing machine frequently recalibrated which is almost impossible to come across in malaysia. Majority of tyreshop are profit oriented and dont want to invest in maintenance.New shop is most likely to have a factory calibrated machine.
August 13, 2009 @ 10:18 am
so when are those engineers of the ‘low drive shaft’ coming to Malaysia? =P
August 13, 2009 @ 10:33 am
Great video…ol skool people make simple and easy to understand explanation.
August 13, 2009 @ 10:38 am
Cool video Paul, many thanks
August 13, 2009 @ 11:14 am
‘Low drive shaft’ is already a common feature in all RWD dfferentials throughout the world. no one builds a differential any other way. The basic design of the differential has remain relatively unchanged until today.
The differential actually has 2 main purpose to fulfill:
1. To split Torque from the engine to the 2 driven wheels (FWD or RWD)
2. To allow speed differential between the 2 driven wheels through a corner.
All other technology (LSD, BMW DPC etc) are just add on features. The function of the diff itself hasn’t changed for decades. You will find it in trucks, road cars, F1 etc
August 13, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
Haahh… it’s give an headache to figure out my self on how the axle work, without make my own experiment.
This explained everything. i should tell everybody hahaaha
August 13, 2009 @ 6:17 pm
it was GREAT! super cool!
now i know how the differential works. simple and very clear explanation. thanks Paul! credit to the guy who shared this clip.
…
August 13, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
I learned how differential works from my lego set. Really amazing stuff even from lego!
August 14, 2009 @ 8:56 am
Congrats!!!!! to Karamjit for given the chance do battle again and the support from PROTON to engage him. His skills and experience will not be a waste but be a winner for the team.
Former rally partner.
August 14, 2009 @ 10:47 am
Mitsubishi develope ACD (Active Centre Differential) and AYC (Active Yaw Control) System on their Evo VII & onwards model base on the same idea.
August 14, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
The video is about the basic function of a differential
Mitsu’s ACD, AYC, nissan’s Attesa ETS Pro etc are all torque vectoring systems which act upon the basic differential operation
August 15, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
nice! very educational! 1st!!
August 18, 2009 @ 10:38 pm
how bout the efficiency?
August 24, 2009 @ 9:16 pm
Fantastic!! regards from portugal!!
August 26, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
We will put in…..more spokes. I love that line.
August 29, 2009 @ 12:16 pm
awesome really a nice one
how can i dwld dis vid