One of the most essential features of a car is its ability to turn. A car that is unable to turn is useless. What parts cause a car to be able to turn? The answer is the differential and the axle.

What is a differential? What’s an axle? You may be even wondering what the difference is between a differential and an axle.

A differential is essential to the axle, and they work together to keep your wheels moving.

What is an Axle?

One of the most basic components of machinery, the axle is the rod-shaped part of your car that is responsible for rotating your wheels, and ultimately bears the weight of your vehicle on your wheels. 

The engine is what powers the axle directly, giving power to the axle to rotate the wheels.  

What is a Differential?

The axle of a vehicle contains the differential and is essential to the car’s ability to turn.  When your vehicle completes a turn, the tire of your car must rotate faster than the wheel attached to the axle on the inside of your car.  The differential is the part that makes this all possible, making it essential to the axle of the car.  (insert picture) 

Different Types of Differentials

• Open Differentials: A very common type of differential that uses a series of gears to power the axles. These are most likely going to be found on your average vehicles. 
• Limited-Slip Differentials: Best for heavy-duty vehicles, with a strong towing capacity or a higher level of performance, this type of differential locks the sides of the axle in the event the vehicle loses traction. 
• Torque-Vectoring Differentials: This differential is very technologically advanced.  It reads a number of inputs from your vehicle via sensors, such as the steering system and road conditions, to take into account before distributing the power to the wheels.

How to Tell if You Need a New Axle or Differential?

Having a damaged differential or axle is extremely dangerous and should be fixed immediately. With either of these parts malfunctioning, the standout signs that an axle or differential is having issues are:

• Strange, clunking noises coming from the wheels when accelerating or turning.
• Leaking oil and going through oil more frequently. 
• There is unexplainable damage to your tires. 
• Brake pads are not in alignment. 

Are your car’s tires making a strange noise or showing damage? Are you researching parts you may need to fix your car? Are you new to cars in general? If you’re like the number of car owners who are unsure about how to approach fixing their car, then you may have some questions about the parts and their purposes.  Check out the other articles in our blog (link) to learn more!

Looking for a new axle or differential? Contact Premier Auto and Truck Parts today to find what you need.