Help. Need to know if this is the correct name for this car part?

Question

I need to know if Rear Axle Assembly is the same part as Rear Differential?

Is this the same part? If so why is there 2 different terms?

Answer 1

And now if you're totally confused by all those round about explanations, let me put it this way. The rear differential is the center section of the rear axle assembly. The rear axle assembly is the entire thing from left wheel to right wheel. The differential is the center section with the gears. The drive shaft from the transmission connects to the differential. However, some people use the terms interchangeably. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

They're sort of the same. Assume you have an '88 and an '89 T-bird. The '88 has a solid rear axle. The center of the axle houses the ring and pinion gears, which are also part of the differential. Or vice versa. The ring and pinion takes the rotation of the driveshaft and bends it 90 degrees to turn the rear wheels the proper direction. The differential consists of gears that allow one wheel to turn faster than the other when you turn. Also included in a solid rear axle are the axle tubes (housings) and axle shafts.

The"89 T-bird has an independent rear suspension. The differential housing, known as the center section, is bolted to the car. There are no axle tubes. Instead, there is a yoke on each side. The axle shafts bolt to the yokes.

Hope this helps a little.

Answer 3

The names are synonymous with each other. names change thruout the years between manufacturers. Ford versus GM vs Chrysler have essentially the same part functions but each call it something different. In the manufacturing field terms are not sacred, its a mixed up world of widgets and whatchmacallems, which the engineers pen, sometimes with no rhym or reason. The nomenclature is actually rather close between manufacturers on this item.ie..Rear axle assembly, rear differential, differential assembly,rear differential assembly. By definition the rear axles are supported and housed in the the differential housing. along with the other differential components, the ring and pinion gears,spider gears, pinions. Without splitting too many hairs the industry uses the two terms interchangebly. hope this is clear as mud, good luck.

Answer 4

Differential: In automobiles and other wheeled vehicles, the differential allows each of the driving roadwheels to rotate at different speeds, while for most vehicles supplying equal torque to each of them. In automotive applications, the differential housing is sometimes colloquially called a "pumpkin" as the differential housing typically resembles a pumpkin.



The rear axle assembly would be the entire rear axle assembly including the differential.

Answer 5

"You want the {3rd. Member, Differential} or [Read Axle Drive Gear]". Rear Axle Assembly is; Axle Housing, Rear Axles, 3rd. Member & Housing End Cap Assemble.

Answer 6

The rear axle assembly consists of the ring and pinion, spider gears, axle shafts and bearings, axle housing, etc.. The rear differential is just the gears.

Answer 7

Let me add some more to the confusion. Front wheel drive cars DO NOT have a drive shaft connected to the differential. And the gears in the "pumpkin" are different.

Answer 8

the assembly is what holds and ties everything together. the differential is when the driveshaft turns it then turns the ring and pinion gears, then it turns the differential, it is also sometimes known as a limited slip differential, alot of sports cars have them.