Development of the Differential Gear - straightforward video

[DavidG]

I ran across this on youtube and had to share. I've never been entirely clear on how, exactly, a rear differential does its job. No longer!
A video from 1930s Chevrolet, showing the conceptual development of the differential.



Also, I had no idea that early cars were ONE wheel drive. Well, there wasn't a differential yet!

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Thanks David, I knew the basis of how a differential worked, that that is a very good explanation of it.

[Bob McCarty]

I wonder if they got a couple of log rollers to run on the tires at the end.

Bob

[Boss Hog]

nice

[Jim Becker]

Also, I had no idea that early cars were ONE wheel drive. Well, there wasn't a differential yet!

The differential dates back at least to the early days of steam propulsion. I doubt that many producton cars were one-wheel drive. I imagine there were experimental cars built that way.

[Winfield Dave]

Thanks David, I knew the basis of how a differential worked, that that is a very good explanation of it.

Thanks !!

[Gary Dotson]

I agree with John, although I've worked with them most of my life, I would have never thought to explain them with sticks. Got to love those old training videos! Thanks, David!

[beaconlight]

OK I get that now. Is there some thing like this to explain "Posi traction"?

[Gary Dotson]

Bill, there are variations on the design, along with a lot of different names for them, but most are simply a slip clutch, on the axle shaft gears that create resistance for the differential to function as it does in the video.

[Jim Becker]

Here is one on the Eaton locking differential that GM uses. It is one of the more complicated designs. You may have to watch it more than once.

[beaconlight]

Thanks Jim and Gary

[Gary Dotson]

Jim, thanks for posting that video. Yes, that is one of the more complex units out there. They work well and I've never had the need to repair one, so I found the video very informative. I guess I was over simplifying the question but I'm not much on giving long winded answers. There are also a couple of gear style limited slips out there but we would for sure need videos to explain those things.