Differentials - Explained

[@fernandoposchl1727]

Every time I watch one of your videos, I completely understand the topic. You are the best! Keep it up.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Fernando Poschl Thanks!

[@valbeaumont8402]

Engineering Explained Wondering if you're interested in giving a simple explanation of how differentials in "backbone-chassis" type vehicles work.

[@keramatahmed4796]

Fernando Poschl same

[@96justinhensley]

Im going to UTI in 2015 and i really appreciate your videos that clear up my foggy diagrams in my head!

[@jpsaenz12]

Oh my gosh, I've been trying to completely understand differentials for my hobby grade rc car and I finally understand it. You're a great teacher, not even watching 3D videos online let me understand it like your 2D picture. Keep up the good work!

[@jonblackwell9520]

I have no mechanical engineering education at all and I completely got this! I watched the clutch plate too, looking forward to more videos!!

[@FarmYardGaming]

You weren't kidding with that extra video, despite being 90 years old it's splendid. This video and that mean I finally understand this properly.

[@sourabhbirajdar1160]

Used watch your videos in college... Now I'm working full time, still refer your videos to brush up the knowledge... Cheers 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼✌🏽✌🏽

[@jestdobry]

You have a great skill of explaining car components working in extreme easy way. Without physical parts, without 3D models.. WOW! I admire your movies!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@johndoe-jj9lc]

Thanks so much for this man you really have a gift for teaching. It was very well explained even if you only used markers and a white board. Keep it up and I'm always on the lookout for your next videos. 👍

[@alexpereda3762]

Who needs college when you have this amazing channel keep up the good work, best automotive channel on KZbin

[@EAS573182]

You an an EXCELLENT teacher man. I've been a huge fan of your videos for so long. I had to explain how a differential works to a young car enthusiast and I couldn't get him to visualize it. But this video and description did such a great job of helping him understand. Maybe you should forget KZbin and get into teaching haha.

[@EngineeringExplained]

When one has more traction than the other, the one with less traction, receiving the same torque, can spin faster.

[@EngineeringExplained]

It comes from the different turning radius' of the tires. The outside tire will have a larger turning radius, thus will travel further and needs to rotate faster in order to go a longer distance in the same amount of time as the inside tire.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Good input, thanks for sharing. You may as well simply buy an open differential and weld that up, it'll be cheaper than the VLSD, and you won't have the additional weight/complexity of the viscous components (which won't be doing anything anyways). Congrats on the sponsor(s)!

[@imanenglishman]

Dude, you're a genius and a lifesaver. The talent you have to be able to explain these mechanics in a 2D form. I've never understood diffs until now! Thankyou so much

[@veearr3562]

After 6 minutes of this video, I learned two things: - How the differential works - My teacher sucks at teaching

[@markkemper3961]

I hope you don't mean this guy. I think he's a great explainer!

[@KolevProductions]

@@markkemper3961 I think he means that this guy is so good, he know realizes his teacher is not skilled at teaching.

[@TheWillis1237]

Dude you have saved me from looking like an idiot around my car buddies. right as they say something im not to sure about I pull out My phone and see if you have a video on it. You have answered every single question. You would be a Gnarly teacher Keep it up man!

[@johnybrokeit]

I saw the video u linked in the description, and I was overjoyed. So peaceful and made simple for my simple but curious brain to understand. I loved every second of it. Thanks man. And your explanation was surprisingly understandable too without the video. What’s cool is seeing the housing of the two pinions in the final real life differential. Looks massive and beautiful!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Sure, look at the image in the video (or thumbnail). If you rotate the left blue shaft up (as the red arrow shows in the thumbnail), the top green gear will rotate to the left (counterclockwise), and this will cause the right blue gear to rotate down (opposite the red arrow shows in the thumbnail).

[@Blackopsmasta]

I'm on 14, and I'm looking to get into the car business out of highschool so I'm trying to learn as much as I can, but this so far is THE ONLY video that I can fully understand a Diff. Thanks Uploader!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Blackopsmasta Very welcome, good luck!

[@EngineeringExplained]

With FWD cars many times the differential "ring gear" is directly meshed with a gear on the output shaft of the transmission. Follow your clutch to the transmission, and follow a drive axle back to the transmission, in between is the differential.

[@PedroHernandez-uj9oz]

Man I was thinking about doing Electrical Engineering but Mechanical seems more interesting, because its more visual .

[@deltasigma2599]

This comment may be a year old but I myself am doing a mechanical engineering course. Its pretty good.

[@ProfessorRuh]

James Turton what type of projects do you do?

[@deltasigma2599]

ryan wanjay nothing just write essays

[@EngineeringExplained]

Glad to hear it, you're very welcome!

[@EngineeringExplained]

It is true. The wheels can be at different speeds and still receive the same torque. I have multiple videos on it if you'd like to watch. Search "open vs locked"

[@mirageh264]

This is the best explanation of a differential I've come across on the web! Good job!

[@nickclement4324]

I never understood how a differential works and the benefit if a split-differential until I watched this video. Great job!

[@EngineeringExplained]

As long as the torque is low enough they will rotate at the same speed. Once the torque exceeds the frictional limit of the tire with the least grip, the tire will spin and thus there will be two different speeds.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thank you! Do what you love!

[@EngineeringExplained]

The green gears can rotate at different speeds (from the blue gear, but both green gears will rotate at the same speed), which allows the blue gears to rotate at different speeds.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Happy to hear it! :)

[@EngineeringExplained]

Great to hear! What kind of racing do you do?

[@deeppanchal8324]

Till now I was afraid of differential but your 6:02 min video just burnt that fear ! Thanks, greatly and simply explained difficult topic like differential 👍

[@SFCityKids]

Dude I love your vids man Im starting to learn about cars so watching your videos seeing how you explain everything is so easy to pick up man you need to become a UTI teacher. Now im really thinking of wanting to become a car mechanic some day

[@enginerd350z]

First off, great job! I assume you are an engineering student and a car enthusiast. I am a former mechanical engineer (and a car enthusiast) and I wish I had professors as clear as you back in college. I enjoy your videos and actually learn a lot from them.

[@EngineeringExplained]

You're welcome! Glad you know!

[@andycocchia4202]

i know this is an old video, i do apologize for commenting on such an old one, but can you do videos on how the cooling works???? I've heard there is a cooling jacket, which i wish to learn more about. Thanks for all your awesome videos, its only thanks to you, that i can understand turbos, and superchargers, and lots more, you're seriously awesome and i love your videos. I've learned so much it is crazy!

[@aaronmansfield4758]

Haha yes, I'm a sponsored drifting driver, I shimmed my VLSD to lock harder. I'm going to be switching to a VLSD from another car for stronger rear end and I'll be welding it. Since it's locked 100% of the time, control and feel are more consistent because there's no change from lock to lock. VLSDs get worn out, and some 2-way diffs get worn and have different characteristics. For people who drift, tire wear isn't really a concern :p This was a great video, as well as all your other videos! :)

[@EngineeringExplained]

What kind of diff? An open could allow for a one wheel burn out. LSD or locked would be both wheels.

[@beefcakeandgravy]

4:47 this shows the bad aspects of an open diff. As the inner pinion rotates up and spins against the "stuck" shaft, the other wheel actually turnsfaster (with more rotational speed) than it would if it were driving both wheels at the same speed (I'm gonna stick my neck out and say twice as fast). This then in turn makes driving on slippery or loose surfaces very hard with an open diff, because the power/torque will all go to the wheel that has LEAST resistance and thereofre make it spin faster, which in turn makes the problem worse.

[@kurtoskolack1201]

Man, i damn love these mechanical videos even after all this years. They are of so much use and so well made

[@njabulobuthelezi4036]

Say that again

[@FarmYardGaming]

that again

[@Ridicrude]

up until just now, despite having been racing for 15 years, all i knew was LSD was for track cars and drifting and open was for everything else haha, always too shy to ask someone how they worked. these vids are great!

[@TheELiTeintruder]

love your videos,,,very clearly explained,,,,you are very well spoken i have to say,,,you should be a teacher full time,,,,,you have a gift for explaining,,,and it helps to know what your talking about,and you do,,,,,,thank you,,,,,,,

[@ujjalmazumder4206]

you have a very good way to explain your topics....its very very informative and easy to grasp when you explain ... please keep up your good work

[@doomguy4015]

Studying on your vids for my vehicle dynamics exam, thanks for your work!

[@JesseUnderscoreMartin]

That is an INSANELY hard to wrap your mind around concept.. But you did a great job at explaining it, thank you!!

[@ahmadnaik4951]

I've been trying to understand this better since ages - Thanks!

[@almightyguru]

Before this I had no idea how it worked. Now I do. Fantastic explanation mate. Thanks.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Check out my video "ackerman steering". The reason the left wheel turns less is because it's traveling a shorter distance.

[@flapjackson6077]

I’m late to the party, but that was a great explanation of the standard differential! I also recommend the video you suggested at the beginning. It was a great intro into what you explained. Now I’m off to watch your video on limited slip diffs! 👍

[@aaronschilling89]

Dude, thank you. I've never understood this concept until now. You did excellent explaining this.

[@jace_Henderson]

He’s basically the male version of my chemistry and physics teacher. Can actually teach worth a damn.

[@Jmpaul26]

Very informative, I was able to understand each color, direction, and connection that caused the transfer of power to each drive shaft. great job!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@terminater729570]

haha success!!! when i started watching i had absolutely no clue how it worked. In fact, i couldnt figure out what the zoomed in drawing on the right was. I totally had an epiphany moment and i could most certain build one myself. job well done!!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@warriorlink8612]

Thanks for the old school video link, it really helped me understand this concept.

[@Nidhichirania02]

Inspite of having your own explanatory video, you shared other video too, accepting your limitation of using witheboard only. This is highy appreciable. Thanks for thinking for the benifits of your viewers. :) :) And obviously, your all videos are fun to watch. ^_^

[@joellasierra]

I would appreciate a axle ratios explained vid. This vid helps a lot. Thanks for the knowledge

[@hilbilybarry]

Omg that video you linked was perfect!!! It almost brought a tear to my eye....

[@EngineeringExplained]

Unfortunately some people do this to their street cars and don't realize the consequences. I recently saw a 240sx on craigslist (daily driver) that said "Just installed a welded diff, bought the open diff and welded it, good cheap modification." The only thing he'll see is abnormal tire wear.

[@bryanpiczon8070]

That green gear is rotating, how will the left wheel axle be hold since the green gear is rotating? So the answer is the housing the black lines, that green gear should only be one not two since they will turn opposites, I wonder if the axle and the housing is rotating at the same speed? Please clarify :)

[@wazimm1]

btw, thanks for helping me pass my mechanics course, you saved my life haha. mech eng undergraduate here.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Great to hear!

[@HaseebAdnan0]

Bruh 😂

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks, glad you get it!

[@Salisburyizer]

wow man you're this is incredible. Extremely clear and precise

[@EngineeringExplained]

I will have videos on clutch, viscous, and torsen lsd.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks, good luck to you!

[@AsadMulla]

the link you provided is fantastic. Coupled with your video it make it so easy to understand.

[@justinionthegreat]

holy moly...I understood the 3D picture just from your 2D drawing and your explanation/hand gestures. How clearly? Crystal. Have you considered using 3D models like some other videos out there?

[@EngineeringExplained]

Friction with the ground, as mentioned below.

[@Raymundoh_]

I'm a little confused, so say the top green gear is rotating counterclockwise to allow the left tire to rotate faster, what happens when the same pinion gear is interacting with the right part of the rear axle during this moment. Does it just happen to fit and mesh with the right blue gear? My second question is, how do green pinion gears "know" to spin a certain direction? If you're making a left hand turn, do the green pinion gears just naturally respond once the right tire starts slipping?

[@EngineeringExplained]

I do not! Hoping to get into some SCCA/AutoX within the coming years.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yeah I can make a video on this. It's because of burning a rich mixture and letting off the throttle. The fuel hits the O2 rich atmospheric air, and in combination with hot exhaust, pow!

[@EngineeringExplained]

You are correct, thanks.

[@dawsonjohannes613]

I'm assuming it's the force being put on the wheels while taking a corner being transferred to the driveshafts that cause one blue shaft to spin at a different speed relative to the other?

[@MrHank475]

Your videos helped me understand a life want of mine to understand how vehicles work. Thanks for the vids

[@EngineeringExplained]

Very happy to hear it, thanks for watching!

[@ixD9]

Could you possibly do a video explaining how the Volkswagen VAQ system works? It's based on the Haldex AWD system but mounts up in place of the Haldex transfer case on front-wheel-drive GTIs (all 2019s, or performance pack only for previous years). I don't understand if it locks the two axles together or if it just brakes one side or what. It's driving me nuts! Thanks Jason!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Perhaps, or I could just share with KZbin, a bit larger audience. Thanks for the compliment!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yes, but that doesn't mean they all necessarily rotate at the same speed. The green gears will rotate at the same speed as one another, but the blue gears can differ.

[@mattsmallwood8579]

Thank you! Been trying to understand this for ages!

[@DonTruman]

Great video, thanks. Also watched the linked video, which also was good. What I don't understand is why the differential was/is considered an improvement over 1-wheel drive. I'm sure it is, I just don't understand why. Because it seems with the basic differential if *either* tire gets into a slippery spot then it loses all traction. I.e., instead of being dependent on one tire having traction, you're dependent on both of them having it. It might help when both tires have equal traction, but not when there is a difference. The tire with the least amount of traction ends up getting most if not all of the power.

[@2002RM]

I have no idea about differentials, which is why I'm here. But would it make sense to add to your description that power transmitted from the main driveshaft will be equal to that transmitted to both wheels in total? That is, if your superstrong hand stops one wheel from spinning, then the other wheel will get 100% of the force. But if both are spinning equally it will be 50% - 50%, with the point being that no matter what the varying speeds between the two, the torque to both wheels will always be 100% (i.e. 40-60; 70-30 etc)?

[@EngineeringExplained]

Yes, the power from the driveshaft will be equal to the power at both wheels (except for frictional losses in the diff). With an open differential, this means at all times both wheels get 50% of the torque, with a limited slip or locked diff, the torque can vary. I have additional videos covering the torque distribution if you're interested.

[@aw4643]

Engineering Explained how are these conected since they are spinning or are they held loosely by something

[@f-s-r]

In the case of running one of the wheels over a slippery surface, the open differential has troubles, right? Is there some way to mitigate that problems, like letting go of the gas pedal so that the car keeps going by inertia? Would that avoid the problem o mitigate it?

[@michaelcaplan3532]

I have viewed all of your diff videos. I hope your able to find the time to answer these questions. I drive semis for the past 17 years. I would like to know if when I lock my inter axles with the dash switch. That would be 1 switch for the front and one switch for the back on a 3 axle tractor. Question 1 I have been trained to engage both axles while driving through winter and ice conditions. So if it's better to have the torque on the wheel that is not slipping why even have a switch make it an open diff where the torque is equal when not driving on slippery surfaces. Question 2. With your knowledge can you explain what conditions determine the interlock switches being set to lock or unlock and why. I look forward to your reply Thanks

[@EngineeringExplained]

If both blue gears are locked, then the green gears will be incapable of moving. If one blue gear is locked, the other blue gear could still move, but this would require both of the green gears to move as well.

[@danethetool]

Finally I understand! Great videos!

[@mPDC-gh8jy]

Have you made a "torque split for 4WD" video? I want know what is the torque split. I have some confusion, torque split is "speed split" as like as the Diff ?

[@EngineeringExplained]

I will have a video on 1 way, 1.5 way, and 2 way in a few weeks.

[@539uoia]

Would grabbing/slowing down one of the (half) axles make the opposite axle rotate even faster than the angular speed when rotation is equal on both sides?

[@sahil051989]

nicely explained..!! Love from India.. :)

[@niketmistry7]

much elucidated. Your videos are really helping, they're acting like panacea on last night of exams.😅

[@netero9339]

Man, u are a boon to mechanical engineers.... thankyou

[@EngineeringExplained]

You're welcome!

[@Renyshiny]

I can totally understand how the differential make the two drive shafts rotate in different speeds. But I'm curious about what determines the difference between this two different speeds? Is the difference constant?

[@davidgrosser60]

Thanks for your clear explanation. Now I can picture it in my mind.

[@TypicalTomTV]

I'm high and this was still very "clear" to me! Great job!

[@MrSaemichlaus]

I think as well that it would visualise things really good as I like Lego TECHNIC as well. But it takes experience and the money. You could put links to certain Lego videos in. Keep up the good work and btw. your drawings help a lot!

[@surewin1773]

Very thorough explanation- good job!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@stateizz]

Great job describing a topic as such with simply a whiteboard. Generally, does a differential differ between AWD and FWD - aside from where it is located?

[@mohammaddanialroslan2712]

Okay, differentials allows the wheels that is connected to it to spin at different speed when turning. If fwd differential is located between the two front wheels, dont the rear wheels also needed a differential???

[@LZKS]

It does rather seem like the whole mechanism creates quite a bit of friction. Is there any engineering control to reduce it, or is it just simply lubricated?

[@berghoutcful]

Well done. This isn't easy to explain and you nailed it. Love your videos on Wankel engineering. Subscribed. Cheers.