Dodge Ram 1500 Differentials and Parts
The differential is an important component of all cars and trucks. It allows the two sets of wheels on a vehicle to rotate at different speeds. It may become necessary to replace your differential or other Dodge Ram 1500 parts on your pickup when your mileage reaches a certain point. When you get ready to replace your differential or some of its parts, it’s important for you to understand how it works and the parts it contains.
What does a Dodge’s differential do?A Dodge’s differential is the last place that power passes through on a Ram 1500 before the power starts turning the truck’s tires. Some vehicles have two differentials: one near the back bumper and taillights and one behind the grille and headlights, close to the front bumper. Whether you have one or two depends on the make and model of your car.
Differentials have three primary jobs.
- Directs power: The differential directs the engine’s power to the wheels while you’re accelerating or applying the brakes.
- Gear reduction: The Ram 1500’s differential puts the brakes on the Ram’s transmission’s rotational speed one last time before the Dodge’s tires are supplied with power.
- Allows for rotational speed differences: It transmits power to the Ram 1500’s wheels and lets them rotate at different speeds. This is important the entire time the engine is running and when you brake but becomes vital when turning corners and going around curves.
A truck’s tires spin at different rates when you’re accelerating and using the brakes, and this is especially true during turns. Inside tires travel a shorter distance than outer tires during a turn, and front wheels travel a different distance than the back wheels. The Dodge Ram 1500 differential allows its tires to rotate at different speeds when you’re accelerating and using your brakes. They make driving your Ram easier and safer and improve towing capacity by relieving some of the strain on the Dodge Ram 1500’s tires and other important parts of your truck.
What parts does a Dodge Ram 1500’s differential contain?A Dodge Ram 1500s differential contains four main parts that allow the tires to turn at differing speeds when necessary. These parts work in tandem to provide a smooth, safe drive.
- Hypoid gear sets: The hypoid gear set functions as a set of brakes on the transmission’s rotational speed. They can easily control deceleration of your Dodge Ram 1500 and handle heavy loads.
- Pinion shafts: The Dodge Ram 1500’s pinion shafts keep the gear set inside the differential; these parts hold the Dodge’s differential together.
- Viscous coupling: A viscous coupling inside a Dodge Ram 1500 transfers torque, a twisting force that results in rotation. They house viscous fluid inside.
- Transfer gear set: The Ram’s transfer gear set transfers power to the Ram 1500’s propeller shaft; the Ram’s propeller shaft connects the drive shaft to the Dodge’s differential.