A differential device includes a plurality of differential gears, one or a plurality of differential gear support members supporting the differential gears respectively, a support part supporting the differential gear support members, a pair of output gears meshing with each of the differential gears, a washer disposed on the output gears, one of cover members covering the back face side of the one of the output gears and has part of a planetary carrier and another cover member covering a back face side of the other output gear, one of the cover members formed on one of the output gears an abutment part that receives the washer, a plurality of through holes provided at intervals in a peripheral direction at positions where at least part thereof overlaps the abutment part, and a plurality of recess parts provided in parts where the through holes and the abutment part intersect.

A differential assembly having a case and a ring gear. The ring gear is mounted to the case and may include a mounting flange and a set of teeth. The mounting flange may have a fastener hole. The set of teeth overhangs the fastener hole such that the set of teeth extend further toward the axis than at least a portion of the fastener hole.

A differential assembly having a case and a ring gear. The ring gear is mounted to the case and may include a mounting flange and a set of teeth. The mounting flange may have a fastener hole. The set of teeth overhangs the fastener hole such that the set of teeth extend further toward the axis than at least a portion of the fastener hole.

An inter-axle differential (IAD) assembly including a unitary IAD case having one or more spaced-apart apertures extending therethrough, wherein each of the IAD case apertures defines a groove, and a spider having a plurality of radially, outwardly extending legs, wherein one or more of the legs include an opening at an outward end thereof, and wherein each IAD case apertures are aligned with each of the leg openings. The IAD assembly further includes a locking mechanism having one or more fastening elements, wherein the fastening elements are selectively inserted through the IAD case apertures and into the one or more leg openings and/or into the grooves of the IAD case apertures.

An inter-axle differential (IAD) assembly including a unitary IAD case having one or more spaced-apart apertures extending therethrough, wherein each of the IAD case apertures defines a groove, and a spider having a plurality of radially, outwardly extending legs, wherein one or more of the legs include an opening at an outward end thereof, and wherein each IAD case apertures are aligned with each of the leg openings. The IAD assembly further includes a locking mechanism having one or more fastening elements, wherein the fastening elements are selectively inserted through the IAD case apertures and into the one or more leg openings and/or into the grooves of the IAD case apertures.

A differential device may include a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface having an outer ring gear and said outer surface having a first receptacle and a sun gear positioned within the housing, the sun gear having a second receptacle positioned opposite the first receptacle. The differential device may further include an intermediate gear interposed between the sun gear and the outer ring gear, a bearing interposed between the inner surface of the housing and the sun gear, and a central axis intersecting the first receptacle and the second receptacle. The housing and the sun gear may be configured to rotate freely about the central axis.

A differential device may include a housing having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface having an outer ring gear and said outer surface having a first receptacle and a sun gear positioned within the housing, the sun gear having a second receptacle positioned opposite the first receptacle. The differential device may further include an intermediate gear interposed between the sun gear and the outer ring gear, a bearing interposed between the inner surface of the housing and the sun gear, and a central axis intersecting the first receptacle and the second receptacle. The housing and the sun gear may be configured to rotate freely about the central axis.

A method for assembling an axle assembly for a vehicle including that a pinion gear is inserted into a differential housing. The pinion gear having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The pinion gear further includes a gear head at the first end, external threads proximate the second end, and external splines located a first distance away from the second end. The method further includes that a flange is slid over the second end of the pinion gear. The flange including internal splines. The method also includes that the internal splines of the flange are engaged with the external splines of the pinion gear and the flange is anchored to prevent the flange and the pinion gear from rotating. The method may further include that ultrasonic sound waves are transmitted through the pinion gear and reflections of the ultrasonic sound waves are detected.

A method of providing limited slip in a differential assembly includes interconnecting an axle and a differential assembly through a first slippable linkage. The axle is driven in rotation with a first housing of the differential assembly operable to be driven in rotation by a ring gear. A plurality of pinion gears of the differential assembly are positioned in the first housing and are driven in rotation by the first housing. A side gear is fixed to the axle and is meshed with at least some of the pinion gears. The axle is operable to slip relative to the first housing. The first housing, the plurality of pinion gears and the side gear are enclosed within a second housing. The axle extends from a first end positioned within both of the first housing and the second housing to a second end positioned outside of both of the first housing and the second housing.

A method of providing limited slip in a differential assembly includes interconnecting an axle and a differential assembly through a first slippable linkage. The axle is driven in rotation with a first housing of the differential assembly operable to be driven in rotation by a ring gear. A plurality of pinion gears of the differential assembly are positioned in the first housing and are driven in rotation by the first housing. A side gear is fixed to the axle and is meshed with at least some of the pinion gears. The axle is operable to slip relative to the first housing. The first housing, the plurality of pinion gears and the side gear are enclosed within a second housing. The axle extends from a first end positioned within both of the first housing and the second housing to a second end positioned outside of both of the first housing and the second housing.