To maintain smooth rotation of a pinion gear, a differential device includes: a differential case including a case main body and a bearing boss protruding from the case main body and rotatably supported about a first rotation axis; a side gear; and a pinion gear. An introduction groove for introducing lubricating oil into the case main body is formed on the bearing boss. An inner surface groove communicating with the introduction groove and extending toward the pinion gear is formed on the case main body. The inner surface groove includes a first groove portion and a second groove portion positioned radially outward from the first groove portion in the radial direction. The shape of at least a part of the first groove portion is a shape over which the lubricating oil is hard to climb during vehicle forward movement as compared with the shape of the second groove portion.

A vehicle powertrain may include a differential assembly having a housing disposed partially in a lubrication reservoir. The differential assembly translates rotational motion of a pinion gear to a pair of axle shafts extending from the housing and permits different rotational speeds of the axle shafts. One or more components of the differential assembly, e.g., one or more side gears, may include a plurality of radial grooves configured to distribute a lubricant from the lubrication reservoir while the first side gear rotates.

An axle assembly and method of assembly. The axle assembly may include a drive pinion and a preload nut. The drive pinion may have a recess. The preload nut may have a deformable ring. The deformable ring may engage the drive pinion inside the recess to inhibit rotation of the preload nut.

A differential gear accommodated in a differential case, includes: an axial cylinder having a cylindrical shape fitted onto a shaft; an annular wall having an annular shape protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the axial cylinder; a gear protruding from the annular wall on one side with respect to an axial direction of the shaft; a reinforcing rib protruding from an outer circumferential surface of the annular wall; and a first recess formed by boring the annular wall and opening the other side with respect to the axial direction of the shaft.

A differential assembly including a differential housing, a gear assembly, a shaft, and a ring gear. The differential housing generally includes a peripheral wall, first and second end walls connected to the peripheral wall and spaced apart along a rotational axis so that the peripheral wall and the first and second end walls, in combination, define an internal cavity, a transitional region defined in the differential housing where the second end wall meets the peripheral wall, and a first window formed through the peripheral wall, the transitional region, and/or the second end wall and into the internal cavity, the first window including a central portion and first and second ear portions adjoining the central portion and extending outwardly therefrom. The first window defines a shape when projected perpendicularly onto a first plane including both the rotational axis and a pinion axis, said pinion axis extending perpendicular to the rotational axis.

A method for mitigating torque steer in a vehicle having a steering axle with a limited slip differential and a pair of output members. The limited slip differential includes a pair of differential outputs and a clutch. The method includes: operating the limited slip differential with the clutch in the first condition; determining that the vehicle is in a state in which a torque steer condition is occurring or is likely to occur; and operating the clutch to reduce a torque differential between the differential outputs to mitigate the torque steer condition. A vehicle with a steering axle and a controller that is configured to operate a clutch in the steering axle to attenuate torque steer is also provided.

According to various embodiments, disclosed is a mechanical differential assembly for a wheeled vehicle is disclosed including a housing a pinion gear operable to both rotate relative to the interior surface of the housing and be fixed relative to the interior surface of the housing and a clutch portion fixed to the pinion gear.

An adjuster mechanism and an axle assembly that includes an adjuster mechanism. The adjuster mechanism may include a collar assembly that has a collar that may receive a shift collar, a follower, and an adjustment screw. Rotating the adjustment screw may move the collar assembly and the shift collar along an axis.

An axle assembly and method of assembly. The axle assembly may include a drive pinion and a preload nut. The drive pinion may have a recess. The preload nut may have a deformable ring. The deformable ring may engage the drive pinion inside the recess to inhibit rotation of the preload nut.

An adjuster mechanism and an axle assembly that includes an adjuster mechanism. The adjuster mechanism may include a collar assembly that has a collar that may receive a shift collar, a follower, and an adjustment screw. Rotating the adjustment screw may move the collar assembly and the shift collar along an axis.