1995 Dodge Ram 1500 - Differential Gears

What are Differential Gears?

The differential gears split the power from the transmission to allow each wheel and axle to spin at different speeds while turning. When you turn your vehicle, the wheel on the inside of the turn will spin slightly less than the wheel on the outside. The differential gear divides the force from the engine evenly between the wheels, while simultaneously allowing them to follow different paths, like when driving around sharp corners. Differential gears consist of the pinion and ring gears, carrier gears, and more that are enmeshed to ensure appropriate tolerances and safe operation. The differential gears can wear out or be damaged due to low fluid levels or debris contaminating the gear oil. If the differential gears are not properly lubricated, the friction caused by metal-on-metal contact can result in excessive wear. If you notice a whirring sound when decelerating, howling or whining during acceleration, vibration that increases with speed, or clunking noises coming from the rear of your vehicle, check your differential fluid level and condition as well as the condition of the differential gears. If you need a replacement differential gear or differential fluid, visit O'Reilly Auto Parts. At O'Reilly Auto Parts, we offer full differential gear sets, as well as ring and pinion gear replacements for your complete repair or differential rebuild.