Rear Axles for this vehicle consist of the following components:
• | Differential Axle Housing |
• | Electronic Locking Mechanism |
• | Right and left Axle tubes |
• | Right and left axle shafts |
The H2 uses the 9.50 inch ring gear axle. This type of the axle can be identified
by the stamping on the right side axle tube. It may also be identified by the ring
gear size. The locking differential information for this rear axle can be located
in the locking differential section.
This differential has a set of 4 gears. 2 are side gears and 2 are pinion
gears. Each side gear is splined to an axle shaft so each axle shaft turns when
its side gear rotates. The pinion gears are mounted on a differential pinion shaft,
and the gears are free to rotate on this shaft. The pinion shaft is fitted
into a bore in the differential case and is at right angles to the axle shafts.
Power is transmitted through the differential as follows: The drive pinion
rotates the ring gear which is bolted to the differential case assembly. The differential
pinion, as it rotates with the case, forces the pinion gears against the side
gears. When both wheels have equal traction, the pinion gears do not rotate
on the pinion shaft because the input force on the pinion gear is equally
divided between the 2 side gears. Therefore the pinion gears revolve with the
pinion shaft; but do not rotate around the shaft itself. The side gears; being
splined to the axle shafts, and in mesh with the pinion gears rotate the axle
shafts. When the vehicle turns a corner the inner wheel turns slower
than the outer wheel which slows the rear axles' side gear. The rear axle pinion
gears will roll around the slower moving rear axle side gear; driving the rear
axle side gear wheel faster.