Front Drive Axle Description and Operation With E-Locker

The electronic locking differential consists of the following components:

The electronic locking differential is a combination of an open differential and an electrically energized coil assembly. When the coil is not energized, the differential operates in the same manner as an open differential. The locking differential coil assembly is located on the right side of the differential case. The locking differential coil is held stationary within the differential case housing through the lock tab on the coil and the hold down lock that attaches to the differential bearing cap. The remainder of the locking components are located within the differential case and rotate at the same speed as the differential case. The locking function of the differential is accomplished by a combination of vehicle and user inputs. In order to the differential coil to energize, the vehicle must be operating under the following conditions:

Once the above conditions are met, the automatic transfer case shift control module sends a signal to energize the coil. The energized coil creates a magnetic field that allows the outboard locking differential ball bearing plate to rotate at a slower speed than inboard locking differential ball bearing plate and the differential case. The difference in the 2 speeds causes the locking pins that are between the cam and the differential to move along their respective ramps and separate the cam from the differential. The separation allows the differential lock pins to be pushed through the differential case towards the locking differential plate. The locking differential plate has tabs that when pushed by the pins, lock onto notches in the side gear. Once the differential lock pins are engaged, the locking differential side gear can no longer rotate independently of the differential case. Since the locking differential side gear is now apart of the differential case and turning at the same speed as the ring gear, the pinion gears that are perpendicular to the locking differential side gear, cannot rotate within the differential case. This causes the bell-side differential side gear to rotate at the same speed as the locking differential side gear. The driving force generated by the ring gear, is transmitted through the locking differential side gear, through the pinion gears, to the bell-side differential side gear. The axle shafts, which are splined to each side gear, receive the force and rotate together at the same speed along with the differential case and ring gear. The will remain the locked position until the vehicle's speed exceeds 64 km/h (40 mph) or the operator turns OFF the differential lock switch or the transfer case is shifted into 4 HI or NEUTRAL. The locking differential coil will de-energize and the differential will function as an open differential.

Front Drive Axle Description and Operation Without E-Locker

The Front Drive Axle consist of the following components:

The axle uses a conventional ring and pinion gear set in order to transmit the driving force of the engine to the wheels. The open differential allows the wheels to turn at different rates of speed while the axle continues to transmit the driving force. This prevents tire scuffing when going around corners and premature wear on internal axle parts. The ring and pinion set and the differential are contained within the carrier. The axle identification number on top of the differential carrier assembly or on a label on the right half of differential carrier assembly. The drive axles are completely flexible assemblies consisting of inner and outer constant velocity CV joints protected by thermoplastic boots and connected by a wheel drive shaft.