Single Speed
The single speed rear axles are made up of the following two main components:
| • | The differential carrier assembly |
| | The banjo-type rear axle housing carries the weight of the vehicle.
The rear axle housing provides a machined spindle surface for the rear wheel
bearings. The rear wheel hubs rotate on the rear wheel bearings, allowing
the rear axle shafts to float within the rear axle housing. |
| | The differential carrier assembly performs the following functions: |
| - | To change the driving force 90 degrees from the propeller
shaft. |
| - | To allow the rear wheels to turn at different speeds. |
The differential carrier assembly consists of the following components:
| • | The differential carrier |
The complete carrier assembly may be removed from the vehicle without
removing the axle housing assembly.
Two Speed
The two speed rear axle contains two different gear ratios or ranges.
The two speed rear axles operate in the same way as the single speed rear
axles. The driver selects the range using a control switch on the instrument
panel. A shift motor assembly mounted on the rear carrier engages a shift
fork which selects the range chosen by the driver. The shift motor assembly
is electrically operated. The shift fork will perform the following functions:
| • | Slide a collar onto the sun gear of a planetary gear set. |
| • | Slide the entire sun gear assembly in or out of the gear set. |
Two possible gear ratios may come from the same gear axle.
Tandem
A tandem rear axle increases the amount of payload a vehicle may carry.
The tandem rear axle increases the traction factor when both rear axles are
locked together. A tandem rear axle consists of the following components:
| • | The rear axle front unit has a power divider with an inter-axle
differential, which sends power to the individual axle differentials. The
power divider allows for inter-axle differential action between the two rear
axles. |
| • | The tandem rear axles have the ability to be locked together,
providing power to both the rear axles without the inter-axle differential
action. The electric or air operated inter-axle differential lock system
is controlled by an air cylinder/differential lock assembly. The air cylinder/differential
lock assembly is part of the power divider that is mounted to the rear
axle front unit differential carrier. The drive controls the electric/air
operated inter-axle differential lock system using a differential lock switch
located in the instrument panel. |
| • | All the rear axles have a removable differential carrier. The
tandem rear axle operates in the same way as a single speed type of a rear
axle. |
Overhaul Dana/Spicer
For overhaul information of the Dana/Spicer® differential carrier
assembly, contact the Spicer® Support Line at 1-800-666-8688.
Overhaul Eaton
For overhaul information of the Eaton® differential carrier assembly
or the power divider, contact Eaton® Roadranger® Service at 1-800-826-HELP
(1-800-826-4357).
Rear Axle Identification
For complete rear axle identification information, refer to
Rear Axle Identification
. in General Information.
| • | For unit repair information of the Dana/Spicer® differential
carrier assembly, contact the Spicer® Support Line at 1-800-666-8688. |
| • | For unit repair information of the Eaton® differential carrier
assembly or the power divider, contact Eaton® Roadranger® Service
at 1-800-826-HELP (1-800-826-4357). |
| • | For unit repair information of the Rockwell differential carrier
assembly, contact the Rockwell Field Support Center at 1-800-535-5560. |
