Differential or Transaxle ?
Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 12:32 pm
What is the technical difference between a differential and a transaxle ?
An Alfa transaxle combines the clutch , gearbox and the differential into one composite assembly and the differential (with or without limited slip) drives the rear wheels via the output shafts and axles .
In conventional rear wheel drive cars a differential receives the drive from the tailshaft (or prop. shaft) and transfers that drive to the rear wheels to move the car.
In a front wheel drive car, the separation of these components is less clear because the housings may visually confuse these functions.
For an all wheel drive car, there are two differentials, one for the front axles and one for the rear along with other parts that make all this work.
To my knowledge, there are no transaxle all wheel drive cars ( but I have been wrong before
)Pick up any workshop manual and look at the shematics that will clearly describe which part is which.
