Power gets to the axle through the companion flange which is located on the pinion shaft. Pinion shaft and gear brings the power in to
Differential and rotates at engine speed. It rotates with the help of the gear mounted at the end of pinion shaft that meshes with a large ring gear mounted with its axis of rotation perpendicular to that of the pinion. This positioning entails holding down the gear ratio of the axle, and also reversing the rotation so as turn the axle shafts that then power the two wheels. The axle gear ratio, therefore, stands for the number of pinion gear teeth by the number of ring gear teeth. The ring gear rotates the differential case: there are two bearings for the ends of a pinion shaft on which two pinion gears can be installed. These pinion gears in turn mesh with two side gears, each fitted at the inner terminus of a given axle shaft. This differential setting makes the outer axle shaft revolve at a faster rate than the inner axle shaft in the process of the turn. Per main pinion and the side bearings on which the weight of the differential case rests, preloading and correct positioning of the pinion and probably ring gears is done by adjusting the shims. Limited slip differentials are fitted with clutches which connect each axle shaft to the differential case, which engage through springs or torque pressure during a turn. On level ground and dry surface, the said clutches are disengaged and each wheel rotates as desired at the appropriate rate. However, when there is slippage on either wheel the clutches transfer some of the power to the wheel with better grip; this makes demands a special type of lubrication for the limited slip units.